Program Overview

Sports Journalism (with Foundation Year), BA (Hons)

Overview

Our Sports Journalism foundation year is the first step to your degree. You'll work on a number of different projects and develop your sports journalism skills.

Why study with us

• 1st in the North West for teaching quality (Guardian University Guide, Journalism, 2024)
• 2nd in the UK for career prospects (Guardian University Guide, Journalism, 2024)
• Our foundation year is flexible, allowing you to focus on sports journalism or try other creative subjects.
• Our course team are on-hand to support and guide you throughout your foundation year.
• Once you've progressed onto your degree, we work with a range of industry partners where you can gain real-world experience.

What you'll do

• You'll work on different projects where you can research, find and tell sports journalism stories.
• You'll have access to our specialist facilities, including newsrooms and a TV studio.
• You can showcase your ideas, skills and talent at our cJAM careers event with industry professionals.

Modules

Year 0

• Introduction to Specialisms
• Specialisms

Year 1

• Storytelling
• Media Law and Regulation
• Sports Reporting 1
• Digital Journalism

Year 2

• The Professional Sports Journalist 2
• Sports Desk 1
• Ethics
• Sport Magazine
• Match of the Day

Year 3

• Sports Desk 2
• Work Placement
• Sporting Issues
• Optional modules:
  • Podcasting
  • Digital Project
  • Documentary
  • Ethics

Entry requirements

• UCAS: 64 points at A2
• BTEC Extended Diploma: MPP
• BTEC Diploma: MM
• Pass Access Course: 64 UCAS points
• International Baccalaureate Diploma: Pass including 64 points from Higher Level subjects
• IELTS: 7.5 with no component lower than 7.5
• GCSEs: 5 at grade C/4 including Maths and English or equivalent

Fees and funding

• UK: £9,535 for the first year, £9,535 per year
• International: £17,250 for the first year, £17,325 per year
• Additional costs: See website for details
• Scholarships and bursaries: See website for details

Industry links

• Students have worked in the media departments of football clubs such as Manchester United, Chelsea and Manchester City during their studies.
• The course has close ties with Preston North End, with students regularly attending games and press conferences.
• We also have partnerships with Bolton Wanderers and Fleetwood Town, where students go on week-long placements.
• Close links with various clubs, sports organisations and employers in the North West cover all sports, not just football.
• The benefits of our connection with Google News Lab include networking opportunities and the chance to learn from current experts and professionals in the field.

Learning and assessment

• You will, on average, attend six hours of lectures and six hours of seminars, tutorials and workshops per week.
• Throughout the degree, you are assessed through individual and group presentations, reports, essays, posters, portfolios and end-of-module examinations.

Accreditations

• Broadcast Journalism Training Course (BJTC)

Future careers

• Sports Journalism graduates work with the BBC, Granada TV, Sky Sports, the Press Association, Sunday Express, Daily Star, Everton FC, Manchester United FC, UK Athletics, and many more print, online, broadcast and sports organisations.