APPENDIX 6 - CDG
Programme Specification Template
UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location of Delivery
University of Central Lancashire, Preston
3. University School/Centre
Journalism, Language and Communication
4. External Accreditation
None
5. Title of Final Award
MA International Journalism
6. Modes of Attendance offered
Full-time and part-time
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking Group(s)
Journalism
9. Other external influences
n/a
10. Date of production/revision of this form
June 2014
11. Aims of the Programme
To equip students with advanced vocational skills in practical journalism, including reporting, writing
and selection of news, with a focus on international and foreign correspondence.
To develop students’ knowledge of underpinning determinants of news production through critical
evaluation and application of approaches, theories, perspectives and research methods at the
forefront of international journalism studies.
To equip students with technical news production skills in print, online and broadcast media.
To develop students’ understanding of the ethics of journalism practice, and to reflect critically on their
own decisions as journalists.
To develop and apply key journalism skills in news selection, gathering and writing, consider these
activities in a variety of national settings and relate print journalism to practices in other media forms
To enable students to synthesise learning of advanced journalism skills in the initiation and production
of a substantial practical international journalism project and analysis of issues and their activities.
APPENDIX 6 - CDG
Programme Specification Template
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1 Critically analyse the relationships between journalism practices and underpinning theories and
concepts.
A2. Relate practical journalism experiences to theoretical frameworks and show advanced abilities to
synthesise practice and theory in considering the consequences of journalism activities in relation to
social development.
A3. Relate news practices in international settings to underpinning social determinants and establish
correlations and tensions with normative and ethical perspectives on the roles of journalism.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, participation in workshops and seminars, self-directed learning, practical coursework,
essays, project, reflective log books, student initiated activities and individual tutorials.
Assessment methods
Reflective analysis of practical coursework
Presentations
Analytical essays
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Demonstrate advanced abilities to critically analyse and make complex professional decisions in
news production and selection to meet organisational, market, social and cultural requirements.
B2. Demonstrate advanced journalism skills in print, radio, TV and online news production and
demonstrate abilities to critically analyse and evaluate differences in practices.
B3. Critically evaluate practices and issues in foreign news coverage.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Practical work, individual and group story development conferences, individual editing and writing
tutorials, peer review, technical workshops, newsroom days, reporting site visits
Assessment methods
Practical news production in a variety of media.
Technical production assessments and news days.
Critical analysis of news production
APPENDIX 6 - CDG
Programme Specification Template
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Review and critically evaluate journalistic processes with reference to theoretical understandings
of the role of the media
C2. Research and gather (report) complex material and process this into accurate, concise and
compelling journalism of a high professional standard.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures, participation in workshops and seminars, self-directed learning, practical coursework,
essays, project, reflective log books, student initiated activities and individual tutorials.
Assessment methods
Reflective analyses
Original reporting
Specialist reporting
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Demonstrate initiative and critical evaluation in identifying a significant topic of study that shows
strong elements of originality.
D2. Critically evaluate practices and issues involved in journalism for international/transnational news
media.
D3. Critically evaluate international practices and concepts involved in effective newsroom
management.
D4. Critically evaluate and apply knowledge of practices and skills in news processing and visual
presentation in international settings.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Experiential learning through practical workshops and writing assignments, supported by extensive
peer and tutor critique of practical work and process.
Assessment methods
Practical work/reporting and story development
Research and development work
Essays and analyses
APPENDIX 6 - CDG
Programme Specification Template
13. Programme Structures*
Level
Module
Code
Module Title
14. Awards and Credits*
Credit
rating
Compulsory modules
Level 7
JN4078
Reporting Skills for International
Journalism
20
JN4072
Digital Journalism
20
JN4048
International Journalism Ethics
and Practice
20
JN4047
International Newsroom Practice
40
JN4073
Extended Journalism Project
60
JN4074
Standard Journalism Project*
40
Postgraduate Certificate in
International Journalism
Requires 60 credits at level 7
Postgraduate Diploma in
International Journalism
Requires 120 credits at level 7
MA International Journalism
Requires 180 credits at level 7
Choice of
JN4049
Introduction to Radio Journalism
20
JN4140
Introduction to Photojournalism
20
JN4102
Independent Study
20
JN4103
Postgraduate Work Placement
20
JC4005
Data analysis and visualisation
20
PH4010
New Media Practices
20
* Students completing the
Standard Journalism Project
would normally be expected to
combine this with JN4013
Postgraduate Work Placement
15. Personal Development Planning
PDP is a part of all modules within the course through the use of an on-going personal file which
helps define a student’s progress, professional direction and goals. The concept in part is to focus the
student’s opportunities to maximize engagement with the learning opportunities especially as they
relate to career goals. It gives them a framework to record their activities and actions which form the
basis for professional development of skills and experiences that are sought by employers and will
lead to advancement in the workplace. It is also tracking learning tasks and to reflect on what you
learned and how, what the consequences are and ways they could be better accomplished.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
UK Admission Criteria: Applicants will normally be expected to hold a first degree classification of 2:1,
or above. Applicants with a lower second will be considered if they can demonstrate a commitment to
journalism.
Applicants should be able to demonstrate a strong interest in journalism and have an international
APPENDIX 6 - CDG
Programme Specification Template
outlook. Applicants with non-standard background (especially those with a substantial journalistic
background) will be considered individually.
Overseas Admission Criteria: Applicants should demonstrate academic levels, interests or journalism
experience equivalent to the UK. Additionally, they must have an English standard at IELTS 6.5.
17. Key sources of information about the programme

www.uclan.ac.uk

MA International Journalism Factsheet & News on UCLan website

UCLan prospectus
APPENDIX 21 - CDG
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Module
Level Code
Module Title
Compulsory
or Option
A1
A2
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JN4048 International Journalism
Ethics and Practice
Compulsory
Subject-specific Skills
B1
B2
D1
D2
D3
D4
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JN4047 International Newsroom
Practice
Compulsory
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JN4073 Extended Journalism
Project
Comp/Option
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JN4074 Standard Journalism
Project
Comp/Option
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JN4049 Introduction to Radio
Journalism
Option
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JN4140 Introduction to
Photojournalism
Option
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JN4102 Independent Study
Option
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JN4103 Work Placement
Option
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JC4005 Data analysis and
visualisation
Option
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JN4072 Digital Journalism
Compulsory
A3
B3
Thinking Skills
C1
Other skills relevant to
employability and personal
development
C2
JN4078 Reporting Skills for
International Journalism Compulsory
LEVEL 7
Knowledge and
understanding
APPENDIX 21 - CDG
PH4010 New Media Practices
Option
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