Program Overview

Journalism with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Course Description

Study our brand-new curriculum, which has been updated to keep pace with the industry. Exciting new modules include Live Radio and Podcasting, The Newsroom, and Fashion Journalism. Through coursework and placements, you’ll gain direct experience of producing stories for online, print and broadcast formats. Learn from tutors that are highly experienced and well connected, having worked in online, print and broadcast roles for organisations like the BBC, ITV News, and local media outlets.

Study Options

• Full-time: 4 years (5 years with placement year)

Fees

• UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)

UCAS Points

• 72 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS Code

• P501

Start Date

• September

Location

• Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

Course Highlights

• Study a brand-new curriculum, updated to keep pace with the industry.
• Gain direct experience of producing stories for online, print and broadcast formats.
• Learn from highly experienced and well-connected tutors.
• Hear the latest insights, get advice from the best in industry and build contacts.
• Choose many of your modules and focus on areas that interest you from year two onwards.

Foundation Year

• Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life.
• The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree.

What You Will Study

• Core modules:
  • Literature
  • Study Skills
  • Creative Project
  • Law
• Optional modules:
  • English
  • Mathematics
  • Culture and Ideas
  • Political Studies

How You Will Learn

• During your foundation year, you will be assessed mainly by coursework, and with some in-class tests.
• For the rest of your degree, you’ll be assessed in several ways, including academic essays, audio and video reporting, case studies, editing skills, examinations, extended reports, journalistic writing, presentations, process analyses, production design and content production, production skills in image manipulation, reflective diaries, report writing and self-evaluation.

Who Will Teach You

• Alex Canner, Programme Leader

Careers

• This course develops the broad range of knowledge and skills you need to become a multimedia professional, adept in the production of content for print, online and broadcast outlets.
• Our graduates have gone on to work for magazines and local newspapers; BBC, commercial and community radio; and BBC and commercial TV.
• Others have set up their own digital businesses or worked for online agencies.

Entry Requirements

• UCAS points: 72
• A Level: DDD
• T Level: Pass
• BTEC: MMP
• GCSE: Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0, Merit: 30, Pass: 15
• English language requirements: IELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each skills area)

Additional Entry Requirements

• Portfolio: Recommended

Fees and Funding

• UK: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International: £16,900 per year (2025/26)

Additional Costs and Optional Extras

• Included in your fees:
  • Access to the Equipment Centre which stocks a huge range of cameras, audio equipment, and accessories which are available for booking by students at no cost
  • Various day field trips – for example, these have included Alton Towers, Shrovetide Football, the Bradford National Media Museum, and Escape rooms in the past year
  • Mandatory trips to media companies or other interesting organisations. Previous trips have included visiting BBC Radio Derby, the Derby Telegraph, the Nottingham Post and BBC News and Sport at Salford
• Mandatory costs not included in your fees:
  • Some equipment including storage drives (about £10) and external storage drives (£50 - £100) for use with cameras
• Optional costs not included in your fees:
  • It is useful but not essential to have a smartphone (£50 - £750)
  • Some students choose to buy accessories for the phone such as external microphones (approx. £10 - £15) and tripods (£5 - £25)
  • Some students also find it useful to purchase their own laptop for use in the field but this is not required (from £150)
  • It is also possible that you will want to travel to cover particular news stories - as this is not required by the course, the cost is not covered in your fees

How to Apply

• UK students: Apply through UCAS or directly to the University
• International students: Apply through our online application portal or through one of our trusted local representatives

Discover Uni

• 91% say staff value students views and opinions about the course
• 82% of students say teaching staff have supported their learning well
• 100% in work or doing further study 15 months after the course

Other Courses You Might Like

• Football Journalism BA (Hons)
• Journalism BA (Hons)
• Specialist Sports Journalism BA (Hons)