Eva Mathew is an international scholar funded by the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation on this year’s MA in Global Financial Journalism at City St George’s, University of London. Students who hold a confirmed place on the MA in Global Financial Journalism can apply for a scholarship funded by the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation. The deadline for applications for the scholarship for international students is 6 May 2025, and for home students 2 June 2025, so please do apply for a place as soon as possible if you have not already done so. For more details see City St George’s, University of London’s website.
As an undergraduate studying Journalism, Psychology, and English Literature in Bangalore, India, I was drawn to the intersection of finance and storytelling—how numbers can reveal compelling narratives about power, policy, and people.
I had the opportunity to break business news for Reuters for nearly four years before I moved to London for a postgraduate degree in Global Financial Journalism at City St George’s, University of London. As the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation’s international scholar on City’s programme, my experience so far has been nothing short of exceptional.
We kicked off in September last year with weekly guest lectures and workshops, diving straight into London’s financial scene.
Some of the standout talks this term included Alan Smith, head of visual and data journalism at the Financial Times, who took us behind the scenes of the FT’s award-winning graphics stories. Michael Wang, a former Wall Street Journal reporter turned Morgan Stanley media relations head, gave us a deep dive into the journalism-PR crossover—insightful for anyone considering a career pivot.
We also got a taste of real-world reporting with a live news day, covering stories newsroom-style and publishing them with graphics and photos on a dedicated website. And just before Christmas, Bloomberg’s Editor-in-Chief John Micklethwait delivered a thought-provoking talk on AI’s growing role in journalism (see picture, in which John makes a joke about his favourite football team, Leicester City).
This term, things get even more exciting. As part of our module on reporting global economies, we’re heading to Singapore and New York to see how journalism unfolds in two of the world’s biggest financial hubs.
Quite frankly, I was in two minds about accepting City St George’s offer as I had limited funding. So, when I came across this scholarship, it was a pivotal moment because I could then confidently take a bold leap and relocate to one of the most competitive and dynamic media hubs in the world.
I’m incredibly grateful for the support of the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation, which has played a key role in helping me take this next step in my career. Armed with this degree, I look forward to report on conversations that matter in a world where financial news has never been more critical.
More information and testimonials about studentships on masters’ courses in financial journalism funded by the Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation can be founded on our dedicated webpage.
Marjorie Deane Financial Journalism Foundation 