Sports Journalism MA



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Overview

Scotland’s historic capital city is home to the long-established journalism programme at Edinburgh Napier University. Building on the success of our existing multi-platform courses, MA Sports Journalism specialises in digital storytelling for sports coverage in print, online and broadcast. The course utilises the university’s journalism facilities: our multi-platform digital newsroom and studios for both television and radio. 

The sports journalism marketplace has expanded exponentially, driven by technological change, with traditional media supplemented by web-based publishing, digital radio and TV. Broadcast sport schedules and print sections have been extended and new media like podcasts, video platforms and websites have driven an expansion of user-generated content, including fan media. 

You will learn and develop a wide range of the practical skills of sports journalism, commentary and punditry for TV, radio, podcast, online and newspapers. 

Edinburgh Napier University focusses on employability and our journalism programme benefits from industry links with media companies and with sporting organisations. As well as being the subject of sports coverage, the sport bodies and clubs increasingly employ in-house journalism teams to produce video and written content for their channels.  

If you have any questions, please email programme leader David Tanner at d.tanner@napier.ac.uk

 
Audience in the football stadium

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

1 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details

Scotland enjoys a global reputation as a sports nation: it is the home of golf and the birthplace of both international rugby and international football; this university operates in the centre of a country where sport matters. 

If you have a passion for the world of sport and you have an interest in media, Edinburgh Napier University will provide you with the foundation on which to enter and build a career in the sports media sphere. 

Our broadcast studios and multimedia newsrooms provide an industry setting for students to experience the thrill of sports and sports news journalism. You will learn how to operate recording and editing equipment for television (Avid), radio (Burli) and podcasts. 

You will participate in live “newsdays” which simulate the excitement of a day in the life of a multimedia digital newsroom.  

You will develop your analytical and critical skills to hone your writing, communication and research techniques. 

You will gain access to our industry connections, with your studies enhanced by guest lectures and work placements. You will be given opportunities to develop industry contacts and to work in publishing/broadcasting before you graduate. 

Your understanding of the sports media landscape will be broadened on field trips to live sport events (men and women’s fixtures) and the associated press activities.  

The course is taught by a team of media professionals-academics with a background in broadcasting, newspapers, online for such media organisations as Sky Sports, BBC, talkSPORT, BT Sport, STV, The Scotsman, Olympic Broadcast Services, BBC World Service, BBC News channel, BBC World, Sky News, Radio Clyde, Talk Radio, The Times and The Sunday Times.   

*Field trips may incur additional transport costs 
Read More
  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     This is a one-year (full-time) course, starting in September and split into three trimesters. Teaching methods combine lectures with specialist workshops in our newsrooms and independent study.  

    You will be taught to use software such as Burli (audio), Avid (video) to edit and broadcast and have access to Radio ENRG and our TV studio. 
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     You will be continuously assessed and given feedback on ‘live’ newsdays, producing an online news website along with TV and radio bulletins.  

    You will complete the programme by producing a Major Project, an in-depth piece of sports journalism, either video or audio, text or online. 
  • briefcase

    Work placement

     To help you develop industry contacts and the opportunity to publish and broadcast, students are encouraged, in consultation with their lecturers, to seek a minimum of 15 days work experience placements as part of the course. 
  • library

    Facilities

     Our Merchiston campus, situated in the heart of Edinburgh, is home to the School of Creative Industries, as well as engineering and computing students.  

    We have excellent facilities including a digital newsroom, a TV studio, a live radio studio (home to our student station, ENRG Radio), a voiceover booth and a podcast studio. 

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Meet the course leader

Course leader David Tanner

The course leader is David Tanner MSc. David presented live football on Sky Sports. He has also hosted on BT Sport, STV News, and Sky Sports News and Sky News in London. David has covered sport in over 30 countries, including the Tokyo Olympics. He is talkSPORT’s Scotland Correspondent.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Sports Journalism?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at a 2:1 or above in any discipline.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient professional experience in sports or the media industries.

You may also be asked to attend an interview with one of our staff team. This could happen online or in person at our Merchiston campus.

Can I get admission into Sports Journalism based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the Postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

 

English language

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test.  The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with an overall score of 6.5 with no individual component score of less than 6.0.  For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact pgadmissions@napier.ac.uk

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

International students
We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

Admissions policies

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees for 2024/25
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £7,280
Overseas and EU £18,800
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
The University offers a 20% discount on Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. The discount can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount. For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount. Please read our full T&C here
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.
View Tuition Fees for 2025/26

Careers

What can you do with a MA Sports Journalism course?

You can step into the press box with our immersive programme designed for aspiring sports journalists. Through a blend of theory, practice and real-world experience, you'll learn to cover the action, analyse the game and tell compelling stories that resonate with sports fans and enthusiasts. After completing this course, you can expect a career in one of the following roles:

  • Reporter
  • Commentator
  • News Editor
  • Digital Editor
  • Feature writer
  • Sports correspondent
  • Producer/asst producer for broadcast and online
  • Broadcaster
  • Podcaster
  • Analyst/Pundit
  • Presenter

Throughout the course, you'll explore the principles of journalism, learn to research and report on sports events. You’ll develop your skills in areas such as sports writing, broadcasting, and multimedia storytelling. Through fieldwork, and collaborations with sports media organisations, you'll gain practical experience covering a variety of sports and events, from local games to international tournaments.

After graduating from this MA programme, you'll emerge as a skilled and versatile sports journalist, ready to pursue a career in sports media. Whether you aspire to work as a reporter, commentator, producer or multimedia journalist, our MA in Sports Journalism will provide you with the knowledge, skills and connections to succeed in the fast-paced and competitive world of sports media.

The MA Sports Journalism programme is led by former-Sky Sports presenter and correspondent David Tanner. Students benefit from the university’s close relationships with media outlets and sporting organisations.

What does a sports correspondent do?

As a sports correspondent, you will cover the thrilling world of sports where your passion for the subject and your storytelling skills will bring the excitement of games and competitions to fans around the world. In this role, you'll serve as a journalist, commentator and analyst, providing in-depth coverage and analysis of sporting events and athletes.

Your responsibilities will span from researching and reporting on sports news and events to conducting interviews and delivering live broadcasts. Picture yourself in stadiums and arenas, capturing the action as it unfolds, and providing insights and commentary that enrich the viewing experience for audiences.

By leveraging your expertise in sports journalism and your knowledge of athletic competitions and strategies, you will provide informed and engaging coverage. Whether you're covering major tournaments, analysing game highlights, or profiling athletes, your focus will be on delivering content that informs, entertains, and inspires sports fans. Your passion for sports and your ability to connect with audiences through compelling storytelling will set you apart as a trusted voice in sports media, shaping conversations and perspectives in the world of sport.

Journalists asking questions to an athlete