NUI Galway and RTÉ have signed a Memorandum of Understanding for a new MA programme in professional practice in media, with an emphasis on practice-based learning through Irish at a number of RTÉ studios.
The MA (Cleachtas Gairmiúil san Meáin) will be offered by Acadamh na hOllscolaíochta Gaeilge at NUI Galway from September 2018. It will be available on both a full-time and a part-time basis.
This flexible and innovative programme combines online academic modules with significant periods of practice-based work experience in RTÉ in journalism, broadcasting and content creation for radio, television and online platforms.
Students will study at NUI Galway; at different Irish-language units at RTÉ’s headquarters in Donnybrook; in RTÉ regional studios in Connemara and in other Gaeltacht areas.
Speaking about the announcement, RTÉ Group Head of Irish Language, Rónán Mac Con Iomaire said:
"RTÉ is very happy to collaborate with NUI Galway on this important initiative. It is a particular aim of RTÉ to cultivate and develop the next generation of Irish-language broadcasters, and we are doing this in partnership with NUI Galway in a way that has not been seen in any third-level institution in Ireland until now.”
The programme director, Dr Uinsionn Mac Dubhghaill, said graduates of the programme would have a significant impact on the media in Ireland in the years ahead. "With its balanced mix of the theoretical study of media and practice-based learning it follows best international practice in media education, and responds to a demand from students for postgraduate programmes that have strong links to employers and the market,” he said.
"In doing this, it aligns with the recommendations in the Final Report in respect of a Strategy for the Development of Skills for the Audiovisual Industry in Ireland, published by consultants Crowe Horwath in May 2017."
Click here for more information on the course outline