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Sports Journalism and Communication (MA)

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Course Overview

This programme builds on a long standing and established research culture in sport studies in NUI Galway, including the Sport & Exercise Research Group in the Moore Institute for the Humanities and Social Studies. Further information on the research group is available here and members of the group will contribute to the programme.

The MA Sports Journalism and Communication programme aims to prepare graduates to work as professionals in the journalism and wider media and communications industries with a specialism in sport. The programme will focus on fostering a critical understanding of our changing media environment and on preparing graduates who will have an insight into the role of sport in the media, as placed within historical, cultural, scientific and business contexts. Graduates will be trained with professional communication and production skills to work as professionals in the industry, across multiple platforms. Students will take a dual approach to their studies, being exposed to academic knowledge and understanding as well as practical skills and reflective practice. Students will also have an opportunity to further specialise and develop a niche in a subject of particular interest via a choice of electives in social and digital media, management and marketing and film. Employability, innovation and entrepreneurship skills will be developed via a specialist module and work internship opportunities. 

Aims and objectives of the programme

  • To equip graduates with transferable communications and critical thinking skills that will poise them for future success in the labour market
  • To prepare graduates to work in the highly specialised media, wider communication and creative industries with a specialism in sport, affording them an opportunity to develop an appropriate set of skills during the programme
  • To develop students’ research skills to a level commensurate with postgraduate study and afford them an appropriate grounding for further postgraduate research opportunities nationally and internationally
  • To develop ethical, articulate and responsible graduates who will contribute to the strengthening of democracy in Ireland and internationally through their professional practice as journalists
  • To encourage the personal academic development of postgraduate students through a coordinated series of modules that incorporate small group research-led teaching and learning experiences
  • To create a programme that will allow graduates apply for postgraduate research opportunities within the field of media and communications in the College of Arts, Social Science and Celtic Studies

Applications and Selections

Applications are made online via the NUI Galway Postgraduate Applications System.  Applicants should submit a 500-word personal statement outlining their interest in the programme and their future career plans, their CV, and examples of previous work – writing, online or broadcast. We also encourage applications from professional athletes interested in progressing their careers. International applicants may require an English language test if English is not their first language. Selection is via examination of your application as well as a competitive interview. 

Who Teaches this Course

  • Liam Horan, former Gaelic Games correspondent, Irish Independent and Sports Editor, Evening Echo
  • Mike Finnerty, Presenter, Sky Sports and Sports Editor, Mayo News
  • Dr Seán Crosson, author of Sport and Film (Routledge 2013) and Gaelic Games on Film (Cork University Press, 2019)
  • Tom Felle, Head of Journalism
  • Bernadette O’Sullivan, Lecturer in Journalism
  • Fiona McGarry, Lecturer in Journalism

Requirements and Assessment

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Applicants should normally hold a 2.2 minimum (2.1 honours preferred) degree in any subject. We welcome applicants from science, Arts, business and other disciplines. Applicants should demonstrate a passion for sport and we encourage previous experience in student media, blogging, web platforms and/or radio. 

Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, full-time

Next start date

September 2019

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

15–20

Closing Date

Rolling closing date; applicants are encouraged to apply early. 

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

MSJ1

Course Outline

Students will be offered a diet of taught core and elective modules across three semesters including both academic learning and practically-focused teaching and independent learning. Students will be offered 30 credits of modules per semester in semesters one and two, including core subjects in journalism studies and practice, and a choice of elective options from media and communications and related subjects. In their third semester students will choose between either a practice focused 10 credit module on innovation, employability and entrepreneurship and an independent final project under supervision, or an academic dissertation also under supervision.

These carefully planned modules blend to create a programme that will allow students the opportunity to build core skills such as writing, reporting, production and storytelling across multiple platforms as well as providing students with a grounding in theoretical approaches to media and communication, allowing them to develop their critical thinking skills as well as acquiring advanced knowledge about norms and practices in global media—and how to challenge these.

The suite of modules available offers students an opportunity to engage with real-world challenges and opportunities through a range of visiting speakers and innovative project-based assessment. Students are also given the opportunity to apply and synthesise the skills and knowledge developed over the programme within the final project or individual dissertation that are developed and produced in their final semester. 

MODULE DIET

Semester One

Module Code & Title

ECTS

Semester

Core / Optional

Module Code

Journalism Bootcamp

10

1

Core

DJ6115

Research in Sport

10

1

Core

FM6118

Sports Journalism

10

1

Core

DJ6109

 Semester Two

Module Code & Title

ECTS

Semester

Core / Optional

Module Code

Multimedia Newsdays

10

2

Core

DJ6112

Social and Digital Production

5

2

Elective

DJ6121

Data Journalism

5

2

Elective

DJ6104

Sport and Film

10

2

Elective

FM6117

Social Marketing and Environmental Sustainability

10

2

Elective

MK5132

Feature Writing

10

2

Elective

DJ6100

Media Law

5

2

Elective

LW871

Journalism Innovation, Employability, and Entrepreneurship

10

2

Elective

DJ6120

 Semester Three

Module Code & Title

ECTS

Semester

Core / Optional

Module Code

Final Project for journalism, media and communication

30

3

Elective

XXXX

OR

 

 

 

 

Dissertation: Journalism, media and communication

30

3

Elective

XXXX
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Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

Graduates will be well equipped to work in the media in roles including audience development, podcasting, sports journalism including radio and television reporters and commentators, sports reporters in the news media; communications professionals in the wider fields of communications such as working in sports marketing, strategic communication and in public relations and sports lobbying roles for sporting organisations.

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,500 p.a. 2019/20

Fees: Tuition

€8,276 p.a. 2019/20

Fees: Student levy

€224 p.a. 2019/20

Fees: Non EU

€16,500 p.a. 2019/20

Find out More

Tom Felle
Head of Journalism
T: + 353 91 492 049
E: tom.felle@nuigalway.ie

Downloads

  • Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2019

    Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2019 PDF (12.6 MB)