MA Visual Journalism and Storytelling

• Normally, you should have at least an upper second class (2.1) honours degree in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects include (but aren’t limited to) photography, video, media studies, media production, creative writing, web design, web programming, journalism and communications. Subjects that underpin a specialist area of journalism, such as public health, international development and environmental sciences also offer an excellent foundation for this postgraduate degree.
• You must have a keen and genuine interest in journalism, current affairs and storytelling.
• If you don’t have the above academic qualification but have alternative qualifications or significant experience in a relevant field, we’ll be happy to consider your application.
• We'll consider applications where appropriate work experience can be demonstrated in lieu of, or in addition to, the published academic qualifications in line with the University’s Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) procedures.
• You’ll be required to attend an interview and provide a portfolio of appropriate work. You must present a portfolio of media work (in one discipline or a mix of text-based articles, photography, video, graphic design, audio, etc.) and examples of academic or professional written work. Your portfolio will be discussed/assessed at the interview, demonstrating your suitability and aptitude for the course, and should demonstrate skills such as writing, communication, analytical and critical thinking, and research. For those without prior experience, we offer a pre-sessional module focused on developing basic camera operation and photography skills for students whose portfolio and interview performance assures us of their aptitude for storytelling and passion for developing visual journalism skills.
• If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.5 in any band (or equivalent). We also accept a range of other English language qualifications – please visit our English Language Requirements web page for more details.

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

Throughout the programme, you’ll develop competitive skills and knowledge. You’ll also find, tell and publish your own self-directed stories across a range of media to create a portfolio to demonstrate your work to future employers. Your online portfolio will showcase your diverse skills and highlight the specialisms you choose to nurture with us.

Graduates of our established China-based multimedia and visual media programmes have successful careers in diverse roles in online, print and broadcast environments and across a range of national and international media organisations. These include CNN, Getty Images, Reuters, The New York Times, Bloomberg, China Global Television Network (CGTN), The European Journalism Centre, International War and Peace Reporting, UNICEF, UNHCR and Greenpeace.

What can I do with this qualification?

After successfully completing this postgraduate degree, you’ll be prepared for a wide choice of career options in the rapidly transforming media industry, including staff and freelance positions as visual journalists, photographers, camera operators, video editors and producers. Graduates from our sister programmes work primarily in journalism, documentary and charity/non-profit communications. In addition, a significant number work in related industries such as teaching, PR, corporate communications, content management and marketing. Others have established their own companies and media brands.

Of course, you can also choose to continue your education. PGCE, MPhil and PhD degrees are available at the University of Bolton.

Alternative career options

Graduates can also use the qualification as a stepping-stone into a range of other careers. For some of these roles, relevant experience and/or postgraduate study may be required. Some of these careers include:

• Public relations
• Digital marketing and advertising
• Marketing communications
• Social media management
• Web content management
• Art and design
• Teaching and education
• News design
• Media research
• Digital strategist
• Brand marketing consultant

Home students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Home fee of £8,496 for the academic year 2024/25.

Overseas students starting this course in the first year will be required to pay a Overseas fee of £15,950 for the academic year 2024/25.

Useful information

Students should assemble their own kit including cameras and laptops. Optional travel and other project-related expenses, including any non-mandatory training, will be covered by the student.

Important note regarding tuition fees for the 2023-2024 academic year: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

The fees for a student's course of study will be set for the normal duration of that course subject only to inflationary increases – measured by the Consumer Price Index (CPI) recorded in March each year to take effect for subsequent start dates.

Bursaries

Click here for more information on our Master's Bursaries.

Our teaching and learning strategies help you acquire and develop appropriate concepts, knowledge and skills. You can expect practice-based workshops, self-directed study, lectures, seminars, critiques, tutorials, and presentations. We adopt a blended style of learning and teaching, including online delivery and engagement, where appropriate.

It’s important to realise that the time spent with a tutor during formally scheduled activities is only a small part of the learning time identified for a module. You’ll also need to spend a significant amount of time undertaking guided independent study, such as general background reading, preparing for seminar activities and working on assignments. We’re committed to supporting you throughout your learning journey, but as time progresses, our guidance will become less structured and prescriptive. We’ll expect you to demonstrate significant independence in your study, taking responsibility for managing your own learning time and increasing your autonomy as you progress.

The assessment strategy aims to help you achieve the overall aims of the programme and the learning outcomes for individual modules. As well as being a way to assess your achievement, the assessments also help you organise and develop your learning. Assessment feedback can help you build your skills and understand your strengths and weaknesses.

There are two types of assessment: formative and summative. Formative assessments help you learn and develop your knowledge and skills, while the results of your summative assessments provide your grades. Formative assessment occurs via tutorial discussion, group workshops that include peer and tutor review, and guidance on work in progress. Formative feedback is given face-to-face, online or in written form. Summative assessments consist of both practical and theoretical work. These include practical projects, presentations, and written assessments in the form of essays, portfolios, and production documents.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Digital Imaging
• Reporting and Writing News
• Visual Journalism Practice
• Contemporary Currents and Practice
• Visual Storytelling Portfolio
• Journalism Master's Project

Assessment methods

Learning activities

Disclaimer

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.