Journalism BA(Hons)

Course structure

Our journalism courses have three main strands – two shared and one distinctive.

• Core journalism study (newswriting, law, shorthand, public administration, digital journalism, multimedia).
• A work placement, research methods module and dissertation.
• Option modules and applied subject modules, which allow you to specialise in an area of particular interest.

On top of these core elements, you learn skills in digital and multimedia journalism, which are becoming increasingly central to industry practice. You also take a work placement in the final year so you can experience a professional journalistic environment.

Making sure that what you learn with us is relevant, up to date and what employers are looking for is our priority, so courses are reviewed and enhanced on an ongoing basis. When you have applied to us, we will inform you of any improvements or innovations to the curriculum through our admissions portal.

Find out all the latest news on our courses, students, staff and research.

Year 1 

You will gain a thorough introduction to journalism, learning to write news and features, make podcasts and videos, and use shorthand. You will also study ethics, government, political theory and critical approaches to journalism.

Modules

• Introduction to Journalism

  In this module you will be supported to produce a self-generated feature article on a subject of your choice. You will reflect on your own work in the perspective of the defining journalism of the past, the audiences, styles and platforms of the present day, and the innovations shaping the journalism of the future.

• News and Ethics

  This module develops fundamental skills for news reporting: newswriting, ethical practice and shorthand. You will learn to recognise, select and present news for specific audiences and platforms, and learn the techniques required to write publication-standard articles and apply them in defined scenarios. You’ll learn the theory of Teeline shorthand, develop speed to 60wpm and use it in the production of a news story. You'll also learn to locate news reporting practices in the context of specific regulatory and ethical codes.

• Public Administration for Journalists

  In this module you will develop a working knowledge and critical understanding of public administration as it affects journalists. This includes central and local government structures. In addition, you will learn the journalistic skills required to make sense of, record and accurately report central and local government activities and issues.

• Multimedia Journalism

  This module will introduce you to multimedia journalism. You’ll learn how to produce a stand-alone audio or video package suitable for web. You’ll learn about basic multimedia recording and editing techniques and will develop your audio-visual storytelling abilities on digital platforms.

• Introduction to Journalism Studies

  This module will introduce you to key debates in journalism studies. You will develop and apply your understanding of the central concepts and theories in journalism research, and examine journalism practice from a variety of perspectives. You will also develop graduate skills and a capacity for critical thinking and writing.

• Power and the Public Sphere

  How is public opinion formed? What influence does communication have on the creation and perpetuation of power relations in society? What is the role of journalism in democracy, and is it working?

  This module will enable you to identify and explore key concepts and debates in the critical study of politics and communication.

Year 2 

You will file reports from your own local news patch, design newspaper and magazine pages, edit websites, master social media and develop shorthand to professional speeds. You will also study media law and investigative journalism.

Modules

• Journalism in Practice
• Advanced News Journalism and Shorthand
• Media Law
• Digital Journalism
• Investigative Journalism and Critical Context

Final year 

The climax of the course is the Critical Investigation: a lengthy piece of investigative journalism, developed in one-on-one tutorials over the whole year, with an accompanying essay. You'll be supported to complete a two-week placement in industry, and pursue your own interests and talents with specialist options including broadcast, magazine and sport journalism.

Modules

• Critical Investigation
• Journalism Work Placement

Options*

• Advanced Sport Journalism
• Enterprise and Innovation
• Entrepreneurship for Journalists
• Magazine Journalism
• Cross-platform Journalism
• Arts Journalism
• Public Relations and Digital Marketing

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

Placements 

In your final year, the Journalism Work Placement module will take you out of the classroom and into a media or related environment. You’ll spend at least two weeks with the organisation.

Our employability hub will work with you to find a placement that meets your career aspirations. And we’ll support you leading up to the placement and keep in touch with you and your host during the placement.

As part of your placement you will keep a critically reflective learning log. Work you complete during your placement such as articles for print or web, videos, podcasts and radio or tv broadcasts will go towards your assessment.

Staff profiles 

International requirements and visas

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Service Management are listed here.

• DBS checks, where required, are included in the fees.
• For all journalism students there are professional body examinations from the National Council for Training of Journalists. The university pays for your first attempt at each examination and this cost of around £400 is included in the course fees. But if you don’t pass an exam you will be responsible for resit fees, at an average cost of £45 per examination.
• UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
• For courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
• The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.
• All work is electronically submitted. You may need to provide a printed copy of your final dissertation. Estimated cost £5 per student in the final year.

You can chat with our enquiries team through the Stay in touch panel at the end of this page if you require further information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2020–21.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK/EU students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full-time or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

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