Masters in Journalism in UK: Top Universities, Fees, Requirements, Eligibility & Scholarships

One of the most prestigious programs to study in UK is the Master’s in journalism. A part-time degree could be earned in two years instead of a year for a full-time program. Master’s degrees in journalism are available in the UK from more than 50 universities. As technology advances, new specializations in this area are developing, including broadcast journalism, international journalism, the global media industries, science communication, etc.

Applicants for the Master’s in Journalism program must hold a degree in media and communications. With an annual starting salary of 58,600 GBP, graduates can make up to 187,000 GBP in total income. However, compared to salaries, tuition at the best universities in the UK that provide a master’s degree in journalism only ranges from 17,000 to 24,500 GBP.

Master’s in Journalism in the UK: Course Highlights

Why study Master’s in Journalism in the UK?

Here are a few reasons for enrolling in journalism programs at UK universities:

• According to the QS News Ranking of 2020, 23 of the 200 universities ranked for media and communications worldwide were from the UK.
• These graduates occupy a sizable portion of the journalism, newspaper, and periodical editing fields.
• A journalist receives a 13% raise in 15 months, compared to a 9% raise for everyone else.
• A writer’s income in the UK rises by 38% and can reach up to 153,000 GBP per year with 5 to 10 years of experience.
• In the UK, earning a master’s degree in journalism boosts graduates’ salaries by 26%.

Types of Master’s in Journalism in the UK

The leading universities in the UK provide a wide range of specializations in journalism at various levels of higher education for overseas students. A few of the more well-known ones are listed below:

Best Universities for Master’s in Journalism in the UK

The top 10 universities in the world that offer journalism programs are mentioned among the top 100. According to QS Ranking 2020 for media and communications, Cardiff University and the London School of Economics and Political Science are among the top 10.

The top 10 institutions in the UK that offer a master’s in journalism are listed below:

Course Curriculum of Master’s in Journalism in the UK

You’ll learn the following:

Introduction to Media Law - An introduction to ethics, legislation, broadcast control, and press freedom is provided in Introduction to Media Law. In addition, students can investigate the effects of reporting crimes and the legal system in this subject. 

Advanced Media Law - Examines current arguments regarding responsibility, openness, and regulation, as well as some daily practical difficulties journalists face.

Journalism Collaborative Project - Students get to develop and carry out work connected to their artistic and professional endeavors and career ambitions through the collaborative journalism project. 

Journalism Writing: It is a practice-based program that aims to expose you to or help you hone your journalistic abilities while promoting reflection on journalists’ work. 

Multimedia Journalism 1: Students will work as multimedia journalists in the field, studio, and newsroom, putting their journalistic judgment, news sense, abilities, and knowledge into practice and reflecting on them. 

Professional Practice in Journalism: A customized and mostly self-directed extended production curriculum requires students to construct their final project demonstrating their knowledge and proficiency with audio content and production. 

Specialist Features - An introduction to the specialized field of feature writing for a variety of media platforms is provided by specialty features. 

Eligibility Criteria for Master’s in Journalism in the UK

International students can apply through the UCAS Portal for postgraduate journalism degrees in the UK. September to October is most universities’ admissions season.

The general requirements that an international student must fulfill to pursue a postgraduate degree in journalism at a UK university are listed below:

Qualification: A first-class or strong upper-second-class undergraduate degree in journalism or a closely related field is required, and a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 6.0 out of 10. Additionally, several UK colleges want documentation of prior journalism-related (or comparable) experience.

Language ability: IELTS minimum of 7.0 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskill), TOEFL iBT minimum of 100 (with a minimum of 20 in each subskill), and PTE minimum of 70. (with no less than 54 in all communicative skills)

Admission Requirements for Master’s in Journalism in the UK

Students must hold a bachelor’s degree in media, communications, journalism, or a closely related discipline to be eligible to apply for Master’s programs in journalism at top UK universities.

The following table lists the academic prerequisites for some of the universities:

Master’s in Journalism in the UK Admission Process

International students must register with UCAS before applying for programs to study in the UK. This is done on their behalf by the institution or college; applicants may also register independently. They might carry out the same action on their own.

1. Look up courses and UK colleges and universities.
2. The courses can be saved to the favorite page.
3. Complete the profile by entering the necessary data.
4. Create a UCAS application and submit it with a personal statement.
5. Obtain a letter of recommendation from your instructor or counselor.
6. Practice your course referencing.
7. Make decisions taking into account the applications the institution or college has received.

In order to ensure that candidates have enough time to prepare for the Visa procedure and receive the admissions decision, international students should shortlist their top universities, gather all the necessary documents, and submit their applications at least two to three weeks before the deadline. The college or university must be notified by April of the applicant’s admission decision.

Master’s in Journalism in the UK Fees for Studying

Although the cost of education in the UK can leave one in a precarious position, a journalism degree is generally inexpensive. Three basic categories can be used to categorize the price of studying abroad: Costs associated with travel, tuition, and living expenses.

Pre-arrival Cost

One must cover a few costs before leaving the country and moving toward the UK. The pre-arrival expenses include applying for a student visa, registration costs for exams needed to study in the USA, university application fees, etc.

Tuition

For overseas students, the average tuition for a master’s degree in journalism in the UK ranges between 17,000 and 24,500 GBP (equivalent to 16 lakhs – 23 lakhs). With an average annual price of 17,000 GBP (16 lakhs INR), the University of Westminster is the most affordable of the top universities on the list.

UK Cost of Living

The two priciest cities in the UK are Manchester and London. Manchester’s monthly cost of living is 596 GBP compared to London’s average rent of 756 GBP. Cities like Glasgow, Cardiff, and Birmingham are more affordable and cost-effective in comparison. The basic costs of living in London are shown in the table below:

Scholarship and Financial Aid for Master’s in Journalism in the UK

For students pursuing a master’s degree in journalism in the UK, scholarships are available from both the government and specific colleges. Additionally, some outside groups give financial support.

The following table lists a few scholarships for international students studying in the UK:

Career Opportunities after Master’s in Journalism in the UK

The jobs open to journalists in the UK and their associated incomes are shown in the table below.

In the UK, there are several job options available for journalists. A recent graduate may also work for BBC as a trainee. Numerous prestigious publications, like the Daily Telegraph, are published in the UK. After completing their education, students are eligible for a work visa in the UK and a 2-year relaxation.