Journalism PgDip/MA

Why choose this course?

Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) for over a decade, this Journalism PgDip/MA course will equip you for a career in journalism by offering the industry's most sought-after qualification alongside your PgDip or masters degree. The only London university to offer an NCTJ diploma alongside a news journalism MA, Kingston combines professional training and academic study with the skills you will need to succeed in this intensely competitive industry.

In the last reaccreditation report from the NCTJ, it was noted that "this course... plays a valuable role in producing industry-ready early career journalists". We offer Broadcast Journalism, Journalism for a Digital Audience, Public Affairs, Data Journalism and Shorthand elective options alongside the NCTJ core modules.

This course offers professional skills such as news and feature writing, the latest digital and social media techniques, and media law.

You will be taught by practising journalists and have access to a newsroom with industry-standard software. Working for a live news website, the Kingston Courier, you will produce and edit multimedia content on everything from news to sports. You will also design and produce a newspaper supplement.

Alongside your core modules on the MA/PgDip, you can choose from a range of specialisms. These could include Sports Journalism, Foreign Correspondence, Arts and Culture, Social Affairs, Fashion Journalism, Visual Journalism or Broadcast, where you will cover everything from making TV and radio packages to podcasts.

Please follow our Journalism Twitter to see some of the great work we and our graduates are doing.

Mode Duration Start date
Full time 1 year September 2024
Full time 2 years including professional placement September 2024
Part time 2 years September 2024
Location Penrhyn Road

Reasons to choose Kingston University

  • Kingston is the only university in London to offer the NCTJ diploma alongside an MA news journalism degree. The diploma, highly regarded by employers, is a passport to a wide range of jobs.
  • This is a very hands-on course which will prepare you to work as a journalist.
  • 100% of our Class of 2022 are in journalism careers at employers including BBC, Daily Mail and LBC.
  • You will be taught by practising journalists on industry-standard software.

The Art School Experience

As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where collaborative working and critical practice are encouraged.

Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.

Two students collaborate on a design project.

Accreditation

NCT accredited course logo

National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)

NCT accredited course logo

Kingston's links with the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) open many doors for our students, including opportunities to attend networking events. Eligible students on our course have the option of applying for the NCTJ-run Journalism Diversity Fund, which provides bursaries for living and study costs to a wide range of students.

'Tutors clearly go the extra mile with pastoral care, and supporting students with particular needs.'
NCTJ accreditation report

What you will study

You will develop a range of professional, practical skills and knowledge that will equip you for a job in journalism, including news and feature writing, public affairs, online journalism, media law and shorthand. You will have the opportunity to report and write for our news website, the Kingston Courier, which is run by our postgraduate students. Using your acquired design skills, you'll learn to produce a print supplement to our University newspaper, The River.

Once you have achieved the PgDip, which runs over two semesters from September to May, you can continue on to the MA degree by researching and writing a dissertation or carrying out an equivalent work-based practical project. This will develop your critical thinking and analytical skills, and give you the chance to carry out independent academic research.

The core module is worth 60 credits. You'll be expected to complete 180 credits altogether.

Modules: Full-time study

Modules: Part-time study

Optional placement year

You can choose to study for either a PgDip or MA award. If you opt for the MA, you will have the opportunity to do a work-based final project, or a dissertation which allows you to focus on an area of interest and gain valuable research skills, as a potential gateway to a PhD.

Core modules

Practical Journalism Now: Multimedia Skills and Employability

60 credits

This module – which includes a two week work placement outside the university – aims to give students the practical skills needed to work as a journalist. You'll get a chance to practise your core skills of researching, writing, interviewing and editing, as you join the team running multimedia news website the Kingston Courier. You'll learn a wide range of skills, including video, podcasting, mobile journalism, data journalism and newspaper design, and also how to harness the power of social media and editorial analytics. During the course of the module, you will build a wide-ranging portfolio to showcase all of the skills learned on the MA, and learn how to best prepare yourself to find work as a journalist.

As well as counting towards your MA, this module leads to the NCTJ Essential Journalism exam and e-portfolio.

Non credit-bearing modules taken as part of the NCTJ diploma

Shorthand (Postgraduate)

0 credits

Students on the MA Journalism course may study Teeline shorthand. Shorthand is an extremely useful skill for journalists, and one prized by employers: it generates trust with interviewees and increases the speed and efficiency of reporting. You will be taught Teeline, which uses written outlines derived from consonants, by a teacher of longstanding experience; the aim is to reach a speed of 100 words per minute (wpm) by the end of the course.

Shorthand exams at 60, 80 and 100 wpm, count towards the NCTJ diploma.

Journalism for a Digital Audience

0 credits

Working with digital platforms is a core part of a journalist's work. On this module will you will learn the knowledge and skills to operate as an audience-focused digital journalist in a multimedia newsroom including understanding and using website CMS systems to enhance the user experience, how to build and execute strategies based on audience data, interacting with the audience, making the most of illustrations/video and how to develop brands. The module, which is not-for-credit, is taken by all students studying for the MA Journalism. It culminates in the submission of coursework and the exam for the NCTJ Journalism for a Digital Audience module.

Data Journalism

0 credits

Working with data is an important skill for all journalists and data journalism is an essential skillset. On this module you will learn the knowledge and skills to operate as an audience-focused data journalist. The module will provide knowledge of how to find data, analyse that data in the most efficient way to find great stories, how to visualise the information found and go on to develop the data into content which will appeal to readers and viewers. You do not need to be a maths expert, you will be looking to find the stories behind the numbers. The module, which is not-for-credit, is taken by all students studying for the MA Journalism. It culminates in the submission of coursework and the exam for the NCTJ Data Journalism module.

MA students also choose either the Journalism Dissertation or the Practical Project

Practical Journalism Project

60 credits

Students who wish to go straight into the workplace can opt to do a Practical Journalism Project module while they work, in lieu of a dissertation. This module includes a piece of academic research as well as a portfolio of journalism produced as a working journalist. You will also be asked to reflect on your practice, considering how you can learn from your experience and develop as a journalist. This module takes place between May and September, after core teaching has finished.

MA Journalism Dissertation

60 credits

Students wishing to undertake a substantial piece of academic work can opt to take the dissertation module, which is carried out between May and September, after core teaching has finished. Once you have narrowed down your area of interest, you will be given a supervisor who will work individually with you to help you develop your ideas, frame a hypothesis and conduct appropriate primary and secondary research. The MA dissertation is a good bridge for any students wishing to pursue further study, at PhD level or beyond.

Optional modules

Feature Writing

30 credits

Whatever the type of magazine - from quality Sunday paper supplements to women's lifestyle monthlies - features dominate content. This module encourages students to look critically at feature writing in all its forms and to analyse exactly what makes a great feature. You will learn how to generate winning ideas, research those ideas thoroughly, and turn that research into eye-catching copy. You will also learn how to pitch ideas to publications, and be encouraged to pitch for real during the course.

Broadcast Journalism

30 credits

This module aims to teach students the principles and practice of broadcast journalism. You will learn to use a variety of industry-standard software and hardware, and acquire the technical skills necessary to produce quality radio and television packages and podcasts. You'll learn about broadcast regulation, find out how to pitch stories to potential employers, and develop your presentation skills, receiving voice coaching and taking part in radio and television news days. Alongside traditional methods of broadcast, you will consider what opportunities the internet offers for both storytelling and live reporting.

As well as counting towards your MA, this module leads to the NCTJ's Broadcast Journalism exams.

Journalism Specialism

30 credits

This highly practical module allows students to explore in depth, and actively engage with, a range of journalism specialisms which could include: sports journalism, fashion journalism, foreign correspondence, arts and culture journalism, social affairs or visual journalism.

Students will develop the researching, writing, reporting and digital skills they acquired through prior learning to produce professional copy and other outputs pertinent to each specialism, such as social media, video and visualisations. They will apply their newly-gained specialist knowledge and acquired skills to the production of a portfolio of cutting-edge specialist journalism.

The practices of each area of specialist journalism will be placed in a context throughout the module. Through a series of lectures and in-class discussions students will gain insight into each specialism and how it works. They will acquire an appreciation of the historical, cultural, global and economic issues which specialist journalists must understand. The module prepares students to pursue jobs within specialist beats upon graduation.

We offer a part-time study option to help you fit the course around other commitments.

Year 1 core module

Practical Journalism Now: Multimedia Skills and Employability

60 credits

This module – which includes a two week work placement outside the university – aims to give students the practical skills needed to work as a journalist. You'll get a chance to practise your core skills of researching, writing, interviewing and editing, as you join the team running multimedia news website the Kingston Courier. You'll learn a wide range of skills, including video, podcasting, mobile journalism, data journalism and newspaper design, and also how to harness the power of social media and editorial analytics. During the course of the module, you will build a wide-ranging portfolio to showcase all of the skills learned on the MA, and learn how to best prepare yourself to find work as a journalist.

As well as counting towards your MA, this module leads to the NCTJ Essential Journalism exam and e-portfolio.

Year 2 core module

Journalism in Context: Law, Ethics and the Industry

30 credits

This year-long module aims to provide students with a thorough understanding of the legal and regulatory structure within which journalists operate. In recent decades, the industry has changed significantly as it adapts to the opportunities and challenges of the internet age. You will be invited to examine and debate the direction and future of journalism, thinking about everything from legal restrictions on reporting to fake news to the public's perception of journalists.

As well as counting towards your MA, this module leads to the NCTJ's Essential Law and Ethics exams.

Optional modules

Broadcast Journalism

30 credits

This module aims to teach students the principles and practice of broadcast journalism. You will learn to use a variety of industry-standard software and hardware, and acquire the technical skills necessary to produce quality radio and television packages and podcasts. You'll learn about broadcast regulation, find out how to pitch stories to potential employers, and develop your presentation skills, receiving voice coaching and taking part in radio and television news days. Alongside traditional methods of broadcast, you will consider what opportunities the internet offers for both storytelling and live reporting.

As well as counting towards your MA, this module leads to the NCTJ's Broadcast Journalism exams.

Journalism Specialism

30 credits

This highly practical module allows students to explore in depth, and actively engage with, a range of journalism specialisms which could include: sports journalism, fashion journalism, foreign correspondence, arts and culture journalism, social affairs or visual journalism.

Students will develop the researching, writing, reporting and digital skills they acquired through prior learning to produce professional copy and other outputs pertinent to each specialism, such as social media, video and visualisations. They will apply their newly-gained specialist knowledge and acquired skills to the production of a portfolio of cutting-edge specialist journalism.

The practices of each area of specialist journalism will be placed in a context throughout the module. Through a series of lectures and in-class discussions students will gain insight into each specialism and how it works. They will acquire an appreciation of the historical, cultural, global and economic issues which specialist journalists must understand. The module prepares students to pursue jobs within specialist beats upon graduation.

Part-time students can opt to do shorthand in either their first or second year

Shorthand (Postgraduate)

0 credits

Students on the MA Journalism course may study Teeline shorthand. Shorthand is an extremely useful skill for journalists, and one prized by employers: it generates trust with interviewees and increases the speed and efficiency of reporting. You will be taught Teeline, which uses written outlines derived from consonants, by a teacher of longstanding experience; the aim is to reach a speed of 100 words per minute (wpm) by the end of the course.

Shorthand exams at 60, 80 and 100 wpm, count towards the NCTJ diploma.

Many postgraduate courses at Kingston University allow students to do a 12-month work placement as part of their course. The responsibility for finding the work placement is with the student; we cannot guarantee the work placement, just the opportunity to undertake it. As the work placement is an assessed part of the course, it is covered by a student's Student Route visa.

Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme.

Module

Professional Placement

120 credits

The Professional Placement module is a core module for those students following a masters programme that incorporates professional placement learning, following completion of 120 credits. It provides you with the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to an appropriate working environment, and to develop and enhance key employability skills and subject-specific professional skills in your chosen subject. You may wish to use the placement experience as a platform for your subsequent major project module, and would be expected to use it to help inform your decisions about future careers.

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

We normally expect candidates to have:

  • a 2:2 or above honours degree or equivalent in an essay-writing subject, demonstrating high standards of literacy;
  • and/or evidence of substantial and demonstrable professional commitment to journalism.

Additional requirements

Interviews

We normally invite applicants for an interview with the course director or another senior member of the teaching team. International students based overseas can arrange for an interview over the internet or by telephone.

Written test

There is a short written test of subbing skills, writing and news sense.

Prior learning - AP(E)L

Applicants with prior qualifications and learning may be exempt from appropriate parts of a course in accordance with the University's policy for the assessment of prior learning and prior experiential learning. Contact the faculty office for further information.

International

All non-UK applicants must meet our English language requirements. For this course it is Academic IELTS of 7.0 overall, with at least 5.5 in each element. Please make sure you read our full guidance about English language requirements, which includes details of other qualifications we'll consider. Please note that we do not accept Indian Standard XII English to meet the English language entry requirements for this course.

Applicants from one of the recognised majority English speaking countries (MESCs) do not need to meet these requirements.

Country-specific information

You will find more information on country specific entry requirements in the International section of our website.

Find your country:

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods include workshops, lectures, student-led seminars and guided research.

Assessment methods are often based on the production of news stories, features and essays. You will also be appraised on your performance on the postgraduate publications which you work on during the course. The NCTJ diploma is assessed by exams.

You will also benefit from weekly guest lectures – in the past year guests have included senior journalists and editors at The Guardian, Glamour, The Sunday Times, VICE, Vogue, New Statesman and CNN.

Guided independent study (self-managed time)

When not attending timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This typically involves reading and analysing articles, regulations, policy documents and key texts, documenting individual projects, preparing coursework assignments and completing your PEDRs, etc.

Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, the library and CANVAS, the University's online virtual learning platform.

Support for postgraduate students

At Kingston University, we know that postgraduate students have particular needs and therefore we have a range of support available to help you during your time here.

Your workload

Year 1: 13% of your time is spent in timetabled learning and teaching activity.

  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 360 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 2,014 hours

Contact hours may vary depending on your modules, and whether you choose a dissertation or practical project, which are both included in the breakdown.

Type of teaching and learning

Type of teaching and learning
  • Scheduled learning and teaching: 360 hours
  • Guided independent study (self-managed time): 2014 hours

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.

How you will be assessed

The PgDip/MA is assessed through coursework, which includes essays, portfolios of journalism, presentations, and, for MA students, a dissertation or work-based research project. Your contribution to the student-run Kingston Courier website will also be evaluated.

The approximate percentage for how you will be assessed on this course is as follows, though depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose:

Type of assessment

Type of assessment
  • Coursework: 100 hours

The NCTJ diploma is assessed through exams, and some portfolio work.

Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. Depending on optional modules chosen, this breakdown may change.

Feedback summary

We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally enrols around 20 students and lecture sizes are normally 10-20. However this can vary by module and academic year.

This is clearly a programme that prepares students for work in the real world of journalism. It is run by lecturers who have worked in the industry and understand how to prepare student for the workplace.

Comment from external examiner, 2019

The Journalism Masters degree at Kingston continues to offer students an excellent postgraduate education. It combines intellectual rigour with practical work.

Comment from external examiner, 2017

Who teaches this course?

This course is delivered by one of the top-ranked journalism departments in the country. You'll graduate with excellent employment prospects: students from recent years have entered positions at Grazia, The Financial Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Sun, Channel Four News, The Daily Mail, Closer, OK!, The Daily Express, Dow Jones, Metro, Associated Press, South West News, The Lawyer, Pink News, Gulf News and a range of local newspapers.

You'll be taught by a team of dedicated lecturers who are practising journalists with a wide range of experience and insider knowledge about working in today's industry. Postgraduate students may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Alongside the academic staff, you'll benefit from high-profile guest speakers, who have previously included Anoosh Chakelian, deputy web editor at the New Statesman; Will Dean, commissioning editor G2 (Guardian); Radhika Sanghani, feature writer, Daily Telegraph; Rachel Rodriguez, social media producer, CNN International.

 

Fees for this course

2024/25 fees for this course

Home 2024/25

  • MA full time £11,900
  • PGDip full time £5,600
  • MA part time £6,545
  • PGDip part time £3,080

ELQ (Equivalent Lower Qualification) fee 2024/25

  • PGDip full time £6,975

International 2024/25

  • MA full time £19,900
  • PGDip full time £19,900
  • MA part time £10,945
  • PGDip part time £10,945

2023/24 fees for this course

Home 2023/24

  • MA full time £10,900
  • PGDip full time £5,090
  • MA part time £5,995
  • PGDip part time £2,800

ELQ (Equivalent Lower Qualification) fee 2023/24

  • PGDip full time £6,806
  • PGDip part time £3,743

International 2023/24

  • MA full time £17,700
  • PGDip full time £16,200
  • MA part time £9,735
  • PGDip part time £8,910

Tuition fee information for future course years

If you start your second year straight after Year 1, you will pay the same fee for both years.

If you take a break before starting your second year, or if you repeat modules from Year 1 in Year 2, the fee for your second year may increase.

Fees for the optional placement year

If you choose to take a placement as part of this course, you will be invoiced for the placement fee in Year 2. Find out more about the postgraduate work placement scheme and the costs for the placement year.

Postgraduate loans

If you are a UK student, resident in England and are aged under the age of 60, you will be able to apply for a loan to study for a postgraduate degree. For more information, read the postgraduate loan information on the government's website.

Scholarships and bursaries

Kingston University offers a range of postgraduate scholarships, including:

If you are an international student, find out more about scholarships and bursaries.

We also offer the following discounts for Kingston University alumni:

Bursaries from the NCTJ

The National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) offers bursaries under its Journalism Diversity Fund to students applying for NCTJ-accredited courses who can demonstrate a commitment to journalism and who meet the fund's criteria.

Kingston graduates have been awarded full bursaries from the scheme to continue their postgraduate studies at the University.

Additional costs

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs that are not covered by tuition fees which students will need to consider when planning their studies. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessment and operating University facilities such as the library, access to shared IT equipment and other support services. Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Where a course has additional expenses, we make every effort to highlight them. These may include optional field trips, materials (e.g. art, design, engineering), security checks such as DBS, uniforms, specialist clothing or professional memberships.

Textbooks

Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. You may prefer to buy your own copy of key textbooks, this can cost between £50 and £250 per year.

Computer equipment

There are open-access networked computers available across the University, plus laptops available to loan. You may find it useful to have your own PC, laptop or tablet which you can use around campus and in halls of residences. Free WiFi is available on each of the campuses. You may wish to purchase your own computer, which can cost £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.

Photocopying and printing

In the majority of cases written coursework can be submitted online. There may be instances when you will be required to submit work in a printed format. Printing, binding and photocopying costs are not included in your tuition fees, this may cost up to £100 per year.

Travel

Travel costs are not included in your tuition fees but we do have a free intersite bus service which links the campuses, Surbiton train station, Kingston upon Thames train station, Norbiton train station and halls of residence.

Facilities

The journalism department has a dedicated newsroom, fully equipped with dual-booting iMacs, professional newswires from Rex Images and the Press Association, 24-hour news channels and industry standard software such as Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Premiere Pro.

The campus at Penrhyn Road is a hive of activity, housing our fantastic new Town House, with four floors of study space and our extensive library, the main student restaurant, and a host of teaching rooms and lecture theatres.

The Town House offers group study spaces for when you need to work together. The light, airy top floor cafe serves light snacks and drinks, and has fabulous views!

At the heart of the campus is the John Galsworthy building, a six-storey complex that brings together lecture theatres, flexible teaching space and information technology suites around a landscaped courtyard.

See a virtual tour of Penrhyn Road campus

Resources in London

From Kingston, a 30-minute train journey takes you to central London. Here you will find the biggest concentration of press and publishing in the UK. This gives you the opportunity to undertake work experience in high-profile media environments.

Student work gallery

After you graduate

In addition to a possible career as a journalist, alternatives may include work in publishing, advertising and marketing, film, television, radio, arts management, new media, business and teaching.

Every year the vast majority of our students go on to successful careers, mostly in journalism and the media, or related industries. In the last few years, our graduates progressed to roles at CNN, the Daily Express, Wandsworth Guardian, Accountancy Age, Barcroft media, Container Management, Metro, Grazia, Richmond and Twickenham Times and Investors Chronicle.

What our students and graduates say

"I can't stress to you enough how much the postgraduate course has helped thus far in my career and how much I learnt, so I am indebted to everyone at KU."

Grade Dawes, Editor of MOVEMNT . Terrapinn (class of 2023)

Since finishing my Journalism MA at Kingston, I have managed to find a full-time job and, most importantly, feel confident in my role. The individual modules and courses were well designed to encapsulate the changing face of journalism, from working and producing content for online purposes to writing and designing pages for print. Learning shorthand has also been an invaluable skill. As part of the course, every student will learn the elements of law as it applies to journalists and also learn about local and central government.

The course is set up to prepare you to enter the field of journalism and help will be provided to gain work experience and put you in touch with valuable contacts. Guest speakers visit every week and provide interesting insights into being a hack, both past and present. The tutors were acclaimed journalists and very approachable.

I thoroughly enjoyed my time at Kingston University.

Jody Houton, Reporter, Phuket Post

I started work as a broadcast assistant for BBC Breakfast News in May 2009. I had no broadcast experience before I took the job, so I walked into Television Centre on my first day with no idea what to expect.

I would not have got this job without doing the Kingston MA Journalism course. I referred to the work I did on River Online in every answer during my BBC interview, because it's such a great way to show what you can achieve under pressure and when working as part of a team. The hands-on module also taught me the importance of checking every detail over and over again, because there's no room for mistakes once you're working.

The Law and Government modules have also helped me, and I use what I learnt on them without even realising it most of the time, particularly when thinking of potential guests to bring on the show and knowing if we can legally cover stories without any risk of repercussions.

Felicity Baker, Live broadcast assistant, BBC Breakfast News

I decided I would pursue a life-long ambition to become a journalist. Keen to study in London, I looked at various universities, but it was the course offered at Kingston that excited me the most. The future of journalism is online. Yet only Kingston placed enough emphasis on the development of web training.

Launching Kingston's University online newspaper River Online undoubtedly gave me a tremendous platform from which to develop as a journalist in the 21st century. It was brilliant for me and it taught me the skills I use day-to-day.

During my course I was fortunate enough to get work experience with several media organisations such as The Daily Telegraph. After finishing two successful spells of work experience there, I was offered a full-time position on the TV desk. I now regularly write about TV, sport, music and film.

Having grasped a good understanding of media law from my seminars at Kingston, I am also confident when subbing some of the Telegraph's more controversial writers. The tutors at Kingston were always zestful in their approach and supportive.

Patrick Smith, Junior content editor, Telegraph Media Group

The journalism MA and NCTJ qualification is a tough but really rewarding course. Unlike my undergraduate degree, I could see exactly how the course was tailored for preparing us for future careers.

What I really liked about Kingston compared to other journalism courses in London is the fact they take on a smaller number of postgraduates, which gives every student more attention as well as creating a tight-knit group. The lecturers got to know us – something that rarely happens at undergraduate level – and did everything to help us succeed.

I am lucky to have worked shifts at a national newspaper thanks to the department's connections – something I would have struggled to do otherwise. This experience and the skills I have learnt this year have secured me a place on the Daily Mail's trainee scheme, which starts in September. In the meantime I am working at the Daily Express.

Selina Sykes, Freelance at the Daily Express and Daily Mail trainee

Studying journalism at Kingston was a really rewarding experience. Although challenging at times, the MA course prompted consideration and debate about a variety of subjects, in addition to the straight teaching of the NCTJ syllabus. I have since learnt that shorthand, whilst tedious at the time, is a vital skill to practise.

Having the opportunity to work on the riveronline.co.uk has been particularly valuable. Setting it up required collaboration as a team, and subsequent development and updates were good practice for the real world. It has been a real talking point in interviews.

The Kingston staff were friendly and supportive and, most importantly, seem passionate about what they teach. Since I've left the course they have also made themselves available when I've needed advice about getting a job or pitching articles. It has really helped that they have been so encouraging.

Katy Taylor, Freelance journalist

Alumni spotlight

The masters course at Kingston University really prepared me for a career in journalism and allowed for a seamless transition into working for a national paper.

Jessica Hamilton, audience reporter, MailOnline

Jessica Hamilton, audience reporter, MailOnline

Links with business and industry

Guest lectures

The Journalism Department hosts weekly guest lectures and other events led by industry experts with a strong focus on developments in the fast-changing world of digital media and journalism. Recent speakers have included:

  • Samira Ahmed – An award-winning journalist with 20 years' experience in print and broadcast
  • Anoosh Chakelian – Deputy web editor at the New Statesman
  • Will Dean – commissioning editor G2 (Guardian)
  • David Jenkins – Editor of Little White Lies, a bi-monthly movie magazine powered by illustration that has just reached its 60th issue
  • Ben Machell – Writer for The Times, columnist for ES Magazine
  • Fatiman Manji – News correspondent and presenter at Channel 4 News
  • Rachel Rodriguez – social media producer, CNN International
  • Radhika Sanghani – feature writer, Daily Telegraph
  • Samira Shackle – Deputy Editor of New Humanist, and freelance journalist specialising in politics, terrorism and gender
  • Alex Stedman – Fashion blogger The Frugality, former style editor at Red magazine
  • Farrah Storr – Editor-in-Chief of Cosmopolitan, former editor of Women's Health
  • Rossalyn Warren – An award-winning foreign affairs journalist, formerly of BuzzFeed News. Her reporting has been published in The New York Times, Washington Post, Guardian, VICE, CNN, BBC, ELLE, Newsweek, and Teen Vogue.
A group of students sitting on a bench.
MA Journalism students in Lille

Links with business and industry

Events

We hold events on current affairs such as the recent panel discussion ‘Truth and Terror' examining the relationship between the Islamic State and the media and a live debate on the future of press regulation between Hacked Off and the Press Complaints Commission.

The department also hosts the annual Journalism Oscars to celebrate the brightest and best journalism students, with categories including news reporter, feature writer, digital journalist and postgraduate of the year.

Course changes and regulations

The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Course changes explained.

Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.

Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.