Course Summary
The MA Journalism at University of Galway is an innovative, digital-first journalism programme focusing on key multimedia skills needed to work in the new media era. The programme aims to train journalists to work in the fast-paced world of journalism, equipping graduates with essential training in traditional reporting skills for print/online and broadcast, as well as new media training in social media, audience development and analytics, data journalism, ‘MoJo’, multimedia, social video, podcasting and verification.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
To be accepted you must have a minimum Second Class Honours degree (ideally at 2.1 honours or higher) or equivalent. To apply, send your CV, a personal statement of no more than 500 words detailing your interest in the programme and your career aspirations, and at least one sample of your work, for example, a blog post, student media, short piece for radio, television or other media. We also welcome applications from people with prior experience in journalism looking to update their skills.
The English language requirement for this programme is: IELTS of 7.0 overall with not less than 6.5 in any component.
Additionally, students interested in the International Journalism and Human Rights stream must be able to demonstrate competence in a language other than English or Irish.
Application Details
Closing Date: Applications will be considered in two rounds.
Applications must be completed online at: https://nuigalway.elluciancrmrecruit.com/Apply/Account/Login.
An application requires a registration fee of €35. You will be asked to upload proof of identification, academic transcripts, a personal statement, an academic reference and documentation to fulfil the English requirement (where English is not your first language).
Next start date: September 2025
Fees
Fees: EU
€10,140 p.a. full-time; €5,105 p.a. part-time (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€10,000 p.a. full-time; €5,000 p.a. part-time 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. full-time; €105 p.a. part-time 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€20,000 p.a. (€20,140 including levy) 2024/25
Postgraduate students in receipt of a SUSI grant—please note an F4 grant is where SUSI will pay €4,000 towards your tuition (2024/25). You will be liable for the remainder of the total fee. A P1 grant is where SUSI will pay tuition up to a maximum of €6,270. SUSI will not cover the student levy of €140.
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Linguistic
The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Administrative
Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.
They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.
Career Progression
This programme prepares you to work as a professional journalist across multiple platforms and graduates have careers at national news organisations including RTE, Newstalk, The Irish Times, Irish Examiner, Irish Independent and a range of local newspapers and local radio.
Graduates work in roles including reporters, editors, researchers, producers and on-air presenters as well as new careers in data journalism and analytics, social media production and audience development. Graduates also work in the wider media in PR roles, in policy, advocacy and political communications.
Duration
2 years, part-time