Is the MA Radio Journalism more practical or scholarly?

Both. The MA Radio Journalism includes a substantial longform documentary production and advanced bulletin and live-broadcast craft alongside scholarly engagement with current audio-journalism research. Students preparing for industry leadership and students preparing for doctoral research can both find a credible path through the degree.

Does the MA Radio Journalism cover podcasting?

Yes — substantially. Podcast economy, production models, distribution and audience patterns are core content, and the longform documentary deliverable is podcast-publishable. The MA recognises that radio and podcast share most of their craft and increasingly share infrastructure.

Can I take the MA Radio Journalism online?

Yes. The MA can be taken fully online with remote-broadcast kit, software-based studio operation and structured documentary supervision. Distance learners visit campus for two intensive on-air weeks per year for in-studio leadership practice.

Will the MA Radio Journalism prepare me for a PhD?

Yes. The research-methods content and dissertation are calibrated to the entry expectations of UK doctoral programmes in audio-journalism, broadcast-journalism research, listening studies and adjacent fields. Several graduates each year move into PhD-track research.

What is the dissertation on the MA Radio Journalism?

An independent 12,000–15,000 word piece of original audio-journalism research. Recent topics have included audience attention patterns in narrative podcasts, the editorial impact of BBC Sounds commissioning shifts, voice neutrality debates in UK radio newsrooms, and the role of audio documentary in contested-history journalism.

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

Course Overview

The MA Radio Journalism at the London School of Journalism, Humanities & Modern Languages (LSJHML) is a one-year UK postgraduate degree for working radio journalists, podcast producers and broadcasters moving into senior audio practice or audio-journalism research. You will produce a substantial longform audio documentary, deepen your editorial and bulletin craft, engage with current audio-journalism scholarship, and graduate with a 12,000-to-15,000-word dissertation that contributes credibly to the field.

The MA Radio Journalism is taught in dialogue with the BBC Academy's broadcast journalism framework, the Radio Academy industry standards and the Royal Television Society's wider broadcast framework. London hosts BBC Sounds, several major independent podcast networks and the headquarters of much of the UK's commercial radio newsroom industry; the MA is taught in that working environment.

Key Features

UK postgraduate degree — one year full-time or two years part-time, with online and distance routes.
Longform audio documentary — produce a substantial (30–60 minute) audio documentary with industry-mentor review.
Advanced bulletin and live-broadcast craft — lead newsdays, anchor longform discussion, manage breaking-news audio coverage.
Audio-journalism scholarship strand — current research on listening, podcast economy, audio storytelling craft.
Broadcast law at advanced level — Ofcom Broadcasting Code, election impartiality, broadcast-specific defamation and contempt.
Dissertation — an independent 12,000–15,000 word piece of original audio-journalism research.

What You Will Learn

The MA Radio Journalism is structured around the advanced competences of a senior audio journalist or audio-journalism scholar — longform craft, bulletin leadership, scholarly literacy and the methodological discipline to conduct original research. You graduate able to produce publishable longform audio, lead live broadcast coverage, and contribute to scholarly conversations about the audio-journalism field.

Longform audio documentary — research, scripting, recording, edit, finishing.
Advanced bulletin and live-broadcast craft — anchoring, two-way live coverage, panel chairing.
Audio storytelling craft — narrative structure, scoring, sound design, listener engagement.
Podcast economy — production models, distribution platforms, audience and monetisation patterns.
Broadcast law at advanced level — Ofcom Code, election impartiality, audio-specific defamation and contempt.
Audio-journalism scholarship — listening studies, podcast research, audio-storytelling craft research.
Research methods for audio-journalism dissertation work — content analysis, audience research, interview methods.
Editorial leadership — supporting junior producers, contributing to standards, complaint handling.

Who This MA Is For

Working radio journalists and broadcast producers moving toward senior editorial roles.
Independent podcast producers seeking advanced editorial craft and a research-informed framework.
Bachelor's graduates in radio journalism or broadcast journalism preparing for senior careers or doctoral research.
International audio journalists relocating to the UK and needing a UK-recognised senior credential.

Career Pathways

The MA Radio Journalism opens onto senior roles across BBC local and national radio, BBC Sounds, commercial radio newsrooms, independent podcast houses and audio-journalism research. Typical post-MA destinations include:

Senior Broadcast Journalist (BBC Local Radio, regional ITV, independent radio)
Senior Radio News Reporter (commercial newsroom, public-service radio)
Senior TV News Producer (TV-radio crossover newsrooms)
Bulletin Editor (commercial network, public-service radio)
Senior Audio Documentary Producer (BBC Sounds, independent podcast network)
Doctoral Researcher (audio journalism, listening studies, podcast research)

The MA serves as preparation for doctoral research, senior broadcast leadership and audio-documentary independent practice.

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 an audio portfolio submission.

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.