Television Journalism

Entry requirements

You should normally have or expect to be awarded a first degree of at least upper second class standard in a relevant subject. You also need a level of practical experience, and a strong interest in television production and journalism.

Months of entry

September

Course content

This MA is a practical introduction to TV journalism which aims to teach you the professional conventions of UK news and current affairs broadcast journalism and relevant production skills. It encourages a critical understanding of television journalistic practice, and an informed knowledge of the overall political and industrial contexts in which journalists are now working, including an introduction to multimedia journalism; it locates this understanding and creative development within a wider enquiry into the relationship between media practice and culture.

At the end of the programme you should be familiar with the techniques and practices of television journalism, and conversant with the wider ethical, legal and technological contexts of broadcast journalistic practice. You will be able to describe the qualities of your own work and of its cultural significance, and have a professional standard portfolio of original television news, current affairs and online reports.

What you study

Modules are practical and skills-based, but are taught within a theoretical framework which is only possible in an institution renowned for its research work.

You'll cover:

• television journalism practice
• practice theory
• research methodologies
• key media law and ethical issues in relation to UK and US media law

Hands-on experience

You'll be involved in all aspects of studio work, filmmaking and multimedia web journalism, including editorial experience on eastlondonlines.co.uk. All teaching is workshop-based.

Where practicable and possible, you may undertake a placement of three to four weeks in a news or current affairs production company.

Fees and funding

Assessment