Newspaper Journalism MA

Course overview

This course prepares you for a first job in newspaper journalism. It has an exceptional reputation and an outstanding graduate employment record.

 

The course has been helping aspiring journalists into employment since 1982. Students benefit from a central London location, unrivalled industry contacts, and a thorough grounding in the best practices of professional journalism.

 

The course combines practical skills training in reporting, interviewing, writing, editing, research and newspaper production with a concern for critical and ethical reflection.

 

Our graduate employment record is second-to-none. Students from the 2008/9 course have gone on to work on national newspapers (Daily Mail, News of the World, The Times),  regional press (London Evening Standard), newspapers overseas (The Daily Star, Beirut), news agencies (Bloomberg, Dow Jones Newswires) and magazines (Prospect magazine, Future Publishing).

 

Teaching and assessment

Tutors

 

Employment

City Journalism alumni occupy top positions in newspaper journalism, including:

  • James Harding, Editor, The Times
  • Will Lewis, Editor-in-Chief, Telegraph Media Group
  • John Mullin, Editor, Independent on Sunday
  • Ian Birrell, Deputy Editor, The Independent

 

See more leading City Journalism alumni in newspapers.

 

See also where graduates of the 2008/9 MA class are working now.

Work placements

Work placements are an integral part of the Newspaper Journalism course, giving you the chance to put your learning into practice and, more importantly, make contacts in the industry. You do two work placements, one of which must be in local or regional newspapers.

 

How to apply

Entry requirements

  • You should have at least a good second-class degree in any subject. Consideration will be given to mature applicants who can demonstrate substantial work experience
  • You should have gained a minimum of four weeks’ work experience on local/regional UK newspapers (or have this arranged when you apply)
  • The MA in Newspaper Journalism focuses primarily on journalism in the UK. Applicants from outside the UK are encouraged to apply for the MA in International Journalism.

How to apply

You can apply either in hard copy by post, or online. Please follow the instructions below carefully.

 

Please submit the following:

 

1. One application form. You can download a pdf file of our application form or apply online by following the links below.

 

2. Two references. We prefer you to submit one academic reference, and one reference from a journalism-related work placement.

Please note that you are responsible for ensuring that your references reach us no later than 1 March 2010.

 

3. A copy of your degree transcript. We require one of the following: an original transcript; a copy certified by your university; or 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. Details of your work experience in journalism. Applicants should be able to demonstrate commitment to journalism through relevant work experience.
Either include these on a separate sheet with your postal application, or copy and paste the details into the "Personal Statement" section of the online application form.

 

5. The following two articles. Either include these with your postal application, or copy and paste them into the "Personal Statement" section of the online application form.

  • Article 1: explain in not more than 200 words why you want to come on our course and what you expect to gain from it. (This replaces the "Statement in Support of Application" requested in the application form.)
  • Article 2: a 250-word article suitable for a local newspaper, based on an interview you conduct with someone interesting in your local area.

Application forms

Selection process

1. Application deadline

Monday 1 March 2010 for submission of applications and all supporting documents (references, articles, etc.)

It is your responsibility to submit a completed application, including references and articles specified above, by the application deadline. We do not accept applications submitted after the deadline.

2. Consideration of your application

Your application will only be read and considered after the deadline has passed.

3. Selection days

Interviews will take place in April 2010. Further details will be posted here as soon as they are available.

4. Offers

You should expect to hear whether or not you have been selected for a place on the course in early May 2010.

Return address

Please return all application material, marked "Postgraduate Applications 2010", to: Admissions, Graduate School of Journalism, City University London, Northampton Square, London EC1V 0HB, UK.

 

Fees & bursaries

Tuition fees

The fees for 2010/11 are available here.

Bursaries

A number of bursaries are offered by media organisations, charitable trusts and occasionally by City University London. Check our bursaries and scholarships page for further details.

 

further information