MA Political Journalism
Course Overview
The MA Political Journalism at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for working political journalists, policy professionals and graduates committed to senior Westminster and devolved press roles. You will work through advanced political reporting craft, deep institutional and constitutional knowledge, and produce both a 12,000-to-15,000 word dissertation and a sustained political reporting portfolio.
The MA Political Journalism is built around the assumption that political reporting at senior level is technically demanding, legally exposed and institutionally complex — and that doing it well requires both reporting depth and serious analytical literacy. Cohorts include working political reporters, parliamentary researchers and policy professionals.
Key Features
- UK-recognised master's degree in political journalism aligned with NCTJ, Hansard Society and Lobby Journalists' Association standards.
- Advanced Westminster reporting through the parliamentary, governmental and devolved cycles.
- Constitutional and public-law module at master's level — Parliament, courts, devolution, statutory interpretation.
- Election reporting strand — impartiality, polling, conference coverage, election-night protocols at senior level.
- Industry-led masterclasses from senior lobby correspondents, political editors and former government press officers.
- Dissertation plus political reporting portfolio — both required for graduation.
What You Will Learn
The MA Political Journalism is structured around the working competencies of a senior political reporter — advanced institutional knowledge, deep source relationships, policy literacy at master's level and reporting craft under tight legal constraint. You leave able to file at national-press standard from Westminster, understand the constitutional context of any policy debate, and analyse political phenomena with academic-grade method.
- Advanced news reporting in political contexts — interviewing, structure, accuracy, on-the-record protocols.
- UK government structure at master's level — Cabinet, departments, agencies, regulators, the civil service.
- Parliament — procedure, the Bill cycle, divisions, statutory instruments, questions, select committees.
- Devolved governance at master's level — Holyrood, Senedd, Stormont and their relationship to Westminster.
- Policy reading — Green and White Papers, consultations, impact assessments, OBR documents.
- Election reporting — impartiality, polling, conference coverage, election-night protocols.
- Lobby practice — protocols, attribution, on-the-record and lobby rules, briefing dynamics.
- Political media law — parliamentary privilege, defamation, contempt at election time, harassment.
Who This MA Is For
- Working political journalists ready for senior staff or lobby roles.
- BA graduates in political journalism, politics or IR progressing to master's level.
- Parliamentary researchers and political-staff professionals moving into journalism.
- Career-changers from civil service or public affairs into senior political reporting.
Career Pathways
MA Political Journalism graduates move into senior Westminster and devolved press roles. Typical post-MA destinations include:
- Political Reporter (national title, broadcaster)
- Westminster Correspondent (national or specialist title)
- Public Affairs Adviser (senior consultancy, in-house, charity)
- Policy Journalist (senior specialist policy publication)
- Lobby Correspondent (post-experience; entry-level lobby roles for graduates)
- Political Editor (regional or specialist title, post-experience)
The MA also supports doctoral research in political journalism or progression to senior in-house political communications roles.
Entry Requirements
- A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in a related subject, OR a 2:2 in any subject with two years of relevant professional 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.
Apply for the MA Political Journalism
Apply now — admissions are open year-round with September and January intakes. Scholarship review is automatic.
