BA (Hons) Journalism

Do you have the ambition to become a reporter who keeps the public informed and holds those in power to account? This BA (Hons) Journalism degree course – accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) – will prepare you for a career as a journalist.

Learn how to uncover and write breaking news stories, produce publications across print and digital media, and adapt to the fast-paced 24-hour news environment.

Earn the industry-recognised NCTJ Diploma in Journalism with help from our teaching team of experienced journalists, hone your craft on professional placements and become an outstanding journalist any editor would appoint.

Course highlights

• Stand out to future employers by taking exams leading to the gold-standard NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.
• Learn from lecturing journalists with experience in international, national, regional and online publications.
• Expand your network by meeting visiting professionals from organisations such as Dream Team FC, The Times, Novara Media, Sky News and the Cabinet Office at 10 Downing Street.
• Gain industry experience with 10-day journalism-based work placement and an optional placement year.
• Take shorthand training to capture information at a writing speed of up to 100 words per minute.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), one of three professional bodies that accredit journalism training in the UK. You'll automatically be entered into the examinations that lead to the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.

The NCTJ accreditation also lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work as a journalist when you graduate. This gives you an edge over students who didn’t do an accredited course when you’re applying for jobs.

Core modules

Core modules

Core modules

Careers and opportunities

The world always needs qualified journalists to tell us what’s going on. Print media such as newspapers and magazines may decline, but digital versions are replacing them.

Online reporting is expanding all the time, creating new opportunities and redefining the role of the journalist. Related industries such as PR or communications also attract journalism graduates with strong transferable skills.

With a Journalism degree and NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, you'll have the multimedia skills to take advantage of the changing nature of journalism.

You can also continue your studies to the postgraduate level.

Graduate roles

Our graduates have gone on to roles such as:

• trainee reporter
• social media editor
• campaign assistant
• public relations account executive
• digital marketing executive
• sports reporter

Graduate areas

Our graduates have worked in areas such as:

• national, regional and local newspapers
• magazines
• radio and television stations
• online publications
• public relations
• corporate communications and marketing
• digital marketing and social media

Ongoing careers support

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.

Towards the end of your degree and up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Placements

Our Journalism courses offer two placement opportunities during your studies – a placement year and a 10-day work placement.

The placement year is optional. It takes place between your second and third year, and you can work in any area you choose. You can work for an agency, company or organisation or join forces with fellow students to set up and run your own business.

The 10-day work placement is essential. It happens during your final year and is strictly journalism-based. You'll work with a company or agency.

Both placements will give you longer-term industry skills, knowledge and experience, as well as boost your CV and employability after graduation.

To make sure you get the most out of your time in the workplace, you'll get support from specialist staff before and throughout your placement – including our Creative Careers team.

Creative Careers

Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.

They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:

• Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
• Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
• Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
• Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route

The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.

Placement destinations

We have links with many well-known media organisations. Previous students have done placements at locations such as:

• The Daily Telegraph
• The Daily Mirror
• The Sun
• The Daily Mail
• Cosmopolitan
• Vogue
• Heat
• Reveal
• BBC
• Sky Sports