This vocational one-year course is aimed at students seeking to pursue a career in the British magazine industry, both periodicals and supplements.  The Department of Journalism is recognised as one of the leading centres in Britain for the training of journalists.  The Masters degree in Magazine Journalism has an enviable reputation for the quality of its students and their success in obtaining employment in the industry.
You will be taught by staff who are professional journalists with backgrounds at all levels, on both national and regional magazines and newspapers and in other media.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

For 2011 entry please contact our course enquiries team for entry requirements as these may differ from 2010.

Entry requirements for postgraduate courses vary and you are advised to check for any specific requirements with Enquiry Management and on our website. Normally the following general entry requirements apply:

Postgraduate Diplomas, Certificates and Conversion Courses:
A recognised British first degree or its equivalent, or a BTEC Higher Diploma/Certificate.

Taught Masters Courses:
A recognised British honours degree to a good standard, or its equivalent. Applications from all candidates will be considered on their merits and in the light of the nature and scope of the programme or work proposed. Informal enquiries are welcomed and will normally be followed by an initial advisory interview.

Upper Second or First classification for your honours degree from a British higher education institution, or an equivalent overseas qualification.  Mature students with non-standard qualifications may also apply if they have substantial professional or other relevant experience.  It is also important to show initiative and a knowledge of the magazine and newspaper industries. Previous work experience is obviously desirable.  Minority ethnic groups and disabled people are under-represented in journalism so applications from members of these groups are particularly welcome.

Course Content

The Masters in Magazine Journalism, accredited by both the Periodicals Training Council and the National Council for the Training of Journalists, is designed to prepare you for a dynamic and developing medium.

The course provides practical training in the specific skills needed by working journalists, particularly in the magazine industry. Throughout the course students will be learning and developing skills in digital journalism, sub-editing and design and more advanced writing styles for features and specialised reporting.

Students will also learn how the magazine industry works, the readers they serve and the business of freelancing as well as the practical journalism skill of shorthand.

You will acquire skills in news and feature writing, specialised reporting, digital journalism, sub-editing, design, law, public administration and the business of publishing. Working with industry professionals to a high standard you will create your own magazines to give you the edge. You will learn shorthand to a speed of 80wpm and undertake a four-week work placement.

In the third semester, you will also have the choice to research the fascinating and developing subject of magazines in a 15,000 word dissertation or to develop and produce your own prototype with a prospectus outlining its possibilities.

The School of Journalism encourages students to take the NCTJ’s preliminary examinations. Many editors require students to pass these examinations to be employed as journalists. These are external examinations separate from the degree programme. Fees for these papers are not included in your tuition fees. The NCTJ also offers bursaries through its Journalism Diversity Fund for people from diverse backgrounds to train as journalists. For more information see www.nctj.com.

Course at a Glance

Assessment:

Students must pass the coursework and exam components in all modules, achieve 80 words a minute in shorthand, produce an original prototype magazine or produce a 2,000-word dissertation proposal and a 15,000-word piece of research.

Learning Environment:

Students will work in a stimulating editorial atmosphere, learning the basic skills required in a carefully structured programme of lectures and exercises supplemented by visits from guest speakers within the industry. They will spend a semester producing their own magazines, targeted for specific audiences such as business or consumer lifestyles before taking up work placements to showcase their skills and develop contacts within the industry.

Careers:

Graduates of the course, launched in 2004, are already editors within the industry. Others are reporters, writers and sub-editors on major titles in the UK and abroad, both business and consumer, or developing their careers as freelancers.

Other Opportunities:

Work on Pluto, the university newspaper and supplement; the student Journalism Society; support where possible for freelance work; the opportunity to sit the NCTJ’s own exams for which independent fees are charged.

Money Matters

Most graduates of this University are entitled to a 20% reduction on tuition fees for our postgraduate courses, if self-funding.

Details of current fees are available from Enquiry Management,
University of Central Lancashire,
Preston,
PR1 2HE,
United Kingdom,
01772 892400.

Gilbertson Excellence Scholarships
These scholarships are awarded to UCLan undergraduates in their final year of study in 2009-10 who want to continue their studies at postgraduate level, either on a full time or part time taught programme eg MA or MSc, or on a research programme such as an MPhil in the 2010-11 academic year. These awards worth £3,390 towards tuition fees are available to Home/EU students achieving a first class honours degree at UCLan in 2009-10 and are subject to specific terms and conditions.