Learn from award-winning writers, broadcasters, and academics on our hands-on Sports Journalism degree.
Investigate and report sports news with our practical MA Sports Journalism degree. You will:
- learn the core skills of multimedia sports journalism
- develop a critical understanding of sport, media, and society
- produce films, TV shows, podcasts, and documentaries.
Accreditation and praise from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)
Our postgraduate Sports Journalism course was the first professionally accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). The NCTJ also named our MA the top postgraduate journalism degree in England in 2021.
You can achieve the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism alongside your master’s.
Contribute to the Sports Gazette
Kickstart your career by contributing to our online magazine, Sport Gazette. You will create and edit exciting content alongside industry professionals and other students.
Talks with industry professionals
You can attend regular talks from sports journalists for:
- career advice
- discussions about work placements
- the latest developments in sport and media.
Championing women journalists
We have trained more female sports journalists than any other course in the UK.
Expert teaching and support
Our academics are award-winning journalists, broadcasters, and researchers. Your lecturers are also committed to your well-being – our student, Aikaterini, tells us they were “always encouraged and fully supported”.
Work placements: build professional experience
We guarantee every student a work placement, and there are often opportunities to earn while you learn.
Dr Daragh Minogue
Associate Professor and Course Leader - Sport Journalism
Upcoming webinars and events
Course content
Modules
The modules listed below are the modules that were available to students in the 2023/24 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2024/25.
Please note: it is possible that a module listed on the website will not be able to run due to reasons beyond our control. For more information please refer to our course information disclaimer.
Entry requirements
We normally require a good degree in any discipline.
2:1
Previous degree
Additional requirement information
In exceptional circumstances, we may accept a student without such a qualification if they demonstrate an aptitude and commitment to sport and/or journalism.
All candidates selected for interview will be asked to submitted samples of their journalism and sit a short one-hour entrance test. You can do this online or in person. The entrance test assesses your media skills, creativity, sporting knowledge, sub-editing and writing.
International Requirements
International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents. If English is not your first language you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no less than 7.5 in writing.
We now accept IELTS Indicator test results as proof of your English language level.
Further Information
For more information about entry requirements please email apply@stmarys.ac.uk.
Fees & funding
September
Home
£10,500
International
£16,800
Funding Information
A non-refundable deposit of £500 is required for Home/EU students to confirm their place.
The Journalism Diversity Fund is available to applicants without the financial means to attend an NCTJ training course.
Additional costs
Your tuition fees cover the cost of all core elements of your degree course including all your NCTJ exam fees (approximately £350). We don't pay for resits. You can also incur travel costs as part of the course.
For further information about additional costs please contact daragh.minogue@stmarys.ac.uk
Alumni discount
A 10% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree. Those studying for a PGDip of PGCert are not eligible for the discount.
Funding
Government-funded loans of over £11,000 are available to many home postgraduate students. Home and international students may also be eligible for external sources of funding. International students should check their eligibility for our International Scholarship.
For more information, please look at our postgraduate funding page.
How the degree is taught
Assessment methods
Our approach to assessment reflects industry practice. There is plenty of scope to be creative. Tasks include writing regular stories for immediate publication, sub-editing, participating in editorial meetings and working in teams on live news days. We work to strict deadlines and you will get the opportunity to publish your work for a range of publications.
You will also sit a number of NCTJ Diploma Exams.
Career opportunities
Our courses offer one of the best routes into the industry. We will train you to become a journalist and content creator for the digital age. Some of our graduates include:
- Hugh Woozencroft
- Emma Paton
- Katie Shanahan
- Daldeep Kaur
- Júlia Belas
- Daniel Gallan (NCTJ student sports journalist of the year 2019)
- Yara El-Shaboury (FWA Vikki Orvice Student Football Writer of the Year 2022)
- Shubi Arun (SJA Academy Award winner 2023).
Our postgraduate Sports Journalism degree will also help you develop essential transferrable skills, such as communication, adaptability, and critical thinking.
Contact our Career Services at careersnetwork@stmarys.ac.uk for further information on jobs and postgraduate opportunities.
What our students say about this course...
I thoroughly enjoyed my time at St Mary’s and it’s safe to say I wouldn’t be in my dream job without the course.
Emma Paton
Graduated 2012
Apply now
September 2023
Make sure to check our step-by-step guide to application process.
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