Program Overview

BA (Honours) Journalism, Public Relations with Media with Foundation Year

Course Summary

This course prepares students for a career in journalism, public relations, and media. The foundation year is designed to help students develop the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the full degree program.

How You Learn

The course is led by a team of industry experts and academics who provide a mix of tutor-directed learning, discussions, and student-led exercises. Students engage in collaborative activities, both in person and online, and are supported by digitally enhanced teaching.

Modules

Year 1

• Creative Synergies In Media Production: Introduces students to creative approaches to media production, encouraging experimentation with different techniques and formats.
• Media In Context: Develops skills of academic research, learning, and communication, introducing students to thinking and writing about their work in relation to the wider media landscape.
• Media Project: Supports students in the development and production of self-directed creative media or communication project work.
• Preparing For Independent Practice And Study: Helps students develop independent learning, key study skills, and attributes required for effective engagement with degree-level study.

Year 2

• Broadcast Journalism: Develops practical broadcast journalism skills, allowing students to work collaboratively with an organization to explore real-world challenges and professional roles.
• Campaign Management: Develops communication, planning, and management skills, focusing on working across multiple digital platforms.
• News Writing: Introduces students to the practices and theories of news journalism, including industry expectations and competencies.
• PR Essentials: Explores the history of public relations and journalism, encountering key theoretical perspectives on media and strategies of persuasive writing.

Year 3

• Content Creation: Equips students with the skills, contextual knowledge, and confidence to produce multi-media journalistic and PR artefacts.
• Crisis And Reputation Management: Develops theoretical, conceptual, and practical approaches to understanding, anticipating, and analyzing issues that threaten the reputation of individuals and organizations.
• Media Law, Regulation And Government: Introduces students to the key social, legal, governmental, and regulatory frameworks for professional journalism.
• Research And Investigation Skills: Further develops skills in research and journalistic investigation, enhancing ability to manage projects, work independently, and critically evaluate sources.

Year 4

• Entrepreneurship And Freelancing: Equips students with the skills, contextual knowledge, and confidence to succeed in a flexible working environment and understand the issues, problems, and opportunities involved in freelancing or starting their own business.
• Journalism, PR With Media Research Project: Allows students to undertake a project in an area of their choosing, focusing on their interests and ambitions.
• Long Form Journalism: Develops a deeper understanding and improved practical application of language, content, style, and structure in long-form journalism.
• Workplace Practice And Ethics: Supports students' understanding and critical awareness of organizational responses to ethical issues, corporate social responsibility, and environmental and social governance.

Future Careers

The course prepares students for careers in:

• Journalism
• Music and entertainment management
• In-house and agency PR
• Media relations
• Digital PR
• Event management
• Corporate communications
• Lobbying and political communications
• Radio
• Film and TV production
• Blogging
• Social media
• Content creation

Equipment and Facilities

Students work with:

• The PR Hub, a custom-designed flexible teaching and learning space
• The TV studio to broadcast news bulletins and learn about production
• The radio studios to gain skills for audio broadcast
• Editing software and video/audio hardware
• The Creative Media Centre's skilled support team

Where Will I Study?

Students study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars, and practical sessions, as well as access to digital and online resources to support their learning.

Entry Requirements

• 80 UCAS points, with at least 32 points from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications
• English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents
• Maths at grade C or 4 or equivalents
• An Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2
• IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent

Fees and Funding

• Home students: £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during the placement year)
• International students: £18,000 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during the placement year)

Additional Course Costs

• General course additional costs
• Additional costs for Sheffield Creative Industries Institute (PDF, 745.6KB)