BA Hons Journalism

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Journalism program at the University of Gloucestershire offers a highly practical and industry-focused education designed to produce "work-ready" graduates. The course emphasizes hands-on learning, allowing students to develop a comprehensive skillset in multimedia journalism, encompassing news and feature writing, video and audio production (including podcasts and content for platforms like TikTok), and presenting. A key feature of the program is the integration of the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) exams, including Essential Media Law and Regulation, Videojournalism for Digital Platforms, Court Reporting, Public Affairs, Newspaper and Magazine Regulation, and Essential Journalism, 1 with shorthand as a component in the second year. The program also addresses the evolving media landscape, particularly the impact of Artificial Intelligence on journalism, teaching students how to leverage AI for research and ideas while emphasizing the irreplaceable human element in storytelling, building trust, and holding power accountable. The course prides itself on a supportive community environment with small class sizes and one-to-one tutorials, ensuring personalized attention for each student. It is also dually accredited by both the NCTJ and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), a recognition held by only a few journalism courses in the UK.  

Curriculum: The curriculum for the BA (Hons) Journalism program at the University of Gloucestershire is structured to provide a strong foundation in journalistic principles and practical skills, progressing to more specialized and advanced topics. Core modules in the first year typically include News Reporting, Journalism in Context, Law for Journalists, Journalism Skills, Creating Content: Audio and Radio, and Creating Content: Video and TV. This initial phase introduces students to the fundamentals of news gathering, writing for various media, media law and ethics, and the basics of audio-visual production. As students progress to the second year, they delve into Politics for Journalists, Feature Writing, Advanced Media Law and Ethics, Advanced Digital Storytelling, The Multimedia Newsroom, and Design Skills. Optional modules at this level may offer specialization in areas like Sports Journalism, Celebrity and Fashion Journalism, or Creating Content: Advanced Podcasting. The final year culminates in advanced modules such as The Professional Newsroom, a Final Year Project/Dissertation, Journalism Trends, Media Communications and PR, and Media Careers. Final year students can often choose between an academic dissertation and a substantial practical project. Throughout the program, a significant portion of the assessment is portfolio-based, allowing students to build a strong body of work demonstrating their diverse skills.

Research Focus: While the BA (Hons) Journalism program at the University of Gloucestershire is primarily focused on practical skills and professional training, the final year includes a Final Year Project/Dissertation. This offers students the opportunity to engage in in-depth research on a topic of their choice, which can be either a conventional academic thesis or a major practical journalism project (such as an investigative report or a multimedia package) supported by critical reflection. This element allows students to explore contemporary issues in journalism, media, and communication in detail, demonstrating advanced research, analytical, and presentation skills. Examples of past final year projects have included academic discussions on the use of social media in news gathering and investigative journalism into significant public issues.

Industry Engagement: A key strength of the University of Gloucestershire's BA (Hons) Journalism program is its strong emphasis on industry engagement, ensuring that graduates are well-connected and prepared for the professional world. The program is taught by experienced journalists and media practitioners who bring current industry knowledge and an extensive network of contacts to the classroom. The university facilitates numerous opportunities for students to gain real-world experience, including work placements with prominent news organizations such as Sky News, Channel 5 News, The Telegraph, BBC radio and TV, Hello! magazine, and The Guardian. The Media School regularly hosts guest lectures and workshops featuring experts from major media players, including Google, Marie Claire, Top Gear magazine, Empire, and Heart radio. The program's "multimedia news days" and "news weeks" simulate real-world newsroom environments, requiring students to work to tight deadlines and produce original, topical content. Furthermore, the University of Gloucestershire offers a "Career Promise," providing graduates with free support, and potentially a paid internship and lifetime career coaching, if they are not in a job within six months of graduating (subject to eligibility).

Global Perspective: The University of Gloucestershire's BA (Hons) Journalism program incorporates a global perspective, recognizing the increasingly interconnected nature of the media industry. While the core focus is on journalistic practice within a UK context, the curriculum and the experiences of the teaching staff often draw on international examples and trends. Students may explore global media ethics, the challenges and opportunities of reporting on international events, and the impact of global communication technologies. The program prepares graduates to work in a media landscape where stories and information flow across borders, equipping them with the understanding to navigate diverse cultural contexts and audiences. Additionally, the university welcomes international students, contributing to a diverse and globally aware learning environment within the program itself.