Investigative Journalism MA with De Montfort University

This course is the result of a unique collaboration between Channel 4 and DMU. 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.

 

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.”  

 

Applications for the 2022 MA course are now closed. Please follow us at @Channel4Skills for updates. 

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