Journalism and New Media MA

Course overview

This MA course in Journalism and New Media aims to develop postgraduates who can critically explore the ways in which new media forms and practices are facilitating a transformational shift in news and journalism. Of particular interest is the impact the internet is having on the news industry, with relevant issues including:

• The emergence of innovative strategies of news gathering, distribution and presentation;
• Efforts to secure new business models;
• Changing patterns in news consumption;
• Challenges for government policy-making and regulation;
• And the rise of collaborative, citizen-based approaches to news reporting, amongst many others.

Key debates concerning topics such as citizen journalism, blogging and social media will be explored in a diverse range of contexts, such as environmental, war, conflict and crisis reporting.

You will be encouraged to develop critical perspectives, enabling you to re-invigorate traditional thinking about news and journalism. You will be equipped with an understanding of how to carry out research enquiries and/or journalistic investigations of topics relevant to your interests.

In addition, you will consider how new types of journalism can be developed to foster renewed civic engagement among citizens, empowering you to take action on issues of local, regional and/or global concern.

What makes this journalism course different?

• Study online news and journalism through a fusion of applied research, practice and experimentation
• Specialist units include: New Media Innovation; Investigative Journalism; Citizen Journalism & Social Reporting; Environment, Conflict & Crisis News; Researching Journalism & the Internet (for further details, please take a look at our Course Content page)
• Specialist topics covered include: online journalism, social media and blogging, converged newsrooms and changing journalism practice, user-generated content and participatory journalism, new media ethics, data journalism, crowdsourcing, interactivity, mashups, digital magazines, and mobile news
• Students benefit from research-led teaching, in addition to top speakers from across the media industry who deliver talks and lectures on a regular basis.

Where could this journalism course lead?

Graduates from this course would be able to consider future careers as:

• A journalist for online and mobile platforms, and digital magazines
• Computer-aided reporter and investigative journalist
• Social media and digital communication specialist
• Civic media strategist
• Communication and research officer for government and non-government organisations
• Further research in academia (e.g. MPhil or PhD).

Who should do this course?

• Graduates from a wide variety of disciplines seeking either a career in online journalism or to develop research interest in news and journalism
• Graduates with a Lower Second Class Honours degree or comparable professional qualifications (2:2)
• Journalists and related media professionals who wish to update their knowledge and / or pursue careers in research
• People with relevant experience from NGO or government organisations
• Enquiries from non-standard applicants with relevant professional experience are invited, and will be treated on a case-by-case basis.

Related courses

Bournemouth University also offers journalism postgraduate degrees in:

• International Journalism - Study online news and journalism through a fusion of applied research, practice and experimentation
• Multimedia Journalism - the first course in the UK to explore the full potential of multi-platform news publishing.