Key Facts
About the course
This is a course for our times, responding to the challenges of globalization. The degree will challenge those from the UK and beyond to think past their national perspectives. To get the full story you need to transcend geographical borders and traditional divisions.
Today's big stories are complex, simultaneously political, economic, hyper-local and global. You will learn about transnational organisations, critique theories relating to the role of the media and globalisation and practice journalism across various media platforms.
Intermediate qualifications available:
- Postgraduate certificate – 60 credits at Masters level
- Postgraduate diploma – 120 credits at Masters level
BJTC Vote 2017
The University of Bedfordshire’s journalism team proposed and organised, through the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, the collaboration of 13 universities reporting the general election of 2017. Bedfordshire students from across our journalism courses, from first years to postgraduate students, planned, produced and presented the overnight programme as well as joining students from other universities reporting from the counts. See the team in action here on this BJTC video.
Why choose this course?
- Study with professionals from the industry, including alumni of this course, who will share practice examples, give you tips on entering the industry and help you develop your network
- Explore career options in regional, national and transnational reporting, or as a political, economic and foreign correspondent as you develop into a rounded journalist capable of seeing the whole 'global' story
- Develop your resourcefulness and enterprise – with an ability to identify and pursue stories and to challenge, test and critique evidence, while adhering to ethical codes of conduct
- Gain first-hand knowledge, by visiting national and/or international news organisations such as Reuters and Bloomberg, as well as UK/EU parliaments; work on the University community radio station and student newspaper or gain experience with local and regional newspapers and radio stations
- Benefit from a degree that gives you relevant transferable skills in publishing, copywriting, public relations, in-house press office positions, teaching, sports journalism, media research and digital media production, or enable you to continue to an MPhil or PhD research degree.
Listen to our students talk about the Britain in Europe conference
Read about the MA International Journalism course team
- Dr Paul Rowinski (winner of Outstanding Teacher in the CATS faculty at the 2017 VC Student Experience awards)
- Prof Jon Silverman
- Dr Marta Cola
- Dr Lawrie Hallett
"Having completed the International Journalism MA in 2013, I have gone on to have a career as a sports journalist with Reuters, where I reported on some major international sporting events, and, more recently, have moved into public relations, working in local and central government. As well as broadening my understanding of journalism and thinking beyond a national perspective in a globalised world, the MA gave me the ability to develop critical thinking skills that have been incredibly valuable to me in my career to date."
Michael Hann, Communications Manager, East Herts Council
Unit Information - What will I learn?
Units
- Final Project In International Journalism (MED000-6) Compulsory
- Journalism Practices Around The World (MED002-6) Compulsory
- Media And International Development (MED026-6) Compulsory
- Research Methods (MED030-6) Compulsory
- The Global Reporter (MED001-6) Compulsory
How will I be assessed?
The course is fully compliant with University regulations for assessment, mitigation, appeals and complaints. The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills that are required in a professional environment. Assessments take a variety of forms including written work (essay, report, research proposal, dissertation) oral presentations, and practical work (empirical research). For some assessments there will be opportunity for formative feedback on assessments-in-progress before the assessment deadline and you are encouraged to integrate formative and summative feedback into your work in order to develop as mass media experts and academic researchers.
Entry Requirements
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
Entry Requirements
UK
Applicants should have a good undergraduate degree at Honours level, or equivalent.
EU
To apply for a place on a postgraduate course (MA/MSc/MBA) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good first degree and the required English language qualification
Find out more about specific entry requirements for your country
International
To apply for a postgraduate degree (MA/MSc/MBA/LLM) at the University of Bedfordshire you should have a good honours degree (or equivalent qualification) in an appropriate subject from a recognised university or HE institution.
We will also consider candidates with other relevant qualifications or appropriate work experience.
You also need to have the required English language qualification
Contact your country’s International Admissions Team for more information.
Extra entry requirements
- Interview
- Portfolio review
- For international students an IELTS score of 6.5.
- Candidates for the course will be expected to produce a portfolio of journalism work. Candidates should include: a news story and a 1,000-word feature article on a given subject. Inclusion of these two pieces is the minimum requirement for portfolio submission.
- Telephone or Skype interview. Candidates will then be interviewed about how they researched and wrote the pieces in their portfolio. Staff will then assess the prospective students aptitude and suitability for the course.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
The qualification will be of value to anyone seeking to work as regional or national reporters, political, economic and foreign correspondents.
In terms of journalism’s related industries, the qualification would be of value to those seeking work as political researchers for Members of Parliament, media regulators, related lobby groups and the creative industries more broadly.
The project work on the course provides an opportunity to make contacts and develop specialist knowledge of specific areas of the media and regulation
Typical areas that media graduates could expect to find work include broadcasting, journalism, arts or media administration, governmental regulation of the media and lobbying of governments on behalf of the media, research, marketing, sales and advertising, design, and writing.
Students who graduate from this MA course will be qualified to apply for further study at MPhil and PhD research degree level.
PhD opportunities are likely to only be available to those who produce an academic dissertation for the final project – as opposed to a practical journalism portfolio.
Fees and funding
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2020/21 is £7,840 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2020/21 is £7,840 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2020/21 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Scholarship Available
The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 20/21 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:
- An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni
Fees and funding
UK
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2020/21 is £7,840 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees and living costs. Visit www.gov.uk/postgraduate-loan
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
EU
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2020/21 is £7,840 per year.
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
International
The full-time standard fee for a taught Master's degree for the Academic Year 2020/21 is available at www.beds.ac.uk/intfees
If you have any questions around fees and funding, please email international@beds.ac.uk
The University reserves the right to increase tuition fees by no more than inflation.
Scholarship Available
The Scholarship scheme for international students enrolling in the academic year 20/21 at one of our UK campuses is as follows:
- An automatic £1,000 Vice Chancellor's Scholarship for new international applicants (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A £500 Prompt Payment Discount for applicants who pay their first year fees in full, before or at registration (undergraduate and postgraduate).
- A further £500 for applicants who are also University of Bedfordshire alumni
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
UK
UK students applying for most postgraduate degrees at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form
EU
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
International
International students applying for a full-time postgraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country. You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
