Masters in Journalism in UK: Top Colleges, Admission, Cost, Scholarships & Salary

Studying a Master in Journalism in the UK is a magnificent idea in case a student is willing to make progress in the thriving and global media sector. The UK also provides a perfect place to be equipped with a solid background in journalism, due to world-famous universities, entrance to high-profile media companies such as the BBC, The Guardian, and Reuters, and a curriculum that integrates academic knowledge and practical training. This one-year program design enables students to acquire the required skills in the industry within a short period, which makes the program both economical and time-saving. The postgraduate course is not only the development of professional skills but also the opportunity to enter a wide range of career paths in the global labor market, as well as the segments of the media industry, such as broadcast and digital journalism, investigative reporting, and media entrepreneurship. To Indian students and other international applicants, pursuing journalism in the UK is one thing, and it comes with a lot of learning, a multicultural environment, good working prospects, and future development.

Another attractive factor is the relatively short duration of the program—typically 1 year full-time—which allows students to enter the workforce and recover their educational investment quickly. The average tuition fee for a journalism master’s program in the UK ranges between £12,000 and £25,000, depending on the university. Living costs add another £10,000–£15,000 annually, but numerous scholarships and part-time job opportunities help ease financial burdens.

Quick Highlights: Masters in Journalism in UK

Masters in Journalism in UK - Important Dates and Events

Below is a table outlining typical application windows for major universities in the UK offering journalism programs.

Application Start & End Dates for Top Universities

Visa Application Timeline

To study in the UK, international students must apply for a Tier 4 student visa. The following timeline provides an overview of when to initiate your visa process.

Masters in Journalism in UK: Tuition Fees and Cost of Living in UK

Pursuing a master’s degree in the UK requires budgeting for tuition and living expenses. Here’s a university-wise breakdown of tuition fees and average living costs.

Tuition Fees (University-wise)

Cost of Living in UK

Living expenses vary by location, but the table below provides a rough monthly estimate for students in the UK.

Masters in Journalism in UK: Financial Aid & Scholarships

Several funding opportunities are available to international students to ease financial burdens. Below are some of the most popular scholarships for Journalism in the UK.

Why Choose Masters in Journalism in UK?

Studying a Master's in Journalism in the UK is not merely a degree; it will be an all-encompassing and life-changing experience in journalism. Ranging from providing first-hand access to some of the most influential media institutions in the world, studying under industry veterans, and so on, here is why UK is one of the best destinations for developing goals in journalism:

Industry Exposure

• They receive unparalleled access to the best international media houses, which include BBC, Reuters, The Guardian, CNN UK, Financial Times, and Sky News. Most universities have an alliance or affiliation with these organizations and thus students have the chance to participate in internships, lectures, visits to the newsrooms and live reporting assignments. The experiences work on real-life confidence and employment-ready skills building.

Practical Training

• The UK has university journalism curricular structure, which gives the student experience in the simulation of newsroom, field duties, video editing tutorials and real time publishing. Whether it be writing in books with a University or attending broadcast workshops, the student graduates with a fully formed portfolio displaying their work in different formats-digital, audio, video and print.

Global Networking

• The UK universities create an inclusive learning atmosphere where students of different nationalities come together. Such exposure to the world market competence strengthens cross-cultural communication, establishes international professional contacts, which continue long after graduation. Most schools also attract media conferences and alumni meetings that provide access to the best journalists and editors all over the world.

Prestigious Faculty

• UK schools of journalism have frequently featured Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists, BBC correspondents, and media ethics and investigative reporters as members of their faculties. Their tutelage and experiences in the dynamic world of media make the learners remain ahead of the competition in the media world and technological advancements in journalism.

Study and Work

• The figure entitles an international student to work 20 hours per week during studying periods and full-time during time off university. Most of the students studying journalism can use this time to work as interns, freelancers, or part-time workers in media houses to increase their earnings and even marketability.
• Concisely, the UK has a perfect combination of scholarly achievement, career building and multicultural exposure, and hence is one destination none can overlook who wants to carve out a niche in journalism.

Read More: Masters in Journalism in USA

Masters in Journalism in UK Qualification

Related Guide: IELTS Preparation Tips

Masters in Journalism in UK Eligibility Criteria – Category-wise

Fresh Graduates

• Bachelor's degree in Arts, Humanities, or Communication
• IELTS 6.5+ / TOEFL 88+ / PTE 58+
• Strong SOP and LORs from academic faculty

Experienced Professionals

• Bachelor's with 50–55%
• 1–3 years of work in media, writing, or communication preferred
• Portfolio (published work, blogs, articles) boosts chances

Application Process

1. Choose your course & university
2. Prepare documents: SOP, LORs, Resume, Transcripts
3. Submit online application
4. Appear for interviews (if required)
5. Accept offer letter & pay deposit
6. Apply for student visa

GMAT/GRE Requirements

• Not required for Journalism programs in UK

SOP, LOR, and Resume

• SOP: Talk about your journalism journey, goals, UK interest
• LOR: 1–2 from professors/employers
• Resume: Highlight internships, publications, projects

Masters in Journalism in UK: Admission Cutoffs for English Proficiency

International students must prove English proficiency via standardized tests. Here are the accepted scores across top journalism universities.

IELTS/TOEFL Score Cutoffs

Masters in Journalism in UK: Best Public and Private Universities

Here’s a list of top-ranked public and private UK universities for Journalism, along with their QS World Rankings and approximate seat intake.

Public Universities

Private Universities

Journalism in UK vs Journalism in USA

This comparison helps you evaluate the UK vs USA options for journalism studies based on tuition, duration, job market, and popular recruiters.

Journalism Salary in UK

What can you earn after graduating? Here's a breakdown of average salary packages by role and experience.

Average Salary in UK

Average Salary for Indian Students

Career Scope After Masters in Journalism in UK

Broadcast Journalism

• Anchor, Reporter, Podcast Host
• BBC, ITV, Channel 4

Print & Digital Media

• Editor, Copywriter, Digital Journalist
• The Guardian, Reuters, Bloomberg

Data Journalism

• Fact-checker, Data Visualizer, Political Analyst
• Financial Times, Al Jazeera

Top Recruiters/Placement Companies

• BBC
• Sky News
• The Guardian
• Reuters
• Bloomberg
• Financial Time
• Al Jazeera
• CNN International (UK Bureau)

Frequently ask questions

Ques: How Long Does Masters in Journalism in UK take?

Most Master degree studies in Journalism in the UK are intensive and take one year on a full-time basis. Nevertheless, part-time programs of up to two years are available in some universities, and this is suitable to working adults. These courses bring together both theoretical information and pragmatic newsroom experience that enables graduates to hit the ground running in the job market.

Ques: Have I to take the GMAT or GRE to do a Journalism degree in the UK?

No, a score in GMAT or GRE is not necessary to secure admission in a journalism or media-related postgraduate course/program in the UK. The criteria that are mainly used during admissions are their academic qualification, language skills (such as IELTS/TOEFL), a very good Statement of Purpose (SOP), Letters of Recommendation (LORs), and any pertinent media or writing experience, should they be available.

Ques: Is it possible to work along with studying Journalism in UK?

Yes, foreign students are allowed to work, but the weekly limitation is 20 hours and during breaks, they may work a full-time. Not only does this aids in keeping living costs down, but brings the precious exposure of UK job market, particularly in media-related internships, part-time jobs in the newsroom, or freelance writing.

Ques: What are the top Journalism schools in the UK?

The UK schools ranked as the best in Journalism are City, University of London (it has an excellent media school), Cardiff University (an excellent research and media facilities), Goldsmiths, University of London (very good in creative writing and digital media), and University of Sheffield (excellent in the area of broadcast journalism and investigative reporting).

Ques: Does it give scholarships to Indian students?

Indian students can apply to a wide range of scholarships that are very prestigious and include Chevening Scholarship (fully funded), GREAT Scholarship (10,000), Commonwealth Scholarships (full funding to specific courses), as well as some journalism-specific university bursaries. These scholarships are competitive and would require one to apply early with strong academic and professional credentials.

Ques:  How much IELTS do you need to study Journalism in the UK?

Most journalism universities in the UK do this. They demand that a passer of an exam must have a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall and no band is lower thant 6.0. Any top-ranking universities such as Cardiff University or Sheffield can ask you to have 7.0. Other alternative tests such as TOEFL (88-100) or PTE (58-65), are also accepted in terms of the English language capability.

Ques: How much is the average post Journalism salary in UK?

Graduates in journalism in the UK earn between 26000 and 40000 per year depending on the job and the employer as well as the level of experience of the individual. An entry level journalist can earn a salary of approximately 22-28000 pounds, but more experienced editors, digital reporters and strategists working in London based media houses can even earn higher salaries.

Ques: Is it true that I can remain in the UK on completion of Journalism degree?

Yes, through the Graduate Route visa in the UK, students with a master degree can remain in the UK and work there for 2 years after graduating. This gives the graduates a chance to have exposure to the professional field, understand their career paths, or even be sponsored to a skilled worker status after accepting a full time appointment.

Ques: Do I have to have a portfolio to apply to Journalism in UK?

Some universities are not asking you to provide written or published work, but it is highly recommended and may be a big boost to your application. This could be in the form of blogs, articles, videos, or reports. Other universities, e.g. Goldsmiths or Cardiff, might want writing samples or evidence of media experience when applying.

Ques: What can one do after Journalism in UK?

Reporters, news anchors, editors, digital content creators, PR officers, communication officers, and even documentary filmmakers are fields that a graduate can work on. There are available opportunities in television, on-line media, radio, print journalism and corporate communications. Most graduates contribute to leading world platforms such as; BBC, Sky News, The Guardian, and Reuters, among others.