Sports Journalism MA (PGCert PGDip)

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Why Sports Journalism at Brighton?

• NCTJ accreditation – the qualification that editors look for when recruiting a trainee journalist.
• Industry placement – our students work at organisations including The Sun, Sky Sports News, The Independent, The Daily Mail. The Times, The Guardian, TalkSport and Brighton & Hove Albion FC. The University of Brighton has won the NCTJ Innovation of the Year award for its partnership work with Brighton & Hove Albion FC that involves paid opportunities for students to cover matches in the Amex Stadium press box.
• Inspiring visiting speakers such as: Paul Hayward, five-time SJA Sports Writer of the Year, twice Sports Journalist of the Year (British Press Awards) and ghostwriter of  Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Robson's autobiographies; Kelly Cates, reporter and presenter, BBC 5Live and Sky Sports and ESPN; and Dick Pound, founding president, World Anti-Doping Agency and vice-president of the International Olympic Committee. Read about more guest speakers.
• Field trips to events such as: Sky Sports News tour and development day; London Lions basketball; flat racing at Brighton racecourse; County Cricket at Hove, Sussex; football at Eastbourne Borough and Lewes FC; Sussex Senior Cup Final.

• Newsroom facilities with live news and sports feeds, and sound, filming and editing equipment.
• A portfolio of work on graduation which acts as a showcase to prospective employers and the chance to publish your work on our website Overtime Online.
• Excellent career prospects – our graduates go on to work for media outlets such as The Daily Express and Daily Star, Sky News, Sky Sports, Paddy Power, The Independent, Mail Online and Red Bull Media House.
• Flexibility – you can choose to exit with a postgraduate certificate after one semester (three 20-credit modules) or a postgraduate diploma after two semesters (six 20-credit modules). You must complete the 60-credit research project to qualify for the MA.

Areas of study

The Sports Journalism masters degree enables you to develop the critical, contextual and practical skills and knowledge to be able to succeed in the sports media industry. You will:

• analyse the industry and critically appraise how current professional standards can be improved with a focus on ethically and socially responsible journalism.
• explore the contextual knowledge needed to be a successful professional sports journalist
• learn how to cover court cases involving high-profile sports people and how to avoid libel and breaches of copyright in the study of media law.
• learn about sports governance, such as how UK Sport and Sport England work, and public affairs issues including planning that are essential to writing more complex sports stories such as new stadium developments.
• study the purpose and function of the profession and reflect on industry standards and your own professional practice.
• explore how the industry has changed in the digital age, the challenges posed, and what this new media environment has meant for what sport journalism is and could be.
• explore the key shifts in sports media including the emergence of Sky in the early 1990s through to the development of global third-party production companies such as IMG and Perform Group.

Above: see some of the students exploring the industry-standard facilities on offer and hear them talking about what they love about their degrees.

• apply theoretical models of understanding sport journalism such as the toy department concept, sociology of work and professions, and political economy in exploring these occupational and industry shifts.
• evaluate key ethical debates affecting the industry including coverage of race, gender and sexuality issues within sports journalism and whether the profession is doing enough to hold those in power to account.
• consider what implications the rise of public relations has had for sports journalism and how clubs and organisations now employ sports journalists as well as mainstream media. 

Modules

There are six 20-credit modules that each involve around 30 hours of contact time, plus an independent final project where you will work with an allocated supervisor.

Modules

• News Journalism

  In this module you will explore the principles and practice of news reporting and learn to evaluate and integrate different source materials such as press releases, briefings and statistics. You will be placed in complex reporting scenarios where you need to apply sound ethical and professional judgement and produce quality journalism for a range of audiences.

• Critical Issues in Sport Journalism

  In this module you will explore the deeper issues around sports journalism and consider how sports journalists face professional challenges in the digital age from the internal newsroom environment and external landscape of commercial sports. You’ll also look at the lack of diversity within the industry and its impact on reporting on social issues effectively.

• Sport Journalism Practice

  This module will explore the transferable knowledge and skills necessary to be an effective sport journalist. You will develop the ability to report on a range of sport journalism scenarios such as round-ups, interviews and data stories, and learn to conduct in-depth, long-form analysis on a public interest sports issue. You’ll also cover digital sports journalism and live blogging.

• Journalism in Society

  This module focuses on the social and democratic role of journalists in holding power to account and ensuring that justice is seen to be done. You will explore how public administration works at both central and local government level and how it should be scrutinised by journalists. You’ll also study areas of criminal and civil law relevant to journalists and apply your knowledge of government and law to complex journalistic scenarios.

• Digital Journalism

  This module will help you acquire and develop multimedia and multi-platform skills in video filming, audio recording, editing and online publishing. You will explore the key journalistic and technical principles behind video and audio journalism in web and mobile settings and learn to evaluate editorial, ethical, legal and socially responsible choices in production processes.

• Professional Practice

  This module will enable you to develop and enhance your professional practice through preparation for and experience of industry-based engagement within journalism or related professions. During a 13-week placement you will learn how to produce content that helps meet both industry needs and your own professional aspirations. You’ll also critically reflect on your experiences, with a particular focus on legal and ethical considerations.

• Journalism Dissertation

  In this dissertation you will investigate an issue in a way that demonstrates your ability to integrate key aspects of your course, arrive at valid conclusions and reflect upon the processes employed. This will help further develop your critical thinking and use of research methodologies and techniques as they apply to journalism as well as enhance your independent research skills.

Placement

• The placement is part of the Professional Practice module. 
• Our Employability team can help you secure an experience that best meets your career goals and aspirations.
• Professional experience will enhance your practice and academic knowledge
• Many of our students have launched their sports journalism careers with their placement organisation.
• You will also compile a portfolio of journalistic work that will act as a showcase to prospective employers.

We have placement links with many organisations including:

• The Sun
• Sky Sports News
• The Independent
• Daily Mail
• The Times
• The Guardian
• Daily Telegraph
• Hayters Sports Agency
• Eastbourne Herald
• TalkSport
• FourFourTwo
• Brighton and Hove Albion FC
• Ricochet TV.

Facilities 

Journalists in the digital age need to be able to multi-skill and our facilities ensure that you will gain all the skills you need.

You'll be able to explore photo editing, desktop publishing and audio and video editing.

The newsroom with live news and sports feeds gives you authentic real-life journalistic experience. And our sound, filming and editing equipment familiarise you with the latest technology and ensure that you graduate with the technical skills essential for your media career.

Meet the team 

Course fees

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Journalism Diversity Fund bursary

You may be eligible to apply for this award which helps postgraduate students from socially or ethnically diverse backgrounds to fund NCTJ journalism training. Bursaries are awarded four times per year and recipients will also be mentored by a working journalist. Find out more about the Journalism Diversity Fund.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2025–26.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

• Fees, bursaries, scholarships and government funding info for UK and international postgraduate students
• Student finance and budgeting while studying
• About the university’s fees by checking our student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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Sport at Brighton