The post-graduate degree in investigative journalism (organised since 2004) is an initiative of Thomas More (Mechelen, Belgium) and Journalismfund Europe.
The course targets people with a master education of whatever nature (or with a bachelor’s degree in journalism) and provides insight into how a successful, properly substantiated and credible investigative journalism project can be set up. The course consists of three modules: Investigative journalism, International reporting and Portfolio. The course takes 136 hours and takes place on Tuesday and Thursday evenings (during the academy year).
The ultimate goal of the course is to teach students how to make news. The students are familiarised with techniques where mainstream journalists have little or no knowledge of. For instance, considerable attention is paid to data analysis and visualisation, searching on the internet, making use of the Freedom of Information legislation, etc.
Considerable attention is also paid to cross-border cooperation and entrepreneurship.
From 1 September 2024, Thomas More will be fully responsible for the organisation of the postgraduate. Until academic year 2023, the programme was a joint venture between the university college and Journalismfund Europe. The transfer to the college is mainly an organisational matter. In terms of content, the programme remains true to its ambition of preparing enthusiastic talent for a career in investigative journalism.
