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BA (Hons)

Journalism

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

3 Years

Start

September 2024

UCAS Code

P500

Delivery

Campus Taught

Foundation Entry

On our Journalism degree you’ll focus on producing stories and programmes about the subjects that interest you, using your skills in radio, TV, digital video or magazines.

On this practical, hands-on course, we want you to keep your options open so you can benefit from the broadest range of future employment opportunities – so we won’t ask you to specialise in one area or platform.

Throughout your degree, you’ll develop all the multiplatform skills employers look for. You will also create your own unique portfolio of journalism and experiences by studying a range of specialist, optional modules, where you can make documentaries, create your own brand, and explore the potential of digital platforms. You will also see your stories published to audiences via our live platform.

Why study with us

2nd
in the North West for graduate prospects (outcomes)
Complete University Guide (Communication & Media Studies)
2024
Top
5
in the UK for overall positivity
National Student Survey (Journalism) (compared with unis in the Guardian University Guide)
2023
Top
5
in the UK for academic support
National Student Survey (Journalism) (compared with unis in the Guardian University Guide)
2023

100% of students were satisfied with the course in 2022, according to the National Student Survey. This course also scored 100% for teaching and academic support.
Our course has two industry accreditations, the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council. The NCTJ recently crowned UCLan the top-performing Higher Education Course.
Our Journalism courses are best in the North West, according to the Guardian University Guide 2023.

Interested?

Download

Slide 1 of 4

Robert Nisbett on his experience in journalism

A day in the life of a Journalism student

Slide 1 of 5

UCLan's Journalism Studio

What you'll do

You’ll have the opportunity to achieve three awards in one: a BA Hons degree, NCTJ Diploma and a BJTC Skills Certificate.
Facilities include six fully-equipped newsrooms, three radio studios, TV studio and gallery, video editing suites, industry-standard TV cameras and radio/audio recorders, digital/mobile journalism reporting kits, and live news feeds from the Press Association.
Across all three years, you’ll work individually and as part of a team, participating in radio, TV and digital news days.

Module overview

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Year 1

Compulsory modules

JN1301: Storytelling
JN1302: News Reporting
JN1504: Media Law and Regulation
JN1506: Digital Journalism

JN1301: Storytelling

This module will give you all the essential information you need to tell engaging news stories. You will explore how to come up with ideas, where to find stories and contributors, and how to reach communities you may not already be a part of. There will be a strong emphasis on inclusion and diversity, learning how to tell stories that reflect people from different backgrounds.

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Year 2

Compulsory modules

JN2305: Newsday 1
JN2308: Features Journalism
JN2509: Reporting Politics and Society
JN2518: Ethics

JN2305: Newsday 1

During this module you'll take part in at least 15 news production days, simulating a typical day in a real-life newsroom. You'll also develop your technical and writing skills.

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Year 3

Compulsory modules

JN3265: Newsday 2
JN3508: Work Placement

Optional modules

JN3410: Innovation
JN3411: Digital Project
JN3412: Creating a brand
JN3413: Research Project
JN3414: Documentary
JN3509: Reporting Politics and Society
JN3518: Ethics

JN3265: Newsday 2

Advance your journalism skills by taking part in 15 news production days, simulating what life is like for a reporter in the industry. You'll find stories, make TV and radio bulletins, and produce website and social media content.

JN3410: Innovation

During this module, you’ll learn context and come up with ideas for products and processes that can drive innovation and the future of journalism and media forward. Innovation provides a window into the future of Journalism, journalists and media creators. It explores how the industry is navigating a range of challenges and opportunities – from new technologies such as Artificial Intelligence and the Internet of Things - to how and where journalism is created - and how the industry is evolving.

JN3509: Reporting Politics and Society

You’ll study central and local government and other public bodies in the UK. You’ll learn how to access public information, produce topical stories and present to different audiences. The module prepares you for sitting both the University module and the NCTJ Essential Public Affairs examination. As well as aiming to meet the accreditation requirements of the Broadcast Journalism Training Council and the Periodicals Publishers’ Association.

Course delivery

This course is taught face-to-face at one of our UK campuses.

100%Face-to-face

Please note the delivery information for this course is accurate for the academic year 2023/24. The information displayed in this section may not yet accurately reflect how the course will be delivered in 2024/25 but this information will be updated by October 2023.

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

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Accreditations

The NCTJ recognised UCLan as the top performing Higher Education course in the UK in 2022. We've gone through a rigorous inspection process to ensure that our course meets the latest industry standards. Your NCTJ Diploma forms an integral part of your studies.
This course has been accredited by the BJTC and recognised as providing 'general excellence in broadcast journalism training'. The BJTC is an industry-led body offering accreditation to courses for aspiring journalists.

Future careers

You’ll find our alumni working professionally at every level - not only within TV, radio, online/digital, magazines and communications - but also in professions where their transferable skills are in demand.

Fees and funding

2023/24

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,385 for the sandwich year

International

Full-time£14,900 per year

2024/25

Full-time£9,250 per year

Sandwich year£1,500 for the sandwich year

International

Full-time£16,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of bursaries, scholarships and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country to see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

The Royal Television Society Bursary
The Royal Television Society (RTS) is offering a Bursary Award to talented students from lower-income backgrounds with an interest in pursuing a career in television.
Find out more about The Royal Television Society Bursary
Care Leaver Bursary
Our Care Leaver Bursary is for students who need extra support because they have been in care or are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Care Leaver Bursary
Estranged student support
Estranged Student Support Bursary is for students who need extra support because they are estranged from their parents.
Find out more about Estranged student support
Dependants Bursary
Students with financially dependent children may be eligible for our Dependants Bursary as part of our financial support package. 
Find out more about Dependants Bursary

A three-year degree qualification typically comprises 360 credits and every 20 credits (a standard module) equates to 200 hours of study, which comprises of a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical sessions and independent study.

Independent study is an important aspect of your degree course. The exact combination of study time will be detailed within your module descriptors and will depend on your option choices.

You’ll be assessed in a variety of ways, including practical portfolios, skills tests, academic essays, individual and group presentations, formal examinations and coursework. Assessment is both formative and summative and is closely aligned to learning outcomes.

Our Journalism degree has extensive and excellent links with industry, including ITV and the BBC. As well as accommodating placement opportunities, both organisations have mentored students from diverse backgrounds and helped them develop careers in broadcasting across the areas of news, current affairs and entertainment.

The course enjoys a partnership with the UK’s largest multimedia publisher, Reach PLC (formerly known as Trinity Mirror). Along with our network of regular journalism industry guests and work placement opportunities, the collaboration with Reach PLC means you’ll benefit from a structured, rotating day-release programme, working alongside Journalists at Lancs Live.

NCTJ Diploma and BJTC Skills Certificate

We offer all essential, compulsory NCTJ modules plus the following NCTJ options, many of which are built into your degree-level assessments: Public Affairs, Practical Magazine Journalism, Broadcast Journalism, as well as Shorthand, Court Reporting, Video Journalism for Digital Platforms, Editing Skills for Journalists and Business of Magazines.

Google News Lab University Network

Google News Lab University Network provides in-person training, when possible, and online training materials to professors and students on topics ranging from immersive storytelling, data journalism, trends, trust/verification and more.

The benefits of this newly formed connection with Google News Lab for our students are huge. It not only provides you with networking opportunities but also the chance to learn from current experts and professionals in the field.

Interested?

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This course is based in the School of Arts and Media

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page

Book your place

Journalism

Why study with us

A day in the life of a Journalism student

Gallery01 / 05

What you'll do

Module overview

Year 1

JN1301: Storytelling

Course delivery

View the course facilities

Accreditations

Future careers

Fees and funding

Course Specific Optional Costs

Course Specific Optional Costs

Scholarships and bursaries

The Royal Television Society Bursary

Care Leaver Bursary

Estranged student support

Dependants Bursary

Learning and assessment

Industry links

Further information