Call for: aspiring multimedia journalists for scholarship

Source: www.youthpress.org

Deadline: 30  July 2016

The MA in International Multimedia Journalism develops practical skills and critical thinking for journalists and storytellers so they can deliver both short-form and long-form projects on digital platforms. The course is based in Beijing, and is a collaboration between the Beijing Foreign Studies University and the University of Bolton in the UK, with the degree awarded by the University of Bolton. For each annual cohort we aim to recruit 10 International students and 10 Chinese students each year to work together.

The course is one year long, begins in the third week of September, and is divided into three terms.

In the first term, students develop core multimedia skills needed to deliver short-form journalism stories on digital platforms. In the second term, students undertake two long-form multimedia journalism feature stories or projects that require both an in-depth understanding of new technologies and a willingness to apply them in the context of entrepreneurial journalism. In the third term, students individually develop one of their second term projects into a 15-week major assignment that is accompanied by a 5,000-word dissertation that reflects critically on the production and distribution of their story.

The teaching is delivered by two sets of instructors. The course has three permanent lecturers, all of whom are also practicing multimedia journalists or storytellers. Between them they deliver the core training for all the practical skills and conceptual analysis in the course. Working alongside them are a number of highly regarded international journalists who are adjunct lecturers teaching specialized skills and discussing project ideas and editing decisions with the students.

To apply, you should have one of the following, or their international equivalents: at least what in the UK is called an upper second class honours degree (2.1) in a relevant subject; or at least an upper second class honours degree in any subject and significant professional experience in the industry; or at least an upper second class honours degree in a related subject with a major project in a relevant subject. If English is not your first language you will also need IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent).

Your application will be considered if you do not have any of the above qualifications but you do have significant experience in the field of journalism or communications and you are able to present a strong portfolio as part of your application.

You will be required to email or present an online portfolio of media work (one or a mix of photography, video, text articles, graphic design, audio, etc.) and examples of academic written work. Your portfolio will be discussed/assessed at interview, demonstrating your suitability and aptitude for the course.

Once your application has been received and approved you will be interviewed via phone and you will need to either provide a link to a personal website/blog or upload a folio to a website (information on how to do this will be given after your application is received).

Within two months of your application, you will be given a result of either, accept, fail or reapply. With re-apply you will be given the opportunity to resubmit an application in July with suggestions on what you need to do to improve.

You will be required to show original copies of your highest qualification certificate before starting the course.

Tuition Fees
TBC. Fees were previously £7,500.

Additional Costs

There are some small charges levied on international students by the Chinese Ministry of Education. Non-Chinese nationals are required to have travel insurance for the period they are in China. Equipment insurance is also highly recommended.

Scholarship

Two fully funded postgraduate scholarships are available for international students in Multimedia Journalism for the 2016/17 academic year.

Recipient’s £7,500 tuition fees will be waived in full. To apply, carefully read the application guidelines and complete the application form downloadable here. Then mail your completed application form with online portfolio link to Sharron Lovell – [email protected] and [email protected] by the deadline 30th July 2016.

For more information, visit the official website.