Skip navigation
Journalism at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Course options

2024 - 20252025 - 2026
Apply

There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Course summary

Our journalism postgraduate course offers you the opportunity to acquire a fast-track but thorough grounding in practical journalistic skills, a strong working knowledge of the media industry and the principal contemporary theories of media and culture, along with an ability to develop professional writing skills across journalistic genres. Beyond the core skills delivered in the fast-track module, subsequent modules combine professional skills with a more conceptual understanding of how to interpret and communicate ideas in professional media work. The course equips you with skills relevant to a wide range of professional contexts, and accordingly covers diverse aspects such as web journalism and other online media production, public relations, professional communications, and other skills relevant to the creative industries. You are strongly encouraged to develop your own areas of interest as well as to identify emerging areas of demand in the industry. We offer this course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. For the Diploma and Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation. The MA programme is part of our new Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both. Highlights

  • We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.
  • This course enables you to attain a high standard of journalistic practice.
  • Graduates in other fields can achieve professional standards of practice and understanding of the journalism industry.
Careers and employability Graduates can pursue career paths in journalism, the media, or public relations. Possible professions include:
  • broadcast/newspaper journalist
  • press sub-editor
  • publishing copy-editor/proofreader
  • public relations officer
  • market researcher
  • writer.
Jobs gained by some of our BA and MA graduates include:
  • Producer, BBC News
  • Research Manager, BBC News
  • Project Coordinator, Sony Interactive Entertainment ltd
  • Marketing Manager, Red Deer
  • Broadcast Journalist, LBC, Classic FM, Capital and Heart
  • Staff Writer, Field Gibson Media
  • Communications Officer, Bristol Water
  • Staff Reporter, European Medical Journal
  • Executive Producer, Mongolian Media Council
  • Business Analyst, GSK
  • PR Director, Notable
We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Assessment is 100% coursework, with additional in-class writing exercises and portfolio requirement. Unassessed written work.

How to apply

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in any related subject; other qualifications will be considered. Applications are encouraged from those with prior journalistic experience. Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

England £10800 Year 1
Northern Ireland £10800 Year 1
Scotland £10800 Year 1
Wales £10800 Year 1
International £19830 Year 1

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

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Journalism at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS