About this programme
Master in Global Journalism is a Master's Degree programme at NLA University College in Bergen, taught in English. It runs for 2 years and carries 120 ECTS credits. The register gives Bergen as the campus town. It lists the degree as Master. NLA University College is a private institution in Vestland.
What you will study
The Master in Global Journalism at NLA University College is a two-year programme for people who want to report on and analyse global issues. It started in 2015 and has drawn students from more than 30 countries, including Brazil, South Africa, Ghana, Ethiopia, Nepal, China, Denmark and Norway. The degree is 120 ECTS and taught in English.
What you study
The programme looks at how journalism works in different parts of the world. You study megatrends in the global media landscape, freedom of expression, and how globalisation affects the media. New media technology and its impact on communication worldwide is another theme. Professional ethics runs through the programme, and you reflect on how your own worldview shapes the news you produce.
How the programme is organised
The first semester is mandatory coursework in Kristiansand, running from August to December. In the second semester you can take optional courses in Norway or spend the semester abroad. NLA has exchange agreements with five institutions: University of KwaZulu-Natal in Durban, South Africa; United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya; Uganda Christian University in Mukono, Uganda; Hong Kong Baptist University; and the Georgian Institute of Public Affairs in Tbilisi, Georgia. The third and fourth semesters are for your master's thesis, including preparation and fieldwork. The academic year runs from mid-August to mid-June, with two semesters each year.
Who it suits
This master's is for journalists and communication workers in internationally oriented organisations, and for anyone whose role benefits from a deeper understanding of journalism and media. It also suits people working in political science or the cultural industries, and those who want to teach journalism and media studies at upper secondary or higher education level. Several graduates have gone on to a PhD in Norway or abroad. If you are an international student, be aware that the Norwegian media industry mainly works in Norwegian, so the programme expects most international candidates to return home to work. The degree is also suitable for internationally oriented organisations.
Admission, language and next steps
You need a completed three- or four-year bachelor's degree, depending on the country, with a specialisation of at least 80 ECTS in journalism, media studies or another relevant subject area. Alternatively, an integrated degree in journalism comprising at least 120 ECTS. You must have an average grade of C or higher (ECTS) in the relevant specialisation. International applicants whose first language is not English must document English proficiency with TOEFL (minimum 4.5 on the internet-based test, sent directly from ETS with code 1886, not older than two years) or IELTS (overall band 6.0 with at least 5.5 in each of listening, reading, writing and speaking, verifiable online, not older than two years). Applicants may be exempt if a test is not required according to NOKUT's GSU-list. You also need to submit a one-page motivational letter. Documentation of relevant work experience can be included. About 15 places are available each year, and admission takes place once a year in August. Application deadlines: Nordic applicants 1 June, EU applicants 15 April, non-EU applicants 1 February. Check the programme page for the exact application system and any updates. As a private institution, NLA sets its own tuition fees; students from the EU/EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition fees at state institutions, but NLA is private, so check the fee information on the programme page.
Job opportunities after graduating
- Journalist in an international or national news organisation
- Communication worker in an internationally oriented organisation
- Political science roles requiring media knowledge
- Cultural industries practitioner
- Journalism and media studies teacher at upper secondary or higher education level
- PhD candidate in journalism or media studies
Before you apply
Master’s applications go straight to NLA University College, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme. The institution lists its deadline as: Nordic applicants: June 1 EU applicants: April 15 Non EU-applicants: February 1. The register shows 1 February 2027 as a deadline date for this programme. Deadlines are set by each institution for each programme, so confirm yours. Entry requirements and language tests are also set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, study permits and housing.
Facts on this page come from the Study in Norway register, the official English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. "Not listed" means the register has no figure, not that the programme is free. Always confirm requirements, fees and deadlines with the institution.
Quick answers
Is Master in Global Journalism taught in English?
Yes. The Study in Norway register, run by HK-dir, lists it as an English-taught programme at NLA University College. Only English-taught degree programmes are included here.
How long does it take?
The register records 2 years of study and 120 ECTS credits. Sixty ECTS credits are one academic year of full-time study.
Where is it taught?
The register lists Bergen as the campus town for this programme at NLA University College.
How do I apply?
Master’s applications go straight to the institution, not through the national admission service (NUCAS). Study in Norway states that you need a bachelor’s degree comparable to a Norwegian bachelor’s degree (180 ECTS), including courses equal to at least one and a half years of full-time study relevant to the programme, and some programmes require a minimum grade average. NLA University College publishes its requirements on the programme page.
When is the application deadline?
Each institution sets and publishes its own deadline for each programme, and the dates can differ between applicants from outside the EU/EEA, EU/EEA applicants and Nordic applicants. As NLA University College lists it: Nordic applicants: June 1 EU applicants: April 15 Non EU-applicants: February 1. The register shows 1 February 2027 as a deadline date for this programme. Confirm the date for your own situation on the programme page at NLA University College.
What does it cost?
NLA University College gives this wording for the tuition: See programme site. Degree students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland normally pay tuition at Norwegian institutions, and the fees vary by institution and programme. The fee for EU, EEA and Swiss students is not listed for this programme. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland are normally exempt from tuition at public institutions, while private institutions set their own fees, so confirm with NLA University College before you assume it is free. Fees are in NOK as the institution lists them. Every student also pays a semester fee of about NOK 1,000 to the student welfare organisation linked to the institution.
Do I need a permit to study there?
Students from outside the EU, the EEA and Switzerland need a study permit from the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI). UDI asks for proof of admission, housing and funds of NOK 15,488 a month or NOK 170,368 a year (2026/27), on top of any tuition fee. A study permit allows work of up to 20 hours a week during term and full time in the holidays. Students from the EU, the EEA and Switzerland register with the police within three months of arrival instead.
Is this programme officially listed?
It comes from the Study in Norway register at studyinnorway.no, the English-programme list run by HK-dir, the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education and Skills. The programme page at NLA University College is linked from this page so you can compare.