Program Overview

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MA Sports Journalism

Course summary

This course aims to provide you with the professional skills and knowledge required for a career in sports journalism and sports media.

You will learn how to research, write and present sports-based news, commentary and features to a high standard across print, online and broadcast platforms.

You will also develop an understanding of sports media and the ethical, legal and regulatory context in which sports journalists work.

How you learn

You will be encouraged to develop your skills as a reflective practitioner in a supportive learning environment.

You learn through

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Interactive workshops
• Tutorials and academic advising
• Formative and summative assessment
• Independent study
• Teamwork
• Guest speakers from sports journalism and sports media

Applied learning

The course is delivered by a team of journalists and media practitioners with a strong commitment to practical sports journalism teaching. The teaching team includes journalists who have worked for BBC News, ITV News, Yorkshire Post and Sheffield Star and have freelance experience in journalism and public relations.

We develop connections with regional sports clubs to be able to offer opportunities for students to experience press conferences, player interviews and match-reporting.

Networking opportunities

The team draws on industry links including with alumni to provide guest speakers and visits as well as to support you in finding work experience. A recent initiative has seen former students working in sports media returning for question-and-answer sessions where they have given advice on work experience, job-hunting and career progression.

Course leaders and tutors

Julie Gillin

Senior Lecturer in Journalism

I teach print and digital journalism on the undergraduate journalism degree and on the postgraduate journalism and PR degrees

Modules

Year 1

• Sports Journalism In Context (30 credits)
• Sports Writing (30 credits)

Final year

• Professional Practice And Media Law (30 credits)
• Sports Journalism Content Creation (30 credits)
• Sports Journalism Project/Dissertation (60 credits)

Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in:

• newspaper sports journalism
• broadcast sports journalism
• magazine sports journalism
• online sports journalism
• club journalism and public relations
• freelance sports journalism

Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

• a radio studio
• green screen technology
• an editing suite
• industry standard broadcast studios (TV and radio)
• green screen technology
• editing suites with the latest hardware and software
• exclusive access to three newsrooms

Where will I study?

You 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 your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

Entry requirements

• Normally an honours degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent in any subject.
• Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English.

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting part-time study in 2026/27 is £10,940 for the course.

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

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