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BA (Hons)

Sports Journalism (Foundation Entry)

Attendance

Campus

Start

Book an Autumn Open Day

Duration

4 Years

Start

September 2024

UCAS Code

J834

Delivery

Campus Taught

Our Sports Journalism Foundation Entry Degree gives you an insight into the practice of journalism and the skills and knowledge required by journalists.

Foundation Entry degree courses are designed for students who have the ability to study for a degree, but don’t have the necessary formal qualifications to directly enter their chosen Honours degree programme.

Life experience and a keen interest in news and current affairs are what counts if you don’t have traditional qualifications.

As well as giving you a broad-based journalism education, you will develop both intellectually and personally.

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

We have partnerships with a range of media outlets, football clubs, and many others sporting organisations.
Optional modules in the later stages of the course enable you to follow a variety of vocational pathways, which are best suited to your career aspirations.
Each print newsroom contains 20 computers (MACs and PCs) with specialist software such as InDesign and EScenic. There’s also a TV with access to rolling 24-hr news channels.

Interested?

Download

Slide 1 of 4

Hear from graduate Tom about his time studying here

A day in the life of a Journalism student

Slide 1 of 5

Sports Journalism students

What you’ll do

We’re part of the Google News Lab University Network. Access in-person and online training on topics including immersive storytelling, data journalism, trust, and more.
Showcase your ideas, enthusiasm, skills and talent at our cJAM careers event with industry professionals. The event closes with placements awarded to successful students
You may have an opportunity to study abroad. Students on the course have studied in the USA, Spain and China.

Module overview

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Year 0

Compulsory modules

AZC017: FDE Introduction to Specialisms
AZC018: FDE Specialisms

AZC017: FDE Introduction to Specialisms

You’ll be introduced to the variety of ways in which creative practitioners have shaped society and the way in which society influences creative practice. We’ll help you acquire foundational skills appropriate to a range of specialist areas and introduce you to the wide range of choices in Arts and Media by presenting you with the challenges of problem-solving through creative practice which includes the development of ideas and a broad range of experimental and exploratory work.

AZC018: FDE Specialisms

This module will help you to understand the fundamental skill relevant to your chosen specialism, as well as develop and practice technical skills in the use of a range of media. You'll also learn the critical concepts related to contemporary practice in your chosen specialism and a broad understanding of work in a specialism area, to prepare you for progression to level 4 study.

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Year 1

Compulsory modules

JN1301: Storytelling
JN1504: Media Law and Regulation
JN1505: Sports Reporting 1
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

JN2504: The Professional Sports Journalist 2
JN2505: Sports Desk 1
JN2518: Ethics
JN2520: Specialist Sports Journalism
JN2522: Match of the Day

JN2504: The Professional Sports Journalist 2

This module aims to develop your technical and writing skills, and enables you to produce a range of sports journalism on platforms including podcast, TV, radio, social media and websites. It'll enable you to produce a range of stories for a variety of platforms and audiences, take part in some news days, and apply their knowledge of law, ethics and regulations.

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Year 3

Compulsory modules

JN3504: Sports Desk 2
JN3508: Work Placement
JN3522: Sporting Issues

Optional modules

JN3410: Innovation
JN3411: Digital Project
JN3414: Documentary
JN3518: Ethics

JN3504: Sports Desk 2

This module aims for you to produce an innovative and creative content to a professional standard. You will develop your editorial and management skills and your application of ethical frameworks in the production of 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.

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.

Visit us this autumn

Discover our facilities, explore campus and talk to academic staff and students about the courses you want to study at one of our autumn Open Days.

Book an Open Day

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Accreditations

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

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. 

Fees and funding

2023/24

First year£6,500 for the first year

Full-time£9,250 per year

International

First year£11,000 for the first year

Full-time£14,900 per year

2024/25

First year£9,250 for the first year

Full-time£9,250 per year

International

First year£16,400 for the first year

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

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
Foundation Year Bursary
Our Foundation Year Bursary Scheme is for students starting a 4 or 5 year Undergraduate Degree programme.
Find out more about Foundation Year Bursary

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.

The University's sports facilities were recently ranked in a national survey as being the best in any new university and rated as 5-star, the highest possible grade.

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.

Our annual cJAM employability event shakes-up the traditional career fair format and gives you face-to-face time with up to 30 successful industry professionals, all of whom come to the event with the offer of work placement opportunities. You will:

Hear from keynote industry speakers.
Take part in an industry Q&A session.
Network informally during the breaks and lunch.
Have eight minutes of one-to-one time to pitch to selected industry guests to try and win a placement.

Interested?

Download

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

Sports Journalism (Foundation Entry)

Why study with us

A day in the life of a Journalism student

Gallery01 / 05

What you’ll do

Module overview

Year 0

AZC017: FDE Introduction to Specialisms

Course delivery

Visit us this autumn

View the course facilities

Accreditations

Future careers

Fees and funding

Course Specific Optional Costs

Course Specific Optional Costs

Scholarships and bursaries

Care Leaver Bursary

Estranged student support

Dependants Bursary

Foundation Year Bursary

Learning and assessment

Industry links