investigative-journalism

Investigative Journalism MA/PG Dip/PG Cert

Endorsed by and developed with Channel 4, this course has been designed to address industry demand and to find and educate the next generation of audio-visual investigative journalists. 

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Block teaching designed around you

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive community. That’s why most of our postgraduate taught students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You will benefit from more regular assessments and feedback, a better study-life balance, and a simplified timetable that provides more time for work, professional development, caring responsibilities, and everything else that's important to you. Our block-taught courses are informed by industry practice, often accredited by professional bodies, and are delivered by passionate and talented academics, who will help you develop the skills to achieve your goals.

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A Top 30 University

Our students’ votes placed us as the 27th best university overall in the WhatUni Student Choice Awards

Find out what makes us special

Overview

This course is the result of a unique collaboration between DMU and one of the country’s most respected broadcasters, Channel 4. It will equip you with the specialist skills and knowledge for a successful career in investigative video journalism.

Designed by industry experts, the course addresses skills such as in-depth research, handling complex data, understanding financial information, and working undercover. After a thorough grounding in media law, regulation and ethics, you will receive tuition in various investigative techniques, including using the Freedom of Information Act, data journalism and financial journalism.

You will also be taught how to use specialist camera equipment, and how to plan, shoot and edit your own material with a view to making industry-standard, broadcast-quality journalistic films. This is supplemented by a survey of the academic study of journalism, all of which is intended to help you flourish as a practitioner.

The connection with Channel 4 helps the course tutors identify potential work experience placements, and professional mentors for students.

Recent graduates have gone to work as directors, presenters, reporters and researchers with national and international news and current affairs broadcasters, including the BBC and Channel 4. 

Key features

  • Study for an MA that has been endorsed by and developed in collaboration with Channel 4. This means that you will receive industry-standard teaching from expert academics and professional journalists.
  • Specialise by studying a course that is solely aimed at producing investigative video journalists.
  • Experience a wide range of teaching styles and environments, from traditional lectures and seminars to intensive skills workshops, news days and studio work.
  • Choose to independently produce a piece of investigative journalism suitable for broadcast by one of the mainstream outlets as part of your final semester project.
  • Benefit from our academics’ extensive experience as journalists, filmmakers, media consultants and producers to develop the skills you need to launch your career.
  • Study on a course that is suitable for both established professionals and graduates wanting to break into the field. 

Scholarships:

DMU offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate scholarships and bursaries to help you realise your academic ambitions.

International Scholarships

Find out about available scholarships and country specific fee discounts for international students. 

Investigative Journalism MA scholarships and bursaries

DMU fee waiver scholarship. Find out how to apply.

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"I wouldn't have broken into the industry without DMU"

DMU has been shortlisted for the Postgraduate Award in the 2024 Whatuni Student Choice Awards (WUSCAs), as voted for by students.

  • UK
  • EU/International

Course code: P50074

Duration: One year full time

Start date: September

Fees and funding: 

2025/26 full-time fees for UK students: £9,700 per year. 

Scholarship awards available.

Find out more about course fees and available funding.

Entry criteria

Candidates should normally:

  • Have the equivalent of a British honours degree (2:2 minimum)

  • Have an excellent standard of English (IELTS 6.5 or equivalent for international applicants).

  • Be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in journalism through involvement in student media, online blogging or broadcast.
  • Be able to demonstrate relevant knowledge and awareness of current affairs.

Exceptionally, applications may be accepted from non-graduates. It is anticipated this would apply to mature entrants with acceptable and relevant work experience, for example journalists qualified/experienced in other fields.

All candidates must complete a written application that will form the basis for selection at interview. Therefore, we expect a substantial and well-written personal statement, which evidences a strong and persuasive case for your acceptance onto the course.

If you would like to discuss the course or would like to visit us, contact programme leader Pervez Khan at pervez.khan@dmu.ac.uk

Structure and assessment

 
 
  • Block 1
    Introduction to Practical Investigative Journalism and Media law
  • Block 2
    Investigative Journalism: Skills and Theory
  • Block 3
    Advanced Practical Investigative Journalism
  • Block 4
    Investigative Journalism: Global Perspectives and Industry
  • Blocks 5 and 6
    Investigative Journalism Final Project

See detailed module descriptions

Note: All modules are indicative and based on the current academic session. Course information is correct at the time of publication and is subject to review. Exact modules may, therefore, vary for your intake in order to keep content current. If there are changes to your course we will, where reasonable, take steps to inform you as appropriate.

Facilities and features

Endorsed by Channel 4

Louisa Compton, Head of News and Current Affairs at Channel 4 and Visiting Professor in Media Discourse at DMU, said: “Channel 4 is committed to training the next generation of investigative journalists. Our current Investigative Journalism Training Scheme provides training in investigative skills to working television journalists with more experience.

“This collaboration with DMU takes our commitment a stage further providing a very high quality MA with teaching provided by professionals who are themselves television journalists of the highest calibre. It’s vital for the future of investigative television journalism that we train up a new generation and widen the pool of talent to include people from diverse backgrounds.

“Quite a number of people have general television making skills, but lack the sort of specialist knowledge required.” 

Learning zones

Our Learning Zones and The Greenhouse also provide space for group or individual work and study.

There are 1,600 study places across all library locations, more than 700 computer stations, laptops to borrow, free wi-fi and desktop power outlets.

You can also book rooms with plasma screens, laptops and DVD facilities for group work and presentations, secure an individual study room with adjustable lighting or make use of our assistive technology.

Library services

On campus, the main Kimberlin Library offers a space where you can work, study and access a vast range of print materials, with computer stations, laptops, plasma screens and assistive technology also available. 

As well as providing a physical space in which to work, we offer online tools to support your studies, and our extensive online collection of resources accessible from our Library website, e-books, specialised databases and electronic journals and films which can be remotely accessed from anywhere you choose. 

We will support you to confidently use a huge range of learning technologies, including Learning Zone, Collaborate Ultra, DMU Replay, MS Teams, Turnitin and more. Alongside this, you can access LinkedIn Learning and learn how to use Microsoft 365, and study support software such as mind mapping and note-taking through our new Digital Student Skills Hub. 

The library staff offer additional support to students, including help with academic writing, research strategies, literature searching, reference management and assistive technology. There is also a ‘Just Ask’ service for help and advice, live LibChat, online workshops, tutorials and drop-ins available from our Learning Services, and weekly library live chat sessions that give you the chance to ask the library teams for help.

Opportunities and careers

Find the people who will open doors for you

DMU's award-winning careers service provides guaranteed work experience opportunities DMU Careers Team
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DMU Global

This is our innovative international experience programme which aims to enrich your studies and expand your cultural horizons – helping you to become a global graduate, equipped to meet the needs of employers across the world.

Through DMU Global, we offer a wide range of opportunities including on-campus and UK activities, overseas study, internships, faculty-led field trips and volunteering, as well as Erasmus+ and international exchanges.

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Graduate careers

This is a specialist course designed specifically to equip students with the skills necessary to succeed in investigative television journalism, so it is expected that graduates will enter that field to forge successful careers for themselves making the most of the skills and connections they have made whilst studying on the course.

Our graduates are working as news reporters and researchers for national and international news and current affairs broadcasters, including the BBC, Channel 4 and Mail Online.

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