Journalism

Introduction
DCU’s MA in Journalism provides an opportunity to study in the top-ranked journalism and media school in the country, and one of the top 200 in the world.

Your teachers are active researchers in their fields, and bring the results of their research into the classroom.

You’ll be part of the School of Communications, and be taught by experts in political, climate change, and data journalism, journalism and gender, and journalism history.

Alongside cutting-edge insights into the role of journalism in these different contexts, you will learn a range of practical skills, such as news reporting, video and audio journalism, mobile journalism (MoJo), and news design.

Your classes will take place in state-of-the-art Mac labs, radio studios, and a full-scale TV studio. You’ll learn alongside experienced industry practitioners. And you’ll get a six-week placement in a media organisation at the end of the academic year.

When you graduate, you will join an alumni network which includes some of the top names in Irish journalism. You’ll have all the skills and knowledge to go straight into a newsroom, but you’ll also be qualified to work in policymaking, public affairs, content creation, the NGO sector, broadcasting, or public relations.

Programme Structure and Content
This one-year, full-time programme includes taught modules for two semesters, with a project or dissertation and an internship. The project/dissertation is a significant journalistic project or a piece of research focused on journalism. Students receive training in print, online and broadcast journalism. Students learn to work both on their own initiative and in teams. Modules are marked, in part or in whole, by continuous assessment, namely simulated newsroom exercises, preparation of features and news stories, online activities, broadcast packages, seminar presentations, and essays. Examinations and in-class tests are set in some modules. In the work placement which takes place in July and August, students gain experience and have the opportunity to practise their skills.

Programme Academic Structure for 2023 - 2024, MA in Journalism
This information is provisional & subject to change.

Year 1 Core Modules:
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM3014 Research for Journalists 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM3680 Newsdays 10 Year long 0 100 1
CM5140 MAJ Project/Dissertation 15 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
CM551 Intra 5 Autumn Semester 0 100 2
CM5969 Journalism Practice: Writing & Reporting 15 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM5971 Journalism Practice: Digital Storytelling 15 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5972 Media Law & Ethics 5 Semester 2 0 100 1

Year 1 Optional Modules -
Code Title Credit Semester Exam % CA % Resit Category
CM263 News Design 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM2760 Photojournalism 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM3008 Perspectives on Polit. & Fin. Journalism 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM3011 Climate Change and the Media 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM3013 Peace and Conflict Journalism 5 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM534 Science and Health in the Media 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5630 Social Media, Journalism and Democracy 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM569 Media and Politics in Ireland 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM580 Gender and Sexuality in Digital Culture 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM582 Science & Society 10 Semester 1 0 100 1
CM5963 Information, Manipulation and Democracy 5 Semester 2 0 100 1
CM5967 International News Gathering 10 Semester 2 0 100 1
UM405 Uaneen Non-Contributing Module Year long 0 100 1

Requirements
For admission to the MA in Journalism programme, successful applicants will have -
• A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent
• Applicants with appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may also be considered. This includes discipline-specific knowledge and know-how; transferable skills; basic research competency; personal effectiveness.
• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme.

Application Deadlines
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis until the programme is full or until the following dates:

• Closing date for non EU applicants is 1st July 2024
• Closing date for EU applicants is 31st July 2024

Note applicants who require a study visa for the purposes of studying at DCU, are advised to apply as early as possible.

All entry requirements should be met before the commencement of the programme.

Application Queries
For EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/eu-postgraduate-taught-admissions
or email postgraduateadmissions@dcu.ie

For non EU applicant queries, please visit https://www.dcu.ie/registry/international-admissions-undergraduate-and-postgraduate
or email internationaladmissions@dcu.ie

To apply for this programme:
• All Applicants must apply through DCU's Student Application Portal - view Application Weblink above

• Provide Academic Transcripts for each and every year of study with English translation if applicable.

• All Applicants are required to include two written submissions with their application

(i) Personal statement of 500-750 words (maximum) where the applicant outlines their suitability for the programme; highlights relevant recent experiences and involvements in areas specific to the programme.

(ii) Applicants should upload ONE WRITTEN BYLINED JOURNALISM ARTICLE of circa 300 words of their own composition, on a subject and in a genre of their choice, written for a specific publication. The article may be published or unpublished.

(iii) If the article has been published, state when and in which publication. Otherwise, indicate the outlet for which you think your submission would be best suited.

(iv) Applications which include more than one sample article will be disqualified.

• If applicable, provide evidence of competence in the English language as per DCU entry requirements.

1 year full-time.

The programme commences in September 2024.

Careers
Your ability to write clearly, quickly and accurately, and to process information speedily will equip you for a wide range of careers, not just those in journalism. Graduates work in a wide range of areas, including mainstream journalism across all media, nationally and internationally, and in organisational representation and lobbying and general communication roles. While many of our graduates find jobs in journalism, others pursue careers in related sectors such as NGO, corporate and political communication, advocacy for commercial, voluntary and public organisations, consultancy, academia, public administration, research, information and public relations.

Potential Careers:
• News Reporter (print, online, broadcast)
• Journalist
• Sub-editor
• Feature Writer
• Sports Reporter
• Columnist
• Producer
• Researcher
• Lobbyist
• Editor
• Advocate
• Public Communication Specialist
• Media Entrepreneur
• Advertising copywriter
• Broadcaster
• Journalist
• Picture researcher/editor
• Presenter, radio and television
• Press officer
• Public relations officer
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
• Writer, radio/TV/film
• Podcaster
• Videographer