Program Overview

Introduction to the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism Course

The BA (Hons) Sports Journalism course at Birmingham City University is designed to prepare students for a career in sports journalism, providing them with the knowledge, values, and cutting-edge skills required to be a professional sports journalist. This course has been designed in close collaboration with leading industry experts and researchers in journalism.

Course Overview

This course will enable students to become agile, independent sports reporters working across multiple platforms, with the ability to understand the critical role that sports journalism plays in society. Students will learn how to work across multiple formats, understanding the democratic role of journalism in ensuring a diversity of stories are told. The course covers a wide range of topics, including the evolution of sports journalism, the techniques used to create sports journalism articles, and the role of sports journalism within the wider media and sporting industry.

Course Structure

The course is divided into four years, including an optional Professional Placement Year. The first year focuses on introducing students to key concepts and approaches to understanding media texts, industries, and audiences. The second year builds on the first year, with modules such as Media Law in Practice, Journalism in Context, and Sports PR and Communication. The final year includes modules such as The Sports Industry, Major Project Preparation, and a choice of optional modules.

Modules

• Understanding Media Texts, Industries and Audiences
• Sports Journalism Landscapes
• Introduction to Sports Journalism Techniques
• Investigating Media Texts, Industries and Audiences
• Digital Reporting
• Community and Industry Collaboration
• Media Law in Practice
• Journalism in Context
• Sports PR and Communication
• Work Placement
• Live Project
• Collaborative Practice
• The Sports Industry
• Major Project Preparation
• Major Project - Dissertation
• Major Project - Hybrid
• Major Project - Production

Optional Modules

• Bi-Media Drama
• Comedy in the Media and Popular Culture
• Fandoms and Subcultures
• Photojournalism
• Television Studio
• Creating Compelling Content
• Digital Storytelling
• Radio Documentary and Podcast Production
• Commercial Photography
• Emotion, Media and Culture
• PR Campaign Planning
• Digital Creators Lab: Media and Journalism
• Exploring PR, social media and influencers
• Live Music and Media
• Live Radio Production
• Audio Drama and Podcast Writing
• Audience and User Experience
• Gender, Sexuality and the Body
• Race, Media and Culture
• Popular Music Narratives
• Media Production Company
• Communication in Action
• Feature Writing for News Media

Entry Requirements

• Standard offer: 112 UCAS Tariff points
• Accelerate offer: 80 UCAS Tariff points
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements: This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications
• A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements:
  • A Level: 112 UCAS Tariff points / BBC (or equivalent)
  • AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels
  • A maximum of four subjects will be considered
  • Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 112 UCAS Tariff points
  • T Level: Merit overall All subjects accepted but Digital Production, Design and Development and Media, Broadcast and Production preferred
  • Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered
  • OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points
  • NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points
  • WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 112 UCAS Tariff points
  • Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 112 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects
  • Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 112 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (CCD) or two Advanced Highers (CD) plus two Highers (CC)
  • Welsh Baccalaureate: 112 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Merit overall
  • Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Distinction overall

Fees and Funding

• UK students: £9,790 in 2026/27
• International students: £18,570 in 2026/27
• Included in your course fees:
  • Access to computer equipment
  • Printing
  • Field trips
  • Access to Microsoft Office 365
  • Key software
  • Key subscriptions
  • Specialist equipment
• Not included in your course fees:
  • Media consumable items (mandatory)
  • Excess printing (optional)
  • Personal stationery and study materials (optional)
  • Placement expenses (optional)
  • Field trips (optional)
  • Books (optional)
  • Personal equipment (optional)
  • Memberships (optional)
  • Accommodation and living costs (optional)

How You Will Learn

Your learning will be through a mixture of lectures, practical workshops, and seminars. Your course also provides an opportunity to undertake work-based learning through a placement. We embed flexible opportunities for you to access your curriculum, including recorded lectures, blended learning, on-campus delivery, and intensive delivery of some modules.

Assessment

All our assessments are designed to ensure that you meet the learning outcomes of your modules and thus of the course overall. Assessment types may include written research reports, essays, case studies, practical work, portfolios, and presentations. There are no formal examinations on your course, but short classroom tests may be included within an element of assessment.

Facilities and Staff

You will learn in our state-of-the-art facilities, including the £62m fully-digital Media Centre, located on the City Centre Campus. You will enjoy access to extensive studio and workshop space, including four TV studios, six radio studios, and broadcast-standard edit suites, as well as cutting-edge equipment and software. Our staff are experienced professionals in their field, with a passion for teaching and a commitment to helping you achieve your goals.

Employability

The course will equip you with first-hand practical expertise and provide you with the rigorous academic knowledge you'll need to fulfill a career in your chosen communications and journalism field. Our track record for graduate employment is excellent, with the majority of graduates going into a media-related role. Regular guest speakers and visiting lecturers from newspapers, broadcast, magazines, and online publications will provide you with an insight into the modern journalism industry.