Do you want to work in magazines? Are you passionate about the written word, whether it's online or in print? Would you like to explore video, design and photography? And understand how publishers are using social media to feed their readers' appetite for news of all kinds?
This course will teach you all of these things - and equip you with the all-round skills and knowledge you need to become a magazine journalist.
How you're taught
Study methods and assessment
Study methods include practical sessions, project work, tutorials, seminars, lectures and independent learning.
Assessment is by a mixture of portfolio work, projects, essays, and exams.
Work experience
You are required to complete a minimum of three weeks of placements with magazines, news organisations or in related field such as PR, marketing and communications.
Previous students have been to Grazia, BBC Good Food, Woman's Weekly, the Guardian, Slimming World, Wired, Drapers, FourFourTwo, Uncut, Olive, Mashable and Comic Relief, among many others.
We have a close relationship with the Nottingham Post and with The Voice, the London-based national newspaper and website for the African-Caribbean community. Both offer students ongoing opportunities to contribute news, features, vox pops and other content throughout the year.
We also work with Notts TV, one of 19 hyper-local television stations, which produces two hours of news about Nottingham every weeknight. The station's news gathering operation is based in the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism and all CBJ Journalism students have the chance to do work experience with the station and contribute to its programmes and website.
Other placement opportunities are promoted throughout the year by tutors and by the NTU employability team.
Professional practice
Students are encouraged to work to professional standards and are expected to be punctual, meet deadlines, work in teams and contribute ideas.
Learn a new language
The University Language Programme (ULP) is available to all students and gives you the option of learning a totally new language or improving the skills you already have.
Learning a new language can enhance your communication skills, enrich your experience when travelling abroad; and boost your career prospects. Find out more about the University Language Programme.
Careers and employability
Your career development
Previous students on the MA/PGDip Magazine Journalism course have gone on to work in a range of roles as magazine writers in digital and print, production journalists, social media editors, sub-editors, and in PR, digital marketing and promotions.
Recent graduates include:
- Alyss Bowen, social media editor, online magazine The Debrief
- Jodie Heginbotham, account manager, The Tonic Communications
- Georgie Kiely, writer, bbcgoodfood.com
- Davina Merchant, writer, MashableUK
- Charlotte McIntyre, sub-editor, Slimming World magazine
- Hannah Rought, senior marketing executive, TimeInc
- Dave Straw, marketing and comms manager, The London Stadium
- Stewart Thorpe, reporter, Rail Media.
Facilities
Facilities
Our award-winning range of journalism courses are based in the Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism, centrally placed on our City site. This multi-million pound development includes one of the largest student newsrooms in the UK, a fully functioning TV studio with production facilities and three radio studios.
TV Studio
This provides:
- six high definition SDI cameras incorporating pedestals;
- live weather green screen;
- a studio news set with back video projection; and
- automated newsroom reading system (autocue).
TV Production/Viewing Gallery
This is a dedicated production facility incorporating:
- live multi-channel audio mixing desk;
- digital high definition vision mixer; and
- operation stations including Director (with access to multi-functional communications system), a Production Assistant (accessing automated programme time counts), Autocue Controller (synchronising camera on-screen prompts in live TV studio), Play-out Operator (responsible for queuing and output of pre-record and news packages).
Newsroom
This provides:
- 96 work stations including two hydraulic work stations for disability access;
- a specialised production facility for television, radio, print, magazine and online news production;
- integrated 1GB network system;
- Adobe Master Collection software (continual updates to latest versions);
- multi-screen workstations;
- newsroom live production points, live links to external camera feeds;
- live news feeds Independent Radio News feed; and
- Press Association Feed.
Magazine room
This provides:
- a stock of regularly updated print magazines and
- work stations equipped with industry-standard software including InDesign, Photoshop/Lightroom, Adobe Premier and Audition.
Three radio studios
The radio news production facilities incorporate:
- one larger studio with six-microphone hex desk (used for multi-presenter panel debates);
- fully sound proofed with acoustic isolated floating floor system;
- news production consoles;
- automated newsroom reading system (autocue);
- a three-presenter news desk;
- automated live bulletin recorder;
- audio news package play-out system (BPM);
- real-time audio monitoring for newsroom;
- convergence systems for online platforms; and
- two voice-over recording cubicles.
Student technical resources
Free hire of broadcast equipment that can be used on location including:
- mobile journalism (mojo) kits including iPod, external mic, tripod, headphones and power pack for use by students reporting on location and from live events;
- iPads for use in mobile reporting and practical sessions;
- wide-screen digital video cameras;
- high definition cameras;
- video camera kits including balance line, microphone, Sony Pro headphones, Manfrotto Pro floating tripod system;
- digital audio recorders (digital Marantz recorders);
- digital still cameras and production lighting equipment.
Technical support
The Centre for Broadcasting & Journalism production facilities have a dedicated team of friendly and experienced engineers. They provide constant technical support for students and update and create systems that mirror the latest innovations in industry.
Books and library resources
In our library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books, periodicals and other resources that focus on specialist areas within Broadcast Journalism.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City site, with PCs providing access to:
- Microsoft Office;
- email;
- web browsing;
- networked file storage; and
- high-speed online printing services (with a free printing allowance for each student).
Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
