Sports Journalism MA
Study level: Postgraduate
The Sports Journalism MA seeks to create graduates ready to excel in all media environments.
Year of entry
2024-25
Location
Coventry University (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Part-time
Duration
1 year full-time
2 years part-time
Course code
AHT093
Start date
September 2024
January 2025
Course overview
You will be challenged to create content for your favoured sports including cricket, rugby, football, golf, tennis, cycling, boxing, MMA and global sports of your choosing, across your period of study.
This content will be assessed within modules, but will also then be tailored to deliver maximum impact through your portfolios, showreels and future job applications. You can expect to learn the practical application of law and regulation in journalism as well as ethics.
- Develop a deep understanding of essential theory and best practice.
- Provide technical training to enable remarkable multi-media reporting and production.
- Potential access to major sports industry events and live reporting opportunities2.
Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects
Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022
5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities
QS Stars University Ratings
Top 5 UK Student City in England (Coventry)
QS Best Student Cities Index 2024Why you should study this course
The course aims to offer you:
- the focused training required to become precisely what is needed in modern sports journalism. This will include skills to create news, features and next-generation creative content, for all platforms
- tuition from experienced industry professionals in the use of camera and audio capture, Adobe’s edit suite, content management systems (CMS), social media platforms and law (staff subject to change)
- regular on-location reporting opportunities including press conferences, events and sports industry launches2
- connection with, and guidance from, notable industry writers and broadcasters as well as high-profile sports industry figures2
- opportunities to contribute to and shape creative social media campaigns for local sports businesses, for platforms such as YouTube, TikTok and X2.
Collaborations
We work in collaboration with The RSA (Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce), and upon successful completion of the 'Creative Futures and Social Change' module, you will receive RSA digital badging.
What you'll study
Sports Journalism MA students will learn how to tell stories in writing, on video, audio and for social media. You'll focus on storytelling in ways that both inform and entertain. You'll be encouraged to be ambitious, informed and efficient media practitioners who can add value to any digital platform, newsroom or media organisation. Additionally, you'll be expected to produce professional standard material through a succession of news days which are supported by our 'Journalism Essentials' sessions and are spread across the modules.
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).
The educational aims of the course are in line with the university's mission statement:
- to obtain a systematic knowledge of the forms, practices, institutions, issues, technologies and artefacts/texts within the field of sports journalism
- to acquire a range of specific skills, capabilities, knowledge and practical understanding of techniques, conventions and forms used within specific journalistic contexts and both established and emerging media platforms and thereby communicate effectively/competently with various target audiences
- to critically examine, through focused enquiry, journalism and public relations in sport and the political, societal, legal, ethical, regulatory, technological, economic and stylistic topics and conventions relevant to those related industries
- to advance your professional and reflective skills/expertise appropriate to the field of sports journalism, for evaluation and criticism of your own and others’ work, in a practice context
- to improve your knowledge of the theoretical issues and thematic concerns currently framing journalistic practice, and the dissemination and consumption of journalistic output in all its forms for various target audiences
- to develop a comprehensive understanding of the techniques/methods applicable in the field, and the ability to evaluate and critique methodologies and, where appropriate, to propose new ideas.
This course can be offered on a part-time basis. Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our part-time offering here, it is tailored for each course each year depending on the number of part-time applicants. Therefore, the part-time teaching arrangements vary. Request further information about part-time study.
Teaching contact hours
The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week. The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.
Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 25 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.
As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.
Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.
Assessment
This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.
Assessment methods include:
- Formal examinations
- Essays
- Group work
- Presentations
- Reports
- Projects
- Coursework
- Exams
- Individual Assignments
The Coventry University Group assessment strategy aims to ensure 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
Entry requirements
Fees and funding
2024/25 tuition fees.
| Student | Full-time | Part-time |
|---|---|---|
| UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man | £11,200 | Request fee information |
| 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.
We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.
Tuition fees3 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 government's 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.
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.
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.
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.
Careers and opportunities
Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- create sports content to professional standards for digital, broadcast, print and social media
- understand how the sports journalism industry works and how it connects with the broad and rapidly evolving sports industry including authorities, clubs, talent/athletes, brands, PR firms and agencies
- source news and feature content ahead of packaging this to engage a large audience
- develop stories beyond their news core for multiplatform roll-out, to ensure coverage reaches the maximum audience
- build relationships across the sport and sports media spectrum
- apply a wide range of journalism and communication skills and knowledge to the production of sports content to professional standards.
You should be able to:
- work collaboratively and communicate effectively with fellow students and those in a professional work setting
- demonstrate the ability to identify and successfully engage with a range of audiences, genres and media platforms within sports journalism
- work creatively, sustainably and independently within professional situations, employing a range of journalism strategies and techniques
- demonstrate resilience during challenging tasks and demonstrate the ability to take a leadership role or follow the leadership of a colleague with equal commitment
- respond to challenges, problems or tasks and propose potential solutions to creative problems to successfully manage journalistic projects
- understand the wider socio-political, cultural and economic context in which practice exists and embrace diversity and inclusion in workflow, relationships, and creative output
- feel prepared, connected, supported and assisted when applying for job roles within the sports media.
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
How to apply
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UK students
To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online.
For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form.
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International students
Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degree view our International hub.
You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.
Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.
Chat with our admissions team.
Complete our contact form.
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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
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). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
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
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.
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 2023/2024 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2024/25 Contract is currently being updated so please revisit this page before submitting your application. 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.
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