MSc Journalism and Communication at University of Stirling

Programme overview

The MSc Journalism and Communication builds practical skills in multimedia and investigative journalism and research, applied across cultural, political and regulatory environments, with a choice of practice-led or theory-led modules.

Duration: MSc full-time: 12 months; MSc part-time: 24 months | Intake: September 2027 | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Practical modules take a multimedia approach (with possible co-supervision of practical projects by an investigative journalist from The Ferret); theoretical modules cover media pluralism, media systems and press freedom, discourse and framing, misinformation, and political economy of news. Taught through lectures, seminars, one-to-one supervisions and workshops, with guest masterclasses, and ends with a dissertation.

Career pathways

Roles in broadcast, newspaper and digital reporting, features writing and editing, magazine and freelance journalism, documentary and podcasting, NGO and campaign work, policy analysis, press sub-editing, copy-editing and digital content, plus corporate media, PR and communication careers.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

A minimum of a second class honours degree or equivalent, from any discipline (arts, humanities, business, sciences and social sciences are all welcomed). Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate or relevant work or life experience are encouraged to apply. International applicants: IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with 6.0 in reading and writing and 5.5 in speaking and listening; PTE Academic 60 overall with 59 in each component; TOEFL iBT (taken before 21 January 2026) 80 overall with 20 reading, 19 writing, 17 listening, 20 speaking, or (from 21 January 2026) 4 overall with no band below 4.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,400 a year (2027/28). Full-time annual course fee Source

International applicants: GBP 22,500 a year (2027/28). Full-time annual course fee Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: MSc full-time: 12 months; MSc part-time: 24 months

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