UDJOURNM - BA (Hons) Journalism

The BA Journalism focuses on developing critical inquiry and professional skills, both of which are essential to success in the field of journalism. Writing is paramount in journalism, even in today’s convergent media world, so students learn a range of writing techniques, from academic essay to snappy tweet. Curiosity about and knowledge of a wide knowledge of social and historical contexts is also crucial in developing professional journalistic practice within today’s fast-changing industry, as is an understanding of ethics and law in the post-Leveson media geography.

Using a mixture of workshops, simulations, seminar discussions and exposition, the course is taught by respected, experienced practitioners. Every session makes use of blended learning, particularly via class blogs and the course website, and many modules are taught within the multimedia newsroom. Team working and collaboration, among other key social skills like the ability to gain interviews, present oneself successfully and sell ideas, is developed through class exercises and newsdays.

Guest speakers and field trips stimulate engagement with the world of work, as does an optional work placement module. Connections with national student TV and media networks develop professional skills in and outside formal teaching.

Learning strategies on the course are designed to promote transferable skills of communication, independent thinking, the ability to work effectively with others, work planning and independent responsibility. Student feedback and engagement with teaching and learning strategies are promoted via student representatives and course committees, as well as online resources.

The course aims:

To develop students’ writing skills so that they can write accurately and fluently in a variety of formats, including academic essays, news items, headlines, features, reviews, reports, commentaries, blogs, tweets, interviews, profiles, investigations, critiques, comments, columns, nibs, campaigns and any other formats chosen – to deadline and to length;

To equip students with the newsgathering tools to research the background data and risk implications of any journalistic task they may have to do;

To familiarise students with the history and ideas important to understanding the practice of journalism in the UK today, as well as globally, so that they have an analytical framework with which to grasp their role within the industry;

To familiarise students with the history and ideas important to understanding the legal and political systems in the UK today, as well as globally, so that they have an analytical framework and practical knowledge with which to grasp and practice effectively their role within society;

To develop students’ social skills so that they can interview primary sources face to face, over the phone, via email and social media and so that they can pitch ideas and presentations to possible employers;

To develop their powers of argument, analysis, narrative and sequencing so that they can construct effective, substantiated content for different audiences;

To introduce and promote the technical skills essential for any career in convergent media – text, audio, video;

To foster students’ independence as learners and practitioners, especially through individual projects;

To foster collaboration as learners and practitioners, especially through group work and simulations;

To offer the opportunity for monitored work placements, extension of knowledge skills (shorthand), and publication within and outside the course website;

to develop students’ own understanding of their work so that they can produce it and target it to a range of media audiences, specialist and non-specialist;

to offer them the chance to progress towards more specialised accredited learning.

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within [the subject];

devise and sustain arguments, and/or to solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some of which are at the forefront of [the subject];

describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research, or equivalent advanced scholarship, in [the subject], recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge;

manage their own learning, and to make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to [the subject]);

apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out projects;

critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a solution - or identify a range of solutions - to a problem;

communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and non-specialist audiences;

exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in complex and unpredictable contexts;

undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature.

- deploy accurately established techniques of analysis and enquiry within journalism:

Practical Journalism, Reporting Skills, Advanced
Reporting, Newsroom Production, Media Law and
Ethics; Public Administration, Broadcast
Journalism, Journalism Project

- devise and sustain arguments, and solve problems, using ideas and techniques, some
of which are at the forefront of journalism:

Journalism: History and ideas, Practical
Journalism, Advanced Reporting, Media law and
Ethics; Public Administration, Multi-Media Skills,
Data Journalism, Styling and Journalism,
Newsroom Production, Creating Packages,
Broadcast Journalism, Campaigning Journalism,
Journalism Project

- describe and comment upon particular aspects of current research and practice in
journalism, recognising the uncertainty, ambiguity and limits of knowledge:

Journalism: History and ideas, Media law and
Ethics; Public Administration, Science Journalism,
Arts Journalism

- Manage their own learning, and make use of scholarly reviews and primary sources (for example, refereed research articles and/or original materials appropriate to Journalism, Film and Television Studies):

Journalism: History and ideas, Media law and
Ethics; Public Administration, Data Journalism,
Science Journalism, Arts Journalism, Sports
Journalism, Journalism Project

- apply the methods and techniques that they have learned to review, consolidate, extend and apply their knowledge and understanding, and to initiate and carry out
projects:

Journalism: History and ideas, Practical
Journalism, Reporting Skills, Writing Skills, Media
law and Ethics; Public Administration, Multi-Media
Skills, Broadcast Journalism, Data Journalism,
Creating Packages, Science Journalism, Arts
Journalism, Sports Journalism, Fashion
Journalism, Journalism Project

- critically evaluate arguments, assumptions, abstract concepts and data (that may be
incomplete), to make judgements, and to frame appropriate questions to achieve a
solution - or identify a range of solutions to a problem:

Journalism: History and ideas, Practical
Journalism, Advanced Reporting, Media law and
Ethics; Public Administration, Broadcast
Journalism, Data Journalism, Science Journalism,
Arts Journalism, Sports Journalism, Journalism
Project

- communicate information, ideas, problems and solutions to both specialist and nonspecialist audiences, through different media and to different briefs:

All modules: this is the purpose of journalism

- exercise initiative and personal responsibility, including decision-making in
complex and unpredictable contexts:

Advanced Reporting, Media law and Ethics; Public
Administration, Journalism Project, Work
Placement, Journalism Project

- undertake appropriate further training of a professional or equivalent nature:

Practical Journalism, Writing Skills, Reporting

Skills, Multi-Media Skills, Data Journalism, Styling
and Journalism, Work placement, Introduction to
Shorthand, Further Shorthand, Creating Packages,
Broadcast Journalism

http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Documents/CMF08.pdf

The course uses a wide range of assessments, from online blogs and contributions to the course website to academic essays, from video footage to magazine layouts, class presentations to pop quizzes, in-class examination and longform writing. Assessment is contributory, with formative assessment being offered at drafting and intermediate submission, both face to face and electronically. Enhancement weeks offer the chance to receive formative assessment whilst engaged on simulations, newsdays and activities.

Since much teaching is run on an interactive coaching model, tutorials are built in to class sessions as well as offered privately. Feedback on summative assessment is given within three weeks of submission.

Most modules include a reflective assessment, where students evaluate their own contribution to class via a self-reflective grid, which is moderated by tutors and, sometimes, participation on blogs or wikis.

A work placement of up to three working weeks can be moderated by academic staff to gain 15 credits, as part of a 15-week module.

N/A

We're currently in the process of applying for accreditation by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council. This should be complete by the time you finish your degree.

Journalism graduates have gone on to work in TV, radio, print and online media all around the globe. From the Sunday People to the Independent, the New Statesman to Correos of Venezuela, TalkSport radio to Swedish TV, our graduates are making their mark.

Many are also working in PR, media consultancy, social media, management, web design, fashion and marketing, as well as going on to study media, journalism, international conflict or film studies at postgraduate level.

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• a minimum of grades BBC in three A levels (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg Advanced Diploma)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

Applicants with relevant professional qualifications or extensive professional experience will also be considered on a case by case basis.

These requirements may be varied in individual cases as prospective students will be invited to an interview.

You will also need to submit a 200 word original piece of writing on an event that has recently happened in your locality.

Mature students with previous relevant experience are encouraged to apply.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.