MA Journalism

  • Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists

The creative industries are seen as driving growth and innovation not only in the UK but in many other economies around the world. The UK’s creative industries are growing at almost twice the rate of the wider economy. You will gain the skills, knowledge and confidence to work in the media in a range of roles.

Equips students with professional skills in journalism from news and features to brands and content

The exciting new programme is distinctive in its approach. Full attention is paid to the changing models of journalism, from branded content and not-for-profit journalism to big data scraping and social media crowdsourcing. Students grow their skills in digital and multi-platform journalism and form an understanding of the different ways of presenting information and published content. There is an emphasis on writing and commercially relevant journalism throughout the programme, and you will come out of the programme with a portfolio of content, across media formats, relevant to roles across the media and in other organisations where there is a need to communicate to external audiences.

Industry models and key practical skills are addressed alongside the importance of the media in society. The programme aims to provide you with an academically rigorous and professionally relevant education, and there is a wide choice of optional modules from lifestyle to digital journalism. The beautiful city of Oxford is home to many media professionals and there are more more published writers per square mile than anywhere else in the world.

The Journalism Diversity Fund (JDF) awards bursaries to people from diverse backgrounds who need help with funding. The fund is aimed at aspiring journalists without the financial means to attend an NCTJ-accredited course who can show they can bring diversity to a newsroom. Bursaries are awarded (via application directly to the NCTJ) four times per year and can help cover the costs of fees and/or living expenses.

Study at one of the leading institutes for media education in the world

  • #1 in the 2024 Guardian league table for Journalism
  • #1 in the 2020 Guardian league table for Journalism, Publishing and Public Relations
  • Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists
  • Excellent links with the media industry
  • Journalism Advisory board with high-profile figures
  • Regular networking events and activities: e.g. visits to newsrooms, media and journalism summits
  • Visiting speakers from all aspects of the media
  • For entry in 2023 university scholarships are available
  • Excellent results for student satisfaction
  • Excellent opportunities for work experience
  • A large faculty with a variety of research interests and extensive industry expertise in the media
  • Located in the global media city of Oxford

If you would like to know more about the programme, please email the course leader Antonia Mackay at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)

Further information is available on the University Prospectus page

Semester 1

  • The Practice of Journalism
  • Journalism and Technology
  • Media Law and Ethics

Semester 2

Choose three from the following:

  • Digital and Data Journalism
  • Multimedia Journalism
  • Lifestyle Journalism
  • Media Power and Public Affairs
  • The Craft of Storytelling
  • Brand Management 

Semester 3

Dissertation or Major Project

There is a sandwich mode in which the course can be taken over two years - the second year is a work placement. There is no guarantee of a work placement but the visa for an international student will allow them to complete a second year.