MA Journalism (Specialist Features)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2024-09-01 | - |
Program Overview
The MA Journalism (Specialist Features) program at Bristol equips students with the skills and experience to excel in long-form writing for print and online channels. Through a mix of practical and analytical learning, students develop high-quality writing, research, and storytelling capabilities, specializing in a chosen area to become versatile and knowledgeable journalists. The program offers work experience, access to industry professionals, and a supportive learning environment to prepare graduates for successful careers in the media industry.
Program Outline
Degree Overview:
MA Journalism (Specialist Features)
is a postgraduate program that equips students with the skills and experience needed to excel in long-form writing for print and online channels. The program cultivates students' passion for writing and empowers them to build a successful career in journalism.
Objectives:
- Develop high-quality writing, research, and storytelling capabilities.
- Acquire technical skills in page layout, podcasting, and website building.
- Specialize in a chosen area (e.g., sport, music, environment, travel, fashion) to become a versatile and knowledgeable journalist.
- Gain experience through placements and work shadowing.
- Build a high-quality portfolio to showcase print, online, and audio work to potential employers.
Program Description:
This program is a pathway within the MA Journalism course. It focuses on feature and long-form writing for various media platforms. Students can specialize in a specific subject or type of feature writing, or develop diverse skills for work across different fields. The program provides a mix of practical and analytical learning, ensuring students graduate with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in the media industry.
Outline:
Content:
- Introduction to Media Law
- Advanced Media Law
- Journalism Collaborative Project
- Journalism Writing
- Multimedia Journalism 1
- Professional Practice in Journalism
- Specialist Features
Structure:
- The program is delivered over one year, starting in September.
- It is offered full-time, with classes taking place 2-3 days a week. Students will gain practical insights into the challenges faced by journalists.
- Journalism Collaborative Project: This project allows students to collaborate on a project related to their artistic or professional goals. It aims to develop their entrepreneurial capabilities and understanding of professional work practices.
- Journalism Writing: This practice-based module focuses on developing journalistic skills, exploring the purpose of journalism, target audiences, and editorial software applications.
- Multimedia Journalism 1: Students operate as multimedia journalists in the field, studio, and newsroom, practicing news reporting and production skills. They work in teams to prioritize news agendas, conduct research, and produce news for radio and online platforms.
- Professional Practice in Journalism: This module involves an extended production project where students create a final piece showcasing their understanding of audio content and production. They receive support from industry mentors and are expected to produce a professional-level portfolio piece.
- Specialist Features: This module introduces students to the specialist field of feature writing across various media platforms. They develop skills in producing a variety of long-form features, build expertise in a chosen area, and acquire essential writing skills for the media industry.
Assessment:
Assessment methods include:
- Practical work
- Portfolio
- Exams
- Essays
- Presentations
Teaching:
- The program utilizes a mix of practical and theoretical teaching through lectures, seminars, and expert-led skills workshops.
- Students are guided by experienced media professionals and exposed to real-world challenges to develop their writing, research, and storytelling abilities.
- The program benefits from Bristol's rich cultural and media industry connections. Guest speakers from the industry provide valuable insights and enhance learning through masterclasses, live briefs, and industry events.
- Students build a portfolio to showcase their work to potential employers and receive opportunities to specialize in different types of writing based on their interests.
- Collaboration with students from other journalism courses is encouraged.
- Students work to real deadlines under real-world conditions, gaining valuable practical experience.
Careers:
Graduates of the program are well-positioned to pursue careers as freelance or staff writers for magazines (both specialist and business-to-business), or for online channels such as websites and podcasts. They can develop skills in various features, including topical news features, profiles, investigative stories, and more. Focusing on a specific subject area like sport, music, or environment is also possible. The program equips graduates with the necessary skills and knowledge to thrive in a fast-paced and ever-changing industry.
Other:
- The program offers 15 days of work experience to gain practical experience in the media industry, build writing skills in a professional environment, and network with potential employers.
- Students can complete their work experience as a block or spread it out across the course.
- The program provides access to media specialist kits, computer labs, journalism studios, and specialized software within the Bower Ashton Campus's media studios.
- Students benefit from a range of teaching and learning spaces, a library, student support services, and extensive technical resources.
- Collaboration with creative and cultural organizations in Bristol is encouraged.
| Fee Type | Amount (£) | |---|---| | Home Award Fee | 10750 | | Home Module Fee (15 Credit) | 896 | | International Award Fee | 16000 | | International Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1333 | | Offshore Award Fee | 16000 | | Offshore Module Fee (15 Credit) | 1333 |
