by Silva Payne

Created on: April 18, 2010

Anyone who wishes to study journalism at undergraduate level in the UK can do so by taking a course at a university or a college. Journalism is a specialist subject with several different focuses such as sports journalism, or fashion journalism. You should look for courses that are accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). You may be able to study journalism as part of a joint or combined degree at Honours or Ordinary level.

The University of Kent has one journalism degree on offer for 2011: Journalism and the News Industry Bachelor of Arts at Honours level. This course covers general journalism topics that one would expect to deal with if working for a national news agency. A particular feature of this course is that every day studies begin with a news briefing where students and staff get together to discuss issues in the news and breaking stories. Applicants will need grades ABB at A-level including English or related subjects. Selected applicants attend a compulsory 30-minute interview and to sit a 2-hour admissions test covering current affairs and general English writing ability.

De Montfort University in Leicestershire offers a single Honours Journalism Bachelor of Arts degree, and also several joint Honours degrees where students can combine journalism with other subjects such as international relations or film studies. The full-time degree lasts for 3 years, although it can also be studied part-time for up to 6 years. NCTJ accreditation is only applicable to the single Honours journalism degree.

Students are strongly encouraged to find work experience placements with local media companies while studying these degree courses. De Montfort University uses the UCAS tariff points system to set the entry requirements for their undergraduate courses. To study journalism at De Montfort, applicants must have 220-240 points including 120 points from at least 2 full A-levels, plus 5 GCSEs grade C or above including English language.

For potential students looking for an undergraduate course that can be completed in 2 years, the Foundation degree in journalism offered by the London College of Communication may be the answer. The London College of Communication is the largest of 6 colleges that make up the University of the Arts London, and is based at the Elephant and Castle in London.  A Foundation degree is usually equivalent to the initial 2 years of a full undergraduate degree, but the focus is often more vocational than theoretical.

The London College of Communication Foundation degree in journalism provides a practical introduction to journalism and students benefit from working on the College’s weekly newspaper and other radio and television-based projects throughout the course. If the student exits the course with an overall Merit grade, they can apply to join the final year of the full degree course in journalism offered by the College. Applicants to the Foundation degree must have at least 1 subject at A-level and at least 5 GCSEs grade C or above. Applicants will also be expected to provide a portfolio of their written work from subjects other than English language.

Becoming a journalist in the UK does not always require an education at undergraduate level. Many newspapers offer apprenticeship schemes where young people can work and study part time, usually for up to 2 years, and be paid a small wage. However, for a well-rounded knowledge of the various aspects of journalism, studying at undergraduate level is the recommended option.

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