Political Journalism  MA

Overview

City's Political Journalism MA is aimed at those either already working, or interested in starting careers, in the broad area of political journalism for the mainstream media, and also for new media including blogs and other social media outlets.

It is also relevant for work in NGOs, campaigning organisations, political parties, public affairs consultancies, local and national government and public relations consultancies.

The course is taught in the evenings to enable you to start or continue working in a related field.  

The course:    

  • provides a practical grounding both in the broad issues of politics and political communications as well as in the techniques of journalism, political writing and reporting
  • offers a unique combination of practice and reflection - students will be involved in both in the day-to-day reporting politics but will also study the major debates surrounding political journalism and communications
  • is taught by experienced political journalists and uses top-level outside guest speakers from the worlds of journalism and politics
  • is based in the heart of London, giving students immediate access to the capital's key political and media institutions
  • builds on the expertise and international reputation of the Graduate School of Journalism as a world leader in journalism education.

Course director Professor Ivor Gaber on coverage of Nigeria's presidential elections

Professor Ivor Gaber, director of City's Political Journalism MA, talks about Nigeria's recent presidential elections, and in particular his role in improving the election coverage by Nigerian journalists:

 

 

Course Fees:

  • Full-time EU: £9,000
  • Full-time Non EU: £14,000

Start Date:

24 September 2012

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

You must have one of the following:

  • a degree in a relevant subject, eg. journalism/media, politics or history
  • OR any other degree and evidence of an interest in political journalism or campaigning
  • OR a minimum of five years' professional experience of political journalism or campaigning

English Requirements

If your first language is not English, we advise you to apply for the International Journalism MA, which is designed specifically for students from outside the UK.

Visa Requirements

The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:

  • Students on courses of more than 6 months
  • Students on courses of less than 6 months
  • Students on a pre-sessional English Language course

For more information see our main Visa page.

When and Where

Start Date:
24 September 2012
Duration:
Full-time (10 months). The Political Journalism MA is taught mainly in the evenings.

Course Content

The MA, apart from preparing you for a career in political journalism, is also relevant for work in NGOs, campaigning organisations, political parties, public affairs consultancies, local and national government and public relations consultancies.

The MA in Political Journalism  is the only MA Journalism course taught in the evenings, which enables you to start or continue working in a related field.

The course provides a practical grounding both in the broad issues of politics and political communications as well as in the techniques of journalism, political writing and reporting.

It offers a unique combination of practice and reflection - you will be involved in both the day-to-day of reporting politics and also study the major debates surrounding political journalism and communications.

It is taught by experienced political journalists and uses top-level guest speakers from the worlds of journalism and politics.

It is based in the heart of London, giving students immediate access to the capital's key political and media institutions.

Course Structure

Modules include:

Teaching and Assessment

All MA Journalism courses at City are practical, hands-on courses designed for people that want to become journalists. As a result, much of your coursework will be journalistic assignments that you produce to deadline, as you would in a real news organisation. Some courses are taught in lecture theatres, such as Journalism and Society 1 and Media Law, but most are smallgroup workshops that allow you to develop your journalistic skills and knowledge with the support of our expert academics. The Political Journalism MA is taught mainly in the evenings.

The MA in Political Journalism is taught by practitioners with wide experience in the fields of political journalism and communications.

Professor Ivor Gaber, the course director, has an outstanding background in both practical political journalism and in academic research in this area.

He has co-authored three books and numerous articles on political communications, and has served as a media consultant to a variety of organisations, governments and international bodies. His journalistic career has included senior editorial positions at the BBC, ITN, Channel Four and Sky News. He is an Independent Editorial Adviser to the BBC and a frequent contributor to radio and television networks in the UK and abroad.

Recommended Reading

Sample reading list for Journalism & Society 1

  • Belsley, Andrew , Chadwick, Ruth (Eds) Ethical Issues in Journalism and the Media, Routledge, 1992
  • Quinn, Frances, Law for Journalists, Pearson Education, 2007
  • Morrison, James, Public Affairs for Journalists, Oxford University Press, 2009
  • Wynford, Hicks, English for Journalists, Routledge, 1998

　

Fees

  • Full-time EU: £9,000
  • Full-time Non EU: £14,000
Please note that, for part-time courses, the tuition fee is likely to increase by a small percentage in subsequent years.

Funding

For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.

Bursaries

Some bursaries are advertised and awarded by media organisations. Please visit the Department of Journalism's bursaries page for more details.

Career Prospects

We have been running Journalism courses at City since 1976. In the 34 years since, over 4,000 students have graduated and are now working in the media in the UK and internationally.

Read alumni stories and see the full list of graduate destinations in the 25th anniversary issue of our alumni magazine XCity.

City Journalism alumni currently working in political journalism include:

  • Fraser Nelson (Editor, The Spectator)
  • James Landale (Deputy Political Editor, BBC)
  • Pippa Crerar (Political Correspondent, Evening Standard)

Find out more about City University London

Application Deadline

5 March 2012

MA Political Journalism

Please submit the following:

  1. One application form
  2. Two references, one of which should be from an academic referee. Either post the references to us with your application, or arrange for your referees to forward them to us no later than two weeks after your application is submitted.
  3. A copy of your degree transcript. We require one of the following: an original transcript; a copy certified by your university; an electronic scan of your transcript. If you have not yet graduated, you will be required to submit your degree transcript as soon as it is available. You will not be able to register as a City student without having supplied your degree transcript.
  4. An example of your published journalism, or an article written for publication (not an essay) of between 700 and 800 words about a contemporary aspect of the relationship between politicians and journalists. The article should be written for a specific audience in a specific country - please identify the publication and the target audience.

Application deadline

The deadline is 5 March 2012.

Application forms

or

Return address

Please return your application form and/or supporting documents, marked "Postgraduate Applications 2012", to: Admissions, Graduate School of Journalism, City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK.