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MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year
Why choose Herts?
- Employment prospects: Our graduates work in a variety of media roles such as Press, Social Media Analysts, and Journalists for organisations including BBC, Mail Online, Subway and Euromonitor.
- Teaching excellence: Learn from our industry-experts, award-winning lecturers who are experienced in web, print, design, journalism, and PR (see key staff section).
- Research: Benefit from advanced research study led by our expert research-active teaching staff.
Professional Accreditations
This course is partnered with the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), giving you access to networking and tailored speaker sessions, as well accreditation upon graduation. The University is also an Academic Member of the British Society of Magazine Editors which provides expert speakers and information on the latest trends in this area.
About the course
The MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year is a two-year programme which includes a 36-week, full-time work placement. The course content is similar to the one-year MA, but you’ll take a long placement of 30 weeks or more and write your dissertation in the second year. A placement will help you gain valuable professional practice and enhance your understanding of media theory. Recent placements have included communications for a development agency in London and social media management in Hertfordshire. Students who do not pass the first year cannot progress to the long placement.
Throughout the course, you’ll benefit from our extensive links with the media industry including, membership of the Public Relations and Communications Association and educational membership of the British Society for Magazine Editors. You’ll feel inspired by our guest speakers. Previous talks have included the editor of Marie Claire, an investigative journalist from the BBC and head of a media agency. Plus, we’ll invite you to join our small ‘afternoon tea’ sessions with speakers twice a semester. You’ll be supported to find valuable work experience. Previous students have gained placements with the BBC, Sunday Times and a variety of PR agencies.
This course has a great track record of helping students achieve jobs in the industry. You’ll extend your knowledge and skills in the media. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet students from around the world, form friendships and strengthen your international awareness.
You’ll analyse contemporary intellectual theories of media and communications. You’ll cross-examine the synergies between social media, PR and journalism, interrogate current media practices and convergence. Every step of the way, there’ll be a strong focus on your future employability. You’ll be taught by lecturers with extensive professional experience of journalism, PR, web design, media production and media research. Whatever your background, this MA will enhance your career by equipping you to operate effectively in a professional media environment.
There are three distinct pathways on the MA to provide to suit your aspirations and choice of career.
- MA Journalism & Media and Communications - one year
- MA Journalism and Media Communications (Sandwich) - two year
- MA Journalism and Media Communications (with Advanced Research) - two year
Whichever pathway you choose, you’ll gain valuable skills in practice and theoretical understanding of journalism, media and communications management. Our programme is flexible. Students normally choose their pathway when they apply but there is some flexibility to change in the first semester and you can also swap from the two year to one-year programme in the second semester.
Why choose this course?
- You want to gain a broad range of communication and digital media skills.
- You want to feel inspired by expert lecturers widely experienced in the communications industry plus as a partner university with the prestigious Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).
- You’re excited to gain valuable networking skills and contacts. You’ll benefit from the experience of our expert speakers and gain current knowledge of the PR industry.
- You want to gain insights into emerging trends in the fast-changing digital media world. You want your skills to be valued by a wide range of media and related industries.
What will I study?
You’ll have weekly two-to-four-hour workshops for each module. Plus, there can be online activities too. You’ll be supported by regular one-to-one supervision by academics from the University’s Media Group.
Modules may change from year to year but are likely to include Corporate Communication, PR and Advertising; International Journalism Trends; Writing for Magazines; Sports Journalism; and Media Production as well as modules on research methodology. You also have a range of options for your final project. This can be a dissertation on a media subject of your choice, a short work placement, the one-year placement or a larger media research project, depending on your chosen route.
For Media Production you’ll create multimedia – podcasts, designs and promotional strategies – for online magazines. You’ll pitch and measure a campaign and use social media to promote your work. Writing for Magazines will give you the practical skills to write articles for online and print audiences. You’ll produce webinars on the business model of magazines. Plus, you’ll learn how social media and blogging are enhancing the magazine experience.
Our module Sports Journalism will give you a key understanding in the exciting practices of sports journalism, from interviewing top stars to reporting on breaking sports stories. You’ll also create news bulletins and write news features.
Two modules on research methods and critical and theoretical debates will equip you with advanced research skills and transferable communications skills. These include interviewing, identifying a story and building connections; vital skills for PR and Corporate Communication roles.
There is an additional Advanced Media Research (30 Credits) and the Media Project (60 Credits) instead of the dissertation or long placement (Work placement information can be found under the 'Employability' tab on this course page).
Further course information
| Course fact sheets | |
|---|---|
| MA (SW) Journalism and Media Communications | Download |
| Programme specifications | |
|---|---|
| MA Journalism and Media Communications | Download |
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
Sandwich placement or study abroad year |
n/a |
Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |