Program Overview

Introduction to the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism with a Foundation Year

The BA (Hons) Sports Journalism with a Foundation Year is a four-year program designed to prepare students for a career in sports journalism. This course provides students with the knowledge, values, and cutting-edge skills required to be a professional sports journalist.

Course Overview

This course is delivered by industry experts from broadcast, print, and digital media, providing a strong foundation for a professional career. The program includes a range of modules that cover the principles of sports journalism, media law, and ethics. Students will learn how to report on a broad range of sports, develop their writing and broadcasting skills, and understand the role of sports journalism in society.

Foundation Year

The foundation year is designed to allow students who do not initially meet the entry requirements for a three-year degree to undertake additional level 3 study. This year includes modules such as:

• Media Audiences
• Professional and Academic Skills
• Media Production Practice
• Collaborative Media Production
• Media Concepts and Investigation
• Media Project

First Year

In the first year, students will study modules such as:

• 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

Second Year

In the second year, students will study modules such as:

• Media Law in Practice
• Journalism in Context
• Sports PR and Communication
• Work Placement
• Live Project
• Collaborative Practice
• Optional modules such as Bi-Media Drama, Comedy in the Media and Popular Culture, Fandoms and Subcultures, Photojournalism, Television Studio, and Creating Compelling Content

Final Year

In the final year, students will study modules such as:

• The Sports Industry
• Major Project Preparation
• Major Project - Dissertation, Hybrid, or Production
• Optional modules such as Media Activism, Understanding Social Media: Practices, Cultures and Debates, Digital Futures, Creative Camera, Radio Station, Audio Drama and Podcast Writing, Audience and User Experience, Gender, Sexuality and the Body, Race, Media and Culture, Popular Music Narratives, Media Production Company, and Communication in Action

Employability

The course is designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge required for a career in sports journalism. Graduates have gone on to work for organizations such as Sky, BBC, Reach Plc, and the Express & Star.

Facilities and Staff

The university has state-of-the-art facilities, including a ｣62 million fully-digital Media Centre. The staff are experienced professionals in the field of sports journalism, with a strong track record of research and industry connections.

Admission Criteria

The admission criteria for the course include:

• 80 UCAS Tariff points
• GCSE and other level 2 requirements (not applicable for this course)
• A Level, BTEC, and other level 3 requirements (specific grades and subjects required)
• International qualifications (equivalent to the above requirements)
• Mature students (applications considered on their merits)

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the course are:

• ｣9,790 per year for UK students (2026/27)
• ｣18,570 per year for international students (2026/27)

Conclusion

The BA (Hons) Sports Journalism with a Foundation Year is a comprehensive program that provides students with the skills, knowledge, and experience required for a successful career in sports journalism. With its strong industry connections, state-of-the-art facilities, and experienced staff, this course is an excellent choice for students who are passionate about sports journalism.