This is one of the oldest and most respected undergraduate journalism programmes in the UK, accreditated by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, the Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the Periodicals Training Council. Journalism has been taught in Preston for more than 50 years and the course has an excellent record for graduate employment.  The Journalism Division is involved in cutting edge research and recently our students won the BBC ‘Innovation Award’. Graduates work for BBC Radio, Television and Interactive, the Press Association, Sky TV, independent radio and television, national and regional newspapers and magazines. Superb links with industry enable work placements with leading news organisations. While developing essential skills, students learn about the history of journalism, its role in society and the legal and ethical framework within which journalists work.

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

• ABB/BBB at A2 inc GCSE English
• Maths GCSE is desirable

Other acceptable qualifications include:

• BTEC : DMM - DDM
  
• IB: Tariff point range = 32

Applications from people with relevant work or life experience and/or non standard qualifications are welcome. If you have not studied recently you may need to take a Foundation Entry programme. Contact Enquiry Management for details +44 (0)1772 892400.

Course Content

The course is made up of 18 modules, and students study six modules in each of the three years. The academic year is split into two semesters and students take three modules per semester. Roughly half the modules involve practical journalism. The rest are academic theory courses designed to complement the practical elements of the course. Students also take one elective module, chosen from the university's vast catalogue of subjects.

Apart from the elective module, all students follow the same course of study for the first year. In the second year, students choose between a print or a broadcast route for their practical modules and take other compulsory modules.

In the final year, students specialise in one of the following: newspapers and digital, magazines or broadcast. Students on these routes undertake a compulsory work placement. Alternatively, students can also opt to write a dissertation on a journalism-related subject.

All journalism practice lecturers have extensive experience of working at the highest levels in their chosen branch of the industry. Journalism theory elements complement the practical modules. Students learn about the history of journalism, its role in society and the legal and ethical framework within which journalists work
Make us your first choice if you are determined to have the best possible start in an exciting career in journalism.

The School of Journalism encourages students to take the NCTJ’s  examinations. Many editors require students to pass these examinations to be employed as journalists. These are external examinations separate from the degree programme. Fees for these papers are not included in your tuition fees. The NCTJ also offers bursaries through its Journalism Diversity Fund for people from diverse backgrounds to train as journalists. For more information see http://www.nctj.com/  and www.journalismdiversityfund.com/.

Course at a Glance

Year 1

The core modules are:

Introduction to Journalism Practice.
Introduction to Electronic Journalism.
UK Journalism.

Students also choose an elective module from the School or university catalogue.

Year 2

The core modules are:

The Digital Newsroom
Law for Journalists
International Journalism
Journalism Issues.

Students can also choose to either develop their print writing and production skills or their radio and television skills.

Year 3

Students can choose a specialist pathway to follow and have the opportunity to learn shorthand and develop other technical skills. The pathways are: newspapers and digital, broadcasting, magazines, enterprise or dissertation.

They also take the following modules:

The Future of Journalism
Ethics and Regulation
Public Administration.

There is also a range of optional modules.

Assessment:

Assessment is by both coursework and examination. In final year practical modules, students work in teams to produce newspapers, magazines, TV and radio programmes and websites.

Learning Environment:

From the first day of the course, students are encouraged to think like journalists - to be inquisitive, resourceful, sceptical and persistent in their quest for facts. Learning takes place in lectures, seminars and practical workshops. 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:

The course is designed to prepare students for careers in modern digitalised newsrooms and to allow students to work in a range of media. Our students move into careers in newspapers, TV, radio, magazines and online journalism.

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.