Investigative Journalism MA

Investigative Journalism – Skills And Theory

This module introduces two core themes of the programme: The underpinning knowledge that we need to be effective practitioners and the scholarly analysis of the world of the investigative reporter. You will study the range of law which affects journalists, including libel, copyright, contempt, privacy and confidentiality, Freedom of Information and data protection. There will also be a detailed introduction to regulatory frameworks such as Ofcom and an exploration of wider ethical issues. Political structures and politicians, at all levels, are integral to almost all stories and form a second focus of the module. We also begin the exploration of the history of journalism and how that has been perceived by the academic community.

Introduction to Practical Investigative Journalism

This workshop-based module is where you get your hands dirty and begin to produce journalism. We begin by looking at where stories come from and how we develop the narrative around those stories. A variety of experts will share the tricks of their trade in a wide range of practical skills, from interview techniques to dealing with the technology to get those stories in to the public arena.

Investigative Journalism – Global Perspectives

This module builds on the basic theoretical frameworks of earlier modules and applies them to the in-depth study of significant investigations. Students will learn about the research methods appropriate for the production of master’s level projects and dissertations. There will also be a focus on dealing with complex data – knowing how to read a financial spreadsheet has been the source of many  key investigations.

Advanced Practical Investigative Journalism

Throughout the programme there is an emphasis on applying material from each module to practical situations. This module is where everything comes together and you use the skills and competencies you have learned to produce journalist pieces. There will also be more advanced work with editing, multimedia production and dealing with specialist equipment such as undercover filming. Industry experts will be on hand to make sure students understand the current markets for their work and how to pitch and complete their ideas.

Final project

You will have a choice of options for your final project which is completed over the summer. It is expected that most students will produce, either on their own or in small groups, a piece of investigative journalism suitable for broadcast by one of the mainstream outlets. A traditional 15,000 word dissertation may be selected in lieu of this.

Please note that these modules are correct at time of print and are subject to review each year so may vary.

You will experience a wide range of teaching styles and environments, from traditional lectures and seminars to intensive skills workshops, news days and studio work. As a postgraduate student, you will be increasingly responsible for developing your own professional practice  and working with other course members to produce pieces of journalism.

You will be working collaboratively with undergraduate students and other postgraduate students from our portfolio of related journalism courses including on events.

This is an intensive programme and you should be aware that full-time engagement will be expected throughout.

There will be a diverse range of assessments, including traditional essays, presentations, case studies, phase tests and reports as well as continuous assessment of professional practice. These culminate in your final project or dissertation. 

Contact and learning hours

You will normally attend at least 12 hours of timetabled taught sessions per week. As part of this, you will be expected to produce substantial amounts of journalism outside of class.

Current staff on the programme include:

Dr Richard Danbury
Richard Danbury is Principal Lecturer in investigative journalism, and also coordinates Channel 4’s Investigative Journalism Training Scheme.

David Hayward
David was a journalist at the BBC for 18 years. He worked across the organisation, as a reporter, producer and senior editor, in network radio, TV and for the BBC World Service Trust in Bosnia, Albania and Romania. His most recent role was head of the BBC Journalism Programme.

Ali Haynes LLB MBA DipM 
Ali is Principal Lecturer in Journalism, founder of the Leicester Centre for Journalism and the journalism provision at DMU, and programme leader for Journalism BA (Hons) (NCTJ accredited). She is an award-winning journalist whose accolades include a national investigative journalism award.

Professor Stuart Price
Stuart is Professor of Media and Political Discourse, Chair of the Media Discourse Group, co-editor of the books series ‘Protest, Media and Culture’ (including ‘Sites of Protest’, 2016), and the author of a number of monographs, book chapters and articles on Media, Communication and Politics (including ‘Worstcase Scenario’, 2011).