Journalism (NCTJ accredited) BA (Hons)

UCAS course code:  P500

Duration:  Three years full-time/six years part-time

Institution code: D26

A levels: Normally 260 UCAS points from at least two full A levels, including at least one grade B or equivalent

BTEC National Diploma: Distinction/Merit/Merit

You must also have five GCSEs grades A–C including English Language or Literature at grade C or above. We also accept the BTEC First Diploma plus two GSCEs including English at grade C or above.

International Baccalaureate: 28+ points

Access: Pass

Interview required: Yes and industry standard test 

International Students

If English is not your first language, an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent when you start the course is essential. English language tuition| is available at DMU both before and during the course if required.

Most journalism is taught in two or three-hour practical workshops involving practical work every week. Other modules are taught in lecture and seminar formats, with the dissertation studied independently with support from tutorials with your tutor. Journalism students will spend time in taught sessions and be expected to do a lot of self study.

Continuous assessment plays a major role in the assessment of practical journalism, with work done in workshops assessed and returned on a weekly basis. Other subjects are assessed by normal methods including essays, verbal presentations and exams. You will not only learn useful practical journalism and communication skills, but you will also develop your own powers of analysis and expression, attributes vital in the modern world of work.

Year one

Year two

• Practical Journalism 2
• News Writing
• Political Journalism
• Inside Journalism 2

Year three

• Practical Journalism 3
• Dissertation
• Sub-editing and Design

You then have a choice from the following:

• Sports Journalism
• The Business of Magazines
• Political Communication
• Forms and Practice of Radio

 

Journalism at DMU is taught by five vastly experienced, fully-qualified journalists, all of them former newspaper editors. They share their skills developed over up to 30 years in journalism in a very practical approach to the study of the subject. They are backed up by academic colleagues with expertise in many areas, and visiting lecturers from within the industry. All staff have excellent contacts in newspapers and magazines, particularly in the East Midlands. The course leader was awarded the prestigious DMU Vice-Chancellor’s Distinguished Teaching Award in 2007 and in 2008 and was awarded a DMU Teacher Fellowship in 2011.

DMU Journalism staff have the closest possible links with all forms of Leicestershire news media. Journalism staff have worked for – and continue to work for – most local newspapers and radio stations. This means our Journalism courses have unrivalled industry links with newspapers and radio stations in Leicestershire and the courses have an excellent reputation both regionally and nationally, allowing our students to win prestigious work experience placements for themselves.

Every summer, to embed your skills, you will undertake work experience. Companies have included ITV News, BBC East Midlands Today, GMTV, BBC Leicester, BBC Northampton, The Sunday Times, The Guardian, Zoo magazine, Q magazine and regional newspapers all over the UK.

Single Honours Journalism combined with success in NCTJ professional exams can lead directly to employment in Journalism, typically in the regional press, which wants exactly this type of entrant to become trainee reporters. This degree is intended to provide both a good degree and the professional qualifications to enter newspaper, magazine, broadcast or digital Journalism after graduation.

2012 entry
UK/EU Fees:  £9000 per year
International Fees: £10,250 per year 

Learn more about fees and funding information 2012| 

2013 entry
UK/EU Fees: TBC
International Fees:  TBC 

Learn more about fees and funding information 2013|

Learn more about our Undergraduate scholarships and awards| information.

All Journalism students enjoy state-of-theart dedicated Journalism computer labs for their regular Practical Journalism workshops.

Single Honours students have their own separate newsroom, which they use to prepare their own journalistic projects for their course. Journalism students play leading roles in all campus and faculty media, particularly The Demon newspaper, Demon FM community radio station and Demon TV, which all operate from superb on-campus facilities.

Apply through UCAS at www.ucas.com| 

In year one, all Journalism students are introduced to the subject in Practical Journalism 1, which develops basic news-writing skills. This introductory module aims to set you up with the skills you will need to do work experience over the summer at newspapers, magazines, radio and TV stations. Single honours students also study Journalism Skills which also prepares you for work experience and delivers intense shorthand tuition. You will learn about the environment in which journalists work by studying Media Law and Inside Journalism 1.

In year two, all students will develop their understanding of journalism in Practical Journalism 2, which looks at different styles of journalism, including political, sports and feature writing, and different platforms for journalism, including magazines, radio, TV and the internet. It delves into journalistic skills including investigative reporting, entertainment writing and design. Single Honours students will also develop specific skills in News Writing and Political Journalism, both leading to a professional exam, and have the chance to analyse issues surrounding modern journalism in the fascinating module Inside Journalism 2.

In the final year you will bring all your previous work together in Practical Journalism 3, in which you first polish your existing skills, before doing detailed work on journalistic ethics and morals and finally, with a team of fellow students, produce your own major publication. Single Honours students will learn how to create, design and hone journalism in the module Sub-Editing and Design. You will also research and write a dissertation of your choice in Journalism. You will then choose one other modules to match you own interests from a selection including Sports Journalism, The Business of Magazines, Political Communication, or Forms and Practices of Radio.

Single Honours students not only study towards the degree, but will also take national professional qualifications, which is very attractive to potential employers on graduation.