Journalism (NCTJ) MA

If you’re looking for a highly-practical journalism course, that is designed to help you work in a range of journalism settings then this course is for you. Spanning different methods of production across print, digital and broadcast platforms, you will be supported to develop the skills and experience needed to forge your path in an industry that both continually evolves in response to society and shapes the world in which we live.<br/><br/>Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), we have designed the programme in line with NCTJ standards to provide you with a foundation for a professional career in the journalism industry through the development of key skills and understanding in areas such as newsgathering, reporting and media law, alongside a focus on the use of digital and data in contemporary journalism. You will also explore the relationship between journalists and public relations professionals, opening up alternative opportunities within the media industry.<br/><br/>We have relationships with organisations with a range of outlets, including The Guardian, The Birmingham Dispatch, Global Radio and the BBC, as well as a number of other organisations covering broadcast, online, data and print journalism.<br/><br/>You’ll benefit from learning from staff with a wealth of experience in different strands of the journalism industry both in the UK and across the globe, you will learn how reporters source, produce and deliver news in alternative formats across a range of platforms. You will also work with both our award-winning Birmingham Eastside platform and partner organisations to understand the role of reporters in different journalism landscapes by working on live projects and taking advantage of opportunities via other outlets and organisations, such as Lichfield Live and The Lichfield and Burntwood Independent.<br/><br/>The accreditation also means you will have the opportunity to sit NCTJ examinations and assessments alongside your University studies and assignments, which, on successful completion, means you could be awarded both a Master’s degree and the NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism.<br/><br/><strong>Whats covered in this course?</strong><br/><br/>You will take modules covering topics such as newsgathering and reporting, media law, ethics, data journalism, photojournalism and broadcast journalism, as well as participating in newsdays where you will experience the thrill of working in a live news environment, creating content to deadline and telling stories that matter to communities.<br/><br/>During the course, you will also get access to respected journalists, which may include guest lectures, mentoring and networking opportunities, giving you invaluable contact with people working in the field so that you understand the contemporary industry’s challenges and opportunities. From traditional media outlets, through to those creating disruption and seeking alternative ways of telling stories, the course is designed to provide you with skillset to thrive in the ever-evolving world of journalism.<br/><br/>You will have access to our industry-standard facilities in the Parkside Building at our City Centre Campus, which includes radio and TV studios, a newsroom space, and audio and video editing suites. Alongside this you will have access to video and still cameras and audio recording equipment through our Hires and Loans service, enabling you to get out and capture real stories from the outset. With the emergence of new platforms and models for journalism, including alternative funding models, this is an exciting period in the development of the industry. As such, we will support you to be proactive in finding and reporting stories regularly across the course, and experiment with different techniques and formats so that you have the skills to thrive in the ever-changing journalistic landscape.