How long is the MA in Digital Journalism?

The MA in Digital Journalism runs for one year full-time on-campus with newsroom labs, or up to two years part-time through online and distance-learning routes with the same publishing deadlines.

Can I study the MA in Digital Journalism fully online?

Yes. The MA in Digital Journalism is delivered on-campus, fully online with weekly newsroom clinics, and by distance learning, all assessed against the same multimedia investigations capstone.

Is the MA in Digital Journalism recognised in the UK?

Yes. The MA in Digital Journalism is a UK postgraduate degree aligned with NCTJ, NUJ and Society of Editors standards, recognised by UK national titles, broadcasters and digital-native publishers.

What are the entry requirements for the MA in Digital Journalism?

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or five years' senior experience), IELTS 6.5, references and a 500-800 word proposal. The MA in Digital Journalism particularly values a portfolio of published work.

What does the MA in Digital Journalism cost and are scholarships available?

Tuition for the MA in Digital Journalism varies by route and domicile. Means-tested bursaries and merit scholarships are offered each intake — contact LSCT admissions for the current fee schedule.

MA in Digital Journalism in London in London | LSCT (Harold) | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA in Digital Journalism at the London School of Commerce and Technology (LSCT) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for working journalists, broadcasters and digital editors ready to take on senior roles in modern newsrooms. The syllabus is built around NCTJ digital standards, Society of Editors guidance, the BBC's verification methodology and the working practice of UK digital-native and legacy publishers.

You will deliver a major multimedia investigation, run an audience-strategy project on a real publication, complete a verification practicum and produce a research dissertation. By graduation you can lead a small digital desk, run a verification operation in real time and contribute to senior editorial-strategy discussions.

You will study in small, tutor-visible cohorts; meet visiting professionals fortnightly; and work to deadlines that mirror professional practice in the media, journalism & communication sector. London remains the operational heart of British media, from broadcasters at White City to the digital-native newsrooms in Shoreditch, and our students use that proximity in coursework, placements and post-graduation hiring fairs from term one onwards.

Key Features

NCTJ, NUJ and Society of Editors-aligned syllabus, with guest sessions from working senior digital editors at UK national titles and the BBC.
Three study modes — on-campus in London with newsroom labs, fully online with weekly newsroom clinics, or distance learning with structured publishing deadlines.
Multimedia investigations capstone — students deliver a fully researched, lawyered and published investigation in multiple formats.
Verification practicum — open-source intelligence and BBC-style verification taught live.
Audience strategy module — taught with Chartbeat, Parsely and platform-native data.
Research dissertation defended in viva.
Editorial peer review — fortnightly peer-feedback rounds with cohort and a named tutor across the cohort programme.

What You Will Learn

The MA combines craft, strategy and research. You will graduate able to lead a multimedia investigation, run a verification operation, write an audience-strategy paper and contribute to senior editorial decisions.

Digital news production across text, audio, video and live.
Investigative reporting at scale.
Verification and OSINT.
Audience strategy with platform-native analytics.
Editorial leadership on a digital desk.
Advanced media law and contempt.
Digital publishing economics.
Dissertation and viva.
Audience and platform analytics for editorial decision-making across linear and digital titles.
Story development and pitching as a daily craft to a working editorial standard.

Across every module you keep a structured working portfolio of published work and analytical notes — a single source of truth you can show at interview and continue to maintain after graduation. Programme assessment combines coursework, in-class exercises and a substantial practice-led piece of work assessed by a working journalist or editor.

Who This Course Is For

The MA suits experienced digital journalists.

Working journalists moving into senior reporter, deputy editor or audience-strategy roles.
International journalists seeking UK postgraduate journalism qualifications.
PR, charity and public-sector communications professionals moving into editorial roles.
Aspiring doctoral researchers in journalism studies.
Returners to work re-entering UK media after a career break or family leave looking for an assessed credential.

Career Pathways

LSCT MA in Digital Journalism graduates move into senior reporter, deputy editor and audience-strategy roles across UK national titles, broadcasters, digital-native outlets and trade media. Typical destinations include:

Senior Multimedia Journalist
Deputy News Editor (digital)
Audience Editor / Strategist
Investigative Reporter
Podcast Producer (current affairs)
Doctoral candidate (PhD)
Audience Strategist or Engagement Editor at a UK in-house publisher

The MA in Digital Journalism is a strong foundation for doctoral study and senior editorial practice.

LSCT careers service maintains a working contact book of UK media employers, hosts at least one industry-careers day per academic year and offers structured one-to-one application support during your final stage. Many graduates also build long-term professional networks through the Royal Television Society, NCTJ and CIPR London engagement events that LSCT students are encouraged to attend throughout their study.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in journalism, English, social sciences, politics or a related discipline.
Applicants from non-cognate fields may apply with five years' senior professional experience in journalism, communications or publishing — a portfolio of published work is particularly valued for the MA in Digital Journalism.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
A personal statement, two references and a research proposal of 500-800 words.
Applicants with published bylines, broadcast credits or a working portfolio are particularly encouraged to mention these on the application form for the programme.

Why Study at LSCT

The London School of Commerce and Technology (LSCT) is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London and part of Harold International College. We teach in small cohorts so every student is visible to their tutor, run a single intake schedule that students can rely on, and partner with UK professional bodies so qualifications carry weight with employers. London puts Whitehall, the City, Silicon Roundabout, the Royal Courts of Justice, the West End and the NHS estate within a short tube ride of every classroom. For digital journalism MA students Broadcasting House, the BBC's verification team, the digital-native newsrooms in Shoreditch and the national titles' headquarters in Kensington and Canary Wharf form a daily working network.

Many of our media students complete weekly site visits to working London newsrooms, agency offices or broadcaster facilities as part of seminar weeks. Students also benefit from our partnership with Harold International College of London, with shared library access, careers-service connections and the option to take a small number of elective modules across the wider Harold International programme catalogue subject to availability.

Whichever study mode you select, you will join a single, intake-aligned cohort with weekly tutor visibility, a named programme tutor for the duration of your studies, an institutional access plan offering peer support and structured careers advice, and the full library and online-resource subscription package of Harold International College of London. Many students travel to London for two short on-campus residentials per academic year — these are optional for online learners but supported by LSCT for students who can attend.

Apply for MA in Digital Journalism

Specialise at postgraduate level with the MA in Digital Journalism. Click Enrol Now to apply; admissions teams reply within one working day with scholarship and funding guidance and a short conversation with an editorial research tutor.