Our BA (Hons) Journalism degree, accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), offers a well-established entry point to one of the most challenging and sought-after graduate career paths. You are taught by industry professionals with a broad range of experience – in television, radio, print and online.
Accredited Foundation year Work placement
See the facilities you use when you study journalism at Teesside University
Our aim is to ensure a high-quality student experience whilst meeting the needs of a rapidly transforming industry at a time of unprecedented global world change.
Journalists graduating from Teesside are equipped with the necessary storytelling skills to succeed across multiple media platforms. Last year more than 80% of our final-year students received a first-class or 2.1 degree whilst student work is nationally recognised for its excellence.
Studying journalism at Teesside, you begin by learning the basics of original content creation – how to find a story, discover your individual voice, and expand your interests and knowledge. You understand how stories are reframed for digital and social media, and how to set up your own website and generate revenue.
Whether your passion is sport, fashion, music or traditional news, we aim to ensure that you are industry-ready to take up your chosen career.
Benefit from TUXtra, our new integrated media publishing platform for media and journalism students at Teesside, bringing together exciting and innovative content on-air and online. Find out more at tuxtra.co.uk
Year 1 provides the basic tools to start producing quality journalism. You develop skills producing written, audio and video content.
In Year 2 your understanding of the work of a journalist deepens and grows as you are given more space and support to work in your chosen specialism.
In the final year you hone your entrepreneurial skills and work as part of a team on a media start-up project of you choosing.
You develop general digital production skills with an additional focus on post-production. The module enhances effective practical, technical and aesthetical approaches required to create a variety of digital media artefacts across a variety of digital delivery platforms with more relevance to the subject specific disciplines. You learn a variety of advanced sector specific and industry standard digital delivery methods and production techniques surrounding the acquisition, manipulation and operation of media production hardware and software applications. You also have access to freelance resources during the module. You are assessed on two pass/fail components. The first assessment involves a series of practical exams that determine your proficiency across a range of digital media production disciplines. The second is a digital portfolio of the culmination of work developed during the module.
You are introduced to effective practical, technical and aesthetical approaches required to create a variety of digital media artefacts across a variety of digital delivery platforms. You learn a variety of sector specific and industry standard digital delivery methods and production techniques surrounding the acquisition, manipulation and operation of media production hardware and software applications. In addition to the supervised contact time, you also have access to freelance resources. You are assessed on two pass/fail components. Your first assessment is a series of practical exams that determine your proficiency across a range of digital media production disciplines. Your second assessment is a digital portfolio of work developed during the module.
This module looks at the ideas, concepts, and practicalities of developing a professional online presence. It takes a critical look at social media and considers how best to make use of existing online communities and tools. You design and create something that represents you in an online presence, using a range of available technologies and third-party applications (web authoring, blogging systems, social media, file sharing and networking systems), to act as a PR tool in promoting your career or specific media-related activities to a specified audience.
You examine the media through the central themes of industry, audience and text, debating ideology in news production as well as the role of the public sphere, representation and bias
Law and Regulation for Journalists
This module gives you the legal and ethical training required to practice as an effective, professional journalist. You learn about the judicial process and areas such as contempt, defamation, sexual offences, youth courts, inquests, copyright, privacy and ethics. You will also work towards your NCTJ Essential Law and Court Reporting exams.
You are introduced to the core journalistic skills of news reporting and news gathering in the digital landscape. You focus on different styles of writing, interviewing and research and industry level production skills with some exploration of usability and design for news audiences.
You explore news values, agenda-setting and the availability and usability of digital tools and techniques such as social media and imagery. You explore ways to cultivate and develop contacts, effectively utilising sources in the gathering, communication and dissemination of news in developing your own journalistic practice.
You examine the way news media operates on a global scale. You explore the structures and characteristics of how journalism is defined and practiced around the world. You discuss global perspectives on key topics and issues relating to news media organisations, globalisation and news flows. You examine key theoretical issues relating to the notion of “global journalism” as a news style located within global communications infrastructure, and take a comparative look at journalism in different parts of the world. You focus on different types of representations of reality people get from media.
Your assessment is 100% ICA: essay.
You experience a simulated live news environment to gain discipline and working practices associated with the industry. A key focus is on working to tight deadlines, using a model of repetition and reflection. Newsroom sessions are student led and you can develop independent learning and leadership skills. Reflection is used in debrief sessions so you can analyse and assess your own performance and professional practice. You build on skills and knowledge from your degree and produce a range of multimedia content for a specific audience.
You work on industry-based projects that form part of your developing professional portfolio of work. You respond to time-based and/or live briefs in your allocated role within a professional network or team. You experience working within a professional network, reflecting your specialist area of media industry practice. For assessment, you submit a final product and a supporting research portfolio.
Preparation for your future career begins in your first year at Teesside. You learn how to market yourself to media employers whilst participating in live newsdays alongside second and third-year students.
You research, pitch, write and produce reports for broadcast radio and a podcast using the TUXtra media platform. You learn more advanced presentation skills and receive practical development work to attune your voice so its suitable for radio and podcasting. You learn how to operate radio equipment and familiarise yourself with industry standard technology such as web newsroom software and digital online production delivery techniques. The stories you investigate involves analysing news and current affairs programmes, making editorial decisions and the practical, ethical and legal implications of broadcasting with regards to privacy, consent and copyright law.
You have the option to spend one year in industry learning and developing your skills. We encourage and support you with applying for a placement, job hunting and networking.
You gain experience favoured by graduate recruiters and develop your technical skillset. You also obtain the transferable skills required in any professional environment, including communication, negotiation, teamwork, leadership, organisation, confidence, self-reliance, problem-solving, being able to work under pressure, and commercial awareness.
Many employers view a placement as a year-long interview, therefore placements are increasingly becoming an essential part of an organisation's pre-selection strategy in their graduate recruitment process. Benefits include:
· improved job prospects
· enhanced employment skills and improved career progression opportunities
· a higher starting salary than your full-time counterparts
· a better degree classification
· a richer CV
· a year's salary before completing your degree
· experience of workplace culture
· the opportunity to design and base your final-year project within a working environment.
If you are unable to secure a work placement with an employer, then you simply continue on a course without the work placement.
Advanced Professional Practice
Teesside University takes employability seriously and this module enables you to broach the gap between university and the workplace by preparing you for interview and job selection processes. As a third-year student you take on the role of editor for the print publication, TV news programme, and Tside radio show.
You explore the workings of a modern democracy, particularly how the structures and systems of local and central government and other public institutions impact on the practice of professional journalists. You develop your knowledge of council agendas, government sources and data and take part in a visit to a local council meeting.
Your assessment is 100% ICA: 50% journalism artefact and 50% exam.
You consider, engage and analyse a range of key issues around enterprise and innovation when developing a professional digital publishing plan and pitch.
You research audiences, investigate and explore existing and emerging technologies and platforms, marketplaces, human factors, digital conventions and aesthetics. You develop your commercial awareness and business acumen; understanding existing and new digital business models, its challenges and opportunities. You develop an idea and plan for a new concept or an innovation based on an existing business.
You produce a detailed digital business plan, which presents and argues the case from a technical, audience, journalistic, content and commercial perspective.
This project is the self-managed manifestation of all previous professional practice and reflective consideration. You work in small groups to produce a creative response to a negotiated brief.
In reflecting the current state of global journalism, the package should include a professional multimedia website managed and maintained for a discerning music and events audience. It should demonstrate the your skills in digesting research and synthesising a clear voice through demonstrated proficiency in journalism (specifically in your pathway choice, for example games, or music and events).
It is expected this site or collection of social media platforms will demonstrate skills in audio, video, layout, typography, web design and associated technologies for desktop and mobile platforms. In addition, you produce a critical essay, investigating a key issue in depth, in negotiation and agreement with the tutor.
Modules offered may vary.
A full range of the latest digital resources, software and digital recording equipment supports the newsroom environment. Independent and student-centred learning are encouraged in addition to taught sessions with staff.
Theoretical work is delivered through illustrated lectures and seminars where there is opportunity for collective and lively discussion.
The core learning, teaching and assessment tool for practical journalism is the TUXtra website where you produce real content for a publicly facing platform. You also create your own digital platforms supported by the University an enabling you to develop open source web development skills.
Work created as part of assessment builds a professional portfolio of content, which you are able to take out into industry and show perspective employers.
Our Disability Services team provide an inclusive and empowering learning environment and have specialist staff to support disabled students access any additional tailored resources needed. If you have a specific learning difficulty, mental health condition, autism, sensory impairment, chronic health condition or any other disability please contact a Disability Services as early as possible.
Find out more about our disability services
Find out more about financial support
Find out more about our course related costs
Year 1 entry
96-112 points from any combination of recognised Level 3 qualifications. Consideration is also given to students without formal qualifications but with evidence of practical journalism experience at an appropriate level. Applicants may be invited to share a portfolio where applicable to show skills in journalism.
Applicants are invited join us on campus for an applicant day, enabling you to see our journalism facilities, meet staff and students and learn more about studying at Teesside University.
English language and maths requirement
Normally GCSE English language at grade C, or 4 under the new grading system. Alternative equivalent qualifications may be considered.
Non-EU international students who need a student visa to study in the UK should check our web pages on UKVI-compliant English language requirements. The University also provides pre-sessional English language courses to help you meet the English language requirements.
Helping you meet the entry requirements
We may be able to help you meet the requirements for admission by offering you the opportunity to study one or more Summer University modules, some of which can be studied by distance learning.
Alternative degree with integrated foundation year
If you are unable to achieve the minimum admission requirements for Year 1 entry you could, subject to eligibility, join one of our degree courses with an integrated foundation year.
Direct entry to later years
If you have previously studied at higher education level (for example, a foundation degree, HNC, HND or one or more years at degree level at another institution) you may request direct entry to Year 2 or year 3 of this degree.
Mature applicants
We welcome applications from mature students (aged over 21) who can demonstrate, through portfolio/written work and relevant experience, that they have developed cognitive and technical skills through their life experiences.
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
For general information please see our overview of entry requirements
International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country
You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL
A degree in journalism offers a well-established entry point into one of the most challenging and exciting careers. Graduates have taken up a range of roles at organisations such as BBC Tees, Sky Sports and Reach plc.
International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.
Select your country:
Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.
This degree is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). This means that you study for your professional (pre-entry) qualifications alongside your degree, with no additional tuition charges.
The NCTJ diploma is a prestigious vocational qualification that is widely recognised and highly valued by journalism employers. Candidates are expected to enter all the NCTJ’s mandatory exams in reporting, essential public affairs, essential media law, court reporting and shorthand, and to complete the multimedia portfolio.
Research by the NCTJ in 2015 found that 96% those who passed its diploma at the ‘gold standard’ level were in work six to ten months after completion, the overwhelming majority in a journalism-related job.
Study this course with a foundation year if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1.
Study this course with an optional work placement year, at no extra cost. Alongside this, you can gain valuable experience and engagement with the sector through our shorter work placements, internships and work experience opportunities.
Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year
Fee for international applicants
£14,000 a year
More details about our fees for international applicants
What is included in your tuition fee?
Fee for UK applicants
£4,500 (120 credits)
BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism graduate Nathan now works as an assistant news editor for ITV national news.
TUxtra is the new integrated media publishing platform for media and journalism students at Teesside, bringing together exciting and innovative content on-air and online.
Newsdays are a regular feature of studying journalism at Teesside University, enabling students to produce stories to deadline and find out why journalism can be such an exciting and rewarding career.
I wanted to study a course that would give me training in all areas of journalism and prepare me for the world of work
Jack made sure he tried all aspects of journalism throughout the course.
Katie's time at Teesside has led to her landing a role at Made TV.
Teesside University and Reach PLC collaborate to support local journalism
The latest development in Teesside University’s growing partnership with news publisher Reach has brought the two organisations closer than ever, with reporters now based in the University’s dynamic, on-campus workspace.
Teesside’s triumphant return from prestigious awards
Talented Teesside students are celebrating a trio of regional successes at the prestigious Royal Television Society Awards.
National recognition for digital platform showcasing student work
Teesside University’s digital media platform TU-Xtra has been shortlisted for a prestigious national student radio award.