Program Overview

Public Relations and Journalism BA (Hons)

Course Description

This new programme will give you a competitive advantage in both Public Relations and Journalism, enabling you to choose multiple communications career pathways in media, PR, or marketing. It combines cutting-edge multimedia skills with high-level PR and marketing expertise that employers value and need.

Study Options

• Full-time: 3 Years
• UK fee: £9,535 per year (2025/26)
• International fee: £16,900 per year (2025/26)
• UCAS points: 112 (September 2025 entry)
• UCAS code: JNP1
• Start date: September
• Location: Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

What You Will Study

Year 1

• Core modules:
  • Public Relations Skills
  • Newswriting
  • Discovering Audio and Video Journalism
  • Introduction to Public Relations and Communication Theory
  • Managing the Brand
  • Media Law

Year 2

• Core modules:
  • PR and Media Management
  • Content Creation
  • Future Trends in Journalism
• Optional modules:
  • Digital and Social Media
  • Fashion Journalism
  • Study Abroad (semester)

Year 3

• Core modules:
  • PR Campaigning or Journalism Project
• Optional modules:
  • Audio or Video Journalism Skills
  • Social Media Content Creation
  • Specialist Brand Marketing
  • Start-Up Business

How You Will Learn

• Workshops
• News days
• Work experience/real projects for employers
• Lectures and seminars, including guest lectures from key industry figures
• Field trips
• Technical visits
• Conferences

How You Are Assessed

• Coursework assignments, including:
  • PR and marketing plans
  • Features and news articles
  • Videography and podcasting
  • Live broadcasting
  • Social media campaigns
  • Smartphone and smart speaker journalism
  • Academic essays

Careers

This course equips graduates to find employment in both Public Relations and Journalism. In the PR field, our former students work as content creators, social media managers, and copywriters for international agencies, major sport, fashion, and high-street brands. Many also go into PR agencies as account executives. In journalism, recent graduates have become researchers on national BBC political programmes, reporters for Derbyshire Live and Nottinghamshire Live, station sound producers, and broadcast journalists on regional BBC Radio.

Entry Requirements

• UCAS points: 112
• A Level: BBC
• T Level: Merit
• BTEC: DMM
• GCSE: Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
• Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6
• English language requirements: IELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each skills area)

Fees and Funding

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

Additional Costs and Optional Extras

• Equipment including storage drives (about £10) and external storage drives (£50 - £100) for use with cameras
• Smartphone (£50 - £750) and accessories (e.g., external microphones, tripods)
• Laptop for use in the field (from £150)
• Travel to cover particular news stories (not required by the course)