This course is designed to prepare students for careers in modern digitalised newsrooms and to allow students to work in a range of media, from traditional printed newspapers through to modern celebrity news blogs. More importantly, this course teaches students to understand how the language used can alter, shape, and entirely transform the same set of events into completely different stories. Further, it encourages students to understand the extraordinary power that language can have. A single speech can start or stop a revolution, a news article can topple or secure a government, and a publication can inspire selfless charity, or incite violence and cruelty. In short, an excellent command of language is particularly empowering, most especially where this knowledge encapsulates the use of language in the media.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

260-280 points at A2 including a ‘B’ minimum at A2 level in English Language or Journalism or cognate subject.

Course Content

This course has been developed as a response to changes taking place at both the societal and the educational level. Technological developments and economic conditions have resulted in the increased need to provide students with a toolkit of employability skills and strategies which enable them to identify and pursue a rewarding career. It builds on existing strengths and dynamic developments within both subject areas and is based on the teaching team's capabilities in providing both academic expertise and a wide range of Employability-related skills and experience. The course is underpinned by state-of-the-art research. Members of the English Language team have international reputations in their respected fields. Journalism has an excellent reputation in providing industry training for journalism and applied communication professionals, and has invaluable contacts in the news and media industry, and graduates employed in news organisations around the world. Both teams are well known for their excellence in teaching provision.

In the first year (stage one) you will follow a common programme of study which includes the following modules:

LG1200 - English Language Workshop 1
LG1210 - Language of the Media
LG1202 - English in the Digital Age
LG1203 – Introduction to English Grammar
LG1204 – Introduction to English Phonology & Phonetics
JN1800 - Introduction to Journalism, Practice and Principles
JN1009 - UK Journalism 

In years two and three (stage two) you will take the following modules:

LG2200 - English Language Workshop 2
LG2238 - Framing the News
JN2800 - Print Journalism Practice
JN3800 - Multimedia Journalism
LG3994 - English Language and Journalism Dissertation

In addition to these compulsory modules, you will choose from a number of optional stage two modules. Some modules (e.g. LG1210, LG2238 and others) specifically draw from both disciplines to ensure you learn how to read news media from a critical perspective and acquire the ability to explain (i) how aspects of a given news story may be being presupposed/implicated rather than communicated explicitly, and (ii) how this can affect our perceptions of its factuality. You will critically explore how news sources influence and manipulate media coverage. Some modules will emphasise the media coverage of controversial issues such as conflict/war, disability, (im)migration, and terrorism. Certain modules are designed to enhance your verbal and written communication skills whilst simultaneously enhancing your employability: specific attention is paid to the development of skills and attributes necessary for your chosen career. You will be encouraged to identify your strengths and weaknesses and develop transferable skills.

As part of your final year, you will be required to complete a dissertation of 10,000 words on a topic that combines the subject-based knowledge you have gained from your English Language/Linguistics modules and Journalism modules. This gives you the opportunity to focus on an area that interests you and/or an area which will have positive benefits for your chosen career.

Course at a Glance

Year 1

LG1200 - English Language Workshop 1 (core, 20 credits)
LG1210 - Language of the Media (comp, 10 credits)
LG1202 - English in the Digital Age (comp, 10 credits)
LG1203 – Introduction to English Grammar (comp, 10 credits)
LG1204 – Introduction to English Phonology & Phonetics (comp, 10 credits)
JN1800 - Introduction to Journalism, Practice and Principles (comp, 40 credits)
JN1009 - UK Journalism (comp, 20 credits)

Year 2

LG2200 - English Language Workshop 2 (core, 20 credits)
LG2238 - Framing the News (comp, 20 credits)
JN2800 - Print Journalism Practice  (comp, 20 credits)

Of the three remaining modules, one must be an English Language and Linguistics (LG) module and one must be a Journalism (JN) module. A list of optional modules is provided below. Students can also do one elective module in their second year, which can (but need not) be a JN or an LG module.

Year 3

JN3800 - Multimedia Journalism (comp, 20 credits)
LG3994 - English Language and Journalism Dissertation (comp, 40 credits)

Of the two remaining modules, one must be a journalism (JN) module, and the final module can be an English Language and Linguistics (LG) module, a journalism (JN) module, or an elective. A list of optional modules is provided below.

Optional Modules include:
Power in Talk
Intercultural Communication
Language and Gender
Language, Image and Media
Introduction to Rhetoric
Philosophy of Language and Communication
Foundations of English Grammar
Computer-based Test Analysis
Meaning in Interaction
Journalism, Ethics and Regulation
The Future of Journalism
Conversation Analysis and Discourse Analysis
Forensic Linguistics
Journalism Issues
International Journalism
News in Context
The Digital Newsroom
Law for Journalists
Broadcast Media Training
Law for Journalists

(Please note that these modules are subject to availability.)

Assessment:

Different modules are assessed in different ways, such as essays, reports, presentations, practical exercises, in-class tests or examinations.

Learning Environment:

The academic content of the course is underpinned by state-of-the-art research. Members of the teams have achieved international reputations in a diverse range of research fields. Both subject teams are well known for their top-rate teaching provision and are continually establishing local and international connections and finding innovative ways to respond to both the demands of the market and the needs of 21st century students. The Journalism team, in particular, has an excellent reputation in providing industry training for journalism and applied communication professionals. The team has invaluable contacts in the news and media industry, including the BBC, and has graduates employed in news organisations around the world.

Various teaching and learning strategies are used, such as lectures, seminars, practical workshops and student presentations. In workshops, students have the opportunity to work as part of a team, using the School's superb studio and newsroom facilities to produce high-quality work.

Careers:

Our students move into careers in newspapers, TV, radio, magazines and online journalism. As this suggests, not all of our students become journalists. The purpose of this degree, which is valued by a range of employers, is to ensure that our students are employable beyond journalism alone. This course is designed to enable students to embark on any career where a good understanding of the English language and how it works is seen as paramount. A thorough understanding of journalistic writing practices is especially helpful in careers such as PR, advertising, and brand management.

Fees and Finance

The standard fee for this course will be: £9,000 per year

For further information including the availability of bursaries/scholarships or student financial support please view our Fees and Finance pages.