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Undergraduate study
A student on the journalism course is interviewed as part of their degree in journalism.

Journalism (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)

Do you see yourself reporting from London Fashion Week or live from Westminster? Do you have a passion for storytelling? Could you be the one to uncover the latest breaking headline?

 

P504 BA/JourFY

Course routes:

 
  • Study at the top North East uni for student experience (Teaching Excellence Framework 2023).
  • Apply now to start in January or September. Apply now
 

Course overview

Accredited Work placement

School of Arts & Creative Industries

See what it's like to study at our School of Arts & Creative Industries.

As a journalism student you learn practical and professional skills, growing your confidence to produce journalistic content suitable for TV, radio, magazines, print and social media and bringing your stories to life. You develop your editorial judgement and presentation skills by assembling bulletins, feature and news packages for our unique platform TUXtra. This course has been developed in collaboration with industry, ensuring you graduate ready to compete for your dream job, or continue onto postgraduate study.

You learn how to shoot and edit video and audio, produce news packages to deadlines, research and interview, create campaigns, project manage and engage with audiences on social media. Develop your practice in a safe and supportive environment, working mainly in our bespoke multimedia newsroom, TV and radio studios. You learn to master all of the latest digital storytelling tools for social media and websites including how to harness AI as a journalist.

You can undertake a short-term on campus placement with Teesside Online – part of Reach PLC, one of the largest media companies in the UK. This provides you with real-world experience and industry contacts and enables you to cultivate new skills and a deeper understanding of the industry and its working practices, all while improving your career prospects.

We celebrate your successes big and small throughout your course, our annual Journalism Awards are supported by local and national media professionals, offering you the chance to network with crucial industry connections.

This course includes a foundation year - ideal if you need additional preparation or if you don't have sufficient grades to join Year 1 of a degree.

Top reasons to study journalism at Teesside University:

  1. Industry relationships: take advantage of our long-standing, established relationships with BBC, Newsquest, Reach PLC and Middlesbrough Football Club. Benefit from supportive voices, specialist expertise, shared wisdom, new ideas, a helping hand or a friendly catch-up, establishing critical relationships that propel you into your creative career.
  2. Practitioner-informed teaching: the teaching team are experienced journalism practitioners, having worked for local and national organisations across print, broadcast and online journalism. They coach you to find and grow your creative voice.
  3. Get creative: our course and campus are powered by Adobe and Apple. We’re Europe’s first Adobe Creative Campus and the only Apple-accredited University, equipping you with the digital tools and resources to hone your creative journalistic skills.
  4. Get published: become a practising journalist and publish your stories through TUXtra. Our facilities include two television studios, a radio station and a multimedia newsroom.
  5. Nationally recognised: The course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, one of the best routes into journalism. Our survey data speaks for itself:
      90% of BA (Hons) Journalism students go on to work and/or study 15 months after the course (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2020-21, tees.ac.uk/source).
      94.4% of media studies students agreed that staff were good at explaining things. (National Student Survey 2024, tees.ac.uk/source)

Creative UK
Creative UKTake advantage of our Creative UK membership and help futureproof your career, with networking events, a resource hub to support professional development, and bespoke workshops in partnership with industry leaders and mentors. Sign up for free student membership to get opportunities, events and newsletters sent directly to your inbox.

Download pdf Order prospectus

 

Course details

Course structure

Foundation year core modules

Creative Media

Explore media fundamentals, including the making of images, video, sound and audio-visual materials. You learn skills in risk assessment for technical equipment, use of digital software and online resources and practical skills in making. Alongside practical sessions, you study professional environments, media theories, critical analysis and audience perspectives. Working with a group, you tackle a brief to develop a creative piece where you are encouraged to experiment and take creative risks.

This is a 40-credit module.

Final Project

Create original ideas and concepts for your individual project, creating an artefact, report, campaign, comic, product or other form related to the arts, design and media industries. You explore the context and history of the creative arts and use this to inform your project. Learning to research and analyse ideas about art, design and media, you develop your understanding of creative working and the relationship between creativity, society and the environment.

This is a 40-credit module.

Storytelling

Learn the fundamentals of storytelling and its historical, social, cultural and political contexts in relation to media such as TV, marketing, music and writing. Explore visual, audio and written examples of narrative form and construction. You enhance your understanding of the use of plot, themes, character, point of view, visual representation, audio-visual blending, storyboarding, non-linear story and prose. You are guided to develop a story form relevant to your chosen discipline/creative practice.

This is a 20-credit module.

Study Skills

Develop key study skills in preparation for starting your degree, including critical thinking, teamwork, research and delivering presentations. You are introduced to primary and secondary research sources and shown how to use the virtual learning environment (VLE). You also find out about the wide range of student support and learning resources on campus.

This is a 20-credit module.

 

Year 1 core modules

Collaboration Project 

Enhance your skills in team-working, communication, project management and negotiation. You collaborate with a group of your course mates to produce a small-scale creative project in response to a subject-specific brief.

This is a 20-credit module.

Current Issues in Journalism and Media

Enhancing your understanding of how the media operates globally and nationally, you study the structures and characteristics of journalism practice around the world. You explore the effect of UK structures and systems of government and other public institutions on the practice of professional journalists. Learn how to research, write and produce content for radio, television and digital platforms.

This is a 40-credit module.

Introduction to the Creative Industries

With many opportunities in the creative industries sector, learn how to start on your career path while developing vital employability skills such as networking and digital presence. Understand the structure of the sector and the interdisciplinary relationships between art, design and media. Discover how the sector operates locally, nationally and globally – debating the role of policy and the importance of sustainability.

This is a 20-credit module.

Journalism: Principles and Practice (News and Sport)

You are introduced to the core journalistic skills of news and sports reporting, and study story gathering techniques in the digital landscape. Develop different styles of writing, interviewing and research, as well as video and audio production skills. Explore ways to cultivate and develop contacts, effectively utilising sources in the gathering, communication and dissemination of news and sport stories. You also gain an essential grounding in media law to produce legally and ethically sound content.

This is a 40-credit module.

 

Year 2 core modules

Creative Research Project

Develop critical thinking and analysis skills, exploring contemporary issues and debates related to the creative industries. You research a specific area or development within your chosen subject – this may be technical, economic, ethical, legal, cultural, sociological, or a combination. You draw on appropriate academic and industry sources to contextualise your research. You present your topic and initial research within taught sessions, providing an opportunity for peer and tutor feedback.

This is a 20-credit module.

Digital Storytelling (Sport, News and Public Relations)

Explore media, public relations and communication theories, and how social media is a powerful platform to reach large audiences. You find and analyse data, and learn how to visualise that information before putting it to the test during a series of simulated live news and sporting events. Learn how to produce accurate, informative and entertaining sports and news stories to tight deadlines, developing the skills to create compelling multimedia digital content.

This is a 40-credit module.

Industry Project

You develop and explore, in depth, a creative industry-based project in your specialist area of design, art, media, music, photography or illustration - relevant to your future professional practice. While forming a professional portfolio of work, you experience real-world business scenarios and challenges, industry competitions and cross and inter-disciplinary activities. You gain skills in project management, applied research methods and collaborative creative work.

This is a 40-credit module.

Working in the Creative Industries 

There are many challenges facing contemporary art, design and media practices. You research the social, political or ecological challenges around us to generate a small-scale project. You develop and reflect on your understanding of enterprise in the context of the creative industries. Contextualise your own professional practice and aspirations through application of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

This is a 20-credit module.

 

Optional work placement year

Work placement

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.

 

Final-year core modules

Major Project

You produce a self-managed, individual extended piece of independent investigation and/or creative production or portfolio of work. Supervised by an academic member of staff, you take responsibility for the planning and execution of the work, including the consideration of associated legal, social, ethical and professional issues. You explore in depth a chosen subject area, demonstrating your ability to analyse, synthesise and creatively apply your learning, showing critical and evaluative skills and professional awareness.

This is a 60-credit module.

Professional Practice

Plan and implement your departure from education to your first or new career, or to further study. You continue your creative practice, developing a portfolio and/or extended piece of work which reflects you as a creative. You explore discipline-specific employability strategies, and engage and network with industry to develop key connections.

This is a 60-credit module.

 

Modules offered may vary.

 

How you learn

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

 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

Any combination of level 3 qualifications. Each application is considered on a case-by-case basis.

We may also be able to help you meet the entry requirements through our Summer University short courses.

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

 

Employability

Career opportunities

Graduates from this course have secured successful careers with BBC, ITN News, Sky Sports News, Reach PLC and Newsquest.

 

Information for international applicants

Qualifications

International applicants - find out what qualifications you need by selecting your country below.

Select your country:

  
 

Useful information

Visit our international pages for useful information for non-UK students and applicants.

Talk to us

Talk to an international student enrolment adviser

 
 

Professional accreditation

National Council for the Training of Journalists logo

This degree is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), allowing you to study for your professional (pre-entry) qualifications alongside your degree, with no additional tuition charges.

The NCTJ diploma is a vocational qualification that is widely recognised and highly valued by journalism employers. Find out more about this course and the exams you’ll need to take as part of your degree.

Other course routes

Work placement

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.

Work placements

Full-time

Entry to 2024-25 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£9,250 a year

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

More details about our fees for international applicants

Entry to 2025-26 academic year

Fee for UK applicants
£9,535 a year

* Subject to passing of legislation expected in early 2025.

More details about our fees

Fee for international applicants
£17,000 a year

More details about our fees for international applicants


What is included in your tuition fee?

  • Length: 4 years (5 with work placement)
  • UCAS code: P504 BA/JourFY
  • Start date: January or September
  • Semester dates
  • Typical offer: 48-64 points

Apply online (full-time) through UCAS

 

Part-time

  • Not available part-time
 

Choose Teesside

  • On video

    Nathan Lee, ITN

    BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism graduate Nathan now works as an assistant news editor for ITV national news.

    TUXtra

    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.

     
  • In pictures
     
  • Student and graduate profiles

    Lauren Heslop

    Lauren HeslopBA (Hons) Journalism

    I wanted to study a course that would give me training in all areas of journalism and prepare me for the world of work

    Meet Lauren

    Jack Kenmare

    Jack KenmareBA (Hons) Journalism

    Jack made sure he tried all aspects of journalism throughout the course.

    Meet Jack

    Katie Andrews

    Katie AndrewsBSc (Hons) Multimedia Journalism

    Katie's time at Teesside has led to her landing a role at Made TV.

    Meet Katie

     
  • News

    Helen Dalby Industry support for future journalists’ study journey
    A senior figure in regional media is working with Teesside University to ensure journalism students are equipped and prepared for their future careers.

    Read the full story

    Budding journalists celebrated at awards ceremony
    Talented media students were recognised at Teesside University’s annual Journalism Awards.

    Read the full story

    Left to right: Clare Fletcher ( Associate Dean for Learning and Teaching in the School of Arts & Creative Industries, TU); Helen Dalby (Audience and Content Director for Reach’s North East titles); and Ian McNeal (Teesside Live Editor). 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.

    Read the full story

     
 
 
 

MIMA Creative Week

Have a look at the highlights from the School of Arts & Creative Industries Creative Week 2023.

 

Get in touch

UK students

Email: saci-admissions@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: 01642 738801


Online chat (general enquiries)

International students

Email: internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

Telephone: +44 (0) 1642 738900


More international contacts

 

Open days and events

Sat

18

Jan

Undergraduate open day

9.00am - 3.00pm

On campus


Book now

 
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