Programme content

The programme will consist of five modules - two that provide cutting-edge journalism skills essential for the new entrant to the industry, coupled with two that offer in-depth analysis of the recent history and political economy of the industry, critical evaluation of the cultural, political, ethical and legal frameworks within which journalism operates, and academic interrogation of current and emerging journalistic issues.

The fifth module - a Major Project - requires a synthesis of practice and theory. Through undertaking these modules, you will be enabled to identify and apply the most useful practical, theoretical and contextual approaches to help you to produce "good" journalism. In this way, you can enter journalism confident of your abilities, with highly-developed research skills, ethical judgement, the necessary contextual knowledge and an ability to navigate successfully an increasingly market-led industry.

Teaching team

The programme will be delivered by a combination of academics based at Brunel (who also have considerable journalistic experience) and visiting journalists working in key positions within the media industries.

The programme convenor, Dr Sarah Niblock, is a former journalism staff member at City University and London College of Communications, and has worked for the regional press (Birkenhead News, Liverpool Echo, Daily Post) as well as writing for Cosmopolitan and freelancing for national print and broadcast media. She is also a published journalism academic.

Celia Brayfield is one of a number of published writers on staff. She is the author of nine novels, including three international bestsellers. She also contributes regularly to newspapers, periodicals and magazines. Her most recent book, Wild Weekend, was published by TimeWarner in 2004.

Professor Julian Petley is a former journalist and now an academic specialising in media policy and regulation. His most recent book (with James Curran and Ivor Gaber) is Culture Wars: the Media and the British Left (Edinburgh University Press 2005). He is a member of the editorial board of the British Journalism Review, co-chair of the Campaign for Press and Broadcasting Freedom, and a regular contributor to Index on Censorship.

Contact: Donna White, Postgraduate Administrator - donna.white@brunel.ac.uk or call 01895 267214.

Website: www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/sa

Studying Journalism at Brunel

Brunel’s School of Arts has a strong track record in delivering world-class journalism education and training. We already offer a successful Masters in Journalism aimed at students wishing to work for UK media, and you will work closely with those students to gain greater insights into how journalists operate in local and regional media.

We benefit from a close working relationship with our accrediting body, the National Council for the Training for Journalists. While this programme will not itself be accredited, you will still benefit from our rigorous standards of delivery required at an accredited centre.

We enjoy close working relationships with major media organisations, and our students work on real-world stories as soon as they arrive. Former students have gone onto work for consumer magazines, TV stations, business publications and mainstream newspapers.

The MA will appeal to a broad range of candidates with an interest in journalism across all sectors, including print journalism, online journalism, radio journalism, TV journalism and especially in areas of convergence. Our particular appeal will be to students looking for advanced skills in writing and sub-editing for global journalism, to ease your progress into your first journalism post.

The programme will also cater for students hoping to enter other sectors as media skills play a major part in public relations, marketing, advertising plus non-governmental organisations and the public sector.

As a Masters student, you will gain not only a comprehensive training in fundamental skills, you will go more deeply into these areas and test them thoroughly through real-world reporting scenarios. Our students are required to take a critical and theoretical approach to enable them to anticipate the changing journalism environment and better negotiate the institutions journalists work alongside.

You will also gain vital technical skills, such as subbing, image-based and production work in print/online journalism, with option of specialising in broadcast skills.

BA Journalism – Brunel University (Seeking NCTJ accreditation)

This new programme offers an ideal launch-pad for anyone hoping to embark on a career in journalism in the digital age.

We offer a rigorous and demanding training in news writing, Teeline shorthand, public affairs and law, plus a work placement.

You will also learn how to edit and package for a range of journalism formats with an emphasis on cross-media platforms and hand-held technology.

Complementing the practical and contextual skills will be a deeper interrogation of ethical, historical and theoretical debates about journalism. A hallmark of our delivery is our close association with the National Council for the Training of Journalists, who accredit our Master's programme.

We will be delivering essential NCTJ training alongside the broader contextual and critical elements that ensure you are best placed to navigate your way through this dynamic and demanding craft.

The programme aims to:
• provide the necessary journalistic skills and knowledge to equip students for a career in journalism;
• provide a broad education in journalism, in the context of a critical understanding of the UK's general business, organisational, governmental and legal environment;
• enable the acquisition of core transferable skills of IT, effective communication, leadership, self-management and interpersonal skills to the standards required by journalism and media employers;
• deliver journalism education and training which is provisionally accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ);
• enable a critical understanding of the ethical, social and production constraints under which journalistic practice operates;
• provide an opportunity via work-based learning, for the development of skills in personal responsibility and initiative Degree Structure

The degree course is modular. Each module is worth 20 credits and you must complete 120 credits for each year of your degree programme.

Example Modules

Data Gathering for Journalists; Magazine Journalism; History of Journalism; News Reporting and Production; Law and the Media; Reporting UK Local Govt; Crime and Court in the News; Theories of Journalism; Online Journalism; Media Freedom and Regulation; Radio Journalism; News Writing; Journalism Project; Journalism Dissertation

Course Convenor Dr Sarah Niblock is a former journalism staff member at City University and London College of Communications, and has worked for the regional press (Birkenhead News, Liverpool Echo, Daily Post) as well as writing for Cosmopolitan and freelancing for national print and broadcast media. She is also a published journalism academic.

Teaching Methods You will learn the fundamental skills of journalism in our new state-of-the art multi-platform digital newsroom and broadcast facilities, using industry standard hardware and software. You will be taught by experienced senior journalists with a strong track record in training and education.

Employment Many of our graduates will be seeking first jobs in journalism, primarily in the local and regional sector in print/online and/or broadcasting. The programme will also cater for candidates seeking to enter the burgeoning periodical sector. We are highly mindful of the shortage of production journalists and will therefore be tailoring part of the programme in that direction to further enhance students’ employability.

Employment in other sectors such as communications, public relations, policy, production, business and the non-governmental and charity sectors is also highly probable due to the transferable nature of the skills and knowledge provided.

Entry Requirements 280 UCAS points including English at grade B or higher. International Baccalaureate: 30 points or higher. A-level: BBC. Scottish Higher: BBBBC. Irish: BBBBB.

Location

Brunel University is within easy reach of London and West End theatres, the British Newspaper Library, British Film Institute Library, and museums and other research centres of national and international importance.

Contact Suzanne Wills 01895 266248 ug-arts-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Website: www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/sa

MA International Journalism – Brunel University

MA International Journalism aims to produce imaginative, creative reporters, producers and sub-editors who are capable of producing professional-quality content across one or more journalism formats for international and global media. You will gain cutting-edge skills in reporting and production in our digital multi-media newsroom.

Our particular appeal will be to students looking for advanced skills in writing and sub-editing for global journalism outlets, such as news agencies, or who wish to work in their home countries.

The programme offers essential skills and contextual knowledge that are vital for entry into contemporary newsrooms and features departments in a shifting global context for journalism. Devised in close consultation with senior journalists, the syllabus provides a rigorous foundation to a career in this dynamic, challenging and often controversial industry.

Based close to London’s major institutions, you will learn how global forces shape local journalism. Taught by highly-experienced practitioners and academics, the programme also benefits from input from prestigious guest speakers.

The programme is distinctive in allowing you to develop your own cutting-edge journalistic practice, whether it’s exploring 3G news, podcasts or on-screen page make-up. At the same time you learn about the impact of technological change, cultural developments and political issues on different forms of journalism. Particular attention will be paid to factors such as media ownership, the regulation of the media, journalism ethics, and the role of journalism in the political process.

MA International Journalism consists of a common core of study in journalism comprising:
• News reporting and digital production
• Writing for global news agencies
• Journalism law (UK focused)
• Central and global government
• Journalism ethics
• Major research project

You can specialise in print/online or broadcast journalism in the second term, which will facilitate your entry into different aspects of the industry. This is particularly relevant in the context of a converging media industry requiring multi-skilling and the ability to adapt to new media environments.

The programme will be taught using industry-standard journalism production hardware and software in our integrated multi-media newsroom, within easy reach of local, UK and international media organisations.

What You Will Study

The course is intensively delivered for two 12 week terms. Then in Term 3 you will undertake a work placement and produce a major project. This vocational programme aims to train future journalists to work ultimately in international media, global networks and news agencies.

A distinctive feature of the programme is that it aims to prepare journalists for work as editors, staff writers, correspondents and producers for any media worldwide. Accordingly, the programme provides a mix of practical modules in writing and reporting in print, broadcast, and online journalism with contextual modules studying journalism law, ethics, journalism theory and international affairs.

Specifically, the course integrates professional training in journalistic writing, copy-editing and packaging skills that are key to the work of international news organisations.

News writing and reporting

UK, European and international institutions

Global news analysis

Journalistic Practice

Journalism Contexts and Placement

Major Journalism Project

When does the course start and finish?

The course starts at the end of September/beginning of October and runs until the end of the following September when you will hand in your major research project.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for candidates who can demonstrate a strong commitment to a career in journalism. Normally, you will have completed a three-year undergraduate degree or equivalent, but in some circumstances we will make exceptions, such as if you already have significant relevant experience in the media. If English is not your first language we will require an IELTS certificate to level 7 or higher.

Your prior commitment to journalism should be in evidence through, for instance, student journalism and/or work experience. . Contact: Donna White 01895 267214 Pg-arts-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Website: www.brunel.ac.uk/about/acad/sa