The IMMJ MA program focuses on new media economy, teaching students skills in audio, photography, video, writing, infographics, social media and editing. 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 the core skills needed to deliver short-form journalistic stories on a digital platform. Writing, photography, audio, video, infographics, social media and editing, as well as a critical understanding of contemporary trends in the new media economy, are all covered. At the end of term students have to complete a practical assignment to deliver a breaking news story within 24 hours, using multiple media formats and social media on a digital platform, in addition to other writing tasks.

In the second term, students undertake two creative long-form projects that require both an in-depth understanding of new technologies and a willingness to apply them in the context of entrepreneurial journalism. Half of the term is given to developing and researching the project ideas, taking into account methodology, audience engagement, journalistic ethics, risk assessment, project impact as well as logistical arrangements. At the same time students develop written proposals for the projects that can be used for professional pitches and grant applications.

In the third term, aided by course staff, students individually develop one of their two 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.