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Journalism (MA)

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Journalism at NUI Galway

Course Overview

The MA Journalism at NUI Galway is an innovative, digital-first journalism programme focusing on key multimedia skills needed to work in the new media era. The programme aims to train journalists to work in the fast-paced world of journalism, equipping graduates with essential training in traditional reporting skills for print and broadcast, as well as new media training in social media, audience development and analytics, data journalism, ‘MoJo’, multimedia, social video, podcasting and verification.

NUI Galway has a long tradition of journalism training and all journalism students are required to undertake a rigorous programme of news writing and reporting, broadcasting, media law, politics and current affairs, ethics and regulation, and can choose from a suite of optional elective modules to give them specialist knowledge in niche areas. These elective modules include data journalism, financial journalism, cultural journalism, economic reporting and sports writing and analysis.

Journalism classes take place in the digital newsroom and broadcast studios, completely refurbished in 2019. NUI Galway has partnerships with all major national media organisations and all students are guaranteed an eight week work placement as part of their studies, in semester three (circa May/June).

Scholarships Available

Find out about our Postgraduate Scholarships here.

 

Applications and Selections

Application is via an online application and competitive interview. To apply, click here.

 

To see required documentation for this course, please visit Supporting Documents website.

Who Teaches this Course

  • Sean O’Rourke, Adjunct Professor of Journalism and presenter, ‘Today with Sean O’Rourke’ on RTE Radio One
  • Conall O Fatharta, lecturer in news writing and journalist with the Irish Examiner
  • Fiona McGarry, lecturer in radio journalism and producer, Clare FM
  • Mike Finnerty, Sports Editor, Mayo News and Sky Sports presenter
  • Tom Felle, Head of Journalism and former Irish Independent correspondent
  • Liam Horan, former Irish Independent Gaelic Games Correspondent and Sports Editor, Evening Echo
  • An Dr Uinsionn Mac Dubhghaill, lecturer in Journalism
  • Ailbhe Conneely, Lecturer in Television and RTÉ Religious and Social Affairs Correspondent
  • Professor Conor Brady, Adjunct Professor, former Editor, The Irish Times and former Garda Ombudsman
  • Kelly Fincham, Lecturer in Social Media

Students also attend regular lectures, workshops and news days with working professionals from a range of backgrounds.

Requirements and Assessment

All modules involve continuous assessment, regular assignments, project work, presentations and portfolio development. Media Law also involves a formal exam during the exam period at the end of Semester One. Following Semester Two, you will complete a professional work placement and either a final journalism project or dissertation during Semester three (summer).

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

To be accepted you must have a minimum Second Class Honours degree, or be in your final year of study and expecting to graduate Summer 2021. We also welcome applications from people with prior experience in journalism looking to update their skills. English language requirement: IELTS of 7.0 overall with not less than 6.0 in any component.


Additional Requirements

Duration

1 year, full-time or 2 years, part-time

Next start date

September 2021

A Level Grades ()

Average intake

20

QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes

Closing Date

Round One closing date has passed, and we are now accepting applications to fill remaining places only. We will close the programme once it is full.

NFQ level

Mode of study

ECTS weighting

90

Award

CAO

Course code

1AJ1 (full-time) | 1AJ2 (part-time)

Course Outline

This one-year programme is split into three semesters, with a mix of practical class, theory and context. Students have a busy week with taught classes as well as reporting assignments and independent study. In semester one students work on news reporting practice for print, online and broadcasting in ‘Journalism Bootcamp’. Key ethical and regulatory issues are explored in ‘Global Media and Society’. In Semester Two students work on hyperlocal website The Galway Pulse, a local newspaper and produce a drivetime radio show in ‘Multimedia Newsdays’. New innovations, business models and start-up culture are examined in ‘Global Media Innovation’. Students can also choose from a range of elective modules.  

Semester One

  • Journalism Bootcamp (10 ECTS credits)
  • Global Media and Society (10 ECTS credits)

Choose 10 credits from:

    • Social and Digital Production (10 ECTS credits)
    • Reporting Economics and Politics (10 ECTS credits)
    • Digital Sandbox (coding for media industries) (10 ECTS credits)

 

Semester Two

  • Multimedia Newsdays (10 credits)

Choose 20 credits from a range of modules

  • Global Media Innovation (10 ECTS credits)
  • Investigating Miscarriages of Justice (10 ECTS credits)
  • Features Journalism (10 ECTS credits)
  • Business and Financial Journalism (10 ECTS credits)
  • Sports Journalism (10 ECTS credits)
  • Researching the Media (5 ECTS credits)
  • Data Journalism and Visualisation (10 ECTS credits)
  • Books Journalism (10 ECTS credits)

Why Choose This Course?

Career Opportunities

This programme prepares you to work as a professional journalist across multiple platforms and graduates have careers at national news organisations including RTE, Newstalk, The Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Irish Independent and a range of local newspapers and local radio. Graduates work in roles including reporters, editors, researchers, producers and on-air presenters as well as new careers in data journalism and analytics, social media production and audience development. Graduates also work in the wider media in PR roles, in policy, advocacy and political communications. 

Who’s Suited to This Course

Learning Outcomes

 

Work Placement

Study Abroad

Related Student Organisations

Course Fees

Fees: EU

€8,670 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Tuition

€8,530 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Student levy

€140 p.a. 2021/22

Fees: Non EU

€17,116 p.a. 2021/22

Find out More

Kelly Fincham
E: kelly.fincham@nuigalway.ie

Quick Links 

 

Amy

Amy Blaney |   Intern, Irish Independent

After I graduated with a BA (Joint-Honours) in Irish and History at NUIG, I decided embark on the MA (Journalism) at NUIG. The practical nature of the course really appealed to me & it challenged me to work both independently, & as part of a team, to deliver weekly work across print, radio, TV & online to build a strong multimedia portfolio. There was a great mix of highly experienced journalists teaching on the course that brought their passion, skills and advice, & this really made it enjoyable for students. The journalism facilities in NUIG were great, eg, 4K TV studio & radio studio that allowed me to develop my broadcasting skills. In second semester, the MA class manages their own news website "The Galway Pulse", which gave me great practical experience in reporting & writing stories in a newsroom setting. The MA provided me with great opportunities, such as interviewing MEPs in the European Parliament in Strasbourg & working with RTE for the general election. Overall the MA really boosted my career prospects. After I finished the MA, I received a graduate internship in the European Parliament’s audio visual unit, & I am now an intern in the Irish Independent.
in Connect with Amy
Paul

Paul O’Malley |   Journalist, Western People

The Masters in Journalism at NUIG provided an excellent platform for my preferred career choice of working in the media. It provided me with a diverse skill set which gives me the knowledge and ability to succeed in any area of journalism, including print media, radio, television and online media. The course gave me the opportunity to learn from those who had relevant experience in the media industry while also refining my work to be of a professional standard through their consistent and valuable feedback.

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Downloads

  • Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2021

    Postgraduate Taught Prospectus 2021 PDF (11.3MB)