We offer two types of MA course: our applied degrees in Broadcast and Journalism; and our analytical courses in International Political Communication and Global Journalism.
Our applied postgraduate courses are closely linked. You can specialise in one aspect of journalism – newspapers, broadcast or magazines. But you’ll also get multimedia and online journalism skills and underpinning knowledge to work across the breadth of modern newsrooms.
Take one of these cutting-edge courses and you’ll get:
excellent teaching by experienced industry professionals and media academics
experience in newsrooms equipped with the latest digital media technologies
training in the full range of multimedia skills needed in today’s media
production work on newspaper pages, radio and television bulletins, magazines and websites in a simulated workplace setting, meeting the challenges of deadlines and professional standards
an understanding of the legal, ethical and regulatory requirements of the media industries
the chance to undertake a work placement
careers advice and regular visits from working journalists and media managers
Our MA courses in International Political Communication and Global Journalism have a strongly academic, analytical focus. This equips you for further study to PhD level, or for a career in political or public communication. The courses offer:
theoretical insights into political communication or global journalism
practical experience of communicating with the media
understanding of the relationship between journalists and media strategists
subject-specific research training
specialist study in a range of areas, including media ethics and regulation, censorship and media audiences
the chance to engage in advanced debates about political communication and global journalism
Teaching on our degree courses is organised into modules. Each module is a programme of study concerning a particular aspect of journalism, media and communication. Modules all have their own particular reading lists, timetables of lectures and workshops, and systems of assessment (exams, coursework and so on).
A full outline of your degree structure, with a list of all modules can be found searching for your programme in the Programme Regulations Finder. This will show a breakdown of which modules are required for your course, and any optional modules available.
Module descriptions for all modules on all MA programmes in the School of Journalism, Media and Communication can be found in the Online Module Directory.
Your course is made up of scheduled contact hours as well as independent study. Your scheduled contact hours are the lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Independent study is the work you do outside these classes and is essential for completing your course successfully. Independent study will include additional reading, reviewing your learning from lectures, tutorials etc, completing set tasks, preparing for and completing assessments. Your tutors will provide information about essential tasks that you are expected to complete. In the early stages of your course you will be supported in developing the skills you need to carry out effective independent study.
Studying a full-time degree requires a similar time commitment to a full time job. Your tutors will provide guidance on the amount of time you are expected to spend on different aspects of your course. This is to provide a guide; in practice, every student studies differently. It is really important, therefore, to develop time management and prioritisation skills to ensure that you can maintain a healthy balance between your academic work, other activities that you do and other responsibilities that you may have. See links below for help with this.
There are a range of resources available to support you in developing your approach to independent study:
301 Independent Study Online guidance and interactive workshop
Library Research and Critical Thinking tutorials and workshops
301 Study Skills Online (Online resources and workshops covering a range of topics including; Time
Management, Reading techniques, Note Taking, Critical thinking, mind mapping, reflective practice,
learning online, digital lecture capture and more)
Student Wellbeing Resources (Resources from the Student Wellbeing Service including; 1:1 appointments,
student support groups, a blog, and other online resources)
Assistive Technology (Information about the assistive technology tools that the University provides to support your learning)
All MA Courses in the School of Journalism, Media and Communication have optional modules as part of the programme structure. It is possible to change your optional modules at the beginning of each semester, subject to availability. This can be done in the Add/Drop period which is outlined below.
You will be notified about how long the add/drop period will be open for at the beginning of each semester. After the closing date of the add/drop period you will not be permitted to change modules. Please make all requests as soon as possible, and please be patient in waiting for confirmation or rejection of your choice. Please be aware that all modules are subject to change, and that numbers on some modules may be capped. It will not be possible to accommodate all students' preferences for optional modules at all times.
If you experience difficulties with add/drop, please contact journalism@sheffield.ac.uk or go to the Student Support and Enquiry Office on level C, The Wave.
Please note that if a request to add a new module is rejected, you will remain registered on your original module and must attend the classes for that module.
You need to complete the online add/drop form to officially request a change. The online form is available from 8am on the first day of each semester.
Log into MUSE using your university name and password
Choose 'My Services', then 'View All Services'
Under the letter 'M' choose 'Module Add Drop'
Follow the instructions on the screen
Your add request will be sent to the department who owns the module.
The department will make a decision based on availability, and notify you of the outcome.
If your request is successful then your student record will be updated, and you will gain access to your new module's Blackboard page. Your timetable will also be updated to show your new class times.
Please be aware that this could take up to two days.
When you drop a module, you will not be automatically removed from the Blackboard site.
If you would like to transfer onto a different degree programme, please be aware that places on most programmes are limited. You should read the information on this page and make contact with the admissions tutor of the programme you are hoping to transfer onto. You should also seek advice from either the Senior Student Experience Officer, Nicola Daniel, or an academic member of staff.
The dates for the current, future, and past standard semesters at the University can be found here.
With the exception of specific distance learning courses, the University’s programmes are an on-campus experience. If you have a Tier 4 or Student visa then you have been sponsored specifically to study a course within the UK on the University’s premises.
This means that, unless your course includes a formal period of study overseas, you should study from within the UK during term time. Term time includes during your dissertation period.
If you choose to relocate overseas during your dissertation you must notify the University beforehand by following the instructions below. This is because such a change can impact on your visa sponsorship and eligibility for the Graduate Immigration Route.
Please follow the link here for more information, including how to apply.