Journalism BA

Course overview

Professional-standard facilities

You’ll benefit from the chance to hone your skills in industry-standard production facilities. Our TV studio and gallery are equipped with four Hitachi digital cameras and a large green screen area, and our radio studio is broadcast standard. In our newsroom, you’ll have access to the full range of Adobe production tools and Avid editing software, giving you the time, space and technology to perfect your skills.

You can develop film and new media projects in our editing suites and digital media lab, all equipped with the full suite of the latest Adobe Creative Cloud software, and we also run a loans service for digital recorders, video cameras and other equipment that you’ll use during your studies.

Take a 360 tour of our facilities.

Radio studio

Accreditation

This degree has Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) accreditation.

Course details

Year 1

From the moment you start the course, you’ll explore key concepts in journalism and build your journalistic skills. You’ll examine the role of journalism and its relationship with politics in particular, while learning how to spot a story and developing key investigative techniques, alongside writing skills for different news media. You’ll also be introduced to media and communication research.

Year 2

In year two, your core modules will focus on specialist aspects of broadcast and digital journalism, learning the production techniques needed to create live blogs, mobile video and programmes for TV and radio. You'll also be introduced to vital ethical issues in the field of journalism and choose from a range of optional modules, from visual communication to digital storytelling.

Across your first two years, you'll gradually develop essential journalism skills and progress towards investigative practices such as Freedom of Information requests, data analysis and business research. Between years two and three, you'll spend three weeks gaining industry experience on a work placement where you'll put your skills and knowledge into practice.

Year 3

In your final year, you’ll move towards examining current affairs output. In addition, you’ll gain a vital grounding in media law and select from optional modules on topics such as war and the media or documentary journalism. You’ll also have the choice either to showcase your research skills with a dissertation or to develop your own project portfolio – a chance to research and produce your own TV and radio documentaries on topics of your choice, discovering how to further develop your journalism for digital platforms. This could tackle a specialist area, such as sports or science journalism.

Have a look at final year projects produced by previous students on this course.

BA Journalism and Media

At the end of year one, you’ll have the option to broaden your studies by switching to BA Journalism and Media. This course involves less compulsory practical training in years two and three, giving you more scope to explore topics across the fields of media and communication. You could continue with some journalism practice while taking modules in digital media, film, photography and media studies, as well as other disciplines across the University.

In your final year, you’ll undertake an independently researched dissertation on a topic of your choice – although if you’ve chosen to take some practical modules you could also still complete a project portfolio.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 3 compulsory modules

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Discovery modules

Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.

This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn under the guidance of professional broadcasters and academic researchers using a range of teaching and learning methods to give you the breadth and depth of knowledge and skills that you need. These will include practical classes as well as lectures, seminars and tutorials.

Newsdays are an important element of your practical training. You’ll work in teams, taking on different roles as part of a radio, TV or multimedia production team – you could be a roving reporter, editor, producer or another role. You’ll put together your own TV programme, radio broadcast or online page reporting real local events.

In addition, you’ll have a reading list for each module and independent study is a crucial part of the degree, allowing you to develop your own ideas and understanding. Your tutors will be available during their office hours to discuss any issues or questions that arise.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB

Other course specific tests:

If you’re taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) you may receive an alternative offer alongside a standard offer. In this case, the typical offer would be ABB plus grade A in the EPQ.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is an alternative admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and alternative admissions.

Typical Access to Leeds offer:
BBB at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

If you would like to study arts, humanities, and cultures at university, but don't currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree, you might be eligible to apply for the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year course.

International

Find your country to see equivalent international qualifications.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in all any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,250 (per year)

International: £22,250 (per year)

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

We typically receive a high number of applications for this course. To ensure we treat all applications fairly, we may put your application on hold until after the UCAS deadline before making a final decision. All applications received before the UCAS deadline are guaranteed equal consideration.

Read our admissions guidance and see ‘Application decisions’ for details.

All courses in the School involve rigorous theoretical study, research and presentation. All applicants must therefore provide evidence of completing, or working towards completing, a Level 3 (for example, A Level) Arts/Humanities qualification that demonstrates their ability to research a topic and present high quality written work. In some cases, applicants may also be asked to provide examples of completed essays or assignments in order to assess their suitability.

As part of your application, you'll need to submit a personal statement. Read our guidance on writing your personal statement.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

This course is taught by

School of Media and Communication

Contact us

School of Media and Communication Undergraduate Admissions

Email: mediaug@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

This course is designed to equip you with the skills you’ll need to thrive as a media professional today, from traditional newspapers to TV, radio and online news channels. You’ll also gain a wide range of valuable knowledge and skills which can help you to stand out from the crowd in a variety of careers.

Our graduates can be found working at Sky News and Sport, BBC News, BBC Sport, CNN and Channel 4 among others. Many work overseas, from Channel 4’s offices in Washington DC to The Japan Times. Others have gone on into politics and the civil service, and a number have worked in the NNC’s political unit at Westminster either for parliamentary bodies or MPs.

Careers support

Within the School, we offer opportunities for you to attend talks and workshops led by industry professionals to help you gain insight into a career in journalism.

You can take part in our career mentoring scheme, where you'll be matched with someone working in industry who can give you one-to-one careers advice. Our annual Careers Day also allows you to meet and learn from professionals across the media and communications industries.

Find out more about careers and employability at the School of Media and Communication.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more at the Careers website.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

In line with BJTC requirements, you’ll undertake a three-week placement in the broadcasting industry.

You’ll gain hands-on experience in a working newsroom – placements can range from working in daily radio, TV and online output to documentary production companies. You’ll also have the chance to reflect on what you’ve learned from your experience: you’ll write a blog during your time in the newsroom and a report on your experiences when you come back for your final year.

You also have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

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