Journalism

University of 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, economics 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 Features Journalism, Data and Visualisation, or Investigating Miscarriages of Justice.

Journalism classes take place in the digital newsroom and broadcast studios, completely refurbished in 2019. University of Galway has partnerships with all major national media organisations and all students are invited to apply for work placements as part of their studies, in Semester Three (circa May/June).

International Journalism and Human Rights stream
This new stream within our MA Journalism programme is aimed at students interested in a career as a foreign correspondent, and those passionate about human rights. If you take this stream you will follow the same structure as the MA Journalism but will have additional options in international news—including guest sessions from leading journalists such as Honorary Professor Orla Guerin of BBC News. You will also be able to undertake modules taught by the Irish Centre for Human Rights, including human rights law, peace operations, and climate justice.

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 Galway Pulse, a local newspaper and produce a drivetime radio show in ‘Multimedia Newsdays’. Students can also choose from a range of elective modules.

Semester One
Journalism Bootcamp (10 credits)
Reporting Economics and Politics (10 credits)
Global Media and Society (5 credits)
Social and Digital Production (5 credits)

Semester Two
Multimedia Newsdays (10 credits)
Media Law (5 credits)
Researching the Media (5 credits)

Choose 10 credits from the following elective modules
Features Journalism (10 credits)
Investigating Miscarriages of Justice (10 credits)
Business and Financial Journalism (10 credits)
Data Journalism and Visualisation (10 credits)

Additionally, students who choose the International Journalism and Human Rights stream have the following outline, including modules in Human Rights, and ‘Being a Foreign Correspondent’:

Semester One
Journalism Bootcamp (10 credits)
International Human Rights Law (10 credits)
Global Media and Society (5 credits)
Social and Digital Production (5 credits)

Semester Two
Being a Foreign Correspondent (10 credits)
Researching the Media (5 credits)

Choose 10 credits from the following elective modules
Investigating Miscarriages of Justice (10 credits)
Data Journalism and Visualisation (10 credits)
International Peace Operations (10 credits)
Climate Justice (5 credits)
Media Law (5 credits)

Students who choose the Global Business and Financial Journalism stream have the following outline, including modules in business and financial journalism:
Semester One
Journalism Bootcamp (10 credits)
Reporting Economics and Politics (10 credits)
Global Media and Society (5 credits)

Semester Two
Multimedia Newsdays (10 credits)
Business and Financial Journalism (10 credits)
Data Journalism and Visualisation (10 credits)

Choose between:
Researching the Media (5 credits)
Social and Digital Production (5 credits)
Media Law (5 credits)

Minimum Entry Requirements
To be accepted you must have a minimum Second Class Honours degree (ideally at 2.1 honours or higher) or equivalent. To apply, send your CV, a personal statement of no more than 500 words detailing your interest in the programme and your career aspirations, and at least one sample of your work, for example, a blog post, student media, short piece for radio, television or other media. We also welcome applications from people with prior experience in journalism looking to update their skills.

Applications will be considered in two rounds.

Closing Date
Please view the offer rounds website at https://www.universityofgalway.ie/postgrad-admissions/key-dates/

Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System

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

Next start date September 2024

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.