Is the MA Professional Journalism aligned with the NCTJ syllabus?

The media law, court reporting and editorial standards components of the MA Professional Journalism are aligned with the NCTJ syllabus, though the MA is not itself an NCTJ qualification. Many students take NCTJ exams alongside; admissions can advise.

Do I need a journalism Bachelor's for the MA Professional Journalism?

No. The MA Professional Journalism is a postgraduate-entry route for graduates of any discipline. Many students arrive from law, history, English, sciences or social sciences and bring their subject knowledge into specialist beat reporting.

Can the MA Professional Journalism be taken part-time?

Yes. The MA can be taken over 24 months part-time. Online and distance routes are available; many working journalists study around the day job. The weekly newsday is scheduled to be accessible in evening/weekend slots for part-time students.

What is the final journalism project on the MA Professional Journalism?

A substantial long-form piece — feature, investigation, multimedia package or audio documentary — published under editor review on the LSJHML student news site. Past projects have included regional accountability investigations and longform features picked up by UK titles.

Is the MA Professional Journalism recognised by UK newsrooms?

Yes. The MA Professional Journalism is a UK Master's degree (Level 7) structured around current newsroom practice. Many UK trainee schemes recruit at postgraduate level; portfolio and clips matter alongside the qualification itself, which is why the final project is designed to be portfolio-grade.

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

Course Overview

The MA Professional Journalism at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK Master's degree for graduates entering journalism through the postgraduate route. You will write, file and publish under deadline across the year, study media law at advanced level, and produce a substantial final journalism project alongside a dissertation on a question of journalism practice or theory.

This is a research-informed MA built around the working reality of UK and international newsrooms in 2026 — multi-format publishing, verification under pressure, falling staff numbers, the growing importance of original reporting. By the end you can step into a newsroom and contribute from the first shift, with the analytical and research depth a postgraduate-trained journalist should bring.

Key Features

One-year UK Master's degree in journalism — twelve months full-time, twenty-four months part-time.
Weekly newsday across the year — write, file and edit to deadline.
Advanced media law module — defamation, contempt, court reporting, GDPR for journalists.
Multimedia production — print, online, audio and video.
Substantial final journalism project — a long-form piece published under editor review.
Dissertation of 10,000–12,000 words on a journalism practice or theory question.

What You Will Learn

The MA Professional Journalism is structured around the working life of a postgraduate-trained journalist — work the beat, file under deadline, defend the work, research the broader question. You finish able to contribute in a newsroom from day one and to think analytically about journalism as a practice.

News writing — intro, structure, attribution, news-value judgement at postgraduate level.
Interviewing — short news clips, long analytical interviews, source handling.
Court reporting — magistrates', Crown and civil listings, contempt risk, reporting restrictions.
Investigative basics — FOI, document trails, source protection.
Media law — defamation, contempt, election period, harassment, data protection.
Multimedia production — print, online, audio, video, social-first.
Editorial standards — Editors' Code, IPSO, BBC Editorial Guidelines, accuracy logs.
Journalism research methods — qualitative methods for journalism studies.

Who This MA Is For

Bachelor's graduates in any subject targeting journalism as a postgraduate-entry career.
Working journalists looking for a senior-track credential and research depth.
Career changers from law, policy, NGO or academic backgrounds moving into journalism.
International graduates seeking a UK-recognised journalism Master's in central London.

Career Pathways

MA Professional Journalism graduates move into reporter and producer roles across UK regional and national press, broadcast and digital newsrooms. Many compete for trainee schemes that recruit at postgraduate level. Typical first or next roles include:

News Reporter (regional newspaper, online title)
Staff Journalist (specialist or trade title)
Multimedia Journalist (regional or specialist publisher)
Editorial Assistant (national title, magazine, broadcaster)
Press Officer (charity, public body, regulator)
Junior Producer (current-affairs television, podcast network)

The MA also supports senior progression into editorial, doctoral study in journalism studies, or applied research roles in media organisations.

Entry Requirements

A UK 2:2 honours degree (or international equivalent) in any 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, any journalism 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.