About Journalism, MA - at University of Winchester
Journalism at Winchester is designed to meet the challenges of a fully ‘converged’ media world where journalists, especially at entry level, are expected to be able to work within any medium from video reporting to magazine feature writing, through radio production and podcasting to web production, blogging, dynamic content management and supervision of social networking sites.
Entry requirements: Normally a first or second class Honours degree in a related subject or professional experience in the area of study
If English is not your first language: IELTS 7.0 (including 7.0 in writing) or a TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) or equivalent
Application process: UKPASS (full-time applicants only) or Direct Entry Application Form (part-time applicants only)
Programme ContentThe University of Winchester is one of the newest and most forward-looking centres for journalism education in the UK. As part of this there is a new fully equipped multimedia newsroom and broadcast television studio for Winchester journalism students to use.
The journalism programmes at Winchester have been developed with the assistance of the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) and an industry advisory panel composed of regional and national figures with expertise in television, radio, newspapers, magazines, online and journalism training. This helps ensure that students obtain the best possible skills for the demands of today’s media industry.
Study and training proceeds rapidly from the classroom to the studio and newsroom where, together with extended periods of work attachment, students experience the reality of working journalism. The aim is to create a grey zone between the world of university and the world of work, based around simulations and then, finally, the experience of running Winchester News Online, a live community based news gathering operation based on an award-winning training website developed by the Programme Leader.
Students do not have to complete the whole journalism programme in order to obtain a recognised journalism qualification. There is an option to study for one semester to obtain a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), complete two semesters to gain a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) or continue over the summer by completing the Academic Dissertation/Major Individual Journalism Project to achieve the full Masters degree (MA).
ModulesStudents need successful completion of the following modules to gain the Postgraduate Certificate:
Postgraduate Certificate (Semester one)
The business of journalism : markets, audiences, advertising, funding
Teeline shorthand
Web audio and video production skills/interactive online digital magazine production
Radio and Television news production and presentation
UK/EU public affairs/news sources
Media law and regulation
Students gaining sufficient credit in the above modules may continue to the Postgraduate Diploma by taking the following additional modules:
Postgraduate Diploma (Semester two)
Video documentary production
Live production project – Winchester News Online
Students gaining sufficient credit in the above modules may continue to gain a Masters degree by taking the following additional module over the summer:
Masters degree (summer vacation)
Academic Dissertation/Major Individual Journalism Project
AssessmentA wide variety of forms of assessment are used on the course, with an emphasis on continuous assessment of practical skills. Students take standard lecture-based courses in media law and public affairs and will take examinations in these subjects at the certificate level. Practical work is assessed in the studio in individual group and feedback sessions. All students create a course blog which acts as a portfolio of work completed, a means of exchanging ideas with tutors and other students and a way of receiving feedback and advice on their work.
DissertationAn Academic Dissertation/Major Individual Journalism Project enables students to study one aspect of the profession of journalism, or an aspect of its likely future development in much greater detail. There is an option to do this by means of a traditional supervised academic dissertation, or as a series of linked in-depth pieces of journalism.
CareersGraduates from the course will be fully equipped to begin professional careers as either staff or freelance journalists with a wide variety of publishers and broadcasts in the newspaper, magazine, radio, television and online industries.
