Program Overview

Journalism - BA (Hons)

Overview

This course will prepare you for a career in journalism by providing you with the knowledge and cutting-edge skills required to be a professional journalist. You will become an agile, independent reporter working across multiple platforms with the ability to understand the democratic role of journalism in society, ensuring a diversity of stories are told.

What's covered in this course?

You will learn through research-and practice-informed teaching and have the chance to undertake placement opportunities. You will develop creative storytelling skills that allow you to offer insight into important issues and shed light on a diverse range of news stories, all underpinned by traditional skills and knowledge needed to excel in journalism. As well as technical skills, you will also develop the ability to analyse, innovate and explore theoretical concepts to enable you to make your mark in the industry or progress to further study.

Professional Placement year

This course offers an optional professional placement year. This allows you to spend a whole year with an employer, following successful completion of your second year, and is a great way to find out more about your chosen career. Some students even return to the same employers after completing their studies.

Why Choose Us?

• Innovative storytelling with real-world impact: Experience live reporting and publishing your work on our Birmingham Eastside platform. Our unique experimentation ethos encourages you to push creative boundaries across multiple platforms, developing cutting-edge skills to engage diverse audiences in novel ways.
• Learn from award-winning, active journalists: Benefit from the expertise of industry-leading specialists, including renowned data journalist and author Paul Bradshaw and hyperlocal reporting award-winner Ross Hawkes.
• Partnerships with local news organisations offering insider access: Benefit from tutorials and masterclasses led by industry professionals, plus placement opportunities and newsroom visits.
• Excellent facilities rivalling professional newsrooms: Gain hands-on experience in six radio studios, four TV studios, one of the largest free-standing green screens in the UK, advanced edit suites, music production studios, a dynamic newsroom media hub, and professional-grade photography studios.
• Proven career success: Ranked in the Top 15 for Communication and Media Studies graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024), setting you up for a competitive edge in the job market.
• Personalised career guidance: Access tailored internship placements, industry networking events, and one-on-one career coaching to jumpstart your journalism career.

Entry Requirements

Essential 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 / AS Level:
  • 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
  • Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications
  • Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications
• 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
  • Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s)
• 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 & How to Apply

UK students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 3 years
• Fees: £9,535 in 2025/26

International students

• Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study.
• The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament.
• Award: BA (Hons)
• Starting: Sep 2025
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 3 years
• Fees: £17,690 in 2025/26

Course in Depth

First Year

• Understanding Media Texts, Industries and Audiences (20 credits)
• Investigating Media Texts, Industries and Audiences (20 credits)
• Telling Stories with Journalism (20 credits)
• Digital Reporting (20 credits)
• Journalism Techniques (20 credits)
• Community and Industry Collaboration (20 credits)

Second Year

• Journalism in Context (20 credits)
• Media Law in Practice (20 credits)
• Practical Reporting (20 credits)
• Work Placement (20 credits)
• Live Project (20 credits)
• Collaborative Practice (20 credits)

Professional Placement Year (optional)

• Professional Placement (120 credits)

Final Year

• Advanced Reporting (20 credits)
• Major Project Preparation (20 credits)
• Major Project - Dissertation (40 credits)
• Major Project - Hybrid (40 credits)
• Major Project - Production (40 credits)

Employability

• The course will equip you with first-hand practical expertise and provide you with the rigorous academic knowledge you’ll need to fulfil 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.
• A number of journalism graduates from Birmingham City University have gone into roles such as social media editor, reporter, and trending video editor.

Facilities & Staff

• Our state-of-the-art facilities include 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 include Dr Rachel-Ann Charles, Dr Ross Hawkes, Professor Diane Kemp, Dr Trust Matsilele, Dr Olufunmilayo Jinadu, and Paul Bradshaw.