Program Overview

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Sports Journalism MA

Overview

Learn from award-winning writers, broadcasters, and academics on our hands-on Sports Journalism degree. Study to be a sports journalist on our award-winning degree that combines work experience, theory, and hands-on training. Our students get the opportunity to:

• write for the Sports Gazette
• network with industry professionals
• produce podcasts, films, TV shows, and documentaries
• secure work experience and industry placements
• obtain an NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Journalism

Accreditation and Praise

Our master’s degree was the first postgraduate sports journalism programme to be accredited by the NCTJ. The programme has consistently been the NCTJ’s top-ranked sports journalism course and was also named top postgraduate journalism degree in England in 2021.

Contribute to the Sports Gazette

Kickstart your career by contributing to our celebrated online magazine, Sports Gazette. You will create and edit exciting content alongside industry professionals and other students.

A Focus on Networking and Employability

We run an exciting industry networking programme that includes:

• attending press conferences and live sporting events
• mentoring
• insider tips on CVs, interviews, and jobs
• interviewing editors, producers, and our graduates

Championing Women Journalists

We have trained more female sports journalists than any other course in the UK.

Expert Teaching and Support

Our academics are award-winning journalists, broadcasters, and researchers. They currently include Richard Lenton, Marina Izidro, and Daniel Gallan.

Work Placements: Build Professional Experience

We guarantee every student a work placement, and there are often opportunities to earn while you learn.

Course Content

Modules

These modules are the modules that were available to students in the 2024/25 academic year and are illustrative of what may be offered for 2025/26.

• Journalism Skills: Reporting and News Writing (Core)
• Digital Sports Journalism (Core)
• Media Law, Regulation and Ethics (Core)
• Critical Issues in Sports Journalism (Core)
• Sports Journalism Project (Core)
• Sports Writing (Core)
• Working in Sports Media (Core)
• Public Affairs for Journalists (Optional)
• Shorthand (Optional)
• Data Journalism (Optional)
• Public Relations and Communications (Optional)

Entry Requirements

• 2:1 Previous degree
• We normally require a good degree in any discipline
• In exceptional circumstances, we may accept a student without such a qualification if they demonstrate an aptitude and commitment to sport and/or journalism
• All candidates selected for interview will be asked to submit samples of their journalism and sit a short one-hour entrance test
• International students should check our country-specific pages for equivalents
• If English is not your first language, you will need to achieve an IELTS score of 7.0 overall with no less than 7.5 in writing

Fees & Funding

• Home: £11,910
• International: £18,750
• A non-refundable deposit of £500 is required for Home/EU students to confirm their place
• The Journalism Diversity Fund is available to applicants without the financial means to attend an NCTJ training course
• Additional costs: Your tuition fees cover the cost of all core elements of your degree course, including all your NCTJ exam fees (approximately £350)
• Alumni discount: A 10% tuition fee discount is available for our alumni (undergraduate and PGCE) planning to study this Master's degree
• Funding: Except for any iQTS courses, you can check on the UK government website to see if you may be eligible for a loan of up to £12,167 to help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate programme

How the Degree is Taught

Assessment Methods

Our approach to assessment reflects industry practice. There is plenty of scope to be creative. Tasks include writing regular stories for immediate publication, sub-editing, participating in editorial meetings, and working in teams on live news days. We work to strict deadlines, and you will get the opportunity to publish your work for a range of publications. You will also sit a number of NCTJ Diploma Exams.

Career Opportunities

Our Sports Journalism degree offers one of the best routes into the industry. We will train you to become a journalist and content creator for the digital age. Some of our graduates include:

• Hugh Woozencroft
• Emma Paton
• Katie Shanahan
• Daldeep Kaur
• Júlia Belas
• Daniel Gallan (NCTJ student sports journalist of the year 2019)
• Yara El-Shaboury (FWA Vikki Orvice Student Football Writer of the Year 2022)
• Shubi Arun (SJA Academy Award winner 2023)

The Sports Journalism master's will also help you develop essential transferable skills, such as communication, adaptability, and critical thinking.