BA (Hons)
Journalism with English Language
Language, culture and communication for journalistic purposes
Course Overview
Why take this course?
Are you are interested in the technical structures of the English language, and using them to find and communicate a story to the public? Whether your goal is writing for magazines, newspapers or new media, you will learn the skills of journalism alongside linguistic study.
We aim to help you become an ethical and reflective journalist, with significant knowledge of another subject.
What will I experience?
On this course you can:
- Put your skills into practice in our fully equipped newsroom
- Benefit from studying under expert journalists with experience working on international, national, regional and online publications
- Complete a ten-day journalism-based work placement
What opportunities might it lead to?
Portsmouth graduates have a good record of finding employment and the focus on our journalism course is on making you employable as a graduate journalist.
The University of Portsmouth is an approved exam centre for the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), a body traditionally associated with the newspaper industry. Students have the opportunity to sit a number of NCTJ examinations, but applicants are advised that if they wish to complete all the NCTJ core examinations, they should apply to our BA (Hons) Journalism.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- editing magazines
- working on fashion blogs
- new media
- public relations
- further academic study
I love my course because it has a great mix of practical and theory work – also, the teachers are great.
Rachael Job, BA (Hons) Journalism with English Language student 2013
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- P5Q3
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A Levels or equivalent, to include 100 points from A Level English.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Subject:
English, Film, Journalism and Media
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- Getting the chance to develop practical skills alongside learning the theory
- The high-quality teaching and flexibility of options that enables you to tailor your course to your own interests
- The passion and knowledge of the lecturers that makes studying so enjoyable
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In the first year there is a blend of practical and theoretical learning. You’ll begin practical training in the techniques of journalism, alongside units in theory, law and ethics relating to journalistic practice. Shorthand is also a core topic, and our training will enable you to reach speeds of 100 words per minute. You will also lay the groundwork for your linguistic study in the course.
You will study the following units:
- Law for Journalists
- Theories and Techniques in Journalism
- Introduction to Studying Journalism
- Copywriting and Web Editing
- Language, Society and Mind
- How Language Works
Year two
This year allows you to start specialising in the areas that interest you most. Choose to focus on specific media forms or writing styles alongside the study of the language they use.
You will study the following units:
- An Introduction to Editorial Design
- Visual Journalism
- Meaning in English
- Feature Writing
You will choose one option from:
- Analysing Discourse
- Forensic Linguistics
You will choose one further option from:
- Sports Journalism
- Ethical Issues in Modern Journalism
- Learning from Experience
Year three
The final year offers you a range of options to choose from in both parts of your study. Depending on your interests, you also have the choice between a dissertation or undertaking a special exercise that boosts your journalistic skills.
You will study:
- EITHER Dissertation OR Journalism Special Exercise
- Writing and Producing Magazines
You will choose one option from:
- Placements and Digital Portfolio
- Press and Public Relations
You will choose one further option from:
- Professional Communication
- English in a Historical Perspective
- Professional Communication 2
- English in the World
Teaching and Assessment
As well as the standard lecture and seminar format of learning, there is also a hugely practical element to your study. Practical workshop sessions and group-based activities will sometimes see you producing magazines, newspapers or web pages to a deadline. We prize this training aspect of the course.
How are you assessed?
We assess you in a range of ways, including through:
- essays and close textual analysis
- in-class tests
- media artefacts
- seminar presentations
- a 10,000-word dissertation
Tutor's view
Bernard Saunders
Journalism
Our students work on real-life journalism in our state-of-the-art newsrooms under the watchful eye of real journalists. We combine that with rigorous background theory and it's all aimed at preparing them for life as a multi-skilled journalist who can cope with the pressures and demands of employers when they first step into a newsroom.
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
The Newsroom
A purpose-built newsroom for journalism students
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with group working spaces, printers, Mac workstations and more
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
The Newsroom
Opened in 2007 by former Times editor Charles Wilson, our industry-standard newsroom is home to Portsmouth's journalism students. It’s equipped with the latest hardware and software used by today’s press, replicating the activity and experience of professional journalists. You'll also become familiar with the tools and techniques used by correspondents out in the field, from cameras to data connections.
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with a comfy seating area, desks where you can work, printers, Mac workstations and access to the wireless network so you can log in using your own laptop. There are also several study rooms where you can work on group projects, in addition to the University's 3rd Space.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Editors and reporters from newspapers and magazines visit throughout the year and give great advice and insider tips.
Sarah Morcom, BA (Hons) Journalism with English Language student
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
This is a vocational course, and we would expect you to graduate with the skills needed to find employment as a journalist on websites, magazines and newspapers. However, this is not the only route open to you; you’ll gain valuable transferable skills in analysis, writing, presentation, editing, design, and so on, which will stand you in good stead to enter a wide range of careers.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- campaign assistant
- editorial assistant
- PR and marketing assistant
- trainee reporter
- journalist
Work experience
In your third year, you will complete a ten-day journalism-based work placement. This is a great opportunity to gain relevant work experience, learn more about the professional application of journalism and produce material for your portfolio which may also be used for NCTJ professional qualifications. What’s more, impress future employers by getting some real-life work experience under your belt. Past students have gained work placements on a variety of weekly, evening and national newspapers, national magazines, radio and television stations and web publications.
This course also allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you’re involved in alongside your study.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
The teachers who all have a background in journalism have also been extremely useful, from their good advice to their expert teaching skills. Also, their journalism contacts have helped me with obtaining work experience throughout my degree.
Rachael Job, BA (Hons) Journalism with English Language student, 2013
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more