Sport Journalism BA(Hons)

Course structure

The syllabus of our Sport Journalism degree is based on the material of the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, which covers five main areas:

• essential public affairs
• essential media law
• reporting
• shorthand
• portfolio development.

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 sport 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.

Overtime: Online student magazine

Overtime is run and produced by our journalism students. Originally developed with a focus on sports, Overtime now includes includes arts, current affairs and more. Check out the website, Overtime.

Students also produce a 24-page magazine each year as part of their course, which is offered in print and digitally.

What can I do on Overtime?
You can get involved in subediting, choosing pictures, writing headlines and uploading material. You can also learn to produce video and audio for the site, and develop your multimedia skills.

How will Overtime help me?
The work you produce is an excellent showcase for potential employers. Plus, practice makes perfect – the more you write, the better you get, and Overtime gives you the chance to hone your skills throughout your degree.

Year 1 

In your first year you’ll gain a thorough introduction to sport journalism, covering areas such as multimedia journalism, news, ethics, shorthand, public administration and the social history of sport.

Modules

• 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.

• 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.

• Introduction to Sports Journalism

  This module will introduce you to the different and varied forms of sports journalism and will enable you to become familiar with the work environment. You will learn about the sports story cycle across newspaper, web and television at local, national and international levels and discover the stylistic and audience dynamics associated with these platforms. You’ll develop your writing ability and will be introduced to longer forms of journalism. You will have the opportunity to cover live sporting events through field trips.

• 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.

• Sport and Social History

  In this module you will develop your knowledge of spectator sport in its social context, gaining an understanding of the key elements that have dictated its growth from ancient origins in Greece, Rome and China to the world’s foremost live attraction. You will cover topics such as race, class, professionalism, politics, nationalism and sexuality.

Year 2

In your first year you’ll gain a thorough introduction to sport journalism, covering areas such as multimedia journalism, news, ethics, shorthand, public administration and the social history of sport.

Modules

• Advanced News Journalism and Shorthand
• Media Law
• Digital Journalism
• Reading Sport Media
• Research for Sport Journalism
• Sports Writing

Final year

You’ll go on an industry placement and complete your final project. You will also choose from option modules, giving you flexibility to specialise in areas of sport journalism that interest you most.

There is also an opportunity to take part in our pioneering and award winning Premier League Apprenticeship and be employed as a match-day media assistant with Brighton & Hove Albion FC.

Modules

• Journalism Work Placement
• Advance Sport Journalism

Options*

• Dissertation
• Theorising Critical Issues in Sport
• Critical Investigations of Sport
• Martial Arts and Combat Sports: Theory and Practice
• Sport, Deviancy and the Law
• Racism in Sport and Popular Culture
• Politics and Power in the Sport Media
• Enterprise and Innovation
• Entrepreneurship for Journalism
• Magazine Journalism
• Cross-Platform Journalism
• Public Relations and Digital Marketing

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

Facilities

Newsroom 
Our modern newsroom is equipped with 40 computers that retract into the desk to form a workspace for editorial meetings. All computers have the Adobe Suite installed including Premiere Pro, InDesign and Photoshop. The newsroom also has five wall-hung screens showing Sky News and BBC News 24.

Digital Hub 
Next door to the newsroom is the digital hub, with editing suites and mobile journalism facilities.

Staff profiles 

International requirements

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

Course fees

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2019–20.

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.

What's included in the fee?

When costs such as health or DBS checks, or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.

You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. 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. Before you apply check with the school that provides your course using the contact details in the Find out more tab (at the end of this page) for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.

See our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Local area

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Maps

Accommodation

University building

Eastbourne campus map