Program Overview

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BA (Hons) Journalism

Overview

Our course provides you with a practical and critical understanding of the changing face of journalism and the legal, political and economic aspects of the profession.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

P500

Placement:

Yes

Study Abroad:

Yes

Course details

This is a full-time course studied over four years. Our curriculum is developed to reflect the latest industry trends. The course builds insight into the media industry, developing a sophisticated skillset that will aid employability. Students develop professional experience first hand – encompassing newsgathering across digital platforms, writing, radio and TV package creation (including the technical operation of equipment and editing software), and digital know-how (including basic coding, website design and app building).

How you’ll be taught

You’ll learn by a variety of teaching methods including lectures, tutorials, specialist workshops, practical work in our studios and independent study.

Assessments

As part of your programme of study, you’ll experience a variety of assessments, though the vast majority fall into two categories:

1. Academic essays, which show you understand the theory behind a subject
2. Practical pieces of work (such as news stories, feature articles, radio scripts etc).

Work placement

Through our links with various news organisations, you’ll have the opportunity to take part in week-long placements or longer throughout your studies. A number of paid internships are also regularly available.

Study abroad

You’ll have the opportunity to study a broad range of disciplines within journalism, specialising in your chosen area in Years 2 and 3. We have excellent links with universities worldwide and you'll have the opportunity to study in Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands, Spain or the USA.

Popular modules

Year 1

• Introduction to Reporting
• Global Current Affairs
• Covering the Arts
• News writing
• Public Affairs for Journalists
• Introduction to Broadcast Journalism

Year 2

• Sub-editing and Design
• Social Media
• Feature Writing
• Radio News
• Media Law for Journalists
• Literary Journalism or Sports Journalism

Year 3

• Magazine Production
• Information, Communication & Society
• TV News
• Investigative Journalism
• Digital Platforms
• TV Studio Presentation or Documentary Practice

Year 4

• Dissertation
• Newsdays
• Major Project
• Professional Development

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Year 1

Minimum Year 1

• SQA Higher: Standard Entry Requirement: ABBB including English. Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: BBCC including English.
• A Level: BBC including English or other literary subject*.
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2, H2, H2, H3 at HL including English.
• BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3: Minimum grades DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a relevant subject plus Grade C in A Level English.
• BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3: Minimum grades DD (Distinction, Distinction) in a relevant subject plus Grade C in A Level English.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Award of Diploma with 29 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6,5,5 including Grade 5 in English.
• T Level: Grade Merit. T Level must be completed in a English/Literary subject or A Level English may be required.

Year 2

Minimum Year 2

• SQA Advanced Higher: BBC including English
• A Level: BBB including English or other literary subject*
• HNC: Pass HNC in Creative Industries: Media and Communication, Practical Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations, Radio or Creative Industries: Television with grade B in the graded unit.

Year 3

Minimum Year 3

• HND: Pass HND in Practical Journalism, Radio or Creative Industries: Television with grade B at SCQF Level 8 in all graded units.

English language

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with 6.5 overall with no element below 6.0.

International students

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying.

Tuition fees for 2024/25

• Scotland: £1,820
• England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland: £9,250
• Overseas and EU: £16,680

Careers

Our graduates have an impressive track record of gaining employment in the news media. This course can lead to a number of careers in the following areas:

• Newspapers
• Magazines
• Radio
• Television
• Digital
• Multimedia
• News agencies
• Corporate communications
• Public relations

Recent graduates have gained full-time work in these fields as well as with employers such as the BBC, STV, BT Sport and Glasgow 2014.