BA (Hons) Journalism

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This industry-accredited course is designed to prepare aspiring journalists to produce news content to a print or broadcast standard, putting journalistic theory into practice in the research and crafting of stories.

At Lincoln, a digital newsroom culture offers students the opportunity to develop the skills and instincts of a journalist, from spotting a scoop to developing in-depth feature ideas. Students are able to study in newsrooms using the latest mobile technology, print production, and design software, and produce broadcast content in digital radio and television studios.

The programme is continually revised to reflect advances in digital news production and convergence and is delivered by media professionals who bring a diverse range of experience and expertise.

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) and the PPA (Professional Publishers Association), the lead body for training and development in the magazine industry.

All Journalism programmes at the University of Lincoln are Recognised by the European Journalism Training Association and the School is a member of the European Public Relations Education and Research Association.

The University of Lincoln pays for students to take the NCTJ Diploma in addition to their course, however, should students need to retake exams, those resit fees will be payable by the student. If a student chooses not to pay to retake and therefore does not pass the NCTJ Diploma, they will not receive it. This will have no bearing on the outcome of their BA (Hons) Journalism degree.

The NCTJ Diploma is made up of a number of mandatory subjects and optional choices. Currently, students on the course can choose from the following NCTJ Options to complete their Diploma – advanced court reporting; photography for journalists; videojournalism for online; production; the business of magazines; broadcast (either joint disciplines or separate radio or television exams); and sport.

How You Study

Students in this course can examine journalism in its historical and theoretical contexts, exploring essential ethical and legal considerations. They put theory into practice by producing news content across print, online, radio, and television platforms. Taking a multiplatform approach from the outset, students can explore the fundamental principles of journalistic practice, and produce news items on a regular basis.

When they have progressed to their second year, students will be able to take part in news days, replicating industry practice in a range of media. There is a choice of theoretical modules including Journalism and Society, Journalism Histories and International Human Rights.

In the final year of the degree, there is also a compulsory module in which students reflect upon 15 days of work placement experience. The School's industry links can help students to secure work placements with media organisations. Please note that students are expected to cover their own transport, accommodation, and general living expenses while undertaking this placement.

Facilities

This course benefits from a suite of newsrooms, with associated workstations and specialist print production software.

Broadcast journalism is catered for with exclusive access to the School’s radio and television presentation studios and opportunities for output on the University’s Ofcom-licensed community radio station.

Students also have access to a TV studio, where they have the opportunity to use the latest virtual studio technology to produce television news programmes.

Students in this course are currently provided with free access to Adobe Creative Cloud software for the duration of their studies.

Work Placements

Work experience forms an integral part of the course and students are encouraged to seek placements as soon as possible. In the final year, there is a compulsory module in which students reflect upon 15 days of work placement experience.

The School has established industry links which can help students secure placements with media organisations, and there are opportunities with the two on-campus radio stations, Siren Radio, and Brayford Radio. There is a range of student media to get involved in, including Cygnet PR (a student-run PR agency), LSJ News, magazines, websites, social media, and TV webcasting.

In the third year, students are expected to complete a compulsory module where they reflect on 15 days of placement experience. Students need to start applying for placements as soon as possible and ideally should complete work experience each year in their first and second years. A personal tutor is available to guide students on where to apply and put together a relevant CV.

"My official title is ‘Planner’, which entails creating, pitching and organising stories across Sky Sports News’ coverage of the sporting world. This includes liaising with football clubs from the Premier League to non-league, as well as sporting bodies across the world."



Danyal Khan, BA (Hons) Journalism graduate

Modules

First Year

• Essential Journalism 1 (Core)
• Essential Law (Core)
• Introduction to Journalism Studies (Core)
• Introduction to Journalism Theory and Analysis (Core)
• Journalism Production 1 (Core)
• Politics for Journalists (Core)
• Shorthand (Core)

Second Year

• Essential Journalism 2 (Core)
• Journalism Production 2: News Days (Core)
• Journalism Production 2: Project (Core)
• Law, Ethics and Regulation (Core)
• Research methods (Core)
• Shorthand (Core)
• Ethics and International Human Rights for Journalists (Option)†
• Histories of Journalism (Option)†
• Journalism and Society (Option)†
• Journalism International Exchange (Option)†

Third Year

• Journalism Independent Study (Core)
• Journalism Production 3: Major Project (Core)
• Journalism Production 3: Professional Practice (Core)
• Professional Journalism Production (Core)
• Advanced Court Reporting (Option)†
• Comparative Media History (Option)†
• International Media Policies (Option)†
• Intro to PR for Journalists (Option)†
• Journalists on the Screen (Option)†
• Peace and Conflict Reporting (Option)†
• Political Journalism (Option)†
• Specialist Journalism (Option)†
• Sports Journalism (Option)†

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

How You Are Assessed

As the course involves the acquisition of a wide range of communication skills, assessment is varied and includes practical work often in the form of timed exercises or news days simulating industry practice, projects, the collation of a portfolio of work, and presentations. The main part of the assessment of theory-based modules is in the form of coursework, with some examinations.

Entry Requirements

United Kingdom

• Advanced Levels: BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points from a minimum of 3 A levels or equivalent qualifications).
• International Baccalaureate: 29 points overall.
• BTEC Extended Diploma: Distinction, Merit, Merit or equivalent.
• T Level: Merit
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: 45 Level 3 credits with a minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points.
• A combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTEC, EPQ.
• Applicants will also need at least three GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above, which must include English. Equivalent Level 2 qualifications may be considered.

The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry. We will also consider applicants with extensive and relevant work experience and will give special individual consideration to those who do not meet the standard entry qualifications.

International

Non-UK Qualifications:

If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages for information on equivalent qualifications.

EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each element.

Fees and Scholarships

Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. The University of Lincoln offers a variety of merit-based and subject-specific bursaries and scholarships.

Course-Specific Additional Costs

The University of Lincoln pays for students to take the NCTJ Diploma in addition to their course, however, should students need to retake exams, those resit fees will be payable by the student. If a student chooses not to pay to retake and therefore does not pass the NCTJ Diploma, they will not receive it. This will have no bearing on the outcome of their BA (Hons) Journalism degree.

Please note that students are expected to cover their own transport, accommodation, and general living expenses while undertaking placements.

Career Opportunities

Lincoln graduates have gone on to work at regional and national outlets, including the BBC, ITV News, ITV Sport, The Daily Mail, Sky Sports News HQ, The Times, magazine brands, and Channel 4 News.

How You Study

Students in this course can examine journalism in its historical and theoretical contexts, exploring essential ethical and legal considerations. They put theory into practice by producing news content across print, online, radio, and television platforms. Taking a multiplatform approach from the outset, students can explore the fundamental principles of journalistic practice, and produce news items on a regular basis.

When they have progressed to their second year, students will be able to take part in news days, replicating industry practice in a range of media. There is a choice of theoretical modules including Journalism and Society, Journalism Histories and International Human Rights.

In the final year of the degree, there is also a compulsory module in which students reflect upon 15 days of work placement experience. The School's industry links can help students to secure work placements with media organisations. Please note that students are expected to cover their own transport, accommodation, and general living expenses while undertaking this placement.

First Year

• Essential Journalism 1 (Core)
• Essential Law (Core)
• Introduction to Journalism Studies (Core)
• Introduction to Journalism Theory and Analysis (Core)
• Journalism Production 1 (Core)
• Politics for Journalists (Core)
• Shorthand (Core)

Second Year

• Essential Journalism 2 (Core)
• Journalism Production 2: News Days (Core)
• Journalism Production 2: Project (Core)
• Law, Ethics and Regulation (Core)
• Research methods (Core)
• Shorthand (Core)
• Ethics and International Human Rights for Journalists (Option)†
• Histories of Journalism (Option)†
• Journalism and Society (Option)†
• Journalism International Exchange (Option)†

Third Year

• Journalism Independent Study (Core)
• Journalism Production 3: Major Project (Core)
• Journalism Production 3: Professional Practice (Core)
• Professional Journalism Production (Core)
• Advanced Court Reporting (Option)†
• Comparative Media History (Option)†
• International Media Policies (Option)†
• Intro to PR for Journalists (Option)†
• Journalists on the Screen (Option)†
• Peace and Conflict Reporting (Option)†
• Political Journalism (Option)†
• Specialist Journalism (Option)†
• Sports Journalism (Option)†

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

How You Are Assessed

As the course involves the acquisition of a wide range of communication skills, assessment is varied and includes practical work often in the form of timed exercises or news days simulating industry practice, projects, the collation of a portfolio of work, and presentations. The main part of the assessment of theory-based modules is in the form of coursework, with some examinations.

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) and the PPA (Professional Publishers Association), the lead body for training and development in the magazine industry.

All Journalism programmes at the University of Lincoln are Recognised by the European Journalism Training Association and the School is a member of the European Public Relations Education and Research Association.

The University of Lincoln pays for students to take the NCTJ Diploma in addition to their course, however, should students need to retake exams, those resit fees will be payable by the student. If a student chooses not to pay to retake and therefore does not pass the NCTJ Diploma, they will not receive it. This will have no bearing on the outcome of their BA (Hons) Journalism degree.

The NCTJ Diploma is made up of a number of mandatory subjects and optional choices. Currently, students on the course can choose from the following NCTJ Options to complete their Diploma – advanced court reporting; photography for journalists; videojournalism for online; production; the business of magazines; broadcast (either joint disciplines or separate radio or television exams); and sport.

Lincoln graduates have gone on to work at regional and national outlets, including the BBC, ITV News, ITV Sport, The Daily Mail, Sky Sports News HQ, The Times, magazine brands, and Channel 4 News.