Journalism BA

Institution City University London
Method At the institution
Location London
Type Undergraduate
Course fee By request

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Journalism BA

Entry requirements Typical offers 300 UCAS tariff points, typically BBB at A-level. In addition: applicants must have GCSE grade C minimum (or equivalent) in English language, a second language and maths/statistics. We welcome applications from mature students with non-standard qualifications, particularly those with relevant work experience and/or an access or foundation qualification. Students are selected on the basis of the following criteria: academic performance/potential; interest in and commitment to journalism as a career (including relevant work experience); writing ability. Shortlisted candidates are invited to submit some journalistic articles. English language requirements IELTS: 7.0 GCSE: English language grade
Academic title Journalism BA
Course description Course overview

This course is aimed at the many students who have decided to make a career in journalism. It provides practical education and proficiency in print, broadcast and web journalism. You will also study all the other subjects which are essential to a successful career, including shorthand, media law and government, and be able to choose between other courses including international news and web creation and design.

BA in Journalism is taught in City’s prestigious department of journalism and publishing, which has over 4,000 alumni working as journalists and media professionals in the UK and internationally. The first graduates of the BA Journalism course will begin their full-time careers in summer 2009, and we anticipate that they will maintain the department’s impressive graduate employment record.

Course content

Year 1

In Year one, you will be introduced to the basic principles of journalism, and have an opportunity to spend some time on a minor subject, from sociology, economics or psychology. You will study two core modules:

    * Introduction to journalism
    * History of journalism

Then up to six optional modules:

    * Introduction to Journalism 1
    * History of Journalism
    * European Studies
    * Quantitative Methods for Journalists
    * A foreign language
    * Introductory social science courses

Year 2

All students take the following courses:

    * Introduction to journalism 2
    * Print and radio production
    * Shorthand
    * Structure of government

Then two elective modules from:

    * History of journalism 2
    * A foreign language
    * British magazines
    * Web creation and design

Final year

All students take the following courses:

    * Advanced practical journalism print
    * Advanced practical journalism broadcast
    * Media law and ethics
    * Journalism project (print, broadcast, or web)

Then two elective modules from:

    * International news
    * Specialism
    * History of journalism project
    * Journalism and society project

Teaching and assessment

Journalism teaching has a practical emphasis. Students will spend much of their time in small workshops learning journalistic skills – such as reporting a speech, presenting a radio news broadcast, interviewing and preparing page layouts on screen – and will produce short news and feature stories regularly. As professional work experience is the key to getting a job in journalism, all students are expected to arrange a variety of placements during their degree and tutors help with setting this up.

Assessment is split equally between coursework and examinations, and coursework assignments are submitted weekly. Coursework is usually worth 60 per cent of the overall module, and the examination worth 40 per cent, although this varies across modules.

Professional placement and study abroad

Students are encouraged to spend their third year out, either on one of the exchange programmes arranged by City to journalism schools abroad, or to spend the year doing work placements or paid work in the industry. There are at present exchange programmes with journalism schools in Canada, Australia, Hong Kong, Denmark, The Netherlands and Spain. Students who undertake the year out, thus completing a four year degree, find it extremely useful.