University of Sunderland

News Journalism

* Exceptions may apply.  Please see Fees and Finance for further information.

Introduction

Sunderland has one of the fastest growing journalism departments in the country, and offers a wide range of degrees tailored to help you achieve your career goals. BA (Hons) News Journalism is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, and equips you to write stories for a variety of news media.

All students on our journalism degrees (except broadcast journalism) take a common first year, learning how to interview, research and write news, sport and features. If you then find that you prefer sports or magazine journalism, you are free to switch to those degrees.

News journalism students go on to gain expertise in reporting, design and production, media law, public affairs and shorthand.

You can take options in arts and entertainment reviewing, investigative journalism, international journalism, sports journalism or magazine journalism, as well as in radio, TV, video and new media.

You will combine your vocational skills with a theoretical understanding of the way in which the media work. That means studying issues in contemporary journalism, language in the media, media ethics and cultural studies.

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Course Content

Modules Include:

• News Writing
• Issues in Contemporary Journalism
• Media Law
• Media Ethics
• Media and Cultural Studies

with options to take

• Public Relations
• Media Production
• Radio, TV and Video
• Film Studies
• Photography
• Language

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Entry Requirements

A typical offer will be in the region of 260 points from a minimum of 2 A Levels or equivalent (e.g. 1 x AVCE double award).

We accept a maximum of 20 points from Level 3 Key Skills qualifications.

We also require three passes at GCSE grade C or above which must include Mathematics and English Language or a minimum of Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number.

BTEC National: 260 points from a BTEC Certificate or Diploma.

Access Courses: We would require successful completion of a Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education Access programme and that you would have a minimum of grade C in GCSE in Mathematics and English Language or have obtained the equivalent as part of your course.

Scottish Highers: Our typical offer is for 260 points.

Irish Leaving Certificate: Our typical offer is for 260 points.

Direct Entry to Level 2/3: Candidates wishing to be considered for direct entry to Level 2/3 of a programme should contact the Helpline on tel: (0191) 515 3000.

International Applicants: Tel: +44 191 515 3000.

All non-standard mature applicants will be offered an interview.

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Fees and Finance

The fees for this course are as specified in the table at the top of the page.

Please note that different fees apply to students studying for "Equivalent or Lower Qualifications" (ELQs). For more information about ELQs, please see the page Information for applicants who already have an HE Qualification.

For information about University scholarships and bursaries please see the page Fees and Finance.

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Teaching and Assessment

Teaching methods include lectures, demonstrations, seminars, workshops, group and practical skills work.

Assessment is split between essays, examinations, reports, productions, portfolio, seminar and group presentations.

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Work Experience

If you are taking journalism modules you will work closely with professionals from the media industry. At levels 2 and 3, you may take a work placement module, with one of the many regional media and cultural organisations including newspapers, magazines radio stations, Tyne Tees Television and PR companies.

Sunderland's daily newspaper, the Sunderland Echo, has a weekly page called On Campus written entirely by students at the university. This gives students experience in finding and researching their own stories, taking photographs, meeting deadlines and seeing their name in print.

The campus-based radio station Spark FM provides opportunities for students in radio via a Restricted Service Licence, which allows the station to broadcast across the Wearside area for four weeks a year.

Students run Spark FM themselves with tutor support, and are responsible for all news-gathering, programme production and advertising. Regular student magazines and newsletters provide opportunities for you to further increase your experience and skills.

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Career Opportunities

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, video, public relations and new media industries, as well as other professional and administrative positions in industry, commerce and the civil service, and many different jobs in the arts and the voluntary sector.

Recent graduates have gained employment in the BBC, Channel 4, Sky TV, MTV, Radio 1, local newspapers, The Guardian and PR companies.

You can also continue your studies with an MA in Journalism, in Media Production or in Film and Cultural Studies.

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Supplemental Information

We don't require an A-level pass in Media Studies but this makes it even more important that you find out what the subject involves before you make your application.

You must express an enthusiasm for current media and cultural studies theory and understand what that entails. You will be interested in developing your analytical skills when discussing all forms of media.

The production elements of this degree require students to work together on a number of projects. Our modules reflect professional practices in the media industry, where working as part of a team is vital to success. You must be able to display good communication skills, diplomacy and a dedication to both your team and your production.

Theory elements to this degree also require teamwork via group presentations and seminar work.

Journalism is a compulsory element of this degree and previous experience of these activities via work experience, or as a hobby, or on a formal course would be advantageous. A desire to acquire a wide range of media related skills, both technical and creative, is essential.

These skills include: writing for a wide range of magazines and newspapers, page design and production, online research, production management, IT competency, time management and presentation skills. It would be sensible for you to know in advance whether you enjoy and are able to do this type of work because it forms a compulsory element of the degree.

You will be expected to spend a considerable amount of time working independently outside timetabled class time. You could be researching an essay, planning a project, or preparing for a presentation and we expect students to manage their own self-directed study time.

Bursary Information
The National Council for the Training of Journalists runs a Journalism Diversity Fund which offers bursaries to help support students from ethnically and socially diverse backgrounds.

It is aimed at people without the financial means to attend NCTJ courses. Full details are available at http://www.journalismdiversityfund.com

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Facilities

World Class Web/Design Tools
The University of Sunderland has made a significant investment in providing students with access to the latest releases of Adobe products.

Selected PCs within the St Peter's and Murray Libraries have been pre-loaded with the Creative Suite 4 CS4 Adobe Design Premium Suite for your exclusive use.

CS4 Creative includes key products such as Indesign, Illustrator, Dreamweaver as well as Photoshop and a range of many others.

Further information is available from:

http://www.adobe.com/uk/products/creativesuite/design/

For information regarding locations of PC or Macs within your own faculty that have access to Adobe products please contact your Faculty IT Support.

If you are interested in purchasing Adobe products for your own PC/Mac Adobe offer significant savings for student purchases via any of its approved re-sellers.

Please visit:

http://www.student-software.co.uk/ 

The Media Centre opened houses four industry-standard journalism suites, two TV studios, four digital radio studios, a 207-seat cinema, an open access computer suite and a range of seminar and lecture rooms.

Each of the journalism suites is equipped with eighteen AppleMac workstations, one for every student. Software includes the latest versions of Quark, Adobe Photoshop, Microsoft Office and MediaDisk. Two journalism technicians provide support for students and tutors.

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Related Courses

• Journalism - Combined Subjects (Major, Dual and Minor)
• Sports Journalism
• Magazine Journalism

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