Journalism BA (Hons)

Study a practical journalism degree, led by professional journalists who have worked for some of the UK’s biggest titles. Work closely with industry to learn the cutting-edge skills required to make your mark in the media. Become a journalist from the day you arrive and work for our award-winning radio station and websites, covering everything from news, to sport, fashion, arts and entertainment.

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Overview

On BA (Hons) Journalism, you'll learn all the essential skills of journalism, producing content for a wide range of print and online platforms while working in our own newsroom under the guidance of staff who have worked for the likes of the Mirror, Grazia, Private Eye and many more. We'll teach you how to write and research news stories and feature articles; create video and interactive content; design newspaper, web and magazine pages; and become adept in using all the latest digital storytelling tools for websites and social media. You'll also study the development of journalism and its principles and ethics.

You’ll significantly boost your employability by graduating with both an honours degree and the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, which is the foremost industry qualification required by most employers in the media.

Why us?

Our Journalism courses are 6th in the UK and 1st in the north-east (Guardian University Guide, 2025)
Learn from inspirational staff who have worked as senior journalists online, in print and on air
This course is accredited by the National Council for Training of Journalists (NCTJ). The NCTJ diploma is an essential qualification for many journalism jobs. Learn more about the benefits of studying an NCTJ-accredited course.

Network with and learn from a range of guest speakers who work in the industry
Get published from day one in the mediaHUB, our bustling multimedia newsroom, working on our student publications, Spark Sunderland, Fashion North, and Sportsbyte
Our graduates now work at Sky News, The Guardian, the Daily Mirror, the BBC, Closer magazine and regional newspaper groups Reach, JPIMedia and Newsquest

Join our creative community: @SunderlandCreative #WeAreCreative

Get to know Spark, Fashion North and Sportsbyte, our students' award-winning websites for local news, local sport, fashion and arts and entertainment.

Our partners, accreditations and networks

Course structure

Teaching methods include lectures, news days, seminars, workshops and group projects. All our teaching staff have worked as journalists and have strong links with regional employers and industry organisations. We also invite experienced industry professionals to carry out regular guest lectures and classes.

Assessment is split between portfolios of practical work, essays, examinations, reports and presentations.

Part-time study

If you study this course on a part-time basis, you will typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the daytime and you'll be studying alongside full-time students.

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Introduction to Journalism (30 credits)

Ever wondered what it takes to work in news, fashion, or sports? Master the key skills for finding and researching stories, tracking down sources, conducting interviews, and writing compelling headlines and story introductions. Plus, you'll learn how to structure a story that keeps your audience hooked.

You’ll also get hands-on experience creating podcasts to share stories across news, fashion, and sports journalism. How about using social media and analytics to promote your work and reach a wider audience? You’ll explore all of that too.

Digital Publishing (30 credits)

Want to capture the attention of online audiences with compelling stories? This module will teach you how to present news in fresh, digital-friendly ways, from video journalism to data-driven storytelling.

You'll also develop key journalism skills, like finding stories, interviewing sources, crafting content that grabs attention and producing impactful, multimedia news for today’s online audience.

Media Law and Ethics (30 credits)

Navigate key issues like libel, privacy, copyright, and court reporting across print, online, broadcast, and social media.

You'll also get hands-on experience checking copy for legal risks, writing court reports, and applying industry standards like the Editors’ Code and the Ofcom Code.

At the end of this module you’ll have the confidence to report with accuracy, integrity, and legal know-how – ready to tell important stories responsibly.

Reporting Entertainment (30 credits)

Want to report on film, music, gaming, and the arts? In this module, you'll learn how to cover the entertainment industry with accuracy and flair. Develop the skills to write news, features, and reviews, while exploring the fast-paced world of showbiz reporting.

You'll gain a deep understanding of entertainment journalism as a professional industry and the tools needed to make your mark.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Social, Digital, Video (30 credits)

Ready to create standout videos for social media and the web? In this module, you’ll learn everything from filming and editing to crafting compelling scripts and mastering camera techniques.

You’ll practice interviewing people and honing your storytelling skills to produce professional-quality videos that grab attention. Alongside this, discover how to grow your audience by tracking views, boosting engagement, and building a loyal online community.

Features: Pitching and Writing (30 credits)

Ready to turn your storytelling skills into a career? This module teaches you how to craft long-form journalism for trade magazines, online publications, and beyond.

You’ll learn how to pitch original ideas to editors, understand your audience, and use SEO and analytics to make sure your work gets seen. Whilst also creating social media content to promote your features and boost engagement.

Live Reporting (30 credits)

Experience the fast-paced world of journalism working on live news websites, writing, editing, and publishing stories for print and digital platforms.

Throughout this module you'll cover breaking news, community reporting, and in-depth stories while learning how to use multimedia, social media, and analytics to engage audiences.

With guidance from experienced journalists, you'll gain the skills and confidence to thrive in a modern newsroom.

Reporting Government (30 credits)

Want to understand how public services and those in power really work in the UK? Learn how to uncover stories that keep decision-makers accountable.

Throughout this module you'll explore how journalists serve the public by shedding light on the inner workings of our power structures.

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

Employability and Entrepreneurship (30 credits)

Ready to stand out in the world of journalism? In this module, you'll create a strong CV and cover letter, build a professional online presence, and connect with industry experts. Gain hands-on experience with a media work placement and discover how journalism businesses really work through interactive workshops and expert talks.

By the end, you'll have the skills and confidence to take your first steps in the industry.

Digital and Investigative Journalism (30 credits)

Ready to master cutting-edge digital storytelling techniques that will make your work stand out? In this module you'll build on traditional journalism skills while learning to create interactive and immersive news content.

Some of the techniques you'll explore are already making waves in modern newsrooms, while others are brand new and evolving. This module is also experimental and will adapt to the latest trends and developments. Dive into investigative journalism and gain the skills needed to produce exclusive, impactful content.

Major Journalism Project (60 credits)

Learn to create compelling stories and bring your ideas to life by creating engaging articles, a magazine, a website, or a podcast on a topic you're passionate about. Develop essential journalism skills and learn how to pitch a professional project with strong market research, ensuring it reaches the right audience.

Along the way, you'll explore the strengths and challenges of modern journalism while applying key concepts of media law and ethics.

Facilities

The David Puttnam Media Centre is a thriving place to study and experience media. Volunteer with award winning radio station Spark Sunderland, write for one of our suite of websites or edit Spark Magazine in our mediaHUB. Get hands-on in TV and radio studios and digital editing suites. Learn from experts in this centre of excellence for training.

Entry requirements

Our typical offer is:

Qualification	Minimum grade
High School Diploma along with one of the following at the required grade - SAT I and SAT II, ACT or Advanced Placement	GPA 3.0 or above and:
	Sat score of 1250/1600 from SATs
	AP (Grades 3+ in at least 3 subjects)
	ACT (score of 30+)

If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.

If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.

Our admissions policy uses a range of flexible options to support you in studying with us. This may include a reduced offer of up to 16 UCAS tariff points, (or equivalent). Find out if you are eligible.

If English is not your first language, please see our English language requirements.

If you are studying an HND or Foundation Degree you may be able to enter the final year of our degree courses. For more information, please contact studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk.

As part of our NCTJ accreditation, we will also invite you to an informal interview. We’d like to hear about you, why you’re interested in journalism, and tell you a bit more about our course and what makes us special.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
£16,500 if you are an international student

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Tuition fees for part-time students are £7,145 per 90 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, public relations and new media industries. It is also highly relevant to many positions in industry, commerce and the Civil Service, as well as to jobs in the arts and voluntary sectors.

Real-world experience – right on campus

You have the opportunity to be actively involved in Spark Sunderland, the 24/7 community radio station. Spark is award-winning and consistently recognised at the Student Radio Awards, Community Radio Awards and the prestigious New York Festival Radio Awards for many years. Students are responsible for all news-gathering, programme production and advertising.

Superb industry links

Be inspired by our academics and their strong industry contacts. Our experienced academics have years of industry expertise at high levels in print, online and broadcasting, including the BBC, Daily Mirror, Grazia, Private Eye and Sky.

Meet regional and national high-profile journalists such as Kevin Maguire, Associate Editor at the Daily Mirror and Visiting Professor in Journalism at the University, and Alastair Stewart, presenter at GB News and formerly ITV News. Both regularly visit the University, along with a host of experienced journalists to give insight into the industry via masterclasses and lectures.

Broaden your horizons with inspiring trips – recently, students have enjoyed visits to Dusseldorf and to MediaCityUK.

Work placements

You'll undertake a work placement module in your final year, though many of our students arrange placements across three years.

Recent BA (Hons) Journalism student placements include the Guardian, The Daily Mirror and The Daily Mail. These placements are often the first step to a dream job in journalism.

Join award winners

Our students and graduates have been making a splash, winning awards and prizes across the board:

BA (Hons) Journalism student Mariam Khattab won the 2020 NCTJ features category for her articles on the human rights of Muslims across the world
Joe Nicholson won the Sports Journalism Award in 2019 for his portfolio of work
Bethany Elsey, pictured, was shortlisted for Royal Television Society North East Student Award for Best Documentary
Alice Winney won the Royal Television Society North East Student Award for News 2017 for her story about flooding in Corbridge
BA (Hons) Journalism student Ryan Lim was shortlisted for Best Photographer in the National Student Publication Association (SPA) Awards 2017

Meet the students

I had an amazing time at university and the course helped me get my dream job as a journalist.

Callum Hodgson
I chose Sunderland because the facilities were superior to other universities I looked at

Ellie Young
I liked the idea of working with lecturers who had real-life knowledge of the industry

Jordan Davidson

Related courses

BA (Hons) Journalism with Integrated Foundation Year

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries.

Page last updated: 22 May 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.

Overview

Why us?

Join our creative community: @SunderlandCreative #WeAreCreative

Our partners, accreditations and networks

Course structure

Year 1 (national level 4):

Core modules:

Introduction to Journalism (30 credits)

Digital Publishing (30 credits)

Media Law and Ethics (30 credits)

Reporting Entertainment (30 credits)

Year 2 (national level 5):

Core modules:

Social, Digital, Video (30 credits)

Features: Pitching and Writing (30 credits)

Live Reporting (30 credits)

Reporting Government (30 credits)

Final year (national level 6):

Core modules:

Employability and Entrepreneurship (30 credits)

Digital and Investigative Journalism (30 credits)

Major Journalism Project (60 credits)

Facilities

Entry requirements

Fees and finance

Career ready

Real-world experience – right on campus

Superb industry links

Work placements

Join award winners

Meet the students

Callum Hodgson

Ellie Young

Jordan Davidson

Meet the team — BA (Hons) Journalism

Related courses

Contact