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Sports Journalism and Communications (Level 6) BA (Hons)

Course Overview

Our graduates go on to work for the likes of The Times, CNN, Sky Sports News, The Athletic, a number of Premier League clubs and European football giants, Real Madrid. By studying this course, you’ll gain the skills and contacts needed to thrive in the sports journalism industry.

Sports Journalism BA (Hons) course scored 98% for teaching satisfaction and 100% for academic support in the National Student Survey 2024 (NSS 24). Our communications & media Studies courses are ranked 2nd in the UK for student satisfaction and 4th for graduate prospects by the Complete University Guide 2025.

Taught by award-winning and high-profile Sports Journalists, we have connections to some of the biggest players in the sports media industry – including the BBC, ESPN, The Athletic and BT Sport. Our students have gone on placements to destinations as diverse as Real Madrid TV, Wimbledon and talkSPORT.

We have multiple graduates working in the F1 industry, including content creators for Aston Martin and the international editor-in-chief of GP Blog – and are proud to have F1TV presenter Laura Winter as our Course Associate, allowing us to benefit from her experience through bespoke sessions and mentoring throughout the academic year. Whether you’re interested in race reporting, social media or communications, we can offer opportunities to build experience in this field with a number of students now reporting remotely on F1.

Through our superb links with Premier League and Championship clubs – including Aston Villa, West Bromwich Albion, Wolves and Bristol City – you’ll get the chance to develop your skills on location at some of the best sports grounds in the country.

UoG journalism, publishing and public relations courses are ranked in the top 20 in the UK, and 3rd in the UK for student satisfaction by the Guardian University Guide 2023.

Study Style

You’ll learn how to be a multimedia journalist who gathers and delivers stories for online and print. You’ll also produce radio and television bulletins.

Social media and emerging digital technologies are embedded across all modules, and you’ll learn the latest industry-relevant skills, across sports data and Esports, ethics and censorship as well as working in a professional sports desk environment.

In addition, you can choose between an academic dissertation or extended practical project.

Entry Requirements

• HND, Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation degree
  • Applicants should possess an HND, Diploma of Higher Education or Foundation degree.
• Mature students
  • We welcome applications from mature students (aged 21 and over) and do not necessarily require the same academic qualifications as school leaving applicants, although some entry requirements may still apply for Professionally Accredited Courses. We accept Access to Higher Education Diplomas and make offers on an individual basis.
• International students
  • Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.
• Additional requirements
  • English Language or Literature and Maths Grade 4/C in GCSE (or equivalent) are normally required.

Course Modules

You're viewing course modules for the Full Time (1 years) top-up course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course modules.

Here's an example of the types of modules you'll study (the contents and structure of the course are reviewed occasionally, but it is unlikely that there will be significant change).

Module information is not available for this programme.

• Level 6 (Undergraduate final year)

All students must complete these modules:

• Ethics, Censorship and Regulation (MD6101)
  • This module will explore ethical dilemmas and the rules and regulations that affect the way journalists and media producers communicate with audiences. From self-censorship to industry codes of practice, students will gain a greater awareness of the rights and responsibilities underpinning media production.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 24
  • Independent Learning Hours: 126
  • Assessment
  • 001: 100% Assignment: Individual: 3750 Words
• Final Year Project/Dissertation (MD6106)
  • This module provides the opportunity to undertake a major project of a journalistic and/or academic nature drawing together advanced levels of research, production, analytical and presentation skills. The outcome may be a conventional thesis of up to 10,000 words in length or a major print/online feature or broadcast/multimedia package supported by substantive reflection upon the practical work produced.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 12
  • Independent Learning Hours: 288
  • Assessment
  • 001: 100% Dissertation / Major Project: 8000 words or equivalent
• Presenting for Broadcasters (MD6107)
  • The aim of this module is to allow students to develop their broadcast presentation skills to an advanced level. Working in our news studios and on location, students will deliver live reports, bulletins and programme segments for radio and television output. These techniques will be underpinned by an appreciation of audiences and a deep understanding the production processes required to broadcast with authority, accuracy and clarity.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 36
  • Independent Learning Hours: 114
  • Assessment
  • 001: 100% Portfolio: Individual: 4000 words or equivalent
• Journalism Trends (MD6110)
  • This module will explore the latest trends in the way journalism is both produced and consumed. Students will learn new skills and techniques for content creation and audience analysis in practical sessions, covering topics such as social media, SEO, analytics, AI and VR, the Metaverse, newsletters and live streaming. The module culminates in a Dragons' Den style pitch to industry professionals.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 36
  • Independent Learning Hours: 114
  • Assessment
  • 001: 100% Portfolio: Individual: 4000 words or equivalent
• Media Communications and PR (MD6123)
  • This module examines the role of Public Relations in society and its changing relationship with the media. The increase in PR and other communications roles within business, politics, sport, and other sectors will be discussed and the growing influence of digital communications explored. Techniques used in the PR industry will be taught and analysed.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 36
  • Independent Learning Hours: 114
  • Assessment
  • 001: 100% Portfolio: Individual: 4000 words or equivalent
• Sports Data, Fantasy Sports and Esports (MD6128)
  • This module aims to provide students with a detailed understanding of new facets of sports journalism that have been stimulated by the digital age, particularly the use of data in producing sports media content. Distilling and deploying ‘big data’ in sports media output is a key focus of the module. Preparing students for the evolving sports media market, the module will also furnish students with both the practical skills and the contextual understanding of what it means to cover fantasy sports and esports for relevant demographics. From optimising the use of sports statistics to managing content surrounding fantasy sports, the module explores the spectrum of activities in contemporary digital sports media.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 36
  • Independent Learning Hours: 114
  • Assessment
  • 001: 100% Portfolio: Individual: 3500 words or equivalent
• The Communications Professional (MD6134)
  • This module will enable students to prepare for careers working as communications practitioners. Students will be offered an insight into the principles and practices of the workplace before being required to research, secure and undertake 50 hours of relevant work experience in organisations appropriate to their career aspirations.
  • Scheduled Contact Hours: 10
  • Independent Learning Hours: 90
  • Scheduled Hours on Placement: 50
  • Assessment
  • 001: 100% Portfolio: Individual: 3500 words or equivalent

Fees and Costs

You're viewing fees for the Full Time (1 years) top-up course option. Choose a different course option to see corresponding course fees.

Start date | Location | UCAS code | Fee (UK)
Fee per year | Fee (international)
Fee per year
---|---|---|---|---
Sep 2025 | Park, Cheltenham | P504 | £9,535 | £17,425
Sep 2026 | Park, Cheltenham | P504 | TBC | TBC
International students can benefit from a range of scholarships and bursaries across many undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. | Find out more

Careers

Sports Journalism is where where your passion for sports meets the power of storytelling. As a graduate, you’ll step into a world of exciting possibilities, from being the voice behind the thrilling goals as a football reporter to crafting engaging digital content as a digital sports video producer. Navigate the fast-paced realm of newsrooms as a newspaper sub-editor, or elevate your career as a communications officer for Premier League or Championship clubs.

Picture yourself in the spotlight as a TV sports presenter, or delve into the digital arena as an online sports reporter. With your skills honed at UoG, you could also find yourself creating compelling narratives across any number of media channels and outlets. Ignite your journey into the heart of sports journalism and transform your passion into a vibrant career.

Stories from Our Students

• Owen covered the Champions League at Anfield
• Ryan works in digital for Wycombe Wanderers FC
• Alex handles social media for the World Snooker tour

Teaching Staff

Academic Course Leader

Neil Leighton

Academic Course Leader for Sports Journalism and Communications (Level 6)

Visit academic course leader's profile

View all teaching staff for this course

98% Teaching satisfaction - NSS, 2024

Our Sports Journalism BSc (Hons) course scored 98% for teaching in the National Student Survey 2024.

100% Academic support - NSS, 2024

Our Journalism BA (Hons) course scored 100% for academic support in the National Student Survey 2024.

Develop Real-World Skills

Thanks to our strong relationships with nearby clubs such as Gloucester Rugby, Cheltenham Town, Gloucestershire Cricket and Forest Green Rovers, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to develop your match reporting and interviewing skills.

Learn from Expert Lecturers

You’ll be taught the full array of skills needed to be a Multimedia Journalist in the digital age, and be nurtured by a lecturing team whose ongoing experience in industry means the content of their teaching is bang up to date.

Use Game-Changing Equipment

Our media centre is equipped with TV and radio studios, multimedia newsrooms and an apple mac suite. Everything is as you will find in the industry – from the Burli newsroom management software we use, through to our BBC-standard JVC cameras. We also have all the latest broadcast technology, such as iPhone mojo kit.

School of Creative Arts

Explore and collaborate with creatives from across the spectrum. We offer the perfect environment to practice your craft and prepare you to graduate career-ready.

Visit the School of Creative Arts

Ranked 2nd in the UK for Student Satisfaction

Our communications & media Studies courses are ranked 2nd in the UK for student satisfaction by the Complete University Guide 2025.

Ranked 4th in the UK for Graduate Prospects

Our communications and media studies courses are ranked 4th in the UK for graduate prospects (outcomes) by the Complete University Guide 2025.

Ranked 8th in the UK for Teaching Satisfaction

Our journalism, publishing & public relations courses are ranked 8th in the UK for teaching satisfaction by the Guardian University Guide 2023.

Ranked 9th in the UK for Teaching and 5th for Academic Support

Our media, journalism and communications courses are ranked 9th in the UK for teaching and 5th for academic support according to the National Student Survey 2024.

Top 20 in the UK Overall

Our journalism, publishing & public relations courses are ranked in the top 20 in the UK by the Guardian University Guide 2023.

Placements

Our students have gone on placements to destinations as diverse as Real Madrid TV, Wimbledon and talkSPORT and two from our course were shortlisted for the 2024 FWA Student Football Writer of the Year Award in their respective female and male categories.

We’re perfectly located to offer a wide range of internship opportunities with leading women’s and men’s rugby teams such as Gloucester, Gloucester-Hartpury, Bristol Bears and Bath, while horse racing enthusiasts can benefit from excellent opportunities to cover the Cheltenham Festival and other meetings throughout the season.