MA (Journalism)
College of Arts, Social Sciences, & Celtic Studies
Course overview
The MA (Journalism) is designed to provide education and training for entry to the profession of journalism. It combines the practical, analytical, theoretical, and technical skills necessary to the practice of journalism in contemporary media.
This is a practical, hands-on programme. Students work and practise as professional journalists during the academic year. The class size is limited, allowing for one-to-one learning support. Graduates of the programme feature regularly in the national media awards.
Key facts
Entry requirements
Applicants must have a Second Class Honours degree, or higher. Applicants are also required to submit a c. 700-word article of journalistic merit, which may be published or unpublished, and a personal statement of intent. Applications cannot be processed unless this requisite material is included. Other samples of work may also be included.
Duration:
1 year, full-time
Next start date: September 2013
ECTS weighting: 90
Average intake: 15 - 20
Closing date: Offer rounds / closing dates website
Course outline
The programme consists of taught courses over two semesters; a Final Project which is a major piece of practice based journalistic work and a placement. Tuition is carried out in a dedicated newsroom and radio studio environment. Modules themselves, as well as, the content of modules may vary from year to year. Modules at present are:
- News writing & Reporting
- Government & Politics
- Broadcast Journalism
- Media Ethics
- Media Law
- Feature Journalism
- Multiplatform Publishing & Production
- Guest Speakers
- Field Trips/Conferences
- Placements
Applications and selections
Who teaches this course?
- Bernadette O' Sullivan BA MA HDE HDAC
- Bernadette Prendergast MA, Head of News, Galway Bay FM.
- Marie McGonagle BA LLB LLM, Senior Lecturer in Law, specializing in Media & Communications Law
- Andrea Martin BA Mod Legal Science, Practising Solicitor specialising in Media Law & former legal advisor with RTE
- Sharon McLaughlin BA LLB LLM
- Terri Russell MED
Requirements and assessment
Find out more
T +353 91 495 612
E john.kenny@nuigalway.ie
PAC code
GYA23
Fees for this course
EU (Total): €8,210
- Student levy: €224
Non-EU (Total): €13,250
Current students
Niamh Walsh
BA in English and Legal Science
"The journalism course is a great choice for anyone who wants to get into print or broadcast media. Having a background in writing was helpful but the course is suitable for people from all qualifications; from law to science, business to tourism. I really enjoyed the broadcasting classes as we got to produce our own radio show, as well as our own TV documentary. The work placement was invaluable at getting practical experience in the journalism field and also allows students to get their foot in the door of places in these tough economic times. Overall, I would thoroughly recommend the course to anyone interested in pursuing a career in journalism as it was so much fun and taught me the skills which I now put into practice at work every day."
Download taught and research
Past students
Frank Greaney
Bachelor of Corporate Law,
MA in Journalism 2009.
"The first thing that struck me as I began my MAJ programme at NUI Galway was how closely the teachings of the classroom mirrored the workings of a newsroom. Our lecturers became our editors. Our desks became our workstations. Every effort was made to make the experience feel like a year in a busy, working newsroom.
The broadcast module particularly appealed to me. This aspect of journalism was alien to many of us—including myself—and could not have been taught properly without the resources of studio time and equipment that were awarded to us in abundance.
The first thing that I was told when I began my journey in Journalism was that you needed to have a real passion for news to succeed in the business. That passion became a recurring theme throughout the year as I witnessed it first hand every day in the words of those who taught us and in the anecdotes of those who visited us.
The course really made every effort to prepare us thoroughly for the working world. It opened doors and gave us the tools we needed to walk through them.
The best thing about the course for me however, was the people. Journalism is all about people and I had the good fortune to be taught by, to interview and most importantly, to work beside some of the finest."