The ACJ postgraduate Diploma in Journalism to M.A. Journalism from Cardiff University

 

The Cardiff University at Wales in the United Kingdom has audited and recognized the ACJ post graduate diploma programme as on par with its own. An exclusive arrangement between the two is in place whereby students of the ACJ who clear a set benchmark can transfer their diploma credits to Cardiff University and, on successful completion of an additional Dissertation, will be awarded the University’s M.A.Degree in Journalism.

This, in effect, provides students of the ACJ a unique opportunity to acquire the Masters Degree from the U.K.’s topnotch university and journalism school in only thirteen months, as against the two years required for a postgraduate degree in India.

What are the eligibility criteria?

a) Degree

b) successfully complete the 120-credit ACJ Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism

c) an overall average grade of B Minus(65%) or above over the ACJ Postgraduate Diploma course

d) an overall average grade of B Minus(65%) or above in the Dissertation Module of the ACJ Postgraduate Diploma

e) an overall average of 7.0 or above in the English Language IELTS

f) alumni, belonging to the last three academic years (2008-09, 2009-10 & 2010-11) are eligible to apply

What is the number of eligible students?

a) for the present academic batch 2012: 10 students at Cardiff, 10 at Chennai

b) for the next academic batch 2013: 15 students at Cardiff, 15 at Chennai

What are the Pathways in Dissertation Project?

a) Journalism Project (15,000 words) or Enterprise Project (15, 000 words)

b) These are not academic dissertations, they are practice-based projects

c) Focus on Journalism Project

More details on the Journalism Project:

a) Extended piece of journalism
• A series

b) Examines or investigates a specific topic from a number of angles
• The topic must lend itself to this treatment

c) Four or five feature articles plus supporting framework

Please note: there is the possibility of extending the ACJ dissertation subject into the MA dissertation project

Structure

1) Introduction
2) Critical Review
3) Method
4) Articles
5) Conclusion
6) Critical Reflection
7) Total length: 12,000 to 15,000 words

1) Introduction (500 words)

a) Statement of the subject matter and approach

2) Critical Review (1,000 to 2,000 words)

a) Survey of existing work in the field
• Books, other written journalism, radio/tv programmes

b) Background briefing material
• Informing yourself as a good journalist

c) Locates your work in the field
• What are you offering that is different or new?
• Why will people want to read your articles?

3) Method (500 words)

a) Analyse and rationalise the appropriate journalistic methods (interviews, secondary sources, etc)

• Why interviews are most appropriate
• How you would locate sources
• How you would prepare for interviews
• How you would guarantee accuracy e.g.Recording and transcription

4) Articles (8,750 to 10,500 words)

a) Pitched at a specific publication
b) Series of feature articles suitably written for the target publication
c) Each article must be distinct but must work as part of the defined series

5) Conclusion (500 words)

a) A summary of your findings
b) Highlights the original part of your work

6) Critical Reflection (750 to 1,000 words)

a) Your account of the learning process
• Problems found and overcome
• Ethical, moral or legal issues that arose
• Evaluation of how your approach to journalism will change

Timeline for the present academic batch of 2012

a) January 23 - interested students will register and give their names to Malini, Registrar

b) January 30 - please submit ideas for discussion with ACJ mentors
Dr. Nalini Rajan and Dr. K. Nagaraj

c) February 6 - submit the first draft proposal to the ACJ mentors

d) February 13 - by this date you will receive feedback on your proposal from the mentors.

e) February 20 - submit your final and formal proposal to the mentors

f) By late February/early March, you will have an interview with a special panel, followed by final selection to the MA Cardiff programme.

Guidelines for the final Dissertation Proposal

a) Must consist of 1,000 to 1,500 words
b) Must include

• a clear precis of the project (an abstract)

• a short review of work already done in this field -major articles or books

• a short outline of the proposed features – the outline should include a clear statement of what will make this project stand out from existing work

• a short explanation of motivation for undertaking the project

Costs

1) Course

• Cost of doing the MA Dissertation Project module in Chennai is £2,250
• Cost of doing the MA Dissertation Project module in Cardiff is £3,300
(+ accommodation & living)

Note: These fees are to be seen against the cost of doing the whole MA in Cardiff, which is £16,025 (+ accommodation & living)

 

2) Accommodation

a) Cardiff University estimate for 9 months living, including accommodation: £6,480
It includes:

• £990 for social/leisure
• £270 for clothes
• £315 for books/photocopying

b) For 3 months: £2,160

Contact Details

a) Cardiff

c) Tim Holmes - HolmesTA@cardiff.ac.uk

b) ACJ

d) K. Nagaraj - karkadanagaraj49@gmail.com
e) Nalini Rajan - nalinirajan@gmail.com
f) Malini - malini.acj@gmail.com