Program Overview

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Course Overview

The Journalism BA at the University of Winchester is an award-winning course accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC). It prepares students for the fast-paced world of digital journalism, with a focus on creating high-quality content for television, radio, online, and social media platforms.

Course Features

• Produce award-winning student journalism while learning from lecturers still working as professional journalists
• Accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), the leading industry-led journalism training body
• High graduate employability rate - our graduates have gone on to work at BBC, ITV, Sky News, C5, The Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Independent, The Mail, The Sun, Times Literary Supplement, Heart FM, LBC, CNBC, and AFP

Course Details

Our aim is to shape 'confident learners' by enabling you to develop the skills needed to excel in your studies here and as well as onto further studies or the employment market.

You are taught primarily through a combination of lectures and seminars, allowing opportunities to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups.

Independent Learning

Over the duration of your course, you will be expected to develop independent and critical learning, progressively building confidence and expertise through independent and collaborative research, problem-solving, and analysis with the support of staff. You take responsibility for your own learning and are encouraged to make use of the wide range of available learning resources available.

Overall Workload

Your overall workload consists of class contact hours, independent learning, and assessment activity.

While your actual contact hours may depend on the optional modules you select, the following information gives an indication of how much time you will need to allocate to different activities at each level of the course.

Year 1 (Level 4): Timetabled teaching and learning activity

• Teaching, learning, and assessment: 216 hours
• Independent learning: 984 hours

Year 2 (Level 5): Timetabled teaching and learning activity

• Teaching, learning, and assessment: 240 hours
• Independent learning: 960 hours

Year 3 (Level 6): Timetabled teaching and learning activity

• Teaching, learning, and assessment: 144 hours
• Independent learning: 936 hours
• Placement: 120 hours

*Please note these are indicative hours for the course.

The approach to this journalism course is based around the creation of a simulated real-life working news and sports production operation. The course uses all the technology of the social media age. This approach, together with very low staff-student ratios enables us to tailor the course to the individual needs and ambitions of particular students. At Winchester journalism students can specialise in magazine, consumer and fashion journalism, sports journalism, news, campaigning and investigative journalism; either online or on radio or TV and for magazines.

Location

Taught elements of the course take place on campus in Winchester.

Teaching Hours

All class-based teaching takes places between 9am – 6pm, Monday to Friday during term time. Wednesday afternoons are kept free from timetabled teaching for personal study time and for sports clubs and societies to train, meet, and play matches. There may be some occasional learning opportunities (for example, an evening guest lecturer or performance) that take places outside of these hours for which you will be given forewarning.

Assessments

Our validated courses may adopt a range of means of assessing your learning. An indicative, and not necessarily comprehensive, list of assessment types you might encounter includes essays, portfolios, supervised independent work, presentations, written exams, or practical performances.

We ensure all students have an equal opportunity to achieve module learning outcomes. As such, where appropriate and necessary, students with recognised disabilities may have alternative assignments set that continue to test how successfully they have met the module's learning outcomes. Further details on assessment types used on the course you are interested in can be found on the course page, by attending an Open Day or Open Evening, or contacting our teaching staff.

Percentage of the course assessed by coursework

The assessment balance between examination and coursework depends to some extent on the optional modules you choose. The approximate percentage of the course assessed by different assessment modes is as follows:

Year 1 (Level 4)*:

• 87% coursework
• 13% written exams
• 0% practical assessment

Year 2 (Level 5)*:

• 100% coursework
• 0% written exams
• 0% practical assessment

Year 3 (Level 6)*:

• 87% coursework
• 13% written exams
• 0% practical assessment

*Please note these are indicative percentages and modes for the programme.

Feedback

We are committed to providing timely and appropriate feedback to you on your academic progress and achievement in order to enable you to reflect on your progress and plan your academic and skills development effectively. You are also encouraged to seek additional feedback from your course tutors.

Modules

Please note the modules listed are correct at the time of publishing. The University cannot guarantee the availability of all modules listed and modules may be subject to change. The University will notify applicants of any changes made to the core modules listed.

Year 1 Year 2 Year 3

Modules

Radio Production and Podcasting 30 Credits

With guidance from tutors and technicians, this module will provide you with an introduction to the logistics, practices, and pressures associated with traditional radio production and newer exclusively digital standards.

Media Law 15 Credits

This module covers the basic curriculum of practical legal and regulatory knowledge required by professional journalists. Topics covered include libel, contempt of court, copyright, and privacy and Ofcom regulations.

Introduction to Journalism 30 Credits

This module provides an introduction to the media industries and the role of journalism in providing valuable commercial content for these businesses. There are two main objectives for this module: for you to produce a feature and to master the basics of news writing.

Video Production and Presentation 30 Credits

In this module, you will complete a solo video package mixing reportage, script, and interviews. Work will be assessed according to legal and ethical frameworks and recognised industry best practice.

Modules

Digital Reporting skills 30 Credits

You will produce digital content for a publication or broadcasting deadline using the latest digital journalistic skills and techniques.

Newsroom Live 30 Credits

In this module, you will produce stories for digital platforms, edit and proofread, present effectively, add interactive elements, and then publish them.

Multimedia News Production 30 Credits

This module will allow you to enhance and develop your core journalism skills. In doing so, you will replicate industry practice and produce a high standard multimedia piece of content to a deadline.

Running a Professional Newsroom 30 Credits

This module explores and analyses the role and impact of journalism in contemporary societies along with critiquing the ideological, political, and social dimensions of journalistic practices and organisations. The lectures also consider the notions of social responsibility to professional practice in the media and communications industries.

Modules

Multi-Platform Journalism 30 Credits

This module sets out to build on your abilities to perform as a skilled journalist within a live multi-platform newsroom setting. You will be equipped with all the skills and knowledge you need to produce immersive, digital, cross-platform content.

Advanced Media Law and Regulation 30 Credits

This module supplements the study of principles and statutes developed in your first year with the analysis of current cases and recent precedents both in the courts and in the findings of key regulatory bodies such as Ofcom.

Major Project in Sports Journalism Credits

You will work independently to produce a documentary or equivalent. You are also required to undertake a period of work-based learning in line with the University’s approved procedures for work-based learning and placements.

Entry Requirements

UK International

104-120 points

Our offers are typically made using UCAS tariff points to allow you to include a range of level 3 qualifications and as a guide, the requirements for this course are equivalent to:

A-Levels: BCC-BBB from 3 A Levels or equivalent grade combinations (e.g. BBB is comparable to ABC in terms of tariff points). An A-Level A*-C pass is required in one of the following subjects: English, Economics, Politics, Languages, Science, or a related subject.

BTEC/CTEC: DMM from BTEC or Cambridge Technical (CTEC) qualificationsInternational Baccalaureate: To include a minimum of 2 Higher Level certificates at grade H4

T Level: Merit in a T Level

Additionally, we accept tariff points achieved for many other qualifications, such as the Access to Higher Education Diploma, Scottish Highers, UAL Diploma/Extended Diploma, and WJEC Applied Certificate/Diploma, to name a few. We also accept tariff points from smaller level 3 qualifications, up to a maximum of 32, from qualifications like the Extended Project (EP/EPQ), music, or dance qualifications. To find out more about UCAS tariff points, including what your qualifications are worth, please visit UCAS.

In addition to level 3 study, the following GCSEs are required:

GCSEs English Language at grade 4 or C, or higher. Functional Skills at level 2 is accepted as an alternative, however Key Skills qualifications are not. If you hold another qualification, please get in touch and we will advise further

If you will be over the age of 21 years of age at the beginning of your undergraduate study, you will be considered as a mature student. This means our offer may be different and any work or life experiences you have will be considered together with any qualifications you hold. UCAS have further information about studying as a mature student on their website which may be of interest.

International points required

If English is not your first language, a formal English language test will most likely be required and you will need to achieve the following:

• IELTS Academic at 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (for year 1 entry)
• We also accept other English language qualifications, such as IELTS Indicator, Pearson PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced, and TOEFL iBT

If you are living outside of the UK or Europe, you can find out more about how to join this course by contacting our International Recruitment Team.

Tuition Fees

2025/6 Course Tuition Fees

| UK / Channel Islands /
Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland | International
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Year 1* | £9,535 | £16,700

Additional Tuition Fee Information

*(UK / Channel Islands / Isle of Man / Republic of Ireland) £9,535 for the 25/26 academic year. Fees for future academic years will be determined in line with our Terms and Conditions. The fee is currently subject to a governmental fee cap for each academic year. It is our policy to charge tuition fees at the level of the cap set by the Government. If the cap set by the Government changes, then we may increase our Fees in line with governmental policy.

*(International) £16,700 for the 25/26 academic year. Fees for future academic years will be determined in line with our Terms and Conditions. We decide the annual level of increase of our Tuition Fees by taking into account a range of factors including the cost of delivering the course and change in governmental funding.

Remember, you don’t have to pay any of this upfront if you are able to get a tuition fee loan from the UK Government to cover the full cost of your fees each year.

UK Part-Time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £79.45 and a 15 credit module is £1,191. Part-time students can take up to a maximum 90 credits per year, so the maximum fee in a given year will be the government permitted maximum fee of £7,145

International part-time fees are calculated on a pro rata basis of the full-time fee for a 120 credit course. The fee for a single credit is £139.14 and a 15 credit module is £2,087.

Additional Costs

Core Texts

Core Texts are available from the University Library; however, we strongly recommend students purchase their own books. In Year 3 students are required to buy 3 core text books. These texts can be bought from the university bookshop, which in recent years have been offered as a package deal. Students can also find hard copies/e-copies of these books in the library. Indicative cost is £30-£200 per academic year.

Placement

In Year 3, students are required to take a 15-day placement. Students are required to cover the cost of travel to their placement. Costs vary depending on travelling distance and mode of transport.

Disclosure and Barring Service

A Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) clearance check may be required if you undertake a placement, volunteering, research, or other course-related activity where you will have contact with children or vulnerable adults. The requirement for a DBS check will be confirmed by staff as part of the process to approve your placement, research, or other activity. The indicative cost is £40.

Career Prospects

Graduates go into print, broadcast, and electronic media as reporters, producers, and researchers. Support is given in seeking both work placements during study and future employment to boost your career in journalism.

Pre-approved for a Masters

University of Winchester students studying Bachelor Honours degrees are pre-approved to start a Masters degree at Winchester. To be eligible students must apply by the end of March in their final year and meet the entry requirements of their chosen Masters degree.