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Journalism at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS

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2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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Open days

5Nov
Goldsmiths, University of London - Postgraduate Open Evening
Postgraduate

Course summary

Why study MA Journalism at Goldsmiths Accredited with distinction by the Professional Publishers Association, this practical MA gives you the essential skills to work as a journalist for multiple audiences across myriad platforms.

  • Journalism is about the world outside. It’s about the story and the people who make it. It’s about being on top of the zeitgeist. And being on top of the deadlines.
  • The Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies has been ranked second in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (Research Excellence Framework, 2021) and 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings for communication and media studies.
  • This MA gives you the practical skills to work as a journalist at the highest level in print and online. We will learn what news means, and where it comes from. We will give you the ability to write compelling features and interviews. We’ll also be focusing on the kinds of questions you need to ask – of the individual, the state or the organs of power. And we address how the new digital world has transformed the way we go about journalism, adding new platforms and new technical skills.
  • The programme is practice-based so you’ll be creating magazines and working on our local news website while you’re here. EastLondonLines is a live news site run from the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies and covering a large area of East and South London. Working on ELL as a journalist will give you unrivalled hands-on experience of being part of an editorial team, finding and breaking news stories and features. You will have options to choose to learn data, video and podcasting skills as well as using cutting edge open source technology to investigate and present stories.
  • You will work in a small group both during your editorial control period of Eastlondonlines and on your digital and magazine project because working in such teams is common professional practice. Underpinning the practice-based work are more theoretical modules essential to give background – these cover media law and ethics, politics and public affairs, and journalism in context.
  • You’ll discover how different mediums dictate how you create a story and how to adapt your style of writing to reflect the nature of the platform, from print newspapers to digital features. Join us and discover how to express yourself concisely, grab the attention of readers and think on your feet in this swipe-left-and-right world.

Modules

The programme is divided into a series of modules that cover the key practical skills and theoretical background. There are no optional modules or alternate pathways. You'll study the following compulsory modules: Introduction to News Reporting Journalism in Context Media Law and Ethics Power, Politics and Public Affairs Multimedia News Reporting Journalism Production Features Optional modules In addition to the compulsory modules, you will select skills-based optional modules equal to the value of 30 credits, chosen from an approved list published annually. Guest speakers Additionally, a wide range of journalists and those associated with the media are invited to speak to and network with students through various strands of our guest speaker programme. Speakers attend both individual modules – recent speakers on our Politics Power and Public Affairs module have been Toby Helm, political editor of The Observer and Andrew Grice, political commentator of the Independent – and more informal ad hoc visits. Media Forum Series We have other speakers and film screenings as part of our regular evening Media Forum Series run by the department for all students, where recent sessions have included the importance of local journalism, news start-ups, reporting in war zones, tabloid journalism, open justice and the media and race. *Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

Assessment method

Practice modules are largely assessed by portfolios of your work, while theory modules are all assessed by essays or written research work.

Entry requirements

You should have (or expect to be awarded) an undergraduate degree of at least upper second class standard and have evidence of some journalism (or equivalent) experience. Portfolios We will usually ask to see a portfolio of your work, which should include evidence of published journalistic work, either in undergraduate student journalism or in the professional arena. You can also include evidence of journalistic or media work experience that has not resulted in published work. Applicants without a portfolio can be considered for interview if they meet other selection criteria, including supplying an engaging personal statement. We may also ask some applicants without any journalism experience to undertake work experience in order to further understand how journalism operates in the workplace and to prepare themselves for the programme. We accept a wide range of international qualifications. If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 7.0 with a 7.5 in writing and no element lower than 6.5 to study this programme.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .

Additional fee information

No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.

Sponsorship information

Scott Trust Bursary.

Journalism at Goldsmiths, University of London - UCAS