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International Journalism MA

Course code

4A2BPINTJOUR

Start date

September

Subject area

Journalism

Mode of study

1 year full-time

2 years part-time

Fees

2024/25

UK £12,650

International £21,260

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Overview

Do you want to report on news from the most interesting and important parts of the world? Are you committed to a career in journalism but need the professional skills? If so, this postgraduate course provides excellent preparation for working across all platforms.

From the moment you start Brunel’s International Journalism degree, you will learn to deliver high-quality video, audio, online, and print journalism geared towards global audiences. You will also learn some of the tools and techniques that fact-checkers and open-source investigators use to check claims and verify or debunk images, increasingly essential skills in an age when misinformation and disinformation proliferate.

Brunel’s course content aims to equip you with digital, multi-platform journalism skills and an advanced understanding of the context of journalism in the fast-changing world of news media. You will study a mix of practical and theory modules contextualising different forms of journalistic practice within a world of technological, political, and cultural change.

Brunel offers you a challenging, employment-orientated programme on a leading journalism course at a London university focusing on international reporting.

You will benefit significantly from our research strengths and excellent links with the industry, the opportunity to build your journalistic skills working on the Hillingdon Herald, which is published locally, while doing your studies, and the option of taking a course accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Additionally, alumni and industry guest speakers will bring further insight and inspiration about what it means to work within global media.  

You will also get plenty of hands-on training and practice in the University’s well-equipped media suite that mimics the recording and broadcast facilities used within the industry.

The MA International Journalism will appeal to diverse candidates interested in journalism across all sectors, including print journalism, online journalism, radio journalism, TV journalism, and cross-platform reporting.

You can explore our campus and facilities for yourself by taking our virtual tour.

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Course content

This strongly vocational programme will allow you to develop your journalistic skills as you learn about the impact of technological, political, and social change on different forms of global journalism.

The modules explore the global and the local, theory and practice, and cover a range of topics from media ownership to law for journalism and the role of journalism in international political processes. Practical modules teach you traditional journalistic skills required on all newsdesks and rapidly evolving ones in cross-platform journalism, fact-checking, and image verification.

When you graduate, you will have a wide range of skills that enable you to work in diverse roles within international and national journalism or undertake a PhD.

This course can be studied 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time, starting in September.

Year 1

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

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Careers and your future

As a graduate of International Journalism MA your skills will be well suited to a variety of roles within journalism, particularly those with an international context, such as:

  • Reporters for international news agencies 
  • War and foreign correspondents
  • Online journalists
  • Magazine journalists
  • Investigative journalists
  • Content producers for mobile platforms
  • Communication officer in non-government and private sector organisations

International Journalism MA is also excellent preparation for further postgraduate level research such as an MRES or Doctoral Degree

You’ll have a set of media skills that are easily transferred to fields like public relations, marketing, advertising, as well as non-governmental organisations and the public sector.

Previous graduates of this course are working in a variety of organisations, including the BBC World Service, Norway’s DTK TV News, Italy’s Il Mattino and London’s China Weekly.

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UK entry requirements

  • A 2:2 UK Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification and evidence of commitment to journalism as a career such as student journalism or work experience. Candidates with other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants will be required to attend an interview.

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EU and International entry requirements

If you require a Tier 4 visa to study in the UK, you must prove knowledge of the English language so that we can issue you a Certificate of Acceptance for Study (CAS). To do this, you will need an IELTS for UKVI or Trinity SELT test pass gained from a test centre approved by UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) and on the Secure English Language Testing (SELT) list. This must have been taken and passed within two years from the date the CAS is made.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
  • Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
  • BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
  • TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all) 

You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.

Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 entry

UK

£12,650 full-time

£6,325 part-time

International

£21,260 full-time

£10,630 part-time

More information on any additional course-related costs.

Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase. 

See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.

Scholarships and bursaries

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Teaching and Learning

How the course will be delivered

Required equipment

How you'll learn on your course

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Assessment and feedback

Your progress on the course will be assessed in a variety of ways including practical projects and tasks, essays, exams, case studies, presentations, reflexive reports and dissertations.

In particular, your burgeoning knowledge and understanding of theoretical debates, practical skills and understanding of the historical and institutional context of different international journalism practices will be assessed through your written assignments.

You will research and write a journalism dissertation under the guidance of a dissertation supervisor. Many students value this unique experience and the opportunity to become, for a period of time, authorities on a particular area of journalism.

Read our guide on how to avoid plagiarism in your assessments at Brunel.

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