Media & Performance

BA(Hons) Journalism

Why you should apply for this course.

Good news. We offer small, specialist classes with all the right equipment and training. Add our strong links with local newspapers, radio and television, and the result is a thriving course with successful students. We are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), which means the professionals respect what we do. By offering a degree, we pride ourselves on producing skilled, thoughtful and critical journalists who can hold their own in a demanding industry. Many of our graduates are already proving they can do just that.

What is this course about?

From the start you learn the fundamentals of good journalism—finding stories, interviewing people and writing. You also learn shorthand, basic photography and how to use a range of software packages. All students study theory modules, which put their practical work into context. You learn about ownership and control of media, gender and representation, the mechanics of government and the law. Throughout your course you contribute to the student newspaper, ‘The Informer’, in its print and online versions. Broadcast students study radio and television news, making use of our excellent facilities and equipment. You gain a solid grounding in all aspects of journalism, specialising in either print or broadcast journalism from the start of year two. As well as working towards your degree, you can take professional exams set by the NCTJ—we even pay the fees for you. These qualifications are highly valued by editors and should give you the edge when applying for jobs. But a degree is more than training. You are expected to read widely, in order to develop your own thinking and critical awareness. The course provides a balance between practical and theory. To succeed on this course you need energy, enthusiasm and commitment. In return we help you on your way to a promising career.

What do our students say?

“My degree set me up perfectly for a career in journalism and gave me all the skills needed to succeed.”

“The thing I most value about the course was the professional way in which it was delivered.”

“I really enjoyed the course—it was practical, challenging and extremely interesting.”

What can the course lead to?

This degree can lead straight to a job in newspapers, radio, television or magazines. Graduating with a full set of NCTJ preliminary exams gives you a significant advantage in the jobs market. But the broad range of skills you gain here will give you a solid grounding for any job involving communication and writing. It may also provide the basis for further study at masters level.