Fashion Journalism MA

Fashion writing and communication has never been so exciting or had such career potential, ranging from print and broadcast to fashion film and online media. In this competitive field, employers are increasingly looking for postgraduate qualifications as evidence of ability, added skills and commitment.

Our MA is designed to equip you with the practical and critical skills you will need to succeed in your chosen area of fashion journalism. The course is unique in offering a fusion of the professional and creative arenas, connecting the fashion and media industries through the collaboration of two of Kingston University's most acclaimed and dynamic disciplines: fashion and journalism.

The Fashion Journalism MA at Kingston is aimed at talented national and international graduates, offering them the opportunity to research and explore the many areas of international fashion.

It will also enable you to develop your existing expertise and understanding of fashion writing and communication, within the changing framework of digital technologies and innovation. The course aims to produce articulate, knowledgeable and visually aware fashion writers, editors and commentators who are original thinkers. They will be versatile enough to meet the demands and challenges of today's fashion journalism in its different forms and to contribute meaningfully to the discipline.

As a collaboration between the renowned School of Design and the award-winning Journalism course, the Fashion Journalism MA has unique added value. The degree will show potential employers that you have the training and commitment to bring something important or unique to a title or brand in a highly competitive field.

How do we teach?

Our Fashion Journalism MA is taught by practitioners and experts in journalism and fashion at its broadest. Journalistic expertise and knowledge are delivered through lectures, seminars and writing workshops. You will participate in practical exercises, group work discussion, independent writing, individual research and extensive reading. The contextual part of the course will engage you in individual and collaborative projects, both academic and practical, and bring you into the world of fashion design and communication – film, blogging, broadcast, editing, writing, art direction, fashion history and research.

This provides you with the opportunity to pursue, explore and analyse ideas and work within the context of fashion writing and communication.Throughout the course you will be working with some of the leading practitioners in this exciting field.

Please note that this is an indicative list of modules and is not intended as a definitive list.

Available modules

• Contextualising Fashion I
• Contextualising Fashion II
• Journalism Practice

• Journalism Practice

  This module introduces you to a range of core journalism skills and industry issues essential for embarking on a career in journalism. Subjects covered include:

  • an introduction to the journalism industry and challenges to traditional print media;
  • the role of the journalist;
  • the workings of a newsroom or magazine office;
  • the editorial hierarchy of newspapers and magazines;
  • finding sources for stories; and
  • research and interviewing skills.

  You will not only develop a sense of what makes a good story, but also of potential ethical and legal issues. The module promotes critical examination of the media and its functions.

  
   
• Feature Writing

• Feature Writing

  More than any other type of article, features are the lifeblood of fashion magazines. Features can take a variety of forms – whether picture-led lifestyle spreads; profiles and interviews with prominent personalities; or in-depth news backgrounders on heavyweight business issues.
  
  This module aims to introduce you to the full range of approaches to feature-writing, plus the core skills needed to generate the material from which good features evolve.

  
   
• News Writing

• News Writing

  This module aims to equip you with all the skills necessary to be an effective news writer for a variety of media, including newspapers and websites. We will introduce you to the principles underpinning the process of newsgathering, including:

  • how to nurture contacts, identify pegs, and spot the best angles;
  • coaching on how to transform your raw material into tightly worded, sparkling news copy; and
  • the use of content management systems, SEO and learn how to develop a news blog.
  
   
• The Business of Magazines

• The Business of Magazines

  This module provides you with an in-depth critical knowledge of the workings of the periodical industry, allowing you to work effectively within it as a journalist. The module familiarises you with different kinds of magazine publishing structures and how magazines are run as businesses, as well as the relationship between magazines and their audiences and proprietor. You will study:

  • the emergence and growth of the magazine market;
  • how magazines are created and revitalised;
  • the economics of periodical publishing including distribution and marketing; and
  • the culture and production of magazines.
  
   
• Masters Project and Exhibition
• Practical Journalism Project
• Dissertation

Our Fashion Journalism MA aims to bring students into the world of fashion design and communication at its highest level – through film, blogging, broadcast, editing, writing, art direction, fashion history and research. Image: Alexander McQueen fitting a Swarovski crystal-encrusted dress backstage for his SS09 runway show in Paris. Credit: Claire Robertson

You will have access to a dedicated newsroom as well as other facilities. Find out more...

We want to make sure you get all the support you need while you are with us. Here you can see the range of support we can offer you while you're doing this course.

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