Sports Journalism MA

Postgraduate

Lecturer and group of students at a boardroom style table with lots of football shirts behind them

Gain the skills and experience to become a versatile journalist through practical reporting, media production, and opportunities to engage with live events and industry networks.

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

1 year full-time

Course code

CAST023

Start date

September 2025
November 2025
January 2026
March 2026
May 2026
July 2026

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Postgraduate events

Course overview

This course aims to help you develop practical, multimedia and hands-on reporting skills through practical experience, project-based assessments, and industry connections² to build professional portfolios and prepare you for roles in sports media.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 4th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2025

Why you should study this course

Practical learning: develop your portfolio through coursework and opportunities to report from real sports and media environments², helping you prepare to deliver professional-standard work.
Multimedia training: gain hands-on skills in writing, broadcasting, editing and social media optimisation using our industry-standard facilities, helping you get a competitive edge while you prepare to apply for journalism and media roles.
Hands-on experience: take part in studio and on-location production days as part of your studies, with opportunities to cover local and national sporting events which could help you build confidence and experience for your future career.
Creative community: learn within a network of MA students, alumni and industry professionals² who support collaboration, creative growth and professional connections.
Project-based assessments: designed to mirror the pace and pressures of real newsroom environments, assessments give you opportunities to produce news, features, commentary and analysis, building a professional portfolio that showcases your employability and readiness for sports media careers.

Collaborations

RSA logo

Endorsement by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA)

Coventry University and the RSA have collaborated on a module concerning social and ethical responsibility. You will be entitled to a 12-month fellowship of the RSA so you can access all RSA resources and platforms during your period of study. Once you have successfully passed the Professional Practice and Innovation module, you will receive¹ an RSA digital credential.

What you'll study

You will develop writing, video, audio and immersive editing, immersive and social media production, while understanding legal and ethical frameworks. This course also champions innovation and social, with opportunities to earn a digital credential and RSA Fellowship for the one year duration of the course.

Modules

Print and Digital Skills – 30 credits

Build essential journalism skills for both print and digital platforms. This module focuses on writing, editing and layout techniques, with hands-on experience using content management systems and industry-standard tools. Learn how to produce high-quality news and feature content, explore innovative publishing processes, and develop the creative and technical skills needed to succeed in modern media environments.

Compulsory

Sports Campaigns, Commissions and Multimedia Coverage – 30 credits

Explore the evolving landscape of sports journalism in the digital age. Examine how to develop sources, engage audiences, develop news stories, and learn how to maximise access to influential figures through multimedia coverage. Working in small teams, you’ll pitch and produce original content, such as podcasts, YouTube series or long-form video, supported by online news and social media. Develop the creative, convergent journalism skills valued by employers across sports media and related industries.

Compulsory

Audio, Video and Immersive Production – 30 credits

Develop the skills to produce compelling audio, video and immersive content for rapidly growing media businesses. This module focuses on scripting, recording and editing techniques for online, broadcast and podcast formats. You’ll work on stories relevant to your specialism, with opportunities to collaborate with industry collaborations and source original material. Through hands-on practice and creative storytelling, you’ll learn to deliver professional-standard content across digital and broadcast media.

Compulsory

Live Sports Reporting, Statistics, Power and Regulation – 30 credits

Learn how to report effectively from dynamic live sports environments. This module explores the challenges of working under pressure - before, during and after events - while developing your ability to produce accurate, engaging and timely content. Examine the influence of major organisations like FIFA and the FIA and build the skills to create professional-standard journalism across print, digital, social and broadcast platforms. From live match coverage to post-event analysis, you’ll learn how to deliver impactful stories to diverse audiences.

Compulsory

Professional Practice and Innovation – 30 credits

Explore the changing landscape of creative industries and develop the skills to thrive within it. This module focuses on innovation, sustainability and professional development, giving you the tools to analyse market trends, pitch ideas, and plan for your future. You’ll choose from a range of project options - from business ventures to social change strategies.

The module is designed in collaboration with the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA) and upon successful completion, you will receive an RSA digital badging.

Compulsory

Specialist Media Project - 30 credits

Dive deep into a niche topic or aspect of journalism that inspires you. As part of this, learn how to explore and/or analyse innovative approaches and treatments which will capture the attention of existing professionals (reporters, editors and hiring managers) in the media space. Following focused sessions examining research strategy, innovation and industry best practice, you will have the opportunity to create an original and intellectually critical extended piece of writing or journalism output.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

The course aims to produce capable, critical, analytical, reflective and creative journalism professionals with specialist knowledge, familiar with the contemporary journalistic context and proficient in cross-media and cross-platform skills and techniques (especially print, broadcast and digital).

Teaching and learning hours

As a full-time postgraduate student, you will study modules totalling 180 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching and learning hours, and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours will vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 8 and 12 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the opportunity to attend optional sessions, including time with a Success Coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback.

Guided and independent learning

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent learning which will make up the required study hours per module. You will be undertaking a variety of activities, learning through guided background research, planning and preparation, studio activity, creative practice and making, reviewing what you have learned and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress towards the end of your studies, you will spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course incorporates new and innovative assessment methods aligned with current industry standards, providing students with practical, real-world skills designed to advance their professional readiness and career prospects.

Assessment methods may include:

reports
features
projects
commentary
individual assignments
group work
presentations
essays.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

You will be actively encouraged to explore international stories and coverage opportunities² across your studies. The course team will assist you with developing international connections, where appropriate, to this end.

We believe that students must be provided with the core theories and skills to create high-quality written and broadcast output. However, instead of spending hours in lecture theatres, we know that this learning is best enhanced when tested in live sports environments (alongside local and national reporters), with support and guidance provided by tutors on how to achieve optimum results.

Coventry University’s Sports Journalism MA aims to ensure this is the case through working collaborations established with governing bodies, professional sports clubs, talent agencies and media businesses.
Matt Read, Course Director, Sports Journalism MA, in the press box at Wembley, quoted 2023

A view from the Wembley Stadium press box ahead of kick-off

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold an honours degree of 2:1 or above in any subject. Applications from candidates with relevant experience will be considered on an individual basis.

Applicants may be invited to interview or to provide a portfolio of work.

For students entering with advanced standing, the course conforms to the standard University RP(E)L procedure. Find further information via the Postgraduate Study page.

Mature applicants with journalistic experience, but who may not hold a traditional degree at the required level, may be considered if they can evidence their experience and achievements.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

Successful applicants are usually expected to hold a good honours degree, or equivalent. Applicants may be invited to interview or to provide a portfolio of work.

English language requirements

IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 5.5

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£11,200	Not available
EU	£11,200 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³ and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page and see the university's Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our aim is to offer you sector-leading facilities⁴.

Exterior front of the Ellen Terry building.

Media Loan Shop

As a student, you’ll have access to Coventry University’s two specialist media loan shops. These well-stocked facilities offer an extensive range of specialist, professional photography, audio and film equipment.

Shot of TV studio with couches in foreground and green screen in background

Television Studio

You will have access to our on-campus TV studio, The Tank, with its specialist TV equipment, including studio cameras, autocues, green screen and a large gallery including multi-screen display, mixing facilities and fibre-optic wiring throughout.

Faculty arts humanities new building illustration

Delia Derbyshire Building

Coventry University’s newest development is a technologically advanced and diverse creative space. It is home to immersive studios, hyper studios, hack labs, audio hubs, galleries and lecture facilities. That’s audio, video, photography, AR, VR and the written word under one roof, which are all increasingly playing their part in journalistic storytelling.

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

Careers and opportunities

Throughout the course, students should develop a broad range of highly valued skills to reflect the changing and dynamic needs of industry, including exceptional communication, project planning, critical thinking and analysis, problem solving, and powerful presentation and listening skills.

On successful completion of the course, graduates should be globally and interculturally aware, ready to make a dynamic difference in the world.

Potential roles could include:

Journalist
Communications Specialist
Project Coordinator
Policy Analyst
Content Producer
Media Researcher.

Where our graduates work

Some of our graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

BBC CWR Sport
Football League World.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

My personal preference for sports revolves around motorsport and the team has been great in helping me pursue my interests. I have taken on an incredible placement with Alpine F1 and spoken with a member of McLaren F1’s communications team. In the coming months, there are plans to work with the England Under-21s team and local Ice Hockey franchises.

Since I arrived at Coventry University, the amount of sporting opportunities that have come up has been amazing. I’ve personally been able to attend the England Men’s World Cup squad announcement at St George’s Park which gave me the opportunity to be in the press conference with the leading reporters in the country. 
Fintan Starkey, Journalism BA (Hons), 2022

A group of students in the press box at a sporting event

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Start your application

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations, partnerships and memberships

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply. See the relevant body website for more details). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships are subject to successful renewal in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery. If the accreditation, recognition or membership of this course changes, we will seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

Where relevant, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) module content is undergoing assessment by the CMI to confirm that all criteria are met to the required standard. Whilst it is expected that students who successfully pass the module will be eligible to be considered by CMI for the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice as an additional qualification, we cannot confirm this until the accreditation is approved. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process for our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2025/2026 contract is available on the website. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.