MA / Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Communications: Podcasting and Video

The MA in Digital Communications: Podcasting and Video is a Level 9, QQI accredited programme available on a full-time and part-time basis. This MA offers industry-standard training in podcasting, audio and video production, enhanced digital writing & content creation skills. Through online portfolios, graduates showcase their multi-platform digital and communications media production skills and their transferable research & editing abilities. Learners will acquire both a theory-based understanding of the media industries as well as journalism-specific production skills. The teaching staff is made up of industry professionals and full-time academics, who aim to instil in learners with the skills required to apply intellectual depth to their production of media content.

Learners on this programme will be expected to display practical theoretical competencies that demonstrate mastery of the elements required to become advanced media practitioners in relation to TV and radio journalism. The course aims to produce graduates who can combine reflective thinking with practical skills to produce a range of media content across multiple platforms. In their assessed work, learners are expected to deliver a critical understanding of the social, political, legal and economic dynamics of media production.

The first semester of this programme is common taught with MA Journalism learners and provides an understanding of the workings of the media industry as well as developing specific skills in journalism. The second semester builds on this knowledge and contains broadcast journalism specialisms such as Video Journalism and Documentary and Radio Production.

The programme allows students with an existing undergraduate degree in a non-journalism or media discipline. The programme is assessed mainly through continuous assessment and assignments are designed to reflect the specific educational requirements of each particular module
On completion, students possess an extensive array of skills enabling them to secure media based employment. National Union of Journalists recognition of this programme entitles students to apply for an NUJ Press Card for the duration of their course.

Careers

Graduates of this course are employed in a wide variety of fields across the communications industries in media and communications companies, non-governmental organisations, video production firms and media outlets as journalists, editors, media content creators, researchers, video producers and radio production managers. A sample of recent graduates’ job titles include:

 Video Producer,
 Radio Journalist / Researcher,
 Editorial Assistant,
 Content and Community Manager,
 Social Media Coordinator.

Structure

The MA in Digital Communications: Podcasting and Video is a 90 credit programme consisting of twelve taught modules.

There are eleven mandatory modules on the programme and students have a choice of two electives.

The Postgraduate Diploma in Digital Communications: Podcasting and Video programme is a 60 credit programme which consists of the twelve taught modules but does not include a dissertation.

Learn more about the course