MSc International Journalism
Our MSc International Journalism stands enables you to tailor your studies by choosing a practice- or theory-led route depending on your career ambitions.
Key facts
- Award Masters / MSc, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma
- Start date September 2023, September 2024
- Application notes For students who need a visa: we are closed for September 2023 entry. Applications for 2024-25 entry will open in September 2023.
- Duration MSc full-time: 12 months, MSc part-time: 24 months
- Mode of study full time, part time
- Delivery on campus
Overview
Our Masters course in International Journalism introduces students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds to the theory and practice of journalism in a global context. The course is internationally-focused and deals with the practice of journalism across different media, cultural and regulatory environments.
With a combination of practice and theory, the MSc International Journalism at Stirling enables you to tailor your studies by choosing a practice- or theory-led route depending on your interests and career ambitions.
The course is provided by our Division of Communications, Media and Culture, which has a strong international profile, and builds on our existing strengths in teaching and research. In journalism alone, the Division has staff from South Africa, Venezuela, USA, China and Ireland, as well as the UK.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
On the MSc International Journalism you will:
- develop advanced research, investigative and analysis skills
- acquire advanced skills in writing news stories, features and blogs
- understand style and its relationship to content
- develop skills to publish news content across multiple media
- gain audio and video production skills
- understand the cultural, social and political significance of journalism
- understand transnational practices in the cultural, social, economic and political realms
- understand the different legal, cultural and political contexts in which they might have to operate
Flexible learning
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class Honours degree (2:1 preferred) or equivalent. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate work experience are encouraged to apply.
Journalists come from a wide range of backgrounds and the profession is keen to encourage applicants from the arts, humanities, business, sciences and the social sciences. We welcome applications from the broadest range of disciplines.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the pathway and pre-masters routes available.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 169 overall with a minimum of 169 in reading and writing and 162 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 180 in reading and writing and 162 in speaking and listening
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 60 in reading and writing and 59 in speaking and listening
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 78 overall with a minimum of 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 17 in listening and 20 in speaking
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall and a Merit in reading and writing and Pass in speaking and listening, ISE III Pass overall and Pass in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and Pass in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass overall with minimum 33 in reading and writing and 25 in speaking and listening
Last updated: 23 August 2022
For more information on ways that you can meet our English language requirements, including options to waive the requirement, please read our information on English language requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The MSc takes place within the two 15-week semesters and consists of two components; a taught course followed by a dissertation or investigate research project. Full time students will take a total of six taught modules across the year, or across two years if part time.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2022). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course Details
Teaching
The course will be delivered through lectures, seminars and practical workshops. You’ll also be expected to conduct independent research.
Students benefit from a programme of guest speakers who are veteran journalists and professionals in the field and explain the different challenges of the job and the ways to overcome them.
Assessment
You’ll be expected to write essays, produce content under professional conditions and take part in class tests. Learning will also be assessed in a dissertation or investigative research project. There will also be a continuous, informal approach to assessment in the form of weekly discussions and problem-solving exercises.
Course director
Key staff
- Dr Bernadine Jones – Lecturer in Journalism
- Dr Steven Harkins - Lecturer in Journalism
- Dr Alenka Jelen – Senior Lecturer
- Dr Will Dinan – Senior Lecturer
- Professor Dario Sinfiorini – Head of Production
- Professor Adrian Hadland – Professor of Journalism
- Mr Paul Hunter – Lecturer in Journalism
Ask an expert
Dr Katherine Champion, a specialist in Media and Communications, explains how studying at Stirling can enhance your career prospects.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| 2022/23 | 2023/24 | |
|---|---|---|
| Students from the UK | £8,200 | £8,700 |
| Students from the Republic of Ireland | £8,200 | £8,700 |
| Overseas (non-EU) students | £19,145 | £19,645 |
| European Union students | £19,145 | £19,645 |
Students from the UK
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from the Republic of Ireland
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study or repeat study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
European Union students
EU Postgraduate Scholarship
Eligible EU students will automatically receive our EU Postgraduate Scholarship, which provides a 40% fee discount on full-time, on-campus postgraduate degrees at the University of Stirling.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you will be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Overseas students (non-EU)
We offer a range of funding options for overseas students.
Course fees
Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £5,500 from Student Finance NI.
Other sources of funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
94.3% of our graduates were in employment or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes 2019/20, HESA).
The journalism sector is continually changing and journalists have to learn a number of new skills to remain relevant. The demand for people with new skills in IT and Digital Media, PR, Entrepreneurship and Freelancing, and Communications is growing.
The MSc International Journalism will prepare you for this rapidly transforming sector, and will also give you transferable skills for a range of other careers in the fields of entertainment, environment, human rights and migration.
Professions that students could go into include:
- Broadcast Journalist
- Editorial Assistant
- Magazine Features Editor
- Magazine Journalist
- Newspaper Journalist
- Political Risk Analyst
- Press Sub-editor
- Publishing Copy-editor
- Proof Reader
- Web Content Manager
- Writer
What our students said
India
MSc International Journalism
Read Sharmada's storyWe were given tasks that we would be doing if we were working in the field of journalism which was great practice to set us up for the real world after graduation.