Journalism BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Two students standing in front of a filming camera emulating a tv studio

Curious about people and the world? Develop the skills needed for a career in journalism, with a focus on in-depth research, critical thinking and storytelling that makes an impact.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

Course code

PP53

Start date

September 2026

The information on this page is for 2025-26 entry and should be used as guidance for 2026-27 entry. Please keep checking back on this course page to see our latest updates.


Course overview

Gain extensive hands-on experience in industry-standard TV and radio studios, learning from expert practitioners and guest speakers. Develop top-level news and social media writing, supported by opportunities for industry placements.2

  • Specialist journalism: this course has a predominantly broadcast, web and social media focus with opportunities to specialise in an area you are passionate about.
  • Career-focused skills: develop strong written and verbal communication skills, including news writing and broadcast presentation.
  • Applied learning: get practical experience with broadcasting, social media and digital journalism tools.
A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2026

Why you should study this course

  • Industry recognised: accreditation by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) ensures industry-relevant multi-platform training by experienced staff and a short-term work placement.1,2
  • Specialised facilities: access to professional standard TV and radio studios, wireless newsrooms, podcast booths and video editing suites, as well as the Media Loan Service for borrowing cameras and other portable recording equipment. These can help you develop the skills and techniques employers need.4
  • Content portfolio: build a portfolio of varied stories and other media material, right from your first year, with many involving interactions with external sources and collaborators to help improve your employment prospects.
  • Global reach: take part in collaborative projects with other media students internally, nationally and globally - enhancing creativity, skills and employability.
  • Choose your path: optional year-long work placement or study abroad on top of short placements, boosting real-world experience and career readiness.2 Previous students have secured work experience and employment at Sky, BBC, ITV, Coventry City FC, Heat magazine and The New York Times among others.
  • Develop highly valued skills: reflecting the changing and dynamic needs of industry, including exceptional communication, project planning, critical thinking and analysis, problem-solving and powerful presentation and listening skills.
3rd

Coventry University ranked No.3 for Journalism

Guardian University Guide 2025

Accreditation and professional recognition

BJTC logo

Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC)

This course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council for the 2025/26 intake and is seeking reaccreditation for 26/27 intakes. This is a normal part of the continuous improvement process. The BJTC ensure all their accredited courses provide the knowledge and skills sought after by some of the UK's biggest media employers. If you graduate from a BJTC accredited course, you will receive a Journalism Skills Certificate. Please see the BJTC website for details. If there are any changes to the accreditation of this course, we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.1


Why study Journalism BA (Hons) at Coventry University?


What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

The common first year enables you to work alongside students doing similar courses to you, to widen your knowledge and exposure to other subject areas and professions. You will have the opportunity to collaborate with other students, so you can share your insights and experience which will help you to develop and learn.

If you discover an interest in a specific subject you have studied, upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements). 

Common first year courses

  • Journalism BA (Hons)
  • Media and Communication BA (Hons)

Modules

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placements usually occur between your second and final years of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path and gain valuable work experience, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.

Modules

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.

Coventry University has given me the skillset to competently enter the world of work in broadcasting. I chose Coventry due to the industry standard equipment and the experience the lecturers had in the industry. I enjoy the practical aspect of this course. It replicates a working news room in a realistic way and prepares you for this.

Trystan Finocchiaro, Journalism BA (Hons) student, 2022
A student stood in front of a film camera with a green screen behind

How you'll learn

Teaching methods may include: 

  • simulations, including of covering court cases in a moot court
  • news days involving editorial teams, reflecting industry practice
  • lectures
  • seminars
  • workshops
  • demonstration of equipment use, including out of university buildings
  • field trips, including to nearby magistrate and crown courts.2

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. You will normally study one 30-credit module at a time. A typical 30-credit module requires a total of 300 hours of study made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary depending on your year of study and selected modules. During your first year, you can expect 12-15 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

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 is assessed using methods that vary by module.

Assessment methods may include:

  • portfolio 
  • audio/radio stories 
  • video/tv stories 
  • online/web articles 
  • individual website 
  • social media posts 
  • court report 
  • audio essay or commentary 
  • video essay or commentary 
  • written reflective essay 
  • research report 
  • diary or log 
  • open book test (media law and ethics) 
  • employment material—CV, cover letter, skills audit etc 
  • networking material—calendar and contacts entries 
  • strategy pitch  
  • long-form journalism including documentary. 

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

The best thing about Coventry University from my point of view was that all the lecturers come from within industry, they have that inside know-how that really helps you. The facilities are also amazing and having access to all that gives students the freedom to pursue their interests in whatever direction they want to, it gives you that flexibility.

Lilian Darteh, Journalism BA (Hons), quoted September 2022, graduated in 2022
Lilian Darteh

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC
GCSE GCSE English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC DMM
IB Diploma 29 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma. Plus GCSE English at grade 4 / C or above.

Portfolio

You may be required to attend a portfolio showcase, activity session or audition or submit a portfolio via email (as is appropriate to your course), either virtually or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites for these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

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.

Portfolio

You may be required to submit a portfolio via email or alternatively attend a showcase activity session or audition (as is appropriate for your course) which can be virtual or face to face, as is practical to arrange. Invites to send in your portfolio or attend these sessions will be sent directly to your contact email.

Each application will be considered on its merits.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 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 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year
Not available
EU 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2026/27 fees TBC
2025/26 fees: £19,850 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2027/28 will pay £1,500 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,800 if they are paying international fees.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

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 permits 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.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2027/28. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above 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.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

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.


Facilities

Our facilities4 help develop your practical talent so you feel prepared to enter the workplace and inspire your passion for journalism.

Our extensive specialist resources include a wireless suite of newsrooms, TV studio, video editing suite and radio studio.

Students using the filming facilities in The Tank.

The Tank

Is the latest addition to Coventry University, with modern specialist TV Studio equipment, including large cameras, mixing facilities and fibre optic wiring throughout.

Phoenix radio logo

Phoenix Radio booth

Have you ever wanted to get into a radio booth, or learn how to work a mixing desk? The Students’ Union Phoenix Radio offers you the opportunity to hone your skills.

Interior image of the Delia Derbyshire building

Delia Derbyshire Building

The Delia Derbyshire complex includes a hyper studio designed for cross-disciplinary projects and immersive studios with cutting-edge virtual reality and mixed-reality technologies for students across all disciplines to collaborate on projects together, a gallery space and an events atrium.

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.

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Portrait photo of Matt Purslow

Careers and opportunities

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

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

Possible roles:

  • Reporter/Journalist (eg at Coventry Live, Nub News, Waltham Forest Echo)
  • Data journalist (eg at The Times and Sunday Times, Radar AI, Finder)
  • Video journalist (eg at Caters Media Group)
  • Sports writer/Producer (eg at Match, World Soccer, Dub Sports)
  • Lifestyle reporter (eg at Jam Press)
  • Assistant editor (eg at ITV News)
  • Editor/Sub-editor (eg Nub News)
  • Broadcast assistant (eg at BBC, Reprezent)
  • Presenter (eg at ITV News, Phoenix Radio, Caters Media Group)
  • Assistant podcast producer (eg at OG Podcasts)
  • Broadcast producer (eg at Sky News, ITV News)
  • Journalism co-ordinator (eg at BBC West Midlands)
  • Content writer/producer (eg at KG Perazim, CarryBags UK)
  • Audience writer (eg at Daily Express)
  • Social media executive/manager (eg at BBC, Striker & Radar Podcast)
  • Public relations officer/manager
  • Press / Communications officer/manager (eg at LID Publishing)
  • Corporate Communications officer/manager
  • Digital Communications officer (eg at The London Mayor’s Office)
  • Internal Communication executive (eg at Pinewood Automotive Intelligence)
  • Crisis communications consultant
  • Speechwriter
  • Media analyst/monitor
  • Policy writer/analyst
  • Documentary maker
  • Media entrepreneur
  • Freelance reporter/writer/photographer/producer (eg with BBC CWR, BBC News, ITV News). 

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.

Where our graduates work

Previous graduates of the course have gone on to work for a range of broadcasters, newspapers, magazines and online outlets, including the BBC, Sky Sports, ITV, the Telegraph website and Heat magazine.

Further study

You can choose to continue your studies at Coventry University with the Global Journalism and Public Relations MA or one of our other courses:

You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

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Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

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