Global Journalism and Public Relations MA

Postgraduate

Microphones being pointed at a person in a suit

Prepare for a career in global communications, explore rapid industry changes and enhance your theoretical and practical expertise in journalism and public relations.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST019

Start date

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

How to apply

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At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by May 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.

Course overview

Whether you're passionate about journalism and public relations (PR) or a professional looking to enhance your expertise, this course prepares you for a career in both fields.

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

Learn a combination of practice-orientated skills in both journalism and PR, giving you with a competitive edge
Study an industry-relevant curriculum developed in consultation with leading media companies
Work with print, digital, audio, video, mobile and immersive content, providing hands-on opportunities through a multimedia, industry and experience-centred approach with a team of internationally renowned academics and practising journalists (subject to availability)
Get access to industry-standard TV and radio studios, editing suites and software, to perfect cross-platform journalistic skills⁴
We provide you with opportunities to make industry connections with experts such as research specialists, global journalists and public-media relations players.²

Collaborations

Endorsement: 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.

The Global Journalism and Public Relations MA course helped me build a portfolio that prepares me for job hunting as a professional journalist. I got the unique opportunity to gain an in-depth knowledge of journalism and communications, leading me to be named joint-winner in the broadcasting (television) category of the Midlands Media Student's Awards 2023.
Rima Ayoubi, Global Journalism and Public Relations MA, 2023

What you'll study

This course aims to equip you with the expertise and knowledge necessary to navigate professional practices of journalism and PR. Develop relevant skills and critically engage with journalistic techniques, international relations, global politics, and the strategies and role of PR in a global context.

Modules

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 production of journalistic pieces with a host organisation² or at the university.

Compulsory

Audio, Video and Immersive Production – 30 credits

Focus on achieving 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 and broadcast radio and TV. Cover stories relevant to your specialism and work with industry and external collaborators who may provide filming and recording opportunities.² Source your own original content and interviews and deliver creative and innovative storytelling.

Compulsory

Global Media Industries and Systems – 30 credits

Global PR and Communication – 30 credits

Advance your understanding of the relevant skills, strategies and dominant theories of the public relations industry. The module expands reflective awareness of contemporary issues in the field of global public relations and communication practices, including the application in digital platforms and channels.

Compulsory

Independent Project – 30 credits

Professional Practice and Innovation – 30 credits

Understand the relationship between independent and commercial sectors for the creative industries. The module is designed in collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and upon successful completion, you will receive an RSA digital badging.

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
practical studio sessions.

We apply a project-based interactive approach to teaching and learning, where real-world and current events in global journalism and PR are used as cases for enhancing practical skills in journalism using new and emerging technologies and strategies.

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:

presentations
group projects
live simulations
individual application development work
portfolios
written documentation.

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

The most exciting moments on this course are those in which students have glints in their eyes, like when their course magazine is just published online or ‘hot off the press’ prints arrive on campus, after they’ve watched the broadcast of their segment on Global Pop-up News and Global News Relay, or when they rub shoulders with prolific and distinguished guests during high-profile events such as the Global Peace Forum hosted by our Centre for Trust, Peace and Social Relations.

These challenging yet rewarding undertakings help students build their portfolios, confidence and networks useful for professional experience and employability.
Dr Fred Mudhai, Global Journalism and Public Relations MA Course Director, 2023

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

If you don't have formal qualifications but do have professional journalistic experience at an appropriate level, you may be admitted based on an interview and your submission of supporting material that evidences your experience and achievements. We will consider each application on its merits, and the course director will make the final decision.

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 requirements

An honours degree 2:2 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant discipline.

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

Potential career paths include:

Journalist
Public relations management
Project management and coordination
Staff writer
News planner
Social media content creator
Immersive journalist
Marketing content specialist
Public relations executive
Editor
Social media manager.

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

apply systematic knowledge of key issues, debates, practices and processes relating to global politics and international relations
understand and strategically apply advanced principles and techniques of global journalism and PR including written, audio, video and presentation with respect to conventions, legal and ethical codes and specific genres
critically evaluate the influence of marketing communications on media and markets
demonstrate systematic engagement with and evaluation of journalistic work within their specialist field with reference to academic and professional conventions
produce journalistic work that shows advanced understanding of key issues, concepts and principles in their area of specialisation and an awareness of specialist and non-specialist audience needs
engage with and strategically utilise research methods and specific research methodologies such as textual analysis and interviews
demonstrate an advanced understanding of the evolving nature of journalistic and PR practice and apply appropriate skills to the production of work for emerging media platforms.

Where our graduates work

Due to the focused and transferable skills that this course offers, our graduates have secured jobs in diverse areas that include:

TV reporter and presenter at Porto Canal channel in Portugal
Radio reporter with German public broadcaster NDR in Hamburg
Staff journalist at a Turkish news agency foreign desk
Freelance journalist
Managing editor for a specialist UK outlet on camping and caravanning
Web publisher at global public relations and advertising agency Cheil
Marketing for retail chain Sonae MC in Portugal
Public relations and marketing communications with London-based Four Agency Worldwide
Strategic relationships at associate director level with UK regulator Ofqual
Digital workplace manager in Europe, the Middle East and Africa for Canada-based international investment agency Colliers.

This course has helped me in jump-starting my career as a journalist. The many journalistic projects I got to participate in because of this course helped me in building a professional portfolio that I can be proud of.
Jana Buxbaumova, Global Journalism and Public Relations MA, 2022/23

Portrait of Jana Buxbaumova holding a camera and smiling,

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, partnerships and memberships

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. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

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.