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Overview

Our accredited MA Broadcast Journalism course will equip you with the necessary skills, knowledge, understanding and other attributes expected of professional broadcast journalists at the start of their careers. The course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, which represents the broadcast industry including the BBC, ITN, Channel 4 and Global Radio.

From the outset you will develop expertise in newswriting, interviewing, presenting, editing, and online content, as well as deepening your awareness of the legal, moral and regulatory issues that confront working journalists. You will be encouraged to engage critically with, and make informed judgments on, current professional practices and ethical issues.

You will apply specialised techniques and also, at Masters level, plan and carry out a significant project of original research, culminating in a documentary or broadcast portfolio. Recent documentaries have investigated cryptocurrency, media representation and women politicians, African migrants now living in Scotland and the impact social media is having on the world of science.

Newsroom-ready

We are focused throughout the programme on ensuring you understand your professional identity and you are ready to work in industry; you will emerge as a multi-skilled graduate who can demonstrate critical thinking, technical skills, journalistic instinct and a strong broadcast voice.

Employability is at the heart of this MA. You will be sent on placement, often to commercial radio stations, which have actively recruited from the programme, including Global Radio, Bauer Radio which includes West Sound as well as placements at STV, BBC Scotland, ITN and Sky.

Accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, means that the MA meets professional industry standards and ensure students are skilled in broadcasting requirements which includes professional voice training.

Industry professionals are invited in to speak with students about their careers in broadcasting including STV’s channel editor Paul Hughes, Tom Connor, Head of Online and Sport and Global Radio’s Head of News Corrie Martin. Students have also attended BBC’s Question Time and met with presenter and broadcasting stalwart David Dimbleby.

Entry Requirements

What qualifications do you need?

We welcome Scottish, UK and international students and consider all applicants on an individual basis.

Don’t worry if your qualifications are not listed here, we take a range of factors into account when assessing your application and are happy to consider other alternative combinations of qualifications and experience

If you are applying with an EU or non-EU qualification, please check our Postgraduate Entry Requirements page which gives more information about country-specific entry requirements.

Academic Requirements

You will require a University degree in any discipline or an equivalent qualification. Mature applicants with other qualifications and experience within the broadcast industry may be considered at the discretion of the Course Leader.

Applicants will also be expected to take a writing and voice test, as well as an interview.

Overseas students must also meet UWS English language requirements.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for most courses

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The qualifications below must have been gained within two years of the start of your course.

General English language requirements at UWS: International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module (not General Training)

  • overall score 6.0
  • no sub-test less than 5.5

Common equivalent English language qualifications

All stated English tests are acceptable for admission for both home/EU and international students for this programme:

  • CAE (Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
  • CPE (Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English): 176 overall; no sub-test less than 169
  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English: ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests
  • PTE Pearson Academic English: An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.0 with no element below 5.5). An overall score 61 with no element below 51 (for programmes that require IELTS 6.5 with no element below 6.0)

 

IELTS Score Exceptions (DBA, Certificate of Higher Education, PhD, etc.)

For our research degrees (MRes, MPhil, PhD, DBA, DProf), applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 6.5
  • no sub-test less than 6.0

For Health, Nursing & Midwifery courses that lead to professional registration with the Nursing & Midwifery Council, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 7.0
  • no sub-test less than 7.0

For our Certificate of Higher Education courses, applicants are required to have an IELTS score as follows:

  • overall score of 5.0
  • no sub-test less than 4.5

 

TOEFL IBT

TOEFL IBT*: 78; no sub-test less than:

  • Reading: 17;
  • Listening: 17;
  • Speaking: 17;
  • Writing: 17

* Please note that TOEFL is still acceptable for admission to this programme for both home/EU and international students.
For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use TOEFL to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level courses. We therefore still accept TOEFL tests taken in the last two years for admission to this programme.

 

West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE)

West African Senior School Certificate of Education (WASSCE) including acceptance of WAEC Scratchcard*

  • C6 or above in English

*UWS will accept a WAEC scratchcard confirming that an applicant has achieved C6 or above as evidence of meeting English language requirement from Nigeria if the student graduated within the last 5 years. After 5 years applicants would be required to provide the WAEC Certificate.

 

Pre-sessional courses

Applicants who do not meet the minimum English language requirements have the option to study one of our preparatory and pre-sessional English courses. The UWS courses available are:

  • 10 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.0 with no element below 4.5.
  • 5 week pre-sessional - entry criteria UKVI IELTS 5.5 with no element below 5.5.
  • English Language for University Study - entry criteria UKVI IELTS with score of 4.0 in all elements (10 month course), or 4.5 with no score below 4.0 (7 month course).

Course details

This master's degree focuses on developing journalistic practice through appropriate theoretical underpinning. You will be supported throughout your learning by a team with years of experience in the broadcast industry - including key employers like the BBC.

An innovative feature of our course is the newsroom setting for all broadcast practice delivery when students lead on conference time, source and report and produce hourly bulletins.

All students will have two new days per week in Term 1 and will also have an assessed news week at the end of their News Journalism module.

Students also produce portfolio content for Journalism & Public Affairs allowing them to put theory into practice and are expected to produce radio bulletins.

Teaching & Assessment

Postgraduate Certificate Broadcast Journalism

Number of hours students will be in teaching activities (Lectures, Workshops, Tutorials, Seminars, etc.): 112 hours - 18.7%

Number of hours students will be in independent learning: 488 hours - 81.3%

Postgraduate Diploma Broadcast Journalism

Number of hours students will be in teaching activities (Lectures, Workshops, Tutorials, Seminars, etc.): 112 hours - 18.7%

Number of hours students will be in independent learning: 488 hours - 81.3%

Days in placement: 15

MA Broadcast Journalism:

Number of hours students will be in teaching activities (Lectures, Workshops, Tutorials, Seminars, etc.): 70 hours - 11.7%

Number of hours students will be in independent learning: 530 hours - 88.3%

ASSESSMENT Across all stages:

This Master's degree combines journalistic practice with theoretical underpinning. This emphasis on developing journalistic practice skills is reflected in the assessment methodology.

  • Exam: 6%
  • Practical: 52%
  • Coursework: 42%

Course Structure

Find out more about the structure, learning outcomes, compulsory and optional modules in this course.

Broadcast Journalism Course Structure

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Career Prospects

Jobs

The course has an outstanding employment record. Recent graduates have found work at the BBC and STV, a host of commercial radio stations such as Radio Clyde and Heart, busy media offices, and a range of high-quality journalism employers. 

"It's clear that without the training and experience gained by studying at UWS I wouldn't be where I am in my career. From practice 'news days', to learning media law, all of the knowledge gained during my Postgrad is put to daily use. The teaching provided is second to none, with regular visits from industry professionals. Employers are regularly impressed with the quality of graduates from UWS. One just needs to look around my newsroom to see the large number of people who studied the course; proof that it's a well-respected and clear route into the profession."

Alan Jenkins, Broadcast Journalist, STV

Further Study

This programme may prepare students for further research study at MRes or PhD level.

Tuition Fees

Class-based (Scottish campuses) 2019/20

Scottish & EU

£5,500 per year of study

English, Northern Irish & Welsh

£5,500 per year of study

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£5,500 per year of study

International (Non-EU)

£12,600 per year of study

More on current & future tuition fees

Postgraduate fees for this course 2020/21

Scottish & EU

£6,500 cost of study

English, Northern Irish & Welsh

£6,500 cost of study

Channel Islands & Isle of Man

£6,500 cost of study

International (Non-EU)

£13,000 cost of study

More on current & future tuition fees

Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) postgraduate tuition fee and living cost loans may be available for eligible (Scottish/EU) students. Check SAAS website for more information.

Additional Costs & Sources of Funding

The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.

In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs like study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms.

Fortunately, there is a great deal of financial support available to help students meet the cost of their study. This ranges from:

  • statutory government loans to pay for tuition fees
  • scholarships for Scottish, EU and International (non-EU) students
  • bursaries to help towards living expenses

The sections below provide details of additional costs that your course may involve along with any financial support that may be available.

You can also find additional information in our Postgraduate Money, Fees & Funding section.

Additional Costs

Students on certain degrees will incur some additional costs not covered by their tuition fees. These could be for things like specialist equipment, study materials, work placements, graduation, membership of relevant organisations or costs related to carrying out fieldwork.

For students on course with an element of fieldwork, there may also be extra costs for travel and accommodation.

Please contact the course leader for details of the additional costs associated with this course.

Broadcast Journalism - Additional Costs

Study

it is recommended that you purchase two books for this Master's course:

  • McInnes, R., 2010, Scots Law for Journalists (8th Ed.), W. Greens, London (c.£30) - 9th Ed. scheduled for publication in October 2019
  • Frost, C., 2016, Journalism Ethics and Media Regulation (4th Ed.), Routledge, Oxon (c.£.37)

Visits & Placements

There are also a number of company visits within Glasgow area scheduled throughout the course - you will be expected to cover your own travel costs for these.

You are also expected to participate in a three weeks (15 days) of broadcast journalism placement and you are expected to cover your own travel and sustenance costs on these placements.

Tuition Fees & Living Cost Support

Tuition Fees & Additional Costs

Tuition fees are calculated based on where you are from and what you are studying. Some courses also involve additional costs, such as mandatory field trips, equipment or studying abroad.

Find out how much it will cost you to study at UWS as a postgraduate student.

Funding for Scottish Students

Scottish students studying at postgraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.

Find out more.

Funding for English, Welsh & Norther Irish Students

English, Welsh and Northern Irish students studying at postgraduate level at UWS are entitled to various funds and support towards tuition fees and living costs.

Find out more.

Funding for EU Students

EU students studying at postgraduate level of UWS may be eligible for SAAS funding, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.

Find our more.

Funding for International Students

There are several scholarship and incentive schemes available to international students studying at postgraduate level at UWS, as well as support to meet the costs of childcare and various sources of additional funding.

Find out more.

Other Financial Support

Discretionary & Childcare Funds

UWS administer a range of discretionary and childcare funds. These are designed to support students who are experiencing financial difficulty or struggling to meet the costs of childcare.

Find out more.

Benefits & Tax Credits

Becoming a student can have an impact on your entitlement to certain benefits. It may mean you are no longer eligible to claim a benefit you have been receiving, or your new income from student funding may affect the amount you are able to receive.

Find out more.

Additional Financial Support

If there isn’t a statutory source of funding for you or your course, or you are in need of additional financial support, you may wish to consider more alternative sources of funding such as trust funds and scholarships.

Find out more.

Money & Debt Advice

Choosing to become a student can have a big impact on your budget and you may need to reassess your spending to account for a reduced income. We’ve put together some guidance to help you manage your money and make the right financial choices for you and your family.

Find out more.

How to apply

Postgraduate courses (MA, MSc, MEd, MBA, DBA, PG Cert, PG Dip, etc.) & some Post-experience courses (CertHE, BA, Grad Cert, Grad Dip, etc.)

All students should apply directly to the University through our online application system. Before you apply, you should check that you meet our entry requirements and you should have all your supporting documents ready.

The first stage of the process is to create a profile; you don't have to complete the application in one session - you can complete it in stages by saving each section and return to complete it at a later date.

You will need to upload documents with your applications, which may include transcripts and degree certificates.

Most courses don't have a formal closing date, but they will close when they are full; apply early to avoid disappointment. There may also be funding deadlines that apply to you.

Before you begin your application, it is important to read the Postgraduate & Post-Experience application step-by-step guide for a smooth process.

 

An ATAS certificate is not required for overseas students applying for this course.

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