MA in Journalism & Media Communications

This module aims to equip learners with an understanding of the fundamental principles of media law in order for them to be able to work confidently and competently within the legal boundaries as a media professional. The module develops in learners a practical working knowledge of legal principles so they can work competently as media professionals and avoid the pitfalls of contriving financial vulnerabilities, contempt of court, or professional disciplinary action.

This module aims to develop learners’ overall creative and technical production abilities by equipping them with the practical skills to approach the production of factual visual programming on mobile devices for multiplatform distribution. Learners critically evaluate professional video standards and conceive, shoot, edit and upload online their own short video programming using mobile phones. They also learn to transfer footage from mobile to desktop computer to develop more advanced editing skills. The module develops learners’ concept development skills and digital video production skills for mobile journalism. 

This module aims to enable learners to make great radio in a professional environment. Through edited and recorded as-live individual and group assignments, the module equips learners with the skills, techniques, research ability and the editorial standards which are necessary to work in news, current affairs, sports or light entertainment radio.

This module aims to deepen learners’ research skills, in relation to their module related assignments and later in the completion of their major dissertation or dissertation by practice. The module extends their abilities as self-directed learners by equipping them with the appropriate vocabulary for reflecting on, critiquing and evaluating their own work and that of others. Throughout the module, learners are required to engage in a number of research methodologies and current research issues and trends. The module also advances good project management skills and techniques so that learners can successfully deliver a research project including scoping media research projects and completing a literature review.

This module aims to impart knowledge and practical awareness of how and why media institutions, practices and culture developed in the way that they have in western society. The module develops learners’ ability to focus on the media industries in a critical and evaluative manner in a broad social and historical context. Learners are required to critique media institutions within their interrelationship with society, politics and the economy and to apply theories of mass media. While enhancing research skills, the module also challenges learners’ understanding of the current media environment and requires critical evaluation of power relations as between owners, producers and receivers of information through forms of mass media. 

This module aims to enable learners to attain the practical skills required to identify, plan, research, write and edit publishable news reports, feature articles and commercial content for identified audiences. Through practice, learners develop the ability to use social media platforms to promote their writings and to develop their online profile on their own WordPress website. The module also cultivates critical thinking among learners in relation to the role of and the future of, journalism in democratic societies.​ 

This module enables learners to understand how audiences relate to media content and develop an ability to critically discuss the major paradigms and theories that have shaped the field of communications, including their historical development and current trends. The module offers learners an academic introduction to examples of research and theories potentially relevant to their dissertation. Learners also develop the ability to evaluate the spectrum of research and theorization on how media audiences are measured and how audiences behave. 

This module enables learners to be able to play a lead role in production teams which repurpose existing content for new and different online audiences and to learn the key technical skills which allow them to plan, construct and develop their own and others’, online media artefacts. Learners develop the ability to use the current tools necessary for online journalism and the ability to apply these tools when creating journalistic content online. The module also develops learners’ ability to identify and evaluate trends and opportunities in online media and also cultivates a critical comprehension in the design and construction of integrated web-based media content. 

This module aims for learners to gain the necessary skills required to initiate, research and produce a design product such as a new online/offline magazine, from concept to completion. Learners will develop an understanding of design theory and the technical software skills needed in layout and design. Learners also develop their skills in sub-editing, house-style adoption, and writing and designing media product for specific audiences. 

This module enables learners to identify and fully exploit available and emerging research resources in the conduct of their dissertation investigation to support and direct their research methodology or techniques. The module aims for learners to be able to rigorously apply appropriate research, design and implementation methodologies to the development of media content, practices, processes and/or techniques. The module also affords learners the opportunity to complete significant research into specialist topics and present findings, insights and hypotheses reflecting mastery of the concepts and techniques involved. 

This module aims to enable learners to initiate, conduct and critically analyse a Freedom of Information (FoI) request, an Access to Information on the Environment (AIE) request, and an investigative journalism news report. As a result of learning how investigative journalism works in the public interest, the module empowers learners to work as journalists who are more well-informed citizens and better critical thinkers. The practical skills acquired in the module, and the exploration of new online investigative journalism business models, as well the cultivation of self-reliance and perseverance skills, are transferable across a range of media employment opportunities.​

This module aims to enable learners to develop a video/TV programme idea from proposal pitch to the final product and to critically document the process. Learners acquire the skills to conceptualise, research, develop, produce and edit a three to five minute video item using industry-standard software that demonstrates an in-depth understanding of the skills involved in putting together an item for multi-platform video. Learners also produce a series of vlogs early in the module as part of the skills-acquisition necessary to produce the final project.​

This module aims to give learners a comprehensive understanding of the business models underpinning the creative and communicative industry of which they will become a part. Learners will achieve a working awareness of media market structures and developing media trends. The module is also geared towards equipping learners with a working understanding of the theories and practice of advertising, marketing, finance, regulatory issues and government policy as they relate to the media sector.

This module aims to equip learners with a comprehensive understanding of the professional international media landscape. Learners will demonstrate the ability to develop a detailed knowledge of, and to critically analyse, the media landscape in a case study country, its major publications and broadcast networks, regulatory bodies and working culture for journalists. This knowledge will be applicable by learners seeking employment among international media companies based in Ireland and abroad, and also for international learners returning to their home countries.

The module aims to enable learners to work as journalists and/or researchers covering issues that deal with the relationship between politics and economics, both at a national and international level. Learners will be able to summarise and evaluate reports from economic and social research organisations on current topics related to global, regional and national political economy. Learners develop the skills needed to assess how the interaction of governments impacts on the broader context within which economic processes occur. Learners are equipped to research and write about the key organisations of global, regional and national economic governance, and the main trends in the global economy with specific reference to the European and Irish economies. 

This module aims to develop learners’ practical and theoretical approaches to contemporary photojournalistic practice, whilst establishing an understanding of the technical requirements of image production and dissemination within digital media technologies of modern journalism. Learners will acquire the skills to be able to control the camera in the image-making process and to use appropriate digital imaging software compose photographs to suit editorial requirements. The module also develops learners’ understanding of the theoretical tools needed to perform a visual analysis of journalistic photography.​

This module aims to give learners the tools required to report on and to critically analyse sporting events, including writing, broadcast and interview skills. Learners acquire the ability to report on live sporting events, how to find the real story for their radio, newspaper or exclusively online audience, and how to make their sports reporting stand out above all the noise online. Through examining the various practices of modern sports journalism, learners will be able to critically examine the broader impact of sports reporting on modern society. 

This non-credit additional elective module aims to enable learners to attain the practical skills required to take precise notes of the spoken word at 100 words per minute. Graduates use the skill in their further studies, in sensitive interviews, and in courts of law.

General Fee Information 

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below. The fees below relate to Year 1 fees only.

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin 

EUR 8,000.00

Study Mode: Part-Time

Dublin

EUR 8,000.00

General Fee Information 

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.

Study Mode: Full-Time

EUR 9,000.

General Fee Information 

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR250.00 and a 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.

Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.

Study Mode: Full-Time

Dublin 

Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.