Sports Journalism

Study options

Award

BA (Hons)

Key facts

UCAS code:
P501
UCAS code:
P505
Location:
Stoke-on-Trent campus
Location:
City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College
Study option:
Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus
Study option:
Full-time, with a foundation year at City of Stoke-On-Trent Sixth Form College
Duration:
3 Years
Duration:
4 Years
Start date:
20 September 2021
School:
Digital, Technologies and Arts

Work experience

Get hands-on in a professional sports journalism environment

Multiplatform Newsroom

Hosting 30 iMacs with the latest software

TV News Set and Radio Studios

Our News Set features a three-camera studio floor and gallery

With its outstanding employment outcomes, our Sports Journalism degree is the perfect pathway to a career in the sports media industry.

Graduates from this course have progressed to careers within the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, BT Sport, Eurosport, ESPN, Press Association, the FA, Premier League, the RFU, Rugby Football League, newspapers, professional football (including most of the Premier League clubs) and other sports like F1 and horse racing.

You’ll study practical modules in our state-of-the-art newsrooms. These contain the latest industry-standard equipment. And you’ll be introduced to the practical skills of journalism, including the reporting of sports events using print, online, radio and TV.

 

You’ll be taught by experienced academics with an impressive network of contacts for you to access – perfect for securing an industry placement.

Graduates from this course have progressed to careers within the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, BT Sport, Eurosport, ESPN, Press Association, the FA, Premier League, the RFU, Rugby Football League, newspapers, professional football (including most of the Premier League clubs) and other sports like F1 and horse racing.

You’ll study practical modules in our state-of-the-art newsrooms. These contain the latest industry-standard equipment. And you’ll be introduced to the practical skills of journalism, including the reporting of sports events using print, online, radio and TV.

 

You’ll be taught by experienced academics with an impressive network of contacts for you to access – perfect for securing an industry placement.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Course content

You’ll develop your sports news, feature writing and broadcasting skills. You’ll also receive essential technical training in editing and production techniques in preparation for work placement in a sports journalism environment.

The course is taught from our state-of-the-art newsrooms, which contain the latest industry-standard equipment. You’ll participate in our Sports Newsnights which are broadcast on Facebook Live, covering the action as it happens from our broadcast newsroom or from sporting locations.

You’ll also explore media law and shorthand to National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) standards.

Our academics continue to work in the sports media industry and have an impressive network of contacts for you to access. We encourage you to participate in as much industry-related work experience as possible. The course includes a three-week assessed work placement that could help you make useful contacts that lead to future employment.

You’ll develop your sports news, feature writing and broadcasting skills. You’ll also receive essential technical training in editing and production techniques in preparation for work placement in a sports journalism environment.

The course is taught from our state-of-the-art newsrooms, which contain the latest industry-standard equipment. You’ll participate in our Sports Newsnights which are broadcast on Facebook Live, covering the action as it happens from our broadcast newsroom or from sporting locations.

You’ll also explore media law and shorthand to National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) standards.

Our academics continue to work in the sports media industry and have an impressive network of contacts for you to access. We encourage you to participate in as much industry-related work experience as possible. The course includes a three-week assessed work placement that could help you make useful contacts that lead to future employment.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15 credit modules. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15 credit modules. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.

Jacob Leeks - BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Jacob Leeks - BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Video

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism graduate Jacob discusses how his degree has helped to prepare him for the industry.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Introduction To Media Law 15 credits
Journalism In Practice 30 credits
Sports Culture 15 credits
Sports Governance 15 credits
Sports Pr In Practice 15 credits
Writing For Sport 30 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Journalism Project 30 credits
Pr Campaigning 30 credits
Sports Newsday 30 credits
Work Placement And Career Development 30 credits

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Ideas Generation And Problem Solving For Media 15 credits
Major Project (Media) 30 credits
Production Skills For Media 30 credits
Team Project (Media) 15 credits
Theory And Practice In Media 30 credits

Entry requirements

  • Typical UCAS offer: 112 points
  • A levels: BBC
  • BTEC: DMM
  • Typical UCAS Offer: 48 points
  • A levels: A, DD, EEE
  • BTEC: PPP

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

Search for ‘Future Journalists’ goes national

News

An annual competition which aims to discover the next generation of journalists and vloggers has launched at Staffordshire University.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

Multiplatform Newsrooms

Housing 76 iMacs complete with all the software necessary for multi-platform Journalism (Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Premiere Pro, Adobe Audition).

MoJo Kits

Our MoJo kits work with smartphones to allow our students to report 'on the go'. This encourages students to consider how they can compile and tell a story in a fast paced, continually moving environment.  

Careers

Graduates from our Sports Journalism degree are employed throughout the world of sport, in all the major UK broadcast organisations and beyond (eg Eurosport and IMG Asia). Many of the 92 English professional football league clubs currently employ Staffordshire sports journalism graduates.

Others work in sports PR, newspapers, agencies and digital sports media outlets. Those who decide not to pursue a career in the media apply their transferable skills within sectors such as teaching, retail and marketing.

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism showreel

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism showreel

Video

Discover what studying on our BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree is like.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. 

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. 

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills); written English (including punctuation and grammatical accuracy); academic writing (including how to reference); research skills; critical thinking and understanding arguments; and revision, assessment and examination skills (including time management).

Additional support

Our AccessAbility Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Broadcast Newsroom Tour

Broadcast Newsroom Tour

Video

Join our Technical Specialist Chris for a tour around our Broadcast Newsroom

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Year 1

19% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
81% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 2

12% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
76% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Year 3

21% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
79% of time in independent study
0% of time in placements

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

Year 1

0% practical exams
88% coursework
13% written exams

Year 2

4% practical exams
96% coursework
0% written exams

Year 3

0% practical exams
88% coursework
13% written exams

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Mitch Pryce

Senior Lecturer

Mitch Pryce is a seasoned broadcast journalist having worked on four FIFA World Cups for ITV Sport, three Rugby World Cups, UEFA Champions League and the Olympics. He was formerly Sports Editor with Central ITV and has produced many TV sports se…

Mitch's profile

Ian Whittell

Lecturer

I am course leader for the BA and MA Sports Journalism Awards and also still an active national sportswriter, as founder and director of one of the country’s leading independent freelance sports editorial agencies.

Ian's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 20 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 per year of study £14,000 per year of study

For the course starting on 13 September 2021 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,250 for your first year subsequent years will be charged at the University standard rate £14,000 for your first year subsequent years will be charged at the University standard rate

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

International students: Tuition fees will remain the same for each year of your course, as long as you complete it in the normal time-frame (i.e. no repeat years or breaks in study).

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Video

Discover what it's like to be a student on our BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree.

Included in the fees:
  • Printing in the broadcast newsroom and StaffsLive newsroom
  • Travel to essential reporting/filming assignments at sporting events
  • Hire of audio/visual equipment for producing TV/radio assignments
  • Access to media centre for Premiere Pro editing facilities
  • Access to university library facilities including media library and Premiere Pro editing
  • Access to books on recommended reading lists
  • Access to digital archive and online academic depository
  • Printing in the broadcast newsroom and StaffsLive newsroom
  • Travel to essential reporting/filming assignments at sporting events
  • Hire of audio/visual equipment for producing TV/radio assignments
  • Access to media centre for Premiere Pro editing facilities
  • Access to university library facilities including media library and Premiere Pro editing
  • Access to books on recommended reading lists
  • Access to digital archive and online academic depository
Not included in the fees:
  • Travel costs on news days covering stories in the region
  • Occasional extended visits to sporting events/organisations
  • Travel/accommodation to fulfil certain module requirements
  • Optional personal insurance when taking equipment out of stores on longer unsupervised shoots (£50-£100 approximately per shoot). It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance
  • Purchase of books on recommended reading lists
  • Travel costs on news days covering stories in the region
  • Occasional extended visits to sporting events/organisations
  • Travel/accommodation to fulfil certain module requirements
  • Optional personal insurance when taking equipment out of stores on longer unsupervised shoots (£50-£100 approximately per shoot). It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance
  • Purchase of books on recommended reading lists
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by visiting: www.gov.uk

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

The Sports Journalism course at Staffordshire University is probably one of the best Sports Journalism courses in the country. It’s certainly one of the main reasons that I got a job here at Wales Online working as a Digital Sports Writer.

I suppose the big aspect of the course and one of its strongest points is the Live Newsdays, giving students the chance to experience what it’s like to work in a place like this on a regular basis and that, along with the work placements, which is again one of the main reasons I got a job here straight from graduation, are what separates it as a course and a university. 

Ben James

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

We have our Newsdays on the Sports Journalism course where you’re constantly like an industry journalist really. It’s a fantastic course – you have all the help you need from the lecturers and the tutors – they really just give you all the support you need to go into a full-time working environment following university.  

I spent two years on placement at Stoke City when they were in the Premier League and the Championship so it was unbelievable really. Before Uni and first year I was at National League Chester FC level so that was a completely different kettle of fish really.

Going straight to the Premier League and working with Premier League players and staff, it was a fantastic experience and having university alongside that experience, just really prepared me for the future and helped me to know what that sports media industry was like, what I was going to expect and I think without that experience and University alongside it, I wouldn’t have been able to get a job in the industry.  

 

Conor Shaw

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

The Sports Journalism course at Staffs offers you all the tools you’ll need to find success in the media industry. I applied for this course because of my passion for written journalism, but quickly found out it offers you much more than that. Not only am I now more confident in my writing now, I now know skills such as how to use a Sony x70 camera to conduct an interview, then edit the footage on Adobe Premiere Pro to create a video package.

During my time at the University, I was given the chance to work with my favourite football team, Stoke City, including spending a full matchday with their media team. In my third year, I spent a full season with Kidsgrove Athletic FC as part of their media team which was a great experience. Ultimately, Staffordshire University has given me the skills and confidence I needed to go out and pursue my dream career.

Liam Kelsall

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

I absolutely love the course that I study here at Staffs. The quality of the course stood out among the others. The lecturers have got great industry experience – a lot of them are still involved in the industry which I feel is really important. The facilities that we have here are absolutely fantastic. As well as that, you can also go down the route of PR – we've done PR modules on my course and that opens up a load of other possibilities as well. You’ll benefit from the experience so much.  

Jack Bradley

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

We got to do so many things and meet so many people in our industry. We got to really be hands-on with sports journalism which is key for getting a job eventually. We got to go to so many different places and report on so many different things – but the highlight was probably the Staffs Uni Sports Nights which is where we went out to different grounds and reported from them and that was just fantastic. I wouldn’t have got the same level of experience at other places. 

Jacob Leeks

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

I was really happy for the three years that I’ve spent here. I can’t speak highly enough of the equipment that we’ve had at our disposal. Having the opportunity to use these things that are used in a professional set-up as well, it just improves your skills and it prepares you for when you go into the real world and have a job in broadcasting. It’s the most rewarding time of your life in the sense that you can do great things coming out of it, so just go for it.  

Joshua Dainty

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BA (Hons) Full-time, Stoke-on-Trent campus 20 September 2021 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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