Taught course

Investigative Journalism

Institution
Birkbeck, University of London · School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication
Qualifications
MA

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 investigative experience in journalism, human rights or other related fields.

Applications are reviewed on their individual merits and your professional qualifications and/or relevant work experience will be taken into consideration positively. We actively support and encourage applications from mature learners.

Months of entry

October

Course content

Investigative journalism is at a crossroads in theory and practice. Crises of ethics and funding have brought profound changes to the nature of long-form journalism, the ways in which it is produced and the institutions that invest in it.

Our MA Investigative Journalism brings together leading practitioners and institutions to offer you advanced training in emergent investigative newsgathering and publishing skills applicable to a range of professional contexts, within and beyond journalism. At the same time, this innovative course introduces you to critical accounts of the media's watchdog function and journalism's evolving social role.

You will be taught by a mix of academics, writers, investigative journalists, editors and bloggers, including Iain Overton (award-winning current affairs journalist, author and human rights reporter) and Justin Schlosberg (Senior Lecturer in Journalism and Media at Birkbeck and course director).

Modules address new challenges while also reflecting the constants that underpin investigative journalism ethics and storytelling. Above all, the course presents an opportunity to both study and do investigative journalism, under the guidance of award-winning journalists and experienced academics.

Highlights

  • You will be taught by experienced, award-winning journalists and internationally renowned academics.
  • We offer a number of bursaries for postgraduate students.

Careers and employability

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

  • broadcast/newspaper journalist
  • press sub-editor
  • publishing copy-editor/proofreader
  • public relations officer
  • market researcher
  • writer.

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

  • producer/research manager, television news programmes
  • project coordinator, entertainment corporation
  • marketing manager
  • broadcast journalist, radio
  • staff writer, media company
  • communications officer, utility company
  • staff reporter, medical journal
  • executive producer, media council
  • business analyst
  • PR director.

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.

Information for international students

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, the requirement for this course 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.

If you don't meet the minimum IELTS requirement, we offer pre-sessional English courses and foundation programmes to help you improve your English language skills and get your place at Birkbeck.

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • MA
    part time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Student Advice Service
Email
studentadvice@bbk.ac.uk
Phone
+44 (0)20 3907 0700