MA Journalism / MA Journalism (Sports) at University of Sunderland

Whatever you’ve studied before, or the experience you have, this MA will help you become a journalist. You can choose between two pathways: a general journalism route, or a sports route where you’ll build specialist skills in sports journalism. If you choose the sports pathway, you’ll graduate with the degree title MA Journalism (Sports).

Department: Journalism  |  Duration: 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time  |  Study mode: full-time  |  Intake: September 2026, January 2027  |  Location: Sunderland, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

During the course, you’ll learn the key skills every journalist needs. This includes reporting, media law and ethics, digital content, and investigative journalism. At the final stage, you’ll create your own series of articles on a topic that matters to you.

Career pathways

You’ll also have the chance to take the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Diploma in either journalism or sports journalism. The NCTJ is seen as the gold standard in journalism training, helping you stand out to employers. We encourage you to gain industry experience while you study. It’s a great way to build your skills, grow your contacts, and improve your chances of getting a job.

Official programme page