Cardiff, United Kingdom
DURATION
1 Years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
GBP 22,700 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for overseas | for home: £11,700
Key Summary
Introduction
MA Journalism, Media and Communications will help you to develop an in-depth understanding of how media work across a variety of social, cultural, economic and political contexts.
It focuses on the academic study of journalism but also offers opportunities for the development of professional skills through optional modules in the second semester and through research.
The course provides insights into how journalism is changing in a globalised context, exploring key debates and issues in journalism studies today. It also provides training in the use of a range of research skills in journalism studies, to support academic scholarship in the field of journalism studies.
You’ll learn to assess how media are linked to forces of globalisation, political institutions, global responses to war and conflict, and environmental challenges, amongst others.
You’ll also explore the roles of new information and communication technologies, their opportunities and challenges, their democratic potential and their regulation. We’ll also consider together issues of citizenship, race, gender, ethnicity and class that are shaping contemporary forms of news media content.
This course offers knowledge and expertise for a career in the journalism, media and communication industries or as a foundation for PhD research.
This degree is not designed as a vocational degree and does not provide practical training in Journalism. You should not consider this degree as a professional qualification.
Why Study this Course
This course provides insight into how journalism and the media are changing in a globalised context – from journalism ethics to internet governance, from community media to global communications and from crisis reporting to the transformative potential of new technologies.
Open to All
This degree will suit those with and without media experience who seek to deepen their understanding of the media industry.
International Outlook
We attract students from all over the world, providing a rich and diverse environment for academic study and critique.
Cardiff Central
You’ll be based in the heart of Cardiff’s vibrant media quarter in a purpose-built facility adjacent to the new BBC Cymru/Wales building.
Research Excellence
Your studies will take place in one of the UK’s leading journalism research schools, classed by the Government as the 2nd best in the UK.
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
We are committed to investing up to a total of £500,000 in this high-value competitive scholarship scheme to support UK students who are planning to start an eligible Master’s programme in 2024/25.
The Scholarships are each worth £3,000 and will be awarded in the form of a tuition fee discount.
Eligibility
UK students are eligible to apply for the Scholarship. You normally need to have achieved at least a 2.1 or equivalent in your first degree to be eligible. You need to submit an application to study at Cardiff University and be made an offer to study before your fee status can be confirmed.
Curriculum
The taught component of the course amounts to 120 credits and is taught across two semesters (Autumn and Spring) from the end of September to the beginning of June and combines core and elective modules.
You will submit a dissertation at the end of August. The dissertation carries 60 credits.
Core Modules for Year One
- Introduction to Journalism Studies
- Politics of Global Communication
- Putting Research into Practice 1
- Putting Research into Practice 2
- Debates and Concepts in Media and Communications
- Project Based Dissertation
Optional Modules for Year One
- Media Law
- Global Crisis Reporting
- Electoral Behaviour, Public Opinion and the Media
- Social Media and Politics
- Media and Political Understanding
- Public Relations, Offline and Online
- Digital Economy, Digital Labour
- In the Editor's Chair
- Reporting Business, Finance and Economics
- Communicating Causes
- Emerging Journalism
- Cultural Theory and Analysis
- Global Music Industries
- Media, Science and Health
- Short Form Video Production
- Gender, Sexuality and Digital Culture
How Will I Be Assessed?
You will be assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. The main method of assessment in this programme is coursework.
Program Outcome
What Skills Will I Practise and Develop?
MA Journalism, Media and Communications provides up-to-date research skills to collect, evaluate, synthesise and interpret qualitative and quantitative data and to carry out original research.
It equips you with skills in areas such as:
- Content analysis
- Interviews
- Surveys
- Digital methods
- Presentation skills
- The ability to share insights and findings cogently with peers
- Competence in information search and retrieval
- Proficiency in both verbal and written modes with respect to reviewing and marshalling academic positions and developing an engaged point of view
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
Graduates of MA Journalism, Media and Communications are employed in a range of occupations in journalism, media and communication institutions both in the UK and globally, taking on a variety of leading roles.
As an academic course focusing on critical analysis, this program also provides a perfect starting point for PhD research and prepares students for careers in research institutions, both at university and other public or private institutions.
Program delivery
How Will I Be Taught?
You will be taught through lecture and seminar series which complement the academic nature of the course.