MA Journalism

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Birkbeck University of London

Program Overview

Program Overview:
If you’re passionate about storytelling and want to build a career in journalism, this MA is designed for you. Birkbeck blends hands-on practical skills with critical thinking, giving you the tools to produce content across print, digital, and broadcast platforms while understanding the broader media landscape. Evening classes make it easy to balance study with work or other commitments, right in the heart of London.

Curriculum Structure:
The program equips you with practical and analytical skills to succeed in modern journalism. You’ll learn how to write, edit, and produce content for multiple media formats, while exploring the social, political, and ethical dimensions of news. Optional modules allow you to specialise in areas such as investigative journalism, letting you tailor your learning to your interests.

Focus Areas:
Writing and reporting, digital and broadcast media, investigative journalism, media ethics, media analysis

Learning Outcomes:
Graduates will be able to produce high-quality journalistic content, think critically about media practices, navigate legal and ethical considerations, and adapt to a fast-changing media landscape.

Professional Alignment:
This MA prepares you for careers in journalism, media production, content creation, or related fields. Birkbeck’s location in Bloomsbury gives you excellent networking opportunities with media organisations across London.

Entry Requirements:
Typically, you’ll need a second-class honours degree (2:2) or above, but relevant work experience in journalism or media is also considered. If English isn’t your first language, an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 (with no section below 6.0) is required.

Reputation:
Birkbeck is renowned for offering flexible evening programs that combine academic rigor with professional relevance. Its strong links to London’s media industry help graduates kickstart successful careers in journalism.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Birkbeck, the MA in Journalism isn’t just about theory, you’ll get hands-on experience that prepares you for the fast-paced world of media. You’ll learn how to research, write, and report across print, audio, video, and digital platforms while working on real projects that mirror what professional journalists do every day. The course is designed to help you build practical skills, gain confidence, and develop a portfolio that stands out to employers.

Here’s how you’ll get that experience in action:

Workshops and Seminars: Practical sessions where you learn by doing, from storytelling techniques to multimedia reporting.
Collaborative Projects: Work in teams on assignments that simulate real newsroom or media production environments.
Field Trips: Visit media organizations, newsrooms, and industry events to see journalism in practice.
Internships: Opportunities to gain hands-on experience in real media workplaces.
Digital Tools & Studios: Access Mac suites, podcast studios, and industry-standard software for producing high-quality content.
Networking with Professionals: Learn from experienced journalists and media experts, building connections that can help launch your career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

To apply for Birkbeck’s MA in Journalism, you’ll usually need:

A bachelor’s degree (at least a 2:2) in a relevant subject — but don’t worry if your degree is in another field.
Practical experience in journalism or media can also strengthen your application. Birkbeck values hands-on experience just as much as academic qualifications.
English language proficiency: If English isn’t your first language, you’ll need an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 overall, with at least 6.0 in each section.

Birkbeck takes a flexible approach to admissions — they understand that strong professional experience, motivation, and passion for journalism can make you a great candidate even if your degree isn’t directly related.

Additional Information & Requirements

(IELTS Academic Test) - score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests.

Applicants from India - For courses requiring a UK 2:2, a GPA of 2.8 is required.

Applicants from USA - UK 2:2: high second-class degree, 55% or equivalent

TOEFL: IBT (no more than two years old) - Standard requirement: 79 (reading: 18, writing: 23, listening: 19, speaking: 19)

Pearson Test of English Academic (no more than two years old). We do not accept PTE Academic Online - Standard requirement: 62 with 60 in each sub-test

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