Automotive Journalism MA

Postgraduate
Conversion course

Female reporter interviewing a male race driver

Reach your potential in the highly competitive field of automotive journalism, publications, social media and communications.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST016

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
June 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Postgraduate events

Ask a question

Course overview

Acquire skills in automotive newsgathering and media production, together with specialist knowledge of automotive history, technology and culture, reflecting rapid recent developments in both media practice and the automotive industry.

This course will help you if you want to:

develop a wide range of content creation skills and learn the conventions, techniques and equipment specific to the automotive industry
learn from our experienced and skilled academic and technical staff (subject to change)
get access to modern facilities and relevant subject links within the university, enhanced by links with the motor industry and automotive media locally, nationally and internationally^2,4
fuel your passion for the automotive field and communication. Prior journalism experience is not necessary.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

The key features are:

a focused academic route into automotive media roles
a blend of specialist automotive journalism and auto industry content
the inclusion of print, digital , audio, video, mobile and immersive content , preparing you for a wide range of roles in automotive media
a group automotive magazine project and an individual automotive media project, providing you with platforms to demonstrate your skills and build a portfolio of work
support from automotive media bodies such as The Guild of Motoring Writers, the Midland Group of Motoring Writers and the Motor Industry Communicators Association, which provide mentoring and opportunities to network with automotive journalism and communications professionals²
visiting magazine editors (subject to availability) act as key industry contacts and mentors.

Collaborations

Endorsement by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Professional Practice and Innovation module, you will receive an RSA digital credential.

Guild of Motoring Writers

This course is supported by the Guild of Motoring Writers body.

Midland Group of Motoring Writers

This course is supported by the Midland Group of Motoring Writers body.

We had the opportunity to visit the Motoring Literary and Arts Festival at Silverstone. It was an excellent opportunity to network and enhance one's resume. Talented racing drivers, skilled car designers, and creative writers all coming together to discuss their crafts.
Bhavik Sreenath, Student, quoted 2024 on potential events students may attend throughout the year

Lecturer at a table chatting to two students

What you'll study

Learn how to write automotive news and feature stories for print, digital and broadcast media using professional facilities, equipment and software. Learn key techniques, including how to work with press offices to obtain vehicles for testing, and how to evaluate and describe vehicles for specific audiences. Get an insight into automotive history, culture, design, technology and production, thereby developing your knowledge of the automotive industry and understanding the challenges and opportunities it faces.

Modules

Audio, Video and Immersive Production - 30 credits

Focus on the professional skills required to produce audio, video and immersive content. Develop your skills in news, scripting, recording and editing to deliver content for online platforms, broadcast radio and television. Cover stories relevant to your specialism and work with industry and external partners who may provide filming and recording opportunities. You will also be encouraged and supported to source your own original content and interviews and to deliver creative and innovative storytelling.

Compulsory

Print and Digital Skills - 30 credits

Explore the practical, creative and technical skills associated with the production of written media content such as feature writing, page layout and use of content management systems, applicable in print and digital publishing. Further develop your practical skills and an appreciation of working practices in professional journalism and PR, through the production of journalistic pieces with a host organisation or at the university, with the support of the module team.

Compulsory

Automotive Technology, History and Culture - 30 credits

Automotive Magazine - 30 credits

Develop a critically informed understanding of the specialist practices, conventions and processes unique to professional automotive magazine content creation. This module enables you to create your own automotive magazine so you can showcase your abilities and demonstrate your practical skills.

Compulsory

Specialist Media Project - 30 credits

This is your opportunity to create an original and intellectually critical extended piece of work, either a dissertation based on an academic research project or an appropriate media practice project. Learn experientially and reflectively and apply research techniques such as topic formulation, strategies and methods of data gathering, data analysis, interpretation and explanation of complex themes, issues, cases, institutions, practices and objects/texts, and extended journalistic content creation or academic writing skills.

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Innovation - 30 credits

This module examines the ecologies of the creative industries, exploring connections between independent, commercial and public sectors. Developed in collaboration with the RSA, it covers topics such as the RSA Four Futures of Work, leadership mindsets, systems thinking and participatory foresight. Focus areas include sustainability, regenerative thinking, professional skills and future skills development. Successful completion of this module will give you an RSA digital credential.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

Teaching and learning methods may include:

lectures
seminars
tutorials
presentations
group projects
workshops.

Teaching and learning hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching and learning hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours will vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent learning

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent learning which will make up the required study hours per module. You will be undertaking a variety of activities, learning through guided background research, planning and preparation, studio activity, creative practice and making, reviewing what you have learned and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress towards the end of your studies, you will spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which could vary depending on the module. Assessment methods may include:

reports
essays
practical coursework
assignments
presentations.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

Coventry is the perfect place for the world’s only automotive journalism master's degree. This city was the birthplace of British car manufacturing and it’s still a vibrant automotive centre today. Jaguar Land Rover, Polestar, Stellantis, Geely and the London Electric Vehicle Company all have a presence here and there are facilities nearby for Aston Martin, BMW, Toyota, JCB and Triumph. There’s growing expertise in electric vehicle battery technology and hydrogen fuel cells.
Andrew Noakes, Course Director Automotive Journalism MA, 2024

Andrew Noakes driving a car looking through the windscreen

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An undergraduate degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in any discipline, or demonstrable and appropriate work experience together with relevant professional qualifications.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

An undergraduate degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in any discipline, or demonstrable and appropriate work experience together with relevant professional qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our postgraduate journalism courses have a dedicated area within the Ellen Terry Building consisting of three interconnected rooms that currently comprise two ‘newsrooms’, one of them doubling as a seminar room and the other as a Mac Lab with industry-standard Adobe software.

You will have access to two fully equipped radio studios. Practical teaching and technical instruction also take place in The Tank TV studio in The Hub.

Borrow specialist equipment to support your projects and assignments from our media loan service. Whatever you need for your audio, video or photography requirements, we probably have it. We can also offer technical advice and help with using equipment.

People walking in front of a building which has a big library sign

Lanchester Library

The library is usually open 24/7, in term-time. It’s where you can access your course’s specialist Academic Liaison Librarian. It’s also home to specialist teams which can support you with your academic writing and maths and statistics questions.

Glass modern building with a spire in the background

The Hub

The Hub is the centre of student life on campus. Facilities include a food court, convenience store, multi-faith centre, medical centre, hairdresser, coffee shops and the Your SU offices. It has fully licensed function spaces and a bar.

Two people working together with a laptop in front of them

Careers and employability

Get one-on-one career and employability guidance lasting up to 36 months from the end of your course. We’ll help you find placements and graduate roles, offer CV and application checks, mentoring, skills workshops, employer events and more.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Successful graduates could seek positions as:

staff writer
marketplace manager
assistant editor
correspondent
marketing content specialist
product tester
PR account executive
news reporter
freelance writer
race commentator
content writer
social media content creator
freelance videographer.

Where our graduates work

Successful graduates of this course have gone on to work for companies including:

Top Gear magazine
Auto Express magazine
What Car? Magazine
Magneto magazine
Which? Cars
Autonative
Carwale, India
Autocar India magazine
Overdrive, India
CerebrumX
Bauer automotive hub
Influence Associates PR agency
Haymarket/VW
Dorna
Eurosport
Caffeine and Machine
Karfu
We Are Nameless marketing agency
carandbike
Red Marlin PR
Vintage Sports Car Club.

For anyone who loves both writing and cars, enrolling on the Automotive Journalism MA is a complete no-brainer. Not only did it teach me some invaluable skills, but it also enabled me to build connections and secure a job which I could never have dreamt possible previously.
George Hill, Automotive Journalism MA, graduated with Distinction in 2021 and is now staff writer at What Car? Magazine

Student sat inside the hub looking at his phone

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Full-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.