A SCOTTISH university has launched a postgraduate degree that, in being a mix of the traditional and modern, is designed to meet the demands of the fast-changing world of journalism.
Glasgow Caledonian University’s new MA Multimedia Journalism will be based at the university’s city centre campus. Accredited by the National Council of Journalists, it will offer core NCTJ elements such as law and shorthand plus ensure all students are taught in digital audio and video newsgathering, editing, production and presentation in its broadcast studios.
Next week, it is holding its first open day for interested applicants.
Other features of the course include options in sports, arts or fashion journalism.
Says programme leader, Ken Garner: “We’re confident this new kind of journalism masters for Scotland will produce the kind of multi-skilled new entrants the industry is looking for.”
Any new or recent graduate with a 2:1 honours degree in any discipline who thinks journalism might be for them is welcome to attend the open day, which is taking place on Wednesday.
Adds Garner: “It’ll be an interesting and enjoyable day for anyone who thinks they might have an aptitude for journalism. They’ll get to write a news story in our newsroom, have a go at presenting a radio bulletin in our studio, and sit the required NCTJ entrance test in current affairs “ which is not difficult for anyone who reads the papers.
“Everyone who attends will be given a one-to-one interview as well, and will know before they go home if we’ll be making them an offer of a place.”
Glasgow Caledonian University has been teaching accredited journalism since 1991, and currently runs Scotland’s only NCTJ-accredited undergraduate journalism degree, the BA (Hons) Journalism – which also has accreditation pending from the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), making it the only journalism programme at any level in Scotland with both such accolades.
Caledonian’s joint venture with Strathclyde University, the Scottish Centre for Journalism Studies (SCJS), which has run a postgraduate diploma and masters between both campuses, is closing this summer after 17 years.
The MA Multimedia Journalism is Caledonian’s independent new offering in response to the SCJS closure.
As part of the development of the new masters course, Caledonian is also this year conducting a major upgrade of its TV studio facilities and recruiting two new teaching staff, a lecturer in broadcast and online journalism, and a lecturer in international and business journalism.
