Journalism

UCAS code: P500

Here's what De Montfort University says about its Journalism course.

Journalists play a vital role in a democracy, and this course offers the opportunity to pursue a career that is not only exciting, but also crucial for informing debate and discussion on a wide range of questions affecting our lives.

The course is designed to enable flexibility to allow you to focus on specialist areas of your choice, which include music journalism, lifestyle and sports while also preparing you to challenge the status quo. Throughout the degree, you will be encouraged to focus on core issues of social equality, social justice, protest and marginalised communities in the UK.

You will learn the traditional core skills of researching, interviewing, writing and web-publishing, and gain multimedia skills within video and audio production. The journalism sector requires graduates who possess a broad digital multi-platform skillset, knowledge of media law and political structures, and have the ability to question structures in society.

Key features

Develop your practical skills in the Leicester Centre for Journalism and our multi-million-pound Creative Technology Studios, which feature broadcast-standard radio production studios, and film studios equipped with multi-cameras and green screen facilities.

You will learn to write from respected and award-winning former journalists and academic experts who are active in newspaper, radio, magazine and digital journalism. Our students were recently inspired by a guest lecture from successful freelance writer and former DMU Journalism alumna, Rachel Toal.

Select a route through this degree in Creative Writing, Drama, English Literature, Film Studies, History or Media. These carefully chosen routes will complement and enrich your understanding of your main subject, alongside broadening your skillset to give you a wider range of career paths upon graduation.

Gain valuable hands-on experience by joining a range of student societies such as the award-winning Demon Media group, and put what you’ve learned into practice by contributing to its magazine, radio, YouTube channel and website.

You will have opportunities to strengthen your career prospects with placements in industry. Places students have previously worked at include The Times, Sky Sports, the NME, Leicester City Football Club, ITN, the BBC, CNN, Leicestershire Live and the Observer.

Graduates have progressed to careers and internships with some of the UK’s biggest media companies, including Sky News, The Sun, the BBC, CNN, ITV, plus Mixmag and Clash magazines as well as PR companies and the wider communications and digital media industries.

Benefit from block teaching, where most students study one subject at a time. A simple timetable will allow you to really engage with your learning, receive regular feedback and assessments, get to know your course mates and enjoy a better study-life balance.

Year 1

Block 1: Introducing News Reporting

Block 2: Digital News Production

Block 3: Video and Audio Journalism

OR you can select to study one route from the list below:

Film Studies: Disney, Warner Bros and the Film Studio

Media and Communication: Media, Culture and Society

Creative Writing: Writers Salon

English Literature: Introduction to Drama: Shakespeare

History: Global Cities

Drama: Shifting Stages

Block 4: Understanding Journalism and Media Law

Year 2

Block 1: Feature Writing and Lifestyle Journalism

Block 2: Beyond News

Block 3: TV and Radio Journalism OR continue with the route selected in the first year:

Film Studies: Screen Archives

Media and Communication: Public Relations

Creative Writing: Story Craft

English Literature: Digital Humanities

History: Humans and the Natural World

Drama: Theatre Revolutions

Block 4: Magazine Journalism

Year 3

Block 1: Journalism Projects

Block 2: Specialism Journalism

OR

Podcasting, Photojournalism and Visual Culture

Block 3: Sports Journalism

OR Music, Film and Entertainment Journalism

OR continue with the study route selected in the first and second year:

Film Studies: British Cinema

Media and Communication: Gender & TV Fictions

Creative Writing: Creative Misbehaviour

English Literature: World Englishes

History: The World on Display

Drama: Performance, Identity and Society

Block 4: Journalism Dissertation

OR

Negotiated Journalism Project

Teaching

This is a full-time course. Each module is worth 30 credits. Outside of your normal timetabled hours you will be expected to conduct independent study each week to complete preparation tasks, assessments and research.

Course delivery is in block mode, which means each 30 credit module consists of a seven week teaching block.

Learning takes place in a variety of formats including workshops, lectures, seminars, tutorials, and independent study.

Assessment

The assessment strategies are designed to measure the extent students are able to demonstrate their ability to achieve the learning outcomes for each module and ultimately to ensure academic and professional journalism skills have been met by the end of the three years.

The type of assessment varies according to the module. They range from traditional essays, presentations, reflective essays to portfolios of practical journalism work. Summative assessments are designed to provide evidence students have gained knowledge and understanding of supporting theory and research; and that they have developed professional competencies in the work produced.

Anonymous Marking: Portfolios and long form projects are undertaken under the guidance of tutors are therefore not appropriate for anonymous marking. However, essays within most of the modules are marked anonymously.

You deserve a positive teaching and learning experience, where you feel part of a supportive and nurturing community. That’s why most students will enjoy an innovative approach to learning using block teaching, where you will study one module at a time. You’ll benefit from regular assessments - rather than lots of exams at the end of the year - and a simple timetable that allows you to engage with your subject and enjoy other aspects of university life such as sports, societies, meeting friends and discovering your new city. By studying with the same peers and tutor for each block, you’ll build friendships and a sense of belonging.