Program Overview

Sports Journalism - BA (Hons)

Overview

This course will prepare you for a career in sports journalism by providing the knowledge, values and cutting-edge skills required to be a professional sports journalist. You will become an agile, independent sports reporter working across multiple platforms with the ability to understand the critical role that sports journalism plays in society by telling stories both on- and off-the pitch.

What's covered in this course?

You will develop creative storytelling skills that allow you to offer insight into important issues and shed light on a diverse range of sporting topics, all underpinned by traditional skills and values needed to excel in sports 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 into ongoing education.

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?

• Industry-standard equipment in our £62 million home in the city centre, including six radio studios, four TV studios, edit suites, music production studios, a newsroom media hub, and photography studios.
• You will learn cutting edge skills across multiple platforms and experience the thrill of live reporting from day one, publishing work on our Birmingham Eastside platform.
• Teaching by active journalists who are industry-leading specialists in their field, including data journalist and author Paul Bradshaw and hyperlocal reporting award-winner Ross Hawkes.
• A range of guest speaker masterclasses from across the sports journalism industry. Previous sessions have been delivered by editors and reporters from the likes of the BBC, Trinity Mirror, Twitter and Google.
• Top 15 for Communication and Media Studies graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024).

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)
• Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 112 UCAS Tariff points
• 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
• 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

International qualifications

• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Obtain a minimum of 28 points overall
• EU / International students: Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.

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)
• Sports Journalism Landscapes (20 credits)
• Introduction to Sports Journalism Techniques (20 credits)
• Investigating Media Texts, Industries and Audiences (20 credits)
• Digital Reporting (20 credits)
• Community and Industry Collaboration (20 credits)

Second Year

• Media Law in Practice (20 credits)
• Journalism in Context (20 credits)
• Sports PR and Communication (20 credits)
• Work Placement (20 credits)
• Live Project (20 credits)
• Collaborative Practice (20 credits)

Professional Placement Year (optional)

• Professional Placement (120 credits)

Final Year

• The Sports Industry (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 - including 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.
• Chris Lepkowski: Course Director: Sports Journalism
• Dr Ross Hawkes: College Academic Lead for Media and Journalism
• Dave Harte: Head of the College of English and Media (interim)
• Dr Olufunmilayo Jinadu: Lecturer in Broadcast Journalism