Key information
- Duration:
- 1 year full time, 2 years part time
- Start date:
- September 2020
- Apply by:
- 1 August 2020 (international), 1 September 2020 (UK/EU)

- 100% of Communication, Cultural and Media Studies research impact was rated outstanding or very considerable in terms of reach and significance in the latest Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014)
Journalism remains a crucial part of democratic public life. This innovative, intensive MA’s global focus guides you as you learn to research and write news and features, creating and adapting news stories across platforms.
This course focuses on developing the practical skills and the critical knowledge to help you to reflect on your professional practice in an international context. You’ll learn to:
- understand and debate the broader issues driving news organisations across the world
- be knowledgeable about the functions of journalism in a contemporary environment
- produce copy for a range of platforms including print, online, radio, tv and social media
- critically evaluate and analyse a range of journalistic outputs and their characteristics.
Being taught by professional journalists – Rebekah Chilvers, Journalism MA
Masters and PhD events
Meet us on campus or online
Entry requirements
Degree requirements | You should normally have an upper second-class (2.1) undergraduate honours degree or above. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please select your country from the list.
Argentina
Degree requirements | Licenciado/Titulo with a final mark of at least 7.5-8.5 depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Australia
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with second-class upper division. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Azerbaijan
Degree requirements | Magistr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4 or 81% |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bahrain
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.0/4.0 (Grade B). |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Bangladesh
Degree requirements | Masters degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brazil
Degree requirements | Bacharel, Licenciado or professional title with a final mark of at least 7.5 or 8 depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Brunei
Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with second class upper division or GPA 3.1/4.0. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Canada
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.3/4.0 (grade B+). |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Chile
Degree requirements | Licenciado with a final mark of 5-5.5/7 depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
China
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 72%-85% depending on your university. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both a Degree Certificate and Graduation Certificate. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Colombia
Degree requirements | Licenciado with ‘Acreditacion de alta calidad' and a GPA of 3.5. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Cyprus
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree or Ptychion with a final mark of at least 7.5. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ecuador
Degree requirements | Licenciado with a final mark of at least 17/20. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Egypt
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree from a university with an overall grade of at least 70%-75% depending on your university |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
France
Degree requirements | Licence with mention bien or Maîtrise with final mark of at least 13. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Germany
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree or Magister Artium with a final mark of 2.4 or better. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Ghana
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree from a public university with second-class upper division. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Greece
Degree requirements | Ptychion from an AEI with a final mark of at least 7. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Hong Kong
Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
India
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with an overall mark of at least 55-70% depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Indonesia
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree from an 'A' accredited university with GPA 3.0/4.0. Bachelors degree from a 'B' accredited university with GPA 3.2/4.0. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Iran
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree (Licence or Karshenasi) with a final mark of at least 15. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Italy
Degree requirements | Diploma di Laurea with an overall mark of at least 105. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Japan
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a minimum C/GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Jordan
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or 80%. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kazakhstan
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with an overall mark of 4 or better (on a scale of 1-5)/GPA 3,33. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kenya
Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Kuwait
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or B+ |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Lebanon
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA 3.5/4.0 or 14/20. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malawi
Degree requirements | Masters degree, depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Malaysia
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Mexico
Degree requirements | Licenciado with a final mark of at least 8/10. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nepal
Degree requirements | Masters degree with overall mark of 80% |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Nigeria
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with second-class upper division or CGPA of at least 3.0-3.5/5.0 depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Norway
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with an overall grade of B. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Oman
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Pakistan
Degree requirements | Four-year bachelors degree with overall grade of 65% or Masters with 60% |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Palestine
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with at least 80% or GPA of at least 3.0/4.0 |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Paraguay
Degree requirements | Bachelors with a final mark of at least 7.5/10. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Peru
Degree requirements | Licenciado with a final mark of at least 13/20 from a public university or 15/20 from a private university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Philippines
Degree requirements | Masters degree with 1.5/5.0 (where 1 is the highest) or 3.7/4.0 |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Qatar
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with an overall CPGA of at least 3 (on a scale of 4). |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Russia
Degree requirements | Bakalavr or Specialist Diploma with a minimum average mark of at least 4. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Saudi Arabia
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a CGPA 3.5/5.0 or 3/4.0. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Singapore
Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division or CAP 4.0. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Africa
Degree requirements | Bachelors (honours) degree with second-class division 1. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
South Korea
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with a CGPA of at least 3.3/4.5 or 3.1/4.3 or B+ |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Spain
Degree requirements | Licenciado with a final mark of at least 2/4 or 7/10. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Sri Lanka
Degree requirements | Bachelors Special degree with upper second honours. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Switzerland
Degree requirements | Licence or Diplôme with 5/6 or 8/10. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Taiwan
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with overall mark of at least 67%-80% depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Thailand
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 2.8 - 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Turkey
Degree requirements | Lisans Diplomasi with CGPA of at least 2.8 - 3.0/4.0 or equivalent depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
United Arab Emirates
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.0/4.0 or equivalent. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
USA
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree with CGPA of at least 3.3-3.5/4.0 depending on your university. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Vietnam
Degree requirements | Bachelors degree (with a Graduate Thesis/research component) with CGPA of at least 3.3/4.0 or 7.5/10. As evidence of completing your degree you must provide both proof of graduation in addition to your transcript. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Zambia
Degree requirements | Masters degree with GPA of 2.0/2.5 or equivalent. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
Zimbabwe
Degree requirements | Bachelors (Honours) degree with second-class upper division. |
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Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
Please note | Our entry requirements are guidelines and we assess all applications on a case-by-case basis. |
My country is not listed
If your country is not listed, you need to contact us and find out the qualification level you should have for this course. Contact us
Subject-specific requirements | Your qualification should be in a relevant social sciences or humanities subject. You can also apply for the course if you don’t have the academic qualifications required, but can show relevant professional/creative skills and experience. |
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English language requirements
IELTS (Academic)
Standard level (6.5 overall, including at least 6.0 in each component).
Check your IELTS qualification meets all of our entry requirements and find out more about IELTS
Alternative English language qualifications
Proficiency tests
Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (CAE)
176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill.
We would normally expect the CAE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Advanced
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
176 overall, including at least 169 in each skill.
We would normally expect the CPE test to have been taken within two years before the start of your course.
You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Cambridge English: Proficiency
Pearson (PTE Academic)
62 overall, including at least 56 in all four skills.
PTE (Academic) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about Pearson (PTE Academic)
TOEFL (iBT)
88 overall, including at least 20 in Listening, 19 in Reading, 21 in Speaking, 23 in Writing.
TOEFL (iBT) scores are valid for two years from the test date. Your score must be valid when you begin your Sussex course. You cannot combine scores from more than one sitting of the test. Find out more about TOEFL (iBT)
The TOEFL Institution Code for the University of Sussex is 9166.
English language qualifications
AS/A-level (GCE)
Grade C or above in English Language.
Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE)/ AS or A Level: grade C or above in Use of English.
GCE O-level
Grade C or above in English.
Brunei/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
Singapore/Cambridge GCE O-level in English: grades 1-6.
GCSE or IGCSE
Grade C or above in English as a First Language (Grade 4 or above in GCSE from 2017).
Grade B or above in English as a Second Language.
German Abitur
A score of 12 or above in English.
Ghana Senior Secondary School Certificate
If awarded before 1993: grades 1-6 in English language.
If awarded between 1993 and 2005: grades A-D in English language.
Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
Level 4, including at least 3 in each component in English Language.
Indian School Certificate (Standard XII)
The Indian School Certificate is accepted at the grades below when awarded by the following examination boards:
Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) – English Core only: 70%
Council for Indian School Certificate Examinations (CISCE) - English: 70%
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
English A or English B at grade 5 or above.
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education
Grades A - C in English language
Malaysian Certificate of Education (SPM) 1119/GCE O-level
If taken before the end of 2008: grades 1-6 in English Language.
If taken from 2009 onwards: grade C or above in English Language.
The qualification must be jointly awarded by the University of Cambridge Local Examinations Syndicate (UCLES).
West African Senior School Certificate
Grades A1-C6 (1-6) in English language when awarded by the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) or the National Examinations Council (NECO).
Country exceptions
Select to see the list of exempt English-speaking countries
If you are a national of one of the countries below, or if you have recently completed a qualification equivalent to a UK Bachelors degree or higher in one of these countries, you will normally meet our English requirement. Note that qualifications obtained by distance learning or awarded by studying outside these countries cannot be accepted for English language purposes.
You will normally be expected to have completed the qualification within two years before starting your course at Sussex. If the qualification was obtained earlier than this, we would expect you to be able to demonstrate that you have maintained a good level of English, for example by living in an English-speaking country or working in an occupation that required you to use English regularly and to a high level.
Please note that this list is determined by the UK’s Home Office, not by the University of Sussex.
List of exempt countries:
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Canada**
- Dominica
- Grenada
- Guyana
- Ireland
- Jamaica
- New Zealand
- St Kitts and Nevis
- St Lucia
- St Vincent and the Grenadines
- Trinidad and Tobago
- United Kingdom
- USA
** Canada: you must be a national of Canada; other nationals not on this list who have a degree from a Canadian institution will not normally be exempt from needing to provide evidence of English.
English language support
If you don’t meet the English language requirements for your degree, you may be able to take a pre-sessional course
Visas and immigration
Find out how to apply for a student visa
Admissions information for applicants
How to apply | You apply to Sussex using our postgraduate application system |
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Personal statement | Yes. You must submit a personal statement as part of your application. |
If your qualifications aren’t listed or you have a question about entry requirements, contact us
Pre-Masters
Need to boost your academic skills for your taught course? Find out about Pre-Masters routes
Application deadlines
1 August 2020 (international), 1 September 2020 (UK/EU)
Course details
Full-time and part-time study
Choose to study this course full time or part time, to fit around your work and personal life. Modules for the full-time course are listed below.
For details about the part-time course, contact us at studyinmfm@sussex.ac.uk
Modules
These modules are running in the academic year 2019/20. We also plan to offer them in future academic years. They may become unavailable due to staff availability, student demand or updates to our curriculum. We’ll make sure to let our applicants know of such changes to modules at the earliest opportunity.
Core modules
Core modules are taken by all students on the course. They give you a solid grounding in your chosen subject and prepare you to explore the topics that interest you most.
- Broadcast News and Features (1)
- Broadcast News and Features (2)
- Digital Features and Design
- Digital Reportage
- Journalism in Transition A
Options
Alongside your core modules, you can choose options to broaden your horizons and tailor your course to your interests.
- Dissertation (Journalism)
- Journalism Project
- Activist Media Practice
- First Person Film (MA)
- Global News Industries A
- Media Audiences
- Media, Culture and Communication
- New Moving Screens
- Photography: Documentary, Landscape, Politics
- Promotional Culture
- Queering Popular Culture
- Race, Culture and the Media
- Working in the Creative Industries: Critical frameworks
Placement
You have the opportunity to go on a short work placement.
Our experts

Dr Sally Xiaojin Chen
Lecturer in Journalism
Research interests
Chinese internet culture, Cultural understanding of the Chinese media, Journalism and journalists in China, Media and protest, Political communications, Resistance and activism in digital China, The public sphere

Prof Ivor Gaber
Professor of Political Journalism
Research interests
Broadcast News, Journalism, Labour Party, Media and Elections, Media and Policymaking, Media and Social Work, Media Bias, Media Regulation, News Agendas, political communication, Political Parties, Polling, Social Media

Dr Monika Metykova
Senior Lecturer in Media Communications/Journalism Studies
Research interests
cultural and media policies, Journalism, media and democracy, media and diversity, media and migration, political economy of media
Fees and scholarships
How much does it cost?
Fees
- UK/EU students:
- £11,000 per year
- Channel Islands and Isle of Man students:
- £11,000 per year
- International students:
- £19,300 per year
Note that your fees, once they’re set, may be subject to an increase on an annual basis - see details on our tuition fees page.
If you are a self-funded international student starting a Masters course in September 2020, you are required to pay a tuition fee deposit. Find out more about Masters tuition fee deposits.
Living costs
Find out typical living costs for studying at Sussex
Find out about our terms and conditions
How can I fund my course?
Postgraduate Masters loans
You can borrow up to £11,222 to help with fees and living costs if your course starts on or after 1 August 2020. Loans are available from the Student Loans Company if you’re from the UK or if you’re an EU national studying for a Masters.
Find out more about Postgraduate Masters Loans
Scholarships
Our aim is to ensure that every student who wants to study with us is able to despite financial barriers, so that we continue to attract talented and unique individuals.
Chancellor’s International Scholarship
There are 25 scholarships available to international postgraduate applicants who can demonstrate academic excellence
Chancellor’s Masters Scholarship
Applicants with a First Class degree from a UK University can apply for one of these £3,000 scholarships, awarded as a tuition fee reduction.
Chevening Scholarship
Chevening is the UK government’s international awards scheme aimed at developing global leaders. Funded by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO)
Dr John Birch Music Scholarship
Four scholarships of £800 are available to reward talented musicians studying on any course at Sussex.
Dr John Birch Music Scholarship (Organ)
One scholarship of £800 is available to reward a talented musician studying on any course at Sussex.
EU Excellence Scholarship
Ten £3,000 scholarships, available to applicants from EU countries who have received an offer to study an eligible Masters at Sussex.
Stuart Hall Scholarship
One scholarship is available to a student applying to study a full time Masters in the Department of Media and Film.
Sussex Graduate Scholarship
Unlimited £3,000 scholarships for 2020 Sussex graduates, awarded as a fee reduction when progressing directly to an eligible Masters at Sussex.
Sussex GREAT Scholarship Thailand
The GREAT Scholarships scheme is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council and the University of Sussex.
Sussex GREAT Scholarship Turkey
The GREAT Scholarships scheme is jointly funded by the UK government’s GREAT Britain Campaign, the British Council and the University of Sussex.
Sussex India Scholarship
A £3,000 scholarship available to Indian nationals applying to study an eligible Masters course.
Sussex Malaysia Scholarship
A £3,000 scholarship available to Malaysian nationals applying to study an eligible Masters course.
Sussex Nigeria Scholarship
A £3,000 scholarship available to Nigerian nationals applying to study an eligible Masters course.
Sussex Pakistan Scholarship
A £3,000 scholarship available to Pakistani nationals applying to study an eligible Masters course.
Sussex Vietnam Scholarship
A £3,000 scholarship available to Vietnamese nationals applying to study an eligible Masters course.
USA Friends Scholarship
This scholarship, equivalent to $10,000, is available for nationals or residents of the USA on a one-year full time taught Masters degree course.
How Masters scholarships make studying more affordable
Working while you study
Our Careers and Employability Centre can help you find part-time work while you study. Find out more about career development and part-time work
Careers
Our graduates possess knowledge and transferable skills relevant to employment in a wide range of areas including, among others:
- the media industries
- public relations
- journalism
- teaching
- public services.
Graduate destinations
Recent International Journalism MA graduates have gone on to jobs including:
- journalist, The Independent
- multimedia reporter, The Argus
- sub-editor, The University Paper.
(School of Media, Film and Music careers database)