Is the MA Online Journalism for working journalists or career-changers?

Primarily for working journalists and digital practitioners with at least two years of newsroom experience. Career-changers from PR, content or product backgrounds can apply with a written sample and a demonstration of relevant work. Admissions can advise on fit at the application stage.

What kind of dissertation will I write on the MA Online Journalism?

A 12,000–15,000 word dissertation on a digital journalism question, supervised by an academic and a senior practitioner. Recent topics have included newsroom SEO at regional titles, the ethics of audience engagement metrics, verification at scale during breaking news, and platform-shift impact on local news.

Can I take the MA Online Journalism part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are designed for working journalists, with evening seminars and a dissertation timeline you can build around shift patterns.

Does the MA Online Journalism include real SEO at strategy level?

Yes. The advanced newsroom SEO module covers strategy, measurement, structured data, content architecture and editorial integration — the work UK national audience desks actually lead on, not a generic marketing-SEO course.

Is the MA Online Journalism recognised by UK newsrooms?

Yes. The MA Online Journalism is a UK master's degree built around current digital newsroom practice, IPSO and Editors' Code standards, and Online News Association practitioner frameworks. UK national and regional digital titles recognise the credential alongside your portfolio and dissertation.

MA Online Journalism in London | LSJHML | Harold International College of London

Course Overview

The MA Online Journalism at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for working journalists, editorial researchers and senior digital practitioners ready to specialise. You will work at advanced level across digital-first newsroom craft, search and audience strategy, verification and editorial standards, and produce a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation on a digital journalism question of your choice.

This MA is for the audience editor, the digital lead, the verification specialist and the senior online reporter. The MA Online Journalism trains practitioners who already work in digital newsrooms and now need the research apparatus and senior credential to lead them.

Key Features

UK postgraduate degree in digital-first journalism — one year full-time, with online and distance routes.
Advanced newsroom SEO module — strategy, measurement, structured data, content architecture.
Audience strategy strand — segmentation, retention, ethical engagement metrics.
Verification at scale — newsroom-level verification protocols and tooling.
Editorial standards and media law taught alongside production at senior level.
12,000–15,000 word dissertation supervised by an academic and a senior digital practitioner.

What You Will Learn

The MA Online Journalism is structured around the working life of a senior digital journalist or audience leader. You graduate able to set newsroom SEO and audience strategy at editorial standard, run verification at scale, design and conduct applied research on digital newsroom practice, and contribute to senior decision-making in UK and international newsrooms.

Advanced digital newsroom craft — leads, headlines, link discipline, structured data.
Newsroom SEO strategy — research, on-page, structured data, internal linking at senior level.
Audience strategy — segmentation, retention, distribution, engagement metrics.
Verification at newsroom scale — protocols, tooling, training.
Editorial standards — IPSO, Editors' Code, BBC Editorial Guidelines for digital practice.
Media law — defamation, contempt, online harassment, data protection at advanced level.
Research methods — qualitative and quantitative, applied to newsroom practice.
Dissertation craft — proposal, fieldwork, write-up, viva preparation.

Who This MA Is For

Working digital reporters and audience editors moving into senior roles.
Editorial researchers and verification specialists wanting a senior research credential.
Newsroom SEO leads and audience strategy specialists wanting credentialled training.
International journalists relocating to the UK and needing a postgraduate digital credential.

Career Pathways

The MA Online Journalism positions graduates for senior digital newsroom roles. Typical destinations include:

Digital Journalist, senior level (national or regional online title)
Newsroom SEO Lead (national title, broadcaster, in-house publisher)
Online Producer, senior level (news brand, broadcaster, magazine)
Verification Reporter, senior level (national title, fact-checking unit)
Audience Editor (digital news brand, broadcaster)
Journalism Researcher (Reuters Institute, academic research project)

The MA also serves as a launchpad for doctoral research in journalism studies or digital media research.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in journalism, media or a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant digital newsroom experience.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
Personal statement (max 1 page) outlining your motivation, relevant experience and intended specialism.
Two academic or professional references.
Applicants without a related undergraduate degree may be considered with significant industry experience and a written sample.

Why Study at LSJHML

The London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London. Our programmes are designed in dialogue with working professionals — journalists, translators, civil servants, academics, broadcasters, editors, publishers and policy researchers — so what you learn in seminar on Monday is what your future employer is using on Tuesday. We deliberately keep cohorts small, give every student named tutor support, and treat employability as a structural part of every programme rather than an optional add-on.

London is the work — politics, courts, capital markets, theatre, broadcasting, publishing, public service, the global press. Your studies are taught in the same square mile where the stories you read about happen. Whether you join us on-campus, online or by distance learning, the city is your classroom and our industry network is your launchpad.