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Journalism

MA, PG Cert, PG Dip

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Key information

Key information for 2026-27

Start date:

October 2026 | January 2027

Study route:

October start:

  • MA: One year full-time, on campus
  • MA: One year full-time, online
  • MA: One year full-time, flexible learning
  • MA: Two years part-time, on campus
  • MA: Two years part-time, online
  • MA: Two years part-time, flexible learning
  • PG Dip: One year full-time, on campus
  • PG Dip: Two years part-time, on campus
  • PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus

January start:

  • MA: One year full-time, on campus
  • MA: Two years part-time, on campus
Status:
Fully approved
Location:
Birkbeck Campus, Central London
Awarding body:
University of London
Study options:

Full-time | Part-time | Flexible learning | On campus | Online

Course overview

This journalism course offers you a fast-track but thorough grounding in practical journalistic skills. You will gain a strong working knowledge of the media industry and develop the cutting-edge skills you need to build, manage and navigate a career within today's media landscape.

  • Why choose this course?
    • This course offers you a unique, multidisciplinary approach blending an academic emphasis with focused practical modules taught by established media professionals.
    • It allows you to explore the political, social and cultural dimensions of news and media, while also mastering the vocational skills required to work across different genres, mediums and platforms of journalism and media production.
    • If you choose to study the MA, you will have the opportunity to tailor your degree to your interests and gain valuable experience undertaking a major research project, either in the form of an academic dissertation or journalistic work suitable for publication or broadcast.
    • Depending on your interests or career aspirations, you can also specialise by taking certain modules to graduate with an MA Investigative Journalism.

  • What will I learn?

    Engaging with a combination of academic modules that draw on theoretical traditions and the history of ideas to understand the issues we face today, you will learn from authors from a wide range of disciplines including politics, cultural studies and sociology. You will learn to analyse and apply their thinking on topical issues, such as the role that media should play in society, to contemporary issues such as disinformation, corruption and the culture wars.

    In practical modules you will develop your skills in writing, creating, designing, researching and analysing across a range of journalistic specialisations and platforms. These are taught by established media professionals who will equip you with all the skills you need to write, research and communicate as a journalist, as well as how to design and produce print publications, audio and video. 

  • How will I learn?

    The course is available for full- and part-time study. It has an evening timetable with classes taking place in the evening. You will learn through a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops with an emphasis on interaction and engagement. 

    We offer this course as a Master’s, Postgraduate Diploma and Postgraduate Certificate. For the Diploma and Certificate you study fewer modules and do not complete a dissertation. 

  • How often will I attend classes?

    Full-time October start: Two to three evenings a week, October to July.

    Full-time January start: Two to three evenings a week, January to December.

    Part-time October start: One to two evenings a week, October to July.

    Part-time January start: One to two evenings a week, January to December.

  • Flexible Master's

    The MA course starting in October is part of our Birkbeck Flexible Master’s UK, which gives you the choice of how you want to study - on campus, online or via flexible learning, which combines both.

    If you require a Student visa to study in the UK, you will only be able to apply for the on-campus study option for this course. Online and flexible options will not be available to you because they may affect the conditions of your visa.

    Please note, courses starting in January are not part of the Flexible Master's UK and will take place on campus.

  • Course disclaimer

    Birkbeck makes all reasonable efforts to deliver educational services, modules and programmes of study as described on our website. In the event that there are material changes to our offering (for example, due to matters beyond our control), we will update applicant and student facing information as quickly as possible and offer alternatives to applicants, offer-holders and current students.

    Most of our courses are taught in the evenings, however some of our courses offer a daytime timetable. Where there is an option to attend daytime teaching sessions, this is stated in the How will I learn? section.

More highlights

Modules and Teaching

School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication

The school's teaching and research is highly interdisciplinary, spanning cultures and periods. Academic and practice-based study will equip you for a career in the creative and cultural industries.

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Entry requirements

A second-class honours degree (2:2) or above in any related subject; other qualifications will be considered. Applications are encouraged from those with prior journalistic experience.

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential.

On your application form, please list all your relevant qualifications and experience, including those you expect to achieve.

Apply now to secure your place. The earlier you apply, the sooner your application can be considered, and you can enrol. You do not need to have completed your current qualification to start your application.

  • What are the English language requirements?

    If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

    If you don't meet the minimum English language requirements, please contact us or see our international study skills page for more details about how we can help.

    Visit the International section of our website to find out more about our English language entry requirements and relevant requirements by country.

  • What are the visa and funding requirements?

    If you are not from the UK and you do not already have residency here, you may need to apply for a visa.

    The visa you apply for varies according to the length of your course:

    • Courses of more than six months' duration: Student visa
    • Courses of less than six months' duration: Standard Visitor visa

    International students who require a Student visa should apply to study on our courses full-time as these qualify for Student visa sponsorship. If you are living in the UK on a Student visa, you will not be eligible to enrol to study part-time courses at Birkbeck (with the exception of some modules).

    As a Student visa student, you should also apply to study on campus only, as online and flexible options of study (if they are available for your course) may affect the conditions of your visa.

    For full information, read our visa information for international students page.

    Please also visit the international section of our website to find out more about relevant visa and funding requirements by country.

    Please note students receiving US Federal Aid are only able to apply for in-person, on-campus programmes which will have no elements of online study.

  • Credits and accredited prior learning (APL)

    If you have studied at university (or have an HND or Foundation Degree), you may have accumulated credits. It may be possible to transfer these from your previous study to Birkbeck or another institution.

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Fees

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, online, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, flexible learning, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

PG Cert: One year part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £4,000 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year

PG Dip: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in October 2026

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £4,000 per year
Full-time home students: £8,000 per year
Part-time international students: £6,950 per year
Full-time international students: £13,900 per year

MA: One year full-time or two years part-time, on campus, starting in January 2027

Academic year 2026-27

Part-time home students: £6,000 per year
Full-time home students: £12,000 per year
Part-time international students: £10,425 per year
Full-time international students: £20,850 per year

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing their course may be subject to annual inflationary increases. For more information, please see the Fees Policy.

Discover the financial support available to you to help with your studies at Birkbeck.

Birkbeck's campus is located in the historic and vibrant Bloomsbury area of central London - named one of the best places to live in London 2025 by The Times.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this journalism course, you will have gained an array of important transferable skills, including:

  • high-level oral and written communication skills, both journalistic and academic
  • the ability to work across different media platforms, formats and genres
  • research and analysis skills
  • the ability to work as part of a team.

Graduates can pursue career paths in journalism, the media, or public relations. Possible professions include:

  • journalist
  • editor
  • researcher
  • social media manager
  • professional communications and public relations role.

Jobs gained by some of our BA and MA graduates include:

  • Producer, BBC News
  • Research Manager, BBC News
  • Project Coordinator, Sony Interactive Entertainment Ltd
  • Marketing Manager, Red Deer
  • Broadcast Journalist, LBC, Classic FM, Capital and Heart
  • Staff Writer, Field Gibson Media
  • Communications Officer, Bristol Water
  • Staff Reporter, European Medical Journal
  • Executive Producer, Mongolian Media Council
  • Business Analyst, GSK
  • PR Director, Notable.

Graduates from this course have also gone on to be employed by Al Jazeera and Vice.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Student support

Birkbeck offers study, learning and wellbeing support to undergraduate and postgraduate students to help them succeed.

Our Learning Development Service provides a lively programme of free weekly workshops building essential academic skills - from writing and critical thinking to maths and referencing - offering flexible sessions, practical tips, and online resources to boost your skills and confidence.

Our Disability and Mental Health Service can support you if you have disabilities, specific learning differences, mental health conditions or neurodivergence, by providing practical support to help you achieve your academic potential.

Our Counselling Service aims to support you with any emotional and psychological difficulties that are affecting your experience and engagement with your studies at university. It is a free, non-judgemental and confidential service which consists of a consultation process followed by time limited counselling contact.

Find out more about the full range of student services we offer at Birkbeck.

How to apply

You apply directly to Birkbeck for this course, using the online application link.

You will need to prove your identity when you apply. Find out more about how to apply.

Study routes for Journalism (MA, PG Cert, PG Dip)

Please select a study route below to continue your application.

Please note that international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK can only apply for full-time, on campus routes.

Starting in October 2026

Full-time

Part-time

Starting in January 2027

Full-time

Part-time