Overview
Our International Multimedia and Journalism MA is for new graduates and experienced journalists. You don’t need a media background to join this course.
This journalism master’s provides an international context. It is suitable for students from across the globe.
You’ll have the opportunity to learn alongside and collaborate with professional journalists. We work with a range of organisations to support high-quality journalism. Experts and innovators in journalism provide a series of challenging:
- guest lectures
- masterclasses
- workshops
You’ll explore advances in journalism. You’ll experiment and develop new ways to do journalism.
You can take part in projects to expand your knowledge and skills. Such projects include our Civic Journalism Lab collaboration with the BBC.
The course covers key areas which reflect the way journalists work today. However, journalism’s role in society, its methods, and careers are all constantly changing. This course is a ‘laboratory of inquiry’ that will prepare you to negotiate these changes through your career.
Important information
We’ve highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.
Your course and study experience – disclaimers and terms and conditions
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.
View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2024-25.
See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.
What you’ll learn
Through creative projects, you’ll learn how to produce exciting journalism. Your journalism will communicate with and represent people regionally, nationally and globally.
In both digital-first and multiplatform contexts, you’ll:
- produce and examine civic and socially minded journalism that affects real change
- consider ways to diversify and develop income
- learn to build digital brands and creative editorial strategies
In Semester 1, you focus on skills and understanding of media contexts. Through a series of creative projects, you learn how to gather, produce and disseminate journalism. You’ll use text, visual and audio web-based technologies.
You’ll also develop an analytical framework to support strategic decisions. This will ensure your work is legally and ethically sound.
Semester 2 focuses on creativity and individuality. You’ll decide on the knowledge, topics and production skills you want to develop further. You consider how to:
- produce ‘self-branded’ journalistic content
- effectively analyse and communicate data
- produce digital features
In Semester 3, you’ll complete the International Multimedia Journalism Final Project.
Modules
You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.
Course content changes
Module information is intended to provide an example of what you will study.
Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.
Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.
To find out more please see our terms and conditions.
Optional modules availability
Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.
International Multimedia Journalism MA modules
How you’ll learn
The one-year course is divided into three semesters. You’ll have assignments to complete and submit during the intervening weeks.
We adopt a student-centred policy in learning and teaching. You’ll complete a combination of compulsory and optional modules through:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical workshops
Depending on your module choice, you’ll study three or four modules per semester. You’ll work independently and collaboratively to:
- read widely
- take part in discussions
- develop topics for investigation with advice from tutors
- develop projects and presentations
- lead seminars
Depending on your modules, you’ll be assessed through a combination of:
- Case study
- Design or creative project
- Essay
- Oral presentation
- Portfolio
- Report
- Reflective log
- Research proposal
- Written exercise
Additional assessment information
The International Multimedia Journalism Final Project develops advanced newsroom practice. You’ll create a publicly facing journalistic brand. You’ll produce video, audio and written content for print, web and social media. You’ll learn how to re-purpose your journalism for different platforms.
Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:
- module handbooks
- course materials
- groups
- course announcements and notifications
- written feedback
Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:
- peers
- academics
- personal tutors
- our University Student Services Team
- student representatives
You’ll also be assigned an academic member of staff. They will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.
Your development
Professional skills
Whether your passion is hard news, politics, campaigning, the arts, fashion, sport – or you’re still deciding – this programme will develop your:
- professional production skills
- critical understanding
- own journalistic voice
You’ll learn how to research, newsgather and select the best technologies for the story at hand.
You’ll work with senior journalists, who have significant experience in print and online, for titles such as:
- The Economist
- The Guardian
- The Financial Times
- The Times
- Wired
- Buzz-Feed
Your future
Careers
We’ll equip you with the skills and knowledge needed to be a successful multimedia journalist. You will also be exposed to a broad commercial and cultural awareness of the media and creative industries, both from academic staff and media practitioners.
Careers in public relations, journalism, media planning, broadcasting and advertising are the most popular choices for graduates. Our courses focus on the communication of information across a broad range of subjects from the highly practical to the theoretical, so you’ll be beneficial to any organisation.
Some destinations for recent graduates in the media industry include:
- Alliance News
- Arabian Business
- BBC
- CNN
- DigiTimes Asia
- ITV Border
- Northern Echo
- VICE
- WIRED
As an MA International Multimedia Journalism student at Newcastle University, you’ll develop a wide range of transferable skills. These range from presentation and research skills, to team-working and project management, which are highly sought after by employers.
Further study
This International Multimedia Journalism MA provides a route into PhD level study.
Our Careers Service
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.
Quality and ranking
- 42% of our research is classified as 4* world-leading research – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- 65% increase in research power since 2014 – Research Excellence Framework 2021
- Global Top 130 University – QS World University Rankings 2025
- Global Top 170 University – Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024
- Top 25 in the UK and Top 100 in the world for sustainable development – Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024
Professional accreditation and recognition
European Journalism Training Association
This course is recognised by the European Journalism Training Association. The European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) is a non-profit organisation that works intensively with other European associations and organisations in the media and education fields. It was established in Brussels in 1990. It groups about 80 journalism centres, schools and universities from about 30 countries across Europe. They work together to improve journalism education in Europe, enabling members to collaborate on exchanges and teaching and research projects, and meet regularly to exchange ideas and information. A key aim of EJTA is to stimulate European co-operation in journalism education and lifelong learning between non-profit training centres, and to develop a professional approach towards journalism training.
All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body
Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK
From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK
Facilities
Throughout your master’s in journalism, you’ll have access to a range of specialist facilities available through Culture Lab. These include:
- cameras
- voice recorders
- audio and video-editing software
- a computer-editing suite with Adobe CS6
- mobile studio equipment and editing suites are in development
Entry requirements
The entrance requirements below apply to 2025 entry.
Academic entry requirements
A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent.
We will also consider your application on an individual basis if you have lower or non-standard qualifications and relevant professional experience in:
- the media
- broadcast journalism
- print journalism
