MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year

Why choose Herts?

Employment prospects: Our graduates work in a variety of media roles such as Press, Social Media Analysts, and Journalists for organisations including BBC, Mail Online, Subway and Euromonitor.
Teaching excellence: Learn from our industry-experts, award-winning lecturers who are experienced in web, print, design, journalism, and PR (see key staff section).
Research: Benefit from advanced research study led by our expert research-active teaching staff.

We require at least 2:2 (or equivalent) degree in humanities or a business subject. Graduates with an honours degree in any discipline who have otherwise demonstrated potential to succeed at postgraduate level journalism and media communications will also be considered. You'll also need to provide a work or academic reference. International students should have an English language assessment of IELTS 7, or equivalent as determined by the School of Creative Arts.

ll students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in Writing and 6.0 in all other bands.

If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English may help you to achieve this level.

More information about English language qualifications are available on our international pages.


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Creative Arts
Course length	Sandwich Placement, 2 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Employability

Careers

Employability is central to everything we do. This MA opens up a wide range of opportunities, from PR, corporate communications, marketing and advertising to magazines and web publications. Your creative and critical thinking, as well as the analytical, research and communications skills gained through this course, are all highly valued in a wide range of industries.

What job can I get?

Recent graduates are working internationally on The Expat and Raffy magazines in Malaysia, as well as in corporate communications and with the UK local radio.

Work placement

The year placement will allow you to work in the creative industries and develop your professional skills. The University’s Careers and Placement Service will help you apply for this one-year work placement. Previous graduates have worked for Sunday Times Travel, Euromoney and Cosmopolitan magazine.

All students gaining 60 credits in the first semester and an additional 60 credits in the following semester will be eligible for a work placement, but it cannot be guaranteed. The University’s Careers and Placement Service will help you apply for, and obtain, a work placement. For students with visa restrictions, the placement will need to be based in the UK.

Students will typically need to secure a placement by the end of April in order to process the necessary paperwork.

Professional Accreditations

This course is partnered with the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), giving you access to networking and tailored speaker sessions, as well accreditation upon graduation. The University is also an Academic Member of the British Society of Magazine Editors which provides expert speakers and information on the latest trends in this area.

About the course

The MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year is a two-year programme which includes a 36-week, full-time work placement. The course content is similar to the one-year MA, but you’ll take a long placement of 30 weeks or more and write your dissertation in the second year. A placement will help you gain valuable professional practice and enhance your understanding of media theory. Recent placements have included communications for a development agency in London and social media management in Hertfordshire. Students who do not pass the first year cannot progress to the long placement.

Throughout the course, you’ll benefit from our extensive links with the media industry including, membership of the Public Relations and Communications Association and educational membership of the British Society for Magazine Editors. You’ll feel inspired by our guest speakers. Previous talks have included the editor of Marie Claire, an investigative journalist from the BBC and head of a media agency. Plus, we’ll invite you to join our small ‘afternoon tea’ sessions with speakers twice a semester. You’ll be supported to find valuable work experience. Previous students have gained placements with the BBC, Sunday Times and a variety of PR agencies.

This course has a great track record of helping students achieve jobs in the industry. You’ll extend your knowledge and skills in the media. Plus, you’ll have the chance to meet students from around the world, form friendships and strengthen your international awareness.

You’ll analyse contemporary intellectual theories of media and communications. You’ll cross-examine the synergies between social media, PR and journalism, interrogate current media practices and convergence. Every step of the way, there’ll be a strong focus on your future employability. You’ll be taught by lecturers with extensive professional experience of journalism, PR, web design, media production and media research. Whatever your background, this MA will enhance your career by equipping you to operate effectively in a professional media environment.

There are three distinct pathways on the MA to provide to suit your aspirations and choice of career.

MA Journalism & Media and Communications - one year
MA Journalism and Media Communications (Sandwich) - two year
MA Journalism and Media Communications (with Advanced Research) - two year

Whichever pathway you choose, you’ll gain valuable skills in practice and theoretical understanding of journalism, media and communications management. Our programme is flexible. Students normally choose their pathway when they apply but there is some flexibility to change in the first semester and you can also swap from the two year to one-year programme in the second semester.

Why choose this course?

You want to gain a broad range of communication and digital media skills.
You want to feel inspired by expert lecturers widely experienced in the communications industry plus as a partner university with the prestigious Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA).
You’re excited to gain valuable networking skills and contacts. You’ll benefit from the experience of our expert speakers and gain current knowledge of the PR industry.
You want to gain insights into emerging trends in the fast-changing digital media world. You want your skills to be valued by a wide range of media and related industries.

What will I study?

You’ll have weekly two-to-four-hour workshops for each module. Plus, there can be online activities too. You’ll be supported by regular one-to-one supervision by academics from the University’s Media Group.

Modules may change from year to year but are likely to include Corporate Communication, PR and Advertising; International Journalism Trends; Writing for Magazines; Sports Journalism; and Media Production as well as modules on research methodology. You also have a range of options for your final project. This can be a dissertation on a media subject of your choice, a short work placement, the one-year placement or a larger media research project, depending on your chosen route.

For Media Production you’ll create multimedia – podcasts, designs and promotional strategies – for online magazines. You’ll pitch and measure a campaign and use social media to promote your work. Writing for Magazines will give you the practical skills to write articles for online and print audiences. You’ll produce webinars on the business model of magazines. Plus, you’ll learn how social media and blogging are enhancing the magazine experience.

Our module Sports Journalism will give you a key understanding in the exciting practices of sports journalism, from interviewing top stars to reporting on breaking sports stories. You’ll also create news bulletins and write news features.

Two modules on research methods and critical and theoretical debates will equip you with advanced research skills and transferable communications skills. These include interviewing, identifying a story and building connections; vital skills for PR and Corporate Communication roles.

There is an additional Advanced Media Research (30 Credits) and the Media Project (60 Credits) instead of the dissertation or long placement (Work placement information can be found under the 'Employability' tab on this course page).

Level 7

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Research Methods 1: Critical and Theoretical Debates	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module aims to develop your knowledge and understanding of some of the theoretical approaches and related critical methodologies which are influential in the scholarly analysis of media texts. Areas covered may include quantitative and qualitative research methods, such as content analysis and media sampling; interview and survey strategies and interpretation; audience research methods; focus groups and observation. Issues of technological convergence and the socio-cultural aspects of the contemporary media landscape. You will be invited to assess the strengths and limitations of different frameworks and learn to understand their application in media practice. This module is underpinned by the recognition of ethical and legal regulatory frameworks in the media industry and a deep regard for diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace.
Sports Journalism	30 Credits	Optional
This module will equip you with a range of skills, knowledge and practical experience through the production of multiplatform sports journalism. This includes researching and producing a variety of radio sports commentaries and audio packages; writing accurate cue material and sports bulletins for radio and print media; researching and interviewing relevant experts and guests.
Media Placement Year	60 Credits	Compulsory
The placement year provides you with the opportunity to use and reinforce the subject specific and intellectual knowledge and skills you have gained through your degree in workplace. It will allow you to gain practical experience in a specific part of the media industry and strengthen your disciplinary and transferable skills such as time management and communication with co-workers. The year-long placement also gives you the opportunity to acquire the basis of industry experiences in your chosen field. Handshake, which provides our careers and placement service, will guide you in sourcing and applying for your work placemen. Past placements have been within broadcast, newspapers, marketing, social media management and non-governmental organisations. This module is underpinned by the recognition of ethical and legal regulatory frameworks in the media industry and a deep regard for diversity, equity and inclusion in education and the workplace.
Intercultural Awareness in Media	15 Credits	Optional
Have you ever wondered how cultural norms and trends influence the media across the globe? What does freedom of the press look like in a country where the news channels are state-owned? What sells, and what is taboo in advertising and why? How do we explain the increased demand for Netflix series in languages other than English? Which social media apps are your peers in other countries using, or not using, and why might that be? This module will enable you to explore and critically examine such questions. It will help you to develop a reflective and applied approach to the study of intercultural awareness in a range of contemporary media contexts such as the press, journalism, publishing, advertising, social networks, the internet, and/or TV, streaming and film. Furthermore, you will reflect on how outputs, communications and negotiating, decision-making and interpersonal relationships might all be affected by cultural differences in the workplace. It is therefore particularly relevant to those of you wishing to pursue a career in international media or working within multicultural environments. You will have the opportunity to personalise the focus of your independent research on countries/regions of interest and compare with your own. You will share your findings in discussions with your peers and reflect on them, then analyse their relevance in workplace dynamics and practice. By exploring perspectives from around the world, you will not only gain insights into other cultures, but also have the opportunity to develop your sense of self-awareness and empathy for others. You will be prepared to enter the job market as a truly global citizen. Whether you are interested in enhancing your intercultural awareness for work, travel and/or pleasure, this module fosters the development of professional soft skills that are highly valued by employers across the globe.
Corporate Communications	30 Credits	Compulsory
In the first part of the module, you are introduced to corporate communication and its historic development from traditional Public Relations to an integrated Corporate Communications approach. You will then look at the ways in which companies develop and maintain a positive reputation, how to design a strong corporate identity and what are the key elements of a good communications strategy. The second part will look at a range of specialist subjects such as internal communications, branding, celebrities, sponsorship and event management. We will also discuss aspects of ethical communication and the role this plays now and in the future with an increasing focus on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR). Overall, the module aims to highlight the strong links between the corporate and journalistic aspects of media businesses, in particular magazines, and to equip you with a good range of professional communication tools.
Media Production	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides you with a detailed understanding of the communication strategies including those of social media in the media and creative industries. You will apply theory to practice by developing a range of media products and a social media strategy that simulates a real-world scenario. You will examine key questions such as: communications strategies, branding, copyright, market segmentation, user behaviour, advertising and digital business models. Through-out the module you will be learning media production skills including: editing and manipulation of text and images, knowledge of a content management systems, blogs and developing social media assets for different platforms. You will also consider the implications of AI systems on supporting content creation, analysing user patterns, monitoring and measuring brand visibility. This is a creative module and there is an emphasis on enterprise and innovation and along with technical skills you will develop soft skills such as pitching ideas and presenting research to offer solutions to a real world scenario.
Mobile Journalism	15 Credits	Optional
Students will learn to use mobile devices such as smartphones, to create high-quality short content for journalism storytelling. Students will learn about storytelling techniques, mobile journalism workflows, equipment, and apps that can help them produce engaging content, and understand the latest innovations at the intersection of technology and Journalism.
Journalism Skills and Reporting	30 Credits	Optional
Explore and demonstrate two key, different facets of contemporary journalism: trends and techniques in news journalism with its emphasis on brevity, authenticity and changing news values and long form digital journalism with its emphasis on in-depth exploration and analysis. Students will also explore contemporary discourses about law and ethical regulation in journalism and develop competency in both interviewing and fact-checking. By the end of the module students will have produced different journalism products showcasing their intellectual, practical and transferable skills.

Further course information

Course fact sheets
MA (SW) Journalism and Media Communications	Download

Programme specifications
MA Journalism and Media Communications	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes

Choosing to enrol on the MA Journalism and Media Communications course was one of the best decisions I made after leaving university. Not only did it provide me with a further academic qualification but the course is designed in such a way as to ensure you gain "real working life" experience throughout. The skills I gained during the course most certainly made my application stand out from the crowd when applying for my first job and this is still the case three years on. I would highly recommend the course to anyone looking to enhance their knowledge and skill set.

Claire Harris

MA Journalism and Media Communications graduate

Student experience

At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible. We offer a range of support services including; student wellbeing, academic support, accommodation and childcare to ensure that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying and having fun.

Find out about how we support our students

You can also read our student blogs to find out about life at Herts.

Funding and fees
Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Fees 2024
UK Students
Full time
- £11655 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
EU Students
Full time
- £17950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
International Students
Full time
- £17950 for 2024/2025 and 2025/2026 inclusive
Fees 2025
UK Students
Full time
- £12360 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
EU Students
Full time
- £18800 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
International Students
Full time
- £18800 for 2025/2026 and 2026/2027 inclusive
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University's Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed "When tuition fees change"), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

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Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet
How to apply

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2025 31/05/2026 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Sandwich)
2026
Start Date End Date Year Location Link
25/09/2026 31/05/2027 1 UH Hatfield Campus Apply online (Sandwich)

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MA Journalism and Media Communications with Placement Year

Why choose Herts?

Careers

What job can I get?

Work placement

Professional Accreditations

About the course

Why choose this course?

What will I study?

Further course information

Student experience

Other financial support

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Fees 2025

UK Students

Full time

EU Students

Full time

International Students

Full time

Living costs / accommodation

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2025

2026