Journalism BA (Hons)
Build your path to a bold career as a powerful, informative reporter on our NCTJ-accredited Journalism degree course.
Key information
UCAS code:
P500
Accreditation:
This course is Accredited
Typical offer:
112-120 UCAS points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Do you have the ambition to become a reporter who keeps the public informed and holds those in power to account? This BA (Hons) Journalism degree course – accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) – will prepare you for a career as a journalist.
Learn how to uncover and write breaking news stories, produce publications across print and digital media, and adapt to the fast-paced 24-hour news environment.
Earn the industry-recognised NCTJ Diploma in Journalism with help from our teaching team of experienced journalists, hone your craft on professional placements and become an outstanding journalist any editor would appoint.
Course highlights
- Stand out to future employers by taking exams leading to the gold-standard NCTJ Diploma in Journalism
- Learn from lecturing journalists with experience in international, national, regional and online publications
- Expand your network by meeting visiting professionals from organisations such as Dream Team FC, The Times, Novara Media, Sky News, and other local and national news and media outlets
- Gain industry experience with a 10-day journalism-based work placement and an optional placement year
- Take shorthand training to capture information at a writing speed of up to 100 words per minute
Accreditation
6th
for journalism in the UK
(Guardian University Guide, 2024)
This course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), one of three professional bodies that accredits journalism training in the UK. You'll automatically be entered into the examinations that lead to the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.
The NCTJ accreditation also lets potential employers know that this course gives you the relevant skills and abilities you need to work as a journalist when you graduate. This gives you an edge over students who didn’t do an accredited course when you’re applying for jobs.
Ollie Marsh – from work placement to full time role at Portsmouth Football Club
Ollie Marsh, a graduate of our BA (Hons) Journalism degree, now works for Portsmouth Football Club in the media team. Find out how he achieved his dream: from doing a work placement at the club, to securing a full time position.
My name's Ollie Marsh, I studied Journalism at the University of Portsmouth and I now work at Portsmouth Football Club in the media team.
I've always felt that a club's media output has a big impact on the identity of the club, and certainly we bear in mind that everything we do relates to and contributes towards a brand. So there's a little bit more responsibility than it seems on the surface.
In the briefest possible terms, I look after all of the digital side of things for the club, so that includes their social media channels and their Youtube channel. I wasn't always interested in sports marketing. In fact when I started uni, I said that my goal was to become a local journalist and my dream was to work at a football club. So from my point of view, I'm hugely thankful that my dream has now come true. And definitely the course equipped us as well, because it gave us a really broad range of skills that can be applied to lots of different situations and it gave us a real insight into all areas of the media industry.
It was easy to secure a placement at Portsmouth Football Club but it wouldn't have been were it not for the university. The lecturers really go above and beyond to put you on the right path, get your foot in doors and it pays off because I'm here now. Having a placement here did build my confidence because it's such a difference having your work actually seen by an audience. It's all well and good handing in assessments and that can be fun, but when your work is actually seen by 100,000 people 0150 which is the audience that Portsmouth have on their social channels – it's such a buzz and it's fantastic to see all the engagement coming through and all the positive feedback.
I think there's definitely a parallel between the lecturers at university and the football manager. Obviously, football managers have usually had a career in the game and all of our lecturers had a career in journalism so you knew what they were talking about. And also, they could sometimes give us the hairdryer treatment if they needed to, to motivate us. And just generally they looked for the right tactics, the right game plan to get us all the results that we wanted and it's that level of commitment that we really appreciated. And certainly the university and the football club are both massive parts of the identity of the city, so I think it's an incredible thing that there's now a close link between them.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsEntry requirements
BA (Hons) Journalism
Typical offers
- A levels - BBB-BBC
- UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels - Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) - DDM-DMM
- International Baccalaureate - 25
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept
Selection process
Evidence of interest and engagement with the field of journalism is required.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.5 with no component score below 6.0.
See alternative English language qualifications
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Your facilities
Newsroom
Engage in hands-on learning and practical workshops in our newsroom, using the same hardware and software as news professionals. It features 25 Apple iMac computers with suites of image-editing, design and audiovisual tools as well as large monitors and TVs with Google Chromecast and 4K Apple TV capability.
Careers and opportunities
The world always needs qualified journalists to tell us what’s going on. Print media such as newspapers and magazines may be on the decline, but digital versions are replacing them.
Online reporting is expanding all the time, creating new opportunities and redefining the role of the journalist. Related industries such as PR or communications also attract journalism graduates with strong transferable skills.
With a Journalism degree and NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, you'll have the multimedia skills to take advantage of the changing nature of journalism.
You can also continue your studies to postgraduate level.
Graduate roles
Our graduates have gone on to roles such as
- reporter
- social media editor
- campaign assistant
- public relations account executive
- digital marketing executive
- sports reporter
Graduate areas
Our graduates have worked in areas such as:
- national, regional and local newspapers
- magazines
- radio and television stations
- online publications
- public relations
- corporate communications and marketing
- digital marketing and social media
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
...I've absolutely loved my journey at the University of Portsmouth and have completed a course that has significantly helped my professional development and boosted my future career prospects.
Placements
Our Journalism courses offer two placement opportunities during your studies – a placement year and a 10-day work placement.
- The placement year is optional. It takes place after your second or third year, and you can work in any area you choose. You can work for an agency, company or organisation, or join forces with fellow students to set up and run your own business.
- The 10-day work placement is essential. It happens during your final year, and is strictly journalism-based. You'll work with a company or agency.
Both placements will give you longer-term industry skills, knowledge and experience, as well as boost your CV and employability after graduation.
To make sure you get the most out of your time in the workplace, you'll get support from specialist staff before and throughout your placement – including our Creative Careers team.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Featured placement
Emma – JaxPR
Emma, interning as a Marketing Assistant, reveals how she adapted to the pandemic and the skills and new career potentials she's discovered during her one-year placement.
Placement destinations
We have links with many well-known media organisations. Previous students have done placements at locations such as:
- The Daily Telegraph
- The Daily Mirror
- The Sun
- The Daily Mail
- Cosmopolitan
- Vogue
- Heat
- Reveal
- BBC
- Sky Sports
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
What you'll do
You'll practice good academic writing, note-taking, referencing and research skills. You'll also learn about the requirements, conventions and academic skills for undergraduate study.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Write a competent undergraduate essay according to the university’s guidelines on referencing and bibliographic presentation
- Identify appropriate study methods to facilitate your academic progress
- Reflect on your strengths and weaknesses in terms of transferable and subject specific skills
- Recognise basic employability skills related to the journalism industry
- Understand and engage with academic texts
What you'll do
You'll also explore digital media issues such as ethics, veracity of sources, how to engage and develop audiences, social media, and the opportunities and threats posed by digital content providers. You'll learn to produce work that conforms to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) Code of Practice. The module will also contribute to the requirements of the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ ePortfolio qualification.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate an awareness of the veracity and value of online sources
- Demonstrate an understanding of ethical issues in the context of digital journalism content
- Demonstrate an understanding of developments in digital reporting techniques and content
- Apply creative and imaginative practical journalism techniques in a digital context, including written, audio and visual elements
- Reflect on the impact of digital journalistic content on online audiences
What you'll do
You'll study relevant philosophies, debating whether it would be better to adopt a deontological or teleological stance as a practising journalist. You'll also get an introduction to current affairs. This will include how reporting can change depending on the publication, the medium and the country.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Reflect on the morality of journalistic behaviour
- Relate practical journalism skills to a theoretical framework
- Articulate and discuss ethical issues via an individual presentation
- Demonstrate an understanding of a variety of current affairs issues
- Analyse differences in press coverage of current affairs
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Develop a critical awareness of the historical development of modern journalism
- Provide an understanding of the relationship between the journalist, power and society
- Provide an understanding of the interaction between technology and journalism
- Apply empirical and normative theories of journalism to understand how communication and media affect society
- Develop an awareness of the importance of ethics and communication law to the practice of journalism
What you'll do
You'll develop your knowledge of how media law impacts publishing platforms in England and Wales and the legal pitfalls facing journalists and publishers. This module prepares you for the National Council for the Training of Journalists' professional examinations in Essential Media Law and Regulation and Media Law: Court Reporting. It will also contribute to your understanding of the NCTJ’s Ethics and Regulation module.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Assess the dangers and defences in key areas of media law impacting on journalists working in a variety of platforms
- Explain how key reporting restrictions impact on crime and court reporting
- Examine the current application of media law by the UK news media
- Analyse scenarios and advise an appropriate course of action
- Assess the impact of statutory and voluntary regulatory systems on the UK news media
What you'll do
You'll examine current journalism techniques and explore the development and application of these skills against an ethical background. You'll learn to produce work that conforms to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) Code of Practice. This module will also contribute to the requirements for the news writing examination of the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ ePortfolio qualification.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate creative newswriting techniques, writing copy to the required style and length, as well as to a professional deadline
- Assess and select the strongest news angle for a news story
- Reflect upon the legal and ethical constraints upon journalists
- Assess and demonstrate an understanding of the audience across media platforms
- Imaginatively apply the skills needed to build an online portfolio of journalism
- Work independently to source news and feature content appropriate to digital platforms
Core modules
What you'll do
Delivery of material will be based on a newsroom environment, and conform to the IPSO code of conduct. Your work on this module can also contribute to the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ ePortfolio qualification. You will also further develop shorthand skills, preparing you for the NCTJ examinations in shorthand, a core part of the NCTJ’s Diploma in Journalism.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Analyse a published dataset and apply decision making and news judgement skills
- Generate a range of real world stories from a geographical area to deadline using traditional and social media newsgathering techniques
- Consider legal, ethical and professional considerations in the newsroom and justify approaches
- Record information accurately using shorthand
What you'll do
The module will focus on how to develop a feature, with an introduction on specific types of features content. gain during the module will help you meet the requirements of the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Write a review for a chosen publication, to deadline
- Demonstrate journalistic skills and judgement when selecting a feature for a named publication
- Produce a feature to an editorial standard suitable for a named media platform and audience
- Critically evaluate the differing needs of audiences across print and digital media organisations
- Demonstrate an understanding of the role of features content in engaging audiences, driving traffic and generating revenue
- Learn and apply different research methods used in Journalism and Media studies and produce a research proposal
What you'll do
You'll gain a broad overview of how local and central government operate and interact. You'll also study shorthand, in preparation for the NCTJ shorthand exams. Gaining these qualifications will help you gain the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, and provide you with core employability skills for a career in journalism.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you’ll be able to:
- Analyse how British central and local government works
- Examine the relationship between central and local government
- Record information accurately using shorthand
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Gather and edit news content for a mobile audience using a smartphone.
- Research and construct a journalism package involving text, images and video for an online audience.
- Justify and reflect on the execution of a self-shot and edited package.
- Demonstrate understanding of the potential of social media to drive web traffic.
What you'll do
You'll explore the impact of social media companies on the news industry. This module will develop your knowledge of participatory journalism and user-generated content.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Evaluate the impact of social media on journalism
- Recognise and contrast the techniques and strategies used by news organisations in response to the challenges of digital news
- Critically evaluate how social media is changing the relationship between journalists and the audience
- Apply empirical and normative theories of media and communication to understand the implications of social journalism for civic learning and citizenship
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop independent, analytical and creative attributes, through engaging imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries
- Demonstrate the ability to be effective team players, able to provide leadership and to support the success of others
- Communicate clearly and effectively, in a range of forms and to different audiences
What you'll do
You'll follow the typical timeline of industry programme pre-production and learn the key skills of content generation, research and storytelling, to get your ideas off the ground. You'll also explore the key elements of producing a factual programme, how the commissioning process works, how to cast the right people, how to get your idea noticed and how to tell compelling stories.
What you'll learn
You’ll learn the key skills of content generation, research and storytelling.
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Work as part of an editorial team
- Develop, pitch and produce factual programming to an industry standard
- Produce factual media that is technically proficient for broadcast using video recording tools
- Learn to pitch confidently, and to present and defend an original idea
- Understand how the commissioning process works, from concept to transmission
- Understand the factual narrative and develop a topic into TV
- Critically evaluate a range of factual media programming for audience consumption
What you'll learn
The learning objectives of this module are to be confirmed.
What you'll do
You'll examine the history of public relations, terminology used, and practical skills required to work in the field.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically examine the roles and responsibilities of public relations work
- Analyse and critique the linguistic differences between public relations material and journalistic writing
- Research and produce materials for in-house public relations scenarios (including online)
- Analyse the ethics of public relations and marketing
- Demonstrate your ability to manage a PR campaign (including online and social media)
- Work as a member of a group to research, prepare and deliver an oral presentation for an external client
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Identify future career goals and reflect upon this information to develop a personal development plan (programme of learning), which includes suitable work-experience and skills/knowledge development opportunities
- Undertake suitable work experience (or an equivalent desk-based study), engage with personal development opportunities and analyse relevant literature relating to enhancement of their employability potential
- Critically evaluate and articulate their learning (knowledge, skills and attributes) in relation to their future career goals
- Undertake suitable work experience (or an equivalent desk-based study), engage with personal development opportunities and analyse relevant literature relating to enhancement of their employability potential
- Critically evaluate and articulate their learning (knowledge, skills and attributes) in relation to their future career goals
What you'll do
You'll get experience in the newsroom, producing specialist journalism copy to industry standards and deadlines. The specialist areas of journalism you can choose from are music, sport, or fashion and lifestyle.
What you'll learn
You’ll learn the key skills of content generation, research and storytelling.
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Recognise and reflect on the changing issues and context of specialist journalism in the digital age
- Produce a package of specialist journalistic stories to deadline
- Critically analyse the social and cultural issues surrounding your specialised area
- Research and produce specialist journalistic copy for digital and/or print media platforms showing an appreciation of the needs of the audience
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse the complexities of launching a startup business
- Critically reflect upon the factors which contribute towards successful market research, marketing, manufacturing, and selling
- Recognise suitability for specific roles in business and collaborative working
Core modules
What you'll do
You'll develop your writing and industry standard multimedia production skills, preparing you for roles in the modern journalism industry. This module will also contribute to the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ ePortfolio qualification.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Organise, plan and execute journalistic work in news teams to a professional standard
- Demonstrate and apply multimedia journalism techniques for a digital platform
- Critically evaluate legal and ethical issues in newsroom practice
- Analyse and apply decision making and news judgement skills
- Apply software and production skills to video editing
Additional content
What you'll do
Your 10-day placement will be with a newspaper, magazine, broadcaster, and online publication, or within a public relations department or an organisation’s corporate communications function. You'll have the help of the work placement coordinator when arranging your placement.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Examine and evaluate a professional media organisation
- Reflect on your performance in a working environment
- Critically evaluate working practices, relationships with colleagues and key decision-making processes in a professional working environment
- Review your own professional strengths and weaknesses in the light of experience and feedback from employers
Additional content
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Develop empirically founded knowledge of digital media that is relevant to different actors of political communication, such as parties, social movements, and citizens.
-
Critically evaluate the impact of digital media on political communication and democracy.
-
Analyse the role of digital media in democratic governance.
-
Apply empirical and normative theories of politics to understand how communication and media affect society.
-
Appraise and assess the impact of digital media on political communication for wider audiences.
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Design a viable dissertation / research project proposal.
- Make use of a range of current research or equivalent advanced scholarship in the relevant field.
- Deploy established and relevant techniques of analysis and enquiry within an ethical framework to a specific and focused area relevant to Journalism.
- Critically evaluate assumptions, arguments and data (which may be incomplete) in order to form a judgement, frame further questions and identify potential solutions.
- Manage and reflect upon own learning and communicate in writing to a specified audience relevant to either the academic community or civil society.
What you'll do
You'll study the role and responsibility of journalism towards global issues such as conflict, disasters, and crisis. You'll also look at the media's potential to raise awareness of, ignore or misrepresent and even exacerbate human rights issues.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Develop a critical awareness of the social role of journalism, and its potential to solve human rights issues
- Examine contemporary human rights issues and their coverage in the news
- Critically reflect on the determinants and factors that influence the reporting of human rights issues
- Demonstrate theoretically informed approaches to, and close readings of, relevant texts and scholarship
- Structure a mature and sophisticated argument informed by theoretical and empirical examples
- Conduct independent targeted research that results in a critically, theoretically and empirically informed analysis
What you'll do
You'll produce a series of investigative features on a linked them in print format for a specific target market. You'll carry out original interviews and material you produce may be suitable for various journalistic awards.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Design a viable Journalism Special Investigation proposal
- Make use of current research or equivalent advanced scholarship in the field of Journalism
- Use established and relevant techniques of analysis, researching and writing to a specific and focused area relevant to Journalism
- Manage your own learning
- Communicate according to relevant ethical frameworks in formats appropriate to a specific audience
- Create material to a professional standard for a specified target publication
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Create an original magazine and explain its suitability for a particular market sector.
- Critically analyse the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats posed by rival publications.
- Critically evaluate the marketing and branding process of magazines.
- Work constructively in an editorial team to produce a magazine to a professional standard.
- Produce flatplans and dummy issues of an original magazine.
What you'll do
You'll look at how the role and influence of global financial markets affect politics. To familiarise yourself with the markets, you'll take part in an informal stock market portfolio, buying and selling virtual shares.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Examine how the financial markets work
- Critically evaluate the influence of the markets on the UK political process
- Critically analyse how power in Britain is used
- Examine and reflect on the ability of the press to hold those with power to account
Optional modules
What you'll do
With the support of the Creative Careers team, you can find, apply for and complete a year of a work placement with a variety of employers - previous placements have been offered from NBC, Disney, Warner Bros. and a variety of SME's in the region.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with a reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within their chosen area of employment or self-employment
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within self-employment, freelancing or business startups
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through a portfolio (100% of final mark).
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with a reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within self-employment, freelancing or business startups
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
What you'll do
Study abroad placements are done in year 3 of a 4 year sandwich degree structure. Enhance your learning experience by adding a global dimension to your studies and develop knowledge and skills essential for roles in the global workforce. Participation in this module is subject to a selection process, supply and demand you'll be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Where activity is to be undertaken in a non-English speaking country, you'l need to evidence your language ability and plans for improving your language competency.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically assess how activities relate to disciplinary knowledge and practice covered on your course within a global context
- Manage and complete tasks in an overseas study environment relevant to your course, with an appropriate level of skill, independence and performance
- Reflect critically on your personal development during your study abroad, identifying the transferable skills you acquired and their relevance to future study and employability
Teaching activities
5 hours of tutorials
Independent study time
We recommend you spend at least 20 hours studying independently. This is around half an hour a week over the duration of the module.
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through:
- a 2,000 portfolio (pass/fail, pass mark of 40)
What you'll do
Study abroad placements are done in year 2 of a three year degree. Enhance your learning experience by adding a global dimension to your studies and develop knowledge and skills essential for roles in the global workforce. Participation in this module is subject to a selection process, supply and demand you'll be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Where travelling to a non-English speaking country, you'l need to evidence your language ability and plans for improving your language competency.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically assess how activities relate to disciplinary knowledge and practice covered on your course within a global context
- Manage and complete tasks in an overseas study environment relevant to your course, with an appropriate level of skill, independence and performance
- Reflect critically on your personal development during your study abroad, identifying the transferable skills you acquired and their relevance to future study and employability
Teaching activities
3 hours of tutorials
Independent study time
We recommend you spend at least 20 hours studying independently. This is around 1 hour a week over the duration of the module.
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through:
- a 2,000 portfolio (pass/fail, pass mark of 40)v
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
- essays and close textual analysis
- in-class tests
- media artefacts
- seminar presentations
- a 10,000-word dissertation or special investigation
- post-placement assessment
You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.
You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.
Teaching
Teaching methods on this course include:
- lectures
- seminars
- practical workshops
- group-based activities, including magazine, newspaper and Web page production
- work placements
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies. As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your Journalism degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical classes, workshops for about 12 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Supporting you
The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:
Types of support
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.
In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.
You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.
As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).
ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:
- academic writing
- note taking
- time management
- critical thinking
- presentation skills
- referencing
- working in groups
- revision, memory and exam techniques
If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.
Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.
You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.
They'll help you to
- discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
- liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
- access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
- liaise with external services
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Course costs and funding
Tuition fees
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £18,100 per year (subject to annual increase)
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Tuition fees terms and conditions
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.
You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.
If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
You’ll do a placement module on this course, the cost of which is included in your course fees. But you’ll have to cover travel costs yourself. These will vary from £50–£500 depending on the location and duration of the placement.
You’ll need to contribute towards the cost of any exams you repeat to get professional accreditation during the course. These costs range from £13–£55.
If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:
- UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – P500
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
How to apply from outside the UK
See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.
To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section.
If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
What skills and qualities do I need for this journalism degree course?
As well as meeting the entry requirements, you'll need good written English skills, curiosity, enthusiasm, adaptability, determination and a willingness to meet people.
How can I prepare for this journalism degree?
Evidence of good ability in written and spoken English is required, so having a GCSE in English is essential.
Many applicants take humanities-related A level subjects that sharpen their writing skills, such as English, politics, media studies or history. However, journalism covers many areas, so knowledge of science-related subjects is also useful.
Try to gain work experience on a local publication, or on a school or college newspaper or magazine.
You could also start a personal blog as this shows initiative and gets you used to writing regularly.
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.