Journalism BA (Hons) • City, University of London

This course is for 2021/22 entry. 2022/23 entry is also available.

What is unique about this course?

Key information

This degree is designed for students pursuing a career in journalism, media and communications and beyond. You will receive professional training and proficiency in print, broadcast and online journalism. Enhance your expertise with elective modules in humanities, such as politics and the history of journalism.

Start date

September 2021

UCAS code

P500

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years with placement or study abroad year

Institution

City, University of London

Location

Northampton Square

Entry requirements

Below is a list of countries with information on each about which qualifications we accept.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, we will require evidence of English language proficiency. Minimum requirements are:

IELTS:

7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component.

Don’t meet the entry requirements? INTO City, University of London offers a range of academic and English language programmes to help prepare you for study at City, University of London. You’ll learn from experienced teachers in a dedicated international study centre.

Apply now

Open day

Online session

Course overview

Journalism at City has a real-world emphasis. You’ll spend time in small workshops learning the multimedia skills required for a career in 21st century journalism: from writing, reporting and interviewing, to social media analytics and preparing page layouts on screen.

This is complemented by academic subjects such as history, politics and law which are delivered through lectures and seminars and assessed through examination and essays.

We’ll help you get ahead in this competitive sector by helping you organise professional work experience as part of your degree.

Recent work experience includes: Sky News and Sky Sports, The Times, Prospect Magazine and New York Times summer internships.

Learn how to write news and features, use the professional standard TV studio, and make video and audio packages and websites
Develop your skills in professional facilities, including a television studio, four radio studios, two radio broadcast newsrooms, two digital newsrooms, and two TV editing and production newsrooms
Benefit from our extensive links with media organisations in London, nationally and internationally
Join a global network of over 5,000 media professionals who began their journalism career at City.

Structure

Course content

This three-year degree will equip you with specialist knowledge and skills to pursue to a rewarding career in media and journalism.

Module choices may be subject to amendment.

Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Placement

Year 1

Develop a firm foundation in the principles of journalism, the history of journalism, and in politics and current affairs. All of your modules are compulsory, to ensure you develop the fundamental knowledge you need in future years.

Year 2

Study core modules covering practical and theoretical aspects of journalism, such as digital journalism, ethics and employability. Choose from a wide range of elective modules.

Audio and Video Journalism (30 credits)

This module will equip you with the knowledge and skills you will need to produce broadcast-ready journalism for video and audio platforms. You will gain practical experience and develop the skills of team working and news management.
Feature Writing (15 credits)

Each week will examine a different aspect of feature writing, developing story ideas, researching pieces, interviewing skills and structuring writing and style. You will be helped to develop your own professional writing style.
Online and Social Media Journalism (15 credits)

This module equips you with the learning to critically understanding social media and online journalism as well as preparing you to work as a digital journalist. You will write and produce content and critically understand the role of social media.
Power without Responsibility (15 credits)

You will examine contemporary debates in media and journalism. You will analyse democracy and freedom of information and how they impact journalism.
Employability and Enterprise Skills for Journalism (15 credits)

This module will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills needed for transition into the fast-changing media industry. You will learn how to write a CV, develop a online portfolio, pitch a proposal and prepare for a job interview.
Shorthand (15 credits)

In this module you will acquire and develop high-speed note-taking skills, and knowledge of shorthand theory. It will support the practical journalism assignments elsewhere on the programme.
Data Journalism (15 credits)

This module aims to provide you with the skills to spot stories and trends in publicly available data. You will learn how to use data tools to find and select stories and how it can be presented to different audiences.
Visual Journalism (15 credits)

This module aims to provide you with the skills and knowledge to enable you to take photographs as part of your job, and the knowledge and critical ability to be able to select good photographs for publication.
Humanitarian Reporting (15 credits)

In this module you will examine how we understand faraway disasters. You will look at the background to foreign reporting, the way that the western media covers the developing world and then assess how the nature of this has changed.
Sports Journalism (15 credits)

The module will investigate the changing face of sports journalism and the way that the industry has had to evolve. You will be equipped with writing and editing skills that will prove effective across a broad range of sports.
Lies, Damned Lies and Statistics (15 credits)

This module helps you develop a critical approach to statistical claims and the analysis of quantitative data. You will read and work with quantitative data, and gain the tools to conduct your own analysis.
Creative Writing Workshop (15 credits)

In this module you will explore the practice of creative writing in a variety of genres. Through developing your own writing portfolio, you will develop an understanding of the practices of the creative writer.
Reading London 2 (15 credits)

This module explores the relationship between the physical, built London and textual representations of the city, with particular emphasis on works written in or about London between World War Two and the twenty-first century.
Comparative Asian Politics (15 credits)

The module will comparatively examine the historical origins and outcomes of systems of government, strategies of economic development as well as the sources and impact of corruption across Asian states.

Year 3

Strengthen your professional skills with advanced practical journalism training, including a dissertation or journalism project. Tailor your final year with a choice of elective modules.

Media Law and Ethics (15 credits)

In this module you will gain an understanding of UK law as it affects journalists. You will develop an awareness of the range of ethical dilemmas faced by journalists and draw on your own experience and values.
Advanced Practical Journalism (Print/Online) (30 credits)

This is your core practical reporting module for the third year. In small groups you will produce a print magazine and companion website, comprising news pages, features pages, and review and profile pages that you will have written.
Advanced Practical Journalism (Broadcast) (30 credits)

This module for broadcast specialists will provide you with an informed understanding of broadcast journalism. You will gain practical experience of radio and TV journalism to a professional level.
Journalism Project (15 credits)

This module provides the opportunity for you to use the knowledge and skills you have acquired during your studies at City to produce an original piece of long-form print, online, or broadcast journalism.
Dissertation (30 credits)

In this module, which includes an overview of research methods, involves the production of dissertation on a topic of your choice in consultation with your supervisor. You’ll pursue an original research problem and produce an extended piece of scholarly writing.
International News (15 credits)

This module explores the contemporary international news system. You will look at the central news producers and the political and financial forces that shape news content.
Fashion and Lifestyle Journalism (15 credits)

You will gain an introduction to writing about fashion and lifestyle, from news, magazine features to blogs and e-commerce websites. You will learn where to find stories, how to make sense of trends and how to ask relevant questions.
Arts and Culture Journalism (15 credits)

This module explores the dynamic landscape of arts and culture journalism. It takes an in-depth look at the broad spectrum of arts and culture journalism from film, TV and music to more niche subjects literature, theatre, art and design
Reporting Science and the Environment (15 credits)

You will develop the skills to identify stories, ask relevant questions and distinguish opinions from scientific evidence. Reporting on subject areas of your choice you will develop critical skills and ethical awareness to make sense of scientific and environmental controversies
Reporting Business (15 credits)

This module provides you with an opportunity to explore the role and practices of finance and business specialist journalists. You will develop your researching, writing and reporting skills to produce professional business news, interviews and features.
American Foreign Policy (15 credits)

You will be introduced to American power and its foreign policy through a combination of theory, institutions, and case studies. The course is designed to give you the ability to understand, explain and evaluate past and contemporary US foreign policy.
Literary Journalism (15 credits)

This module will support you to read, study and write non-fiction prose in a format that is appropriate to literary journalism. With reference to communication and narrative scholarship, you will analyse examples of long-form narrative journalism.
Political Change in Europe (15 credits)

The module examines a broad range of social and political developments and changes taking place in contemporary Europe, with a focus on the process of European integration and a range of political actors and institutions involved.
Ethnicity and Nationalism: Global Perspectives (15 credits)

This module provides an introduction to the major theoretical approaches and problems in the study of ethnicity and nationalism. You will also examine arguments about the dangers of democratisation in the context of ethnic polarisation.
Writing Women (15 credits)

This module focuses on the role women writers have played in defining and developing literary forms and traditions. You will study women’s strategies for articulating female experience and the role of women’s writing as a reflection of social reality.
Place and Space (15 credits)

This module links the study of writing to the ways people organize and understand space. You will develop an understanding of the techniques writers have used and the role ideas of place, space and landscape play in the wider culture.

Placement

You can undertake a one year work placement whilst completing the programme. This is possible through joining the Integrated Professional Training Programme, which is a sandwich year that is taken years 2 and 3, extending the degree to four years.

Download course specification:

BA Journalism

Study abroad

The department has partnerships with many international institutions and you may have the opportunity to spend your third year studying abroad.

We have strong links with Universities such as:

Sciences Po, France
Danish School of Media and Journalism, Denmark
Hogeschool Utrecht in the Netherlands
Hong Kong Baptist University, Hong Kong
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USA
Ryerson University, Canada
Seoul National University, South Korea
Koç University, Turkey
Northeastern University, USA
RMIT, Australia
University of Queensland, Australia
Queensland University of Technology, Australia
University of Technology, Sydney, Australia

Please note these partnerships and their programmes may be subject to change.

Teaching and assessment

Modules are taught through a combination of:

lectures and seminars
project work
reporting assignments at outside bodies (such as courts, council meetings, press conferences, public meetings)
timed assignments
lectures by visiting speakers from various journalistic, political and campaigning backgrounds
production of magazines/broadcast bulletins/websites
independent study/research/library work
work attachments (recorded and evaluated)
freelance work
production of portfolios of work
presentations to seminars
examinations and assignments under controlled conditions.

Assessment methods

Assessment is weighted towards coursework, and coursework assignments are submitted weekly. Coursework is usually worth between 60 and 75 per cent of the overall module, and the examination worth 25 per cent, although this varies across modules.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The balance of assessment by examination, practical examination and assessment by coursework will to some extent depend on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessment, based on 2017/18 entry is as follows:

Assessment

Year 1

Written examination: 29%

Practical: 13%

Coursework: 58%

Year 2

Written examination: 3%

Coursework: 97%

Year 3

Written examination: 9%

Coursework: 91%

Overall workload

The practical journalism subjects will be taught in seminars, workshops, and one-to-one copy clinics. You will undertake individual research using electronic resources and libraries and through contacting and interviewing newsworthy people. Approximate study time, based on 2017/18 entry is as follows:

Workload

Year 1

Scheduled learning: 21%

Independent learning: 79%

Year 2

Scheduled learning: 26%

Independent learning: 74%

Year 3

Scheduled learning: 23%

Independent learning: 77%

Fees and funding

Fees for year 2021/22

£9,250

Overseas/EU

£17,860

The fees indicated are for undergraduate entry in the 2021/ 22 academic year only. Fees for future years may be subject to an inflationary increase, which is normally 2%.

Funding options

Explore up-to-date information about funding options, available financial support and typical living costs.

Fee waivers are available for this course.
Means tested support is available for 2021/22 entry.

Future finance loans

Future Finance offers students loans of between £2,500 and £40,000 to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. All students and courses are considered. All loans are subject to credit checks and approval for further details please visit our finance pages.

Career

Our students enjoy access to a wide range of career development and employment opportunities thanks to our London location and our outstanding connections in the media.

Our Journalism BA Honours graduates have gone on to work in media organisations such as:

the BBC

Sky News

The Sun

Metro

Associated Press

talkSPORT

MailOnline

The Economist

Men’s Health.

Others go on to work in rewarding and creative careers in marketing and corporate communications for organisations such as Nike and Asos.

The course can also be a gateway into:

postgraduate study
careers in NGOs and the Civil Service.

City helped me find a journalism internship at the Sunday Times. I have written for the Guardian, the Huffington Post and interned at PBS in New York City. A lot of the guidance from my personal tutor and work I’ve composed as a student here has helped me in applying to internships in the industry.

Noah Eckstein
As I was based in Italy at the time I applied, I couldn’t attend an Open Day. Nonetheless, I did my research on the university by consulting the university prospectus as well as the website and all the videos that were on the City Youtube channel at that time. I also found it really helpful talking to two current BA Journalism students from Italy who were at City at that time.

Silvia Maresca
I decided I wanted to be a journalist when I was 14 and set my sights on going to City not long after that. A quick google shows you it’s the best-regarded journalism school in the country and that reputation totally stands up when you’re looking for jobs. Whatever newsroom you walk into, you’re almost guaranteed to meet some fellow alumni.

Jack Fenwick
I enjoyed the level of creativity the course offered, I was able to write stories and investigate any topics I wanted to. There was no limit on what I could look into or explore further. I also enjoyed the multimedia skills you’re taught throughout the three years, I now know how to operate in both TV and radio studio’s as well as edit on a range of software.

Safraz Ali

How to apply

Applications for degree courses must be made through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).

Apply now

You can apply through your school or college using the Apply system, which enables you to submit your application directly to the UCAS website.

www.ucas.com

You can apply to up to five universities or institutions on the form. The UCAS code for City, University of London is C60.

Please take care to enter the correct course code when applying, particularly for subjects with a Foundation year or with BEng (Hons) and MEng (Hons) or BSc (Hons) and MSci (Hons) options.

UCAS has implemented an 'invisibility of choices' policy so that, on the initial application and while you are receiving decisions, each institution can see only their entry and not those of other institutions you have chosen. This ensures that your application for a course at City is considered solely on your academic and personal qualities.

You should submit your completed application form to UCAS with a £23 application fee. If you want to apply to City, University of London only, you can make a single choice application at a reduced rate of £12.

For enquiries about the admissions process at City, please contact our Admissions Office

Complete the Admissions enquiry form.

Call: +44 (0)20 7040 8716.

Telephone lines are currently open between 10am - 3pm.

When to apply

Your application for entry in September 2021 should arrive at UCAS between September 2020 and 29^th January 2021. Applications that arrive after 29^th January 2021 will be considered only at City's discretion.

Contacting UCAS

Website: www.ucas.com

Address: Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS), Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ

Telephone:

from inside the UK 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK +44 (0)871 468 0468

For callers with hearing difficulties:

from inside the UK use the Text Relay service on 18001 0871 468 0468
from outside the UK dial +44 151 494 1260 (text phone) and then ask the operator to dial 0871 468 0468.

Facilities

Students have use of extensive facilities including the journalism multimedia suite. The spaces were developed in consultation with experts from the BBC and ITN.
Tables uses Wolfvision cynap devices designed to allow students and staff to share and present from their own mobile device, to connect to remote meetings
Students have use of extensive facilities including a television studio. The spaces were developed in consultation with experts from the BBC and ITN.
The Journalism department has four radio studios and two radio broadcast studios, each equipped with high-tech production facilities.
The journalism multimedia suite provides a cutting-edge production facility that allows students to work together on group media projects.
Green screen TV area with links to main TV studio
Credit: James Rutherford
2 digital newsrooms with modern facilities that enable you to learn the skills required to produce newspapers, magazines and websites
students are led through the curriculum and participate in activities that mirror a typical broadcast newsroom

Our students

Meet one of our graduates from BA (Hons) Journalism Michelle who shares her experience on the course and at City, and her advice for future students. 4 minutes

Academics

Coral James O'Connor

Lecturer in Journalism

Department of Journalism

Dr Paul Lashmar

Head of the Department of Journalism

Department of Journalism

Richard Evans

Senior Lecturer in Journalism

Department of Journalism

Key information

Entry requirements

UK

Other suitable qualifications

INTO City, University of London

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