Journalism MA
1-2 years, full- or part-time
In a world where journalism is evolving at the speed of technology and where facts and truth are increasingly contested, our MA Journalism offers an ambitious environment for tomorrow’s storytellers. This is not just another accredited course bound by traditional frameworks — it is a programme designed for the fast-changing realities of modern media.
Course information
Taught by School of Arts, Media and Communication
Course description
Course description
Please note, this course is subject to approval.
We have designed a curriculum that prioritises creativity and critical thinking over convention. At the heart of this Master’s programme is a dynamic combination of practical skill development and intellectual exploration.
Core modules such as Journalism Across Borders invite you to examine the global dynamics of journalism—its power, its storytelling, and how journalists operate across cultures and within contested political spaces. AI Tools and Technologies for Journalists offers hands-on insight into the rapidly evolving role of artificial intelligence in newsrooms, from automated reporting to the ethical challenges of bias and misinformation.
Modules including Digital and Social Media Journalism and PR, Journalism and Networked Media equip you with the tools and strategies shaping today’s digital-first media landscape. If you wish to tailor your degree, a range of optional modules allows you to specialise and experiment. You might explore Space Journalism—a pioneering module at the frontier of science communication—or Environmental Journalism, both of which challenge you to rethink the journalist’s role in shaping public debate.
The Industry Placement module provides real-world experience, while Data Journalism enables you to apply analytical and storytelling skills within a specialist field. The degree culminates in a final project that reflects your personal ambitions, as you undertake an original research dissertation in your chosen area of focus.
What sets this MA apart is its freedom: the freedom to think differently, to experiment with new technologies, and to explore new forms of storytelling. You will be taught by experienced journalists, media innovators and academic researchers working across media practice and theory.
This is a course for curious, globally minded communicators ready to question how journalism works—and to shape what comes next. With specialist pathways in AI-driven journalism, international reporting, environmental storytelling and emerging fields such as space journalism, this programme equips you to navigate and influence an ever-changing information ecosystem. Join a new generation of journalists who will not only report on the future, but help define it.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Normally a second-class honours degree in any subject from a recognised university. We also accept prospective candidates who can demonstrate equivalent skills and aptitudes through the possession of a professional or vocational qualification and/or the accrual of relevant work experiences. For example, working as a journalist, in PR, media relations or producing newsletters for charities or businesses.
Relevant experience can come from a wide spectrum of work or voluntary environments but clear evidence of this experience may need to be provided. Such candidates may be required to satisfy the Admissions Tutor through interview.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in September 2026
- MA: £9,800
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about tuition fees, scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in September 2026
- MA: £21,950
You will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
A transferrable skill set is embedded within this MA, bringing practical journalistic skills together with academic analysis and understanding. In both core and optional modules, you will develop employability skills through practical sessions, such as writing journalistic copy or creating content for social media platforms.
You'll develop an understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of using generative AI, have a grounding in Public Relations and engage in critical analysis of post-truth journalism. Communication is at the heart of any journalism content and you will learn to identify potential stories and practice ways of writing to communicate them on different platforms to reach diverse audiences. You will create portfolios of your work for assessment and these can be used to demonstrate your understanding and storytelling abilities.
The dissertation module allows you to investigate a subject of your own choice. This requires excellent organisational and time management skills to ensure all stages from planning, analysis, research, data processing and writing come together in a completed project. A unique feature of this MA is the optional work placement module in the second semester which gives you opportunity for real-world experience. You will attend preparation seminars ahead of your placement and post placement seminars to help with your assignments and employability skills such as CV and letter-writing and practice interviews.
Our Careers and Employability Service is here to support you, with advice on interviews, CVs, work experience, volunteering and more. From Freshers’ Week to Graduation and beyond, they are here to help you reach your professional goals.
Related courses
Course structure
Core modules
Core modules
- Journalism Across Borders
- Digital and Social Media Journalism
- PR, Journalism and Networked Media
- Media Research Methods
- AI Tools and Technologies for Journalists
- Post-Truth Journalism
Plus your Media and Communication Dissertation
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Option modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.
Why Leicester?
Go beyond Earth: explore space as a new frontier for journalism — a module you won’t find anywhere else.
Learn by doing with real-world industry placement experience.
More than journalism: build a career across media, communications and policy.
Graduate with a powerful portfolio of transferable skills—from critical thinking to digital production and data literacy.
Teaching and learning
Teaching is delivered in a number of ways, including through workshops, seminars and individual tutorials.
A typical workshop would be three hours in length where a lecturer would introduce a topic, such as bias in generative AI models, plus exercises, discussions, and individual or group work. You are also expected to devote a significant amount of your own time to studies outside of workshops.
Assessments follow the School of Arts, Media and Communication standard pathways and include, for example, portfolios of practical work, contextual investigations, critical reflections, essays.
Key dates
September 2026 start
- Application deadline: 4 September 2026 (Please note if you require a visa to study you will be required to submit your course application by 24 July 2026)
- Deposit payment deadline: 7 August 2026
- CAS request deadline: 4 September 2026
- 70% tuition payment deadline: 4 September 2026
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | Start Dates | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course International Relations | Qualification MA | Duration 1 year full-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
| Course International Relations | Qualification MA | Duration 2 years part-time | Start Dates September each year | Availability Apply Now |
