duration

10 months

Science Journalism MA

Course overview

This course has been designed in consultation with the UK’s leading science journalists and scientists, in response to this rapidly expanding vein of journalism. Its aim is to improve science journalism by training you to be a critical consumer of scientific information, whilst ensuring that you receive excellent practical professional journalism training.

 

The course is led by award-winning ex-BBC leading science journalist Connie St. Louis. It makes full benefit of its central London location by drawing on the rich heritage of the capital’s scientific and medical institutions, helping you to forge links, build contact networks and giving unrivalled access to leading experts.


It offers a range of opportunities to report on science, health, environment, technology and food which will be delivered in partnership with other world renowned departments within the University. Throughout the year there will be regular distinguished guests to the campus to give public lectures and to work with students in small workshops.

 

Course content

The course offers you a thorough grounding in the best practices in professional science, environmental and health journalism.

 

It develops skills in science reporting, interviewing, science writing, research and broadcast, online and print production. As well as enabling critical reflection on the legal ethical and societal responsibilities and to put those skills and that knowledge into practice.

Modules

The course takes the form of 9 compulsory modules. It is both academic and practical: it fosters skills of intellectual analysis and independent investigation through a combination of taught courses and a MA project

 

Teaching and assessment

Tutors

 

Employment

Career opportunities

This course is for those who want to train as professional science, environment, technology and medical journalists, and aims to prepare you for your first job in science journalism. It prepares you for a wide range of professional science journalism careers in print, broadcast and new media as well as, public relations and communication.

 

At the end of the course you will be able to work in any form of science and health journalism both in specialised publications or general journalism outlets including newspapers, magazines online and the broadcast media.

 

As the course began in September 2009, we don't yet have any data on graduate prospects. You can, however, read about leading City Journalism alumni, and see where last year's MA Journalism class are working now.

Internships 2009/10

Internships give you the chance to put your learning into practice and, more importantly, make contacts in the industry.

Students on the 2009/10 course have secured internships with the following:

  • The Economist
  • The Guardian (two students)
  • BBC Radio
  • The Times (two students)
  • Science
  • Geoscientist
  • George Monbiot
  • Bad Science – Ben Goldacre
  • New Scientist (three students)
  • Institute for War and Peace Reporting
  • environmentalresearchweb.org
  • Financial Times

How to apply

Entry requirements

  • You should be able to show that you have some relevant work experience in journalism, which might include work on a university/college publication, or work experience in either science, environmental or medical journalism.
  • You should have at least a good second-class degree in any subject. Considerations will also be given to mature applicants with substantial work experience in science or medicine.
  • For students whose first language is not English, an IELTS score of at least 7.0 is required.

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- or science-related work placement.

 

3. A copy of your degree transcript. We require an original transcript or a copy certified by your university. If you have not yet graduated, you will be required to send us your degree transcript as soon as it is available. You will not be able to register as a City University student without having supplied your degree transcript.

 

4. Details of your work experience in journalism. You 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 or 3-minute broadcast suitable for a science, technology, medical or environmental publication (for any platform) based on an interview that you have conducted.

Application forms

Selection process

1. Application deadline

Friday 30 April 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. Interviews

Interviews will take place between April and June 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, 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.

 

News

 

further information