Global Journalism and Public Relations MA

Postgraduate

Microphones being pointed at a person in a suit

Develop practical journalism and public relations skills while exploring global affairs, including politics, conflict, technology, development and the environment.

Year of entry

2026-27 2027-28

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST019

Start date

November 2026
January 2027
March 2027
May 2027
July 2027

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Postgraduate events

Course overview

Combine practical journalism and public relations skills with an exploration of global affairs, examining the political, regulatory and professional contexts that shape media while considering the challenges of reporting on global issues.

Connected to the industry: explore how journalism and media operate in a global context, drawing on real-world insights, industry connections and Coventry's proximity to major creative and media hubs, including Birmingham and London.
Professional journalism and communications skills: build the practical, creative and technical skills employers value, producing a range of journalistic content, exploring global affairs and developing your own public relations (PR) and communications strategies. Develop a portfolio of journalism and communications work that can be used to demonstrate your skills and experience to employers.
Technology-driven storytelling: bring your ideas to life through innovative, multiplatform storytelling. Use modern, industry-standard facilities⁴ and equipment to create compelling content for today’s fast-moving digital media landscape.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 1st for Engagement

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

Ranked 5th for Overall Satisfaction

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2026

Why you should study this course

Practical hands-on experience: take part in studio-based and on-location production learning, with opportunities to report on local, national and global events/happenings, helping you build practical reporting experience and confidence.
Multiplatform training: gain hands-on skills in writing, broadcasting, editing and social media optimisation using our modern industry-standard facilities and equipment, helping you develop practical journalism, media and communications skills valued by employers. Facilities include The Tank TV Studio.
Creative collaboration: work and learn with other postgraduate students on related courses within our School of Social Sciences and Humanities and College of the Arts and Society. You’ll be part of a wider community that includes alumni and industry professionals, with opportunities² to take part in Collaborative International Online Learning activities such as Global News Relay and Global Pop-Up Newsroom.
Project-based learning: develop your portfolio through learning and coursework designed to mirror the pace and pressures of real newsroom environments, with opportunities to produce news, features, commentary and analysis, helping you prepare to deliver professional-standard work that showcase your employability and career readiness.
Experienced and supportive staff: delivered by a team that includes internationally oriented academics, practising journalists and industry professionals, and benefitting from relevant subject links within the University (for example research centres on Peace and Security, Postdigital Cultures, Global Learning) and contacts over the years with global journalism and media-communication organisations and outlets.

What you'll study

Learn how to write, edit and disseminate news, feature stories and opinion articles for print, broadcast and digital platforms and audiences using modern industry-standard facilities, equipment and software while developing an understanding of relevant legal and ethical frameworks. You will also get to explore creative and collaborative approaches to journalism and public relations alongside opportunities² for professional networking and development. Get an insight into global affairs, issues and theories to build authority and voice in your career.

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

Global Media Industries and Systems – 30 credits

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 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

Professional Practice and Innovation – 30 credits

Explore leadership, innovation and emerging developments within the rapidly evolving news and media landscape. You will critically examine emerging industry trends such as digital transformation, entrepreneurial journalism and AI-driven newsrooms while developing a professional portfolio.

Compulsory

Specialist Media Project – 30 credits

You can choose to complete either a dissertation or a journalism practice project portfolio. This project gives you the chance to explore a specific area of global journalism and public relations in depth. You will develop and apply skills in research, production and critical reflection while connecting your work to broader industry trends and academic standards.

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

Our teaching and learning methods are designed to help you develop critical, analytical, reflective and creative journalism skills alongside specialist knowledge of the contemporary media landscape and develop cross-media and cross-platform skills (especially print, broadcast and digital).

We go beyond conventional lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops, to include:

practical studio sessions
news days/production days
group/collaborative projects
live-brief challenges
presentations
creative workshops
portfolio development sessions
specialist journalism/PR project supervisory meetings.

We apply a project-based, interactive approach to teaching and learning, using real-world and current events in global journalism and PR as case studies to develop practical journalism skills, including the use of new and emerging technologies and strategies.

Teaching contact 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 contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may 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 study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll 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 incorporates standard as well as new and innovative assessment methods aligned with current industry standards, providing opportunities to develop practical journalism and communications skills while building a portfolio of work across a range of formats and platforms.

Assessment methods may include:

news reports (including as part of broadcast bulletins)
feature stories
social media shorts
commentary
blog posts
essays (including audio/video essays)
reflections
presentations
communication strategy
research paper
projects (e.g. documentary, international collaboration)
individual assignments
group work.

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.

International experience opportunities

You will be actively encouraged to explore international stories and coverage opportunities² across your studies. The course team will assist you with developing international connections, where appropriate, to this end.

Student smiles at camera, more students behind her, blurred

Focus with block learning

Most courses use block learning. You study one module for six weeks, then move on to the next. It's a simple, structured way to stay organised and build confidence in your studies.

Explore block learning

Some of the most exciting moments on this course are those in which students have glints in their eyes as a result of going through real-life practice experience - for instance when they cover a live event such as global campaign against modern slavery Red Sand Project, during live broadcasts such as Global Pop-up Newsroom collaboration, after they’ve watched the broadcast of their segment on Global News Relay project, when they rub shoulders with distinguished guests speakers, or when their course magazine is just published online. These sometimes challenging yet rewarding undertakings help students build their confidence, portfolios, and networks useful for professional experience and employability.
Dr Fred Mudhai, Global Journalism and Public Relations MA Course Director, 2026

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	£11,700	Not available
EU	£11,700 per year with EU Support Bursary £19,500 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£19,500	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 Postgraduate Master's 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 assess your fee status using the information in your application. This status determines your tuition fees and the scholarships or financial support you can get. The Department for Education sets the rules for who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees in England.

The regulations list which students can pay the home fee rate. Because these rules are complex, the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) provides fee status guidance to help you find the right category. If you meet all the criteria for one category, your institution must charge you the home rate.

Facilities

Our 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 Adobe software. There's access to two fully equipped radio studios, and your practical teaching and technical instruction takes place in the Tank TV Studio in the Hub.

Media loan service

Borrow specialist equipment to support your projects and assignments. 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.

Two male students presenting in a TV studio to a camera in the foreground.

Television studio

You'll have access to our on-site television studio The Tank, offering specialist equipment such as large cameras, mixing facilities and fibre-optic wiring throughout.

The mac room in the Delia Derbyshire building

Mac studio

Whether you’re editing images, creating videos or more, our Mac studios provide all our students with a range of software options you would need to bring your creativity to life.

You’ll use facilities through timetabled teaching, practical activities and relevant independent study. Access may vary by module, activity, capacity, supervision or safety requirements. Access may change or be limited where the University needs to follow 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.

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.

Start your application

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

+44 (0)24 7765 6565

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 6565

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University, 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.

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, guest speakers, 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 annually, but such increases will be no more than 5% above the inflation rate. If you defer your course start date or extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (for example, 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

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.

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 2026/2026 contract is available on the website. 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.