Journalism (Distance Learning)MA

Whether it's providing the public with trusted information, holding leaders to account or countering "fake news" and misinformation, journalists have a key role to play in a democratic society.

Gain the skills, knowledge and qualification you need to succeed in roles such as journalist, news editor, press officer and communications officer with this online Journalism Master's.

Accreditation

Our course has been accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

The NCTJ accreditation lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work as a journalist when you graduate. This gives you an edge over students who haven't done an accredited course when you’re applying for jobs.

Work towards your NCTJ Diploma

On this course, you can take assessments to qualify for the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.

Explore this course page to find out more about the modules and credits you'll need and how much each assessment costs.

Ideal skills and qualities for this course

As well as meeting the entry requirements, you'll need to have excellent English skills, be inquisitive and approachable, and have a desire to become a journalist or communications professional.

Don't worry if you have no previous journalism experience – you'll get an intro to reporting to bring you up to the required standard.

When you complete the course successfully, you'll have the skills and knowledge to communicate important issues to the public in the digital world. You'll also have a portfolio you can use to demonstrate your talents to potential employers. 

Roles you could work in after the course include:

• journalist
• news editor
• social media manager
• press officers
• communications officer

Typical employers may include:

• online and print newspapers
• broadcasters
• magazines
• PR agencies
• corporate communications agencies

After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years from our Careers and Employability service as you advance in your career.

Work experience and career planning

To give you the best chance of securing a great job when you graduate, we'll help you secure at least 10 days of work experience with a publisher or communications company.

We can also help you identify further placements, internships, voluntary roles and freelancing opportunities that will complement your studies and build your portfolio.

Studying modules worth 180 credits. Your learning will include:

• how to write for a digital audience
• the laws and regulatory codes that impact journalists
• how to use investigative techniques to find public interest news and report data stories
• the professional practice required to be a senior leader as part of a newsroom or communications team

NCTJ Diploma requirements

You don't need to learn anything extra to complete your NCTJ Diploma – just your Master's modules. For example, what you learn in Media Law and Regulation is enough to pass the following NCTJ modules:

• Essential media law and regulation
• Ethics and regulation
• Media law court reporting

You can also use what you learn in Government, Power, and the Media to pass the NCTJ Public Affairs module, and the portfolio of stories you gather during the course for the diploma's portfolio module.

While there’s no additional learning, you’ll still need to take extra assessments to pass certain modules. There are also fees for each assessment.

Explore the ‘NCTJ Diploma modules’ tab below for more information on them and how many credits. You can also learn more about the NCTJ Diploma overall by visiting the NCTJ website.

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

Teaching

The majority of this course is delivered through live online sessions on set days and times of the week. To build in flexibility, most of these live sessions, where appropriate, are recorded to allow you to catch up. In addition, there will be pre-recorded video explainers – accompanied by online tasks – aimed at testing your knowledge on topics we're covering.

Teaching methods on this course include:

• Game-based learning – such as using Kahoot! and online quizzes
• Collaborative learning – working in groups to solve problems or complete tasks
• Project-based learning – when you work for an extended period of time to investigate an authentic, engaging and complex question, problem, or challenge
• Online seminars where you can put the knowledge into practice
• News days
• Visiting speakers from industry
• Online "mini-courses" to complete within modules

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.

For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.

How you're assessed

• essays
• a portfolio
• written assignments
• online exams
• presentations
• reflective practice

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week (full time) or 17.5 hours a week (part time) studying for your Journalism Master's.

You’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes and workshops for about 12 hours a week (full time) or 3–6 hours a week (part time). The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, shorthand practice, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course.

Most online teaching takes place during the day, but there will be videos and catch-up materials available if you miss a session.

Term times

The full-time Master’s is taught over two teaching blocks – September to January and February to June.

The part-time Master’s is taught over three teaching blocks – September to January, February to June, and September to January.

See term times

You'll get face-to-face support from teaching and support staff when you need it. These include the following people and services:

Tuition fees (September 2023 / January 2024 start)

UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students

• Full-time: £7,800
• Part-time: £3,900 per year

EU (including Transition Scholarship)

• Full-time: £7,800
• Part-time: £3,900 per year

International students

• Full-time: £7,800
• Part-time: £3,900 per year

Fees subject to annual increase.

Tuition fees terms and conditions

Funding your studies

Find out more how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover. 

If you're a UK student, you may be eligible for a Government postgraduate loan, which you can use to help with course fees and living costs.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Journalism Diversity Fund

You may also be eligible for a bursary from the Journalism Diversity Fund.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Start your application by following the link below:

September 2023 start

• Full-time study
• Part-time study

January 2024 start

• Full-time study

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.