Journalism (NCTJ accredited) BA

About the Course

This programme offers an ideal launch-pad for anyone hoping to embark on a career in journalism in the digital age. We offer rigorous and demanding training in news writing, Teeline shorthand, public affairs and law, plus a work placement. You will also learn how to edit and package for a range of journalism formats with an emphasis on cross-media platforms and hand-held technology. Complementing practical and contextual skills will be a deeper interrogation of ethical, historical and theoretical debates about journalism.

A hallmark of our delivery is our close association with the National Council for the Training of Journalists, who accredit our Master’s programme. We will be delivering essential NCTJ training alongside broader contextual and critical elements to ensure you are best placed to navigate your way through this dynamic and demanding craft.

 

About the School of Arts at Brunel

The School of Arts at Brunel includes single and joint honours degree courses in English, Journalism, Music and Creative Music Technology, Film and Television Studies and Modern Drama. Research conducted by staff provides the basis for much of our teaching, ensuring that modules are connected to debates and issues that are current within these interdisciplinary areas.

Each programme develops basic skills within its discipline but allows you to explore your own particular interests through a range of optional modules.

View student profiles

Aims

The programme aims to:

• provide the necessary journalistic skills and knowledge to equip students for a career in journalism;
• provide a broad education in journalism, in the context of a critical understanding of the UK’s general business, organisational, governmental and legal environment;
• enable the acquisition of core transferable skills of IT, effective communication, leadership, self-management and interpersonal skills to the standards required by journalism and media employers;
• deliver journalism education and training which is provisionally accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ);
• enable a critical understanding of the ethical, social and production constraints under which journalistic practice operates;
• provide an opportunity via work-based learning for the development of skills in personal responsibility and initiative.

Enquiries

Murray Dick
Admissions Tutor
School of Arts
Brunel University
Uxbridge
Middlesex
UB8 3PH

Tel +44 (0)1895 265502 or 267273

Email journalism-admissions@brunel.ac.uk

Related Courses

• English BA
• English with Creative Writing BA
• Creative Writing BA

Special Features

• Brunel’s journalism team works closely with the NCTJ and is committed to diversity. The NCTJ runs a diversity fund, which has has been set up by those in the industry who want to join together to support the training of journalists from ethnically and socially diverse backgrounds. Bursaries are on offer for those with the potential to succeed in one of the most exciting and rewarding careers around. For more information, visit www.journalismdiversityfund.com.  
  
  
• We have our own creative writing journal dedicated to the publication of students’ work.
  
  
• We offer the opportunity to undertake a work placement.
  
  
• The course has a strong emphasis on digital technology and multi-platform journalism.
  
  
• The location of the University is within reach of London and West End theatres, the British Newspaper Library, and museums and other research centres of national and international importance.
  

Accreditation

The course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

Facts and Figures

School of Arts

The School of Arts at Brunel includes single and joint honours degree courses in English, Journalism, Music and Creative Music Technology, Film and Television Studies and Modern Drama. Our staff are active in both research and practice, and provide expertise in a wide range of topics.

Our undergraduate programmes are designed to sharpen creative and analytical skills, develop confidence in working in teams and in problem-solving techniques. Each programme develops basic skills within its discipline but allows you to explore your own particular interests through a range of optional modules.

Research conducted by staff provides the basis for much of our teaching, ensuring that modules are connected to debates and issues that are current within these four interdisciplinary areas.

Course Content

At Level One, you will gain essential skills in news writing, reporting, shorthand and radio journalism as you learn about the history of the craft of journalism and about the workings of UK central government, the European Union and international institutions. You will learn about and get practical experience in reporting, news production and feature writing.

At Level Two, you will learn about law and the media/court reporting, and will interrogate the workings of local government. On a practical level, you will learn how to put together video reports and develop video journalism skills, and you will produce pages for print and online media. You will do this against a backdrop of critical work around the theories of journalism.

At Level Three, you will undertake major pieces of self-directed journalism and a dissertation, as well as working on a multimedia group journalism project and further developing your knowledge of media law. You will also develop skills in online journalism and gain real-world journalism experience on a placement.

Typical Modules

Level 1

• Academic Practice
• News Writing
• News Reporting and Production
• History of Journalism
• Radio Journalism
• UK, European and Global Institutions

Level 2

• Crime and Courts in the News
• Data Gathering for Journalists
• Video Journalism
• Reporting UK Local Government
• Magazine Journalism
• Theories of Journalism

Level 3

• Online Entrepreneurship
• Law and the Media
• Major Group Journalism Project
• Analysis of Work Experience
• Journalism Dissertation

Teaching and Learning

You will learn the fundamental skills of journalism in our new state-of-the art multi-platform digital newsroom and broadcast facilities, using industry standard hardware and software. You will be taught by experienced senior journalists with a strong track record in training and education.

Assessment

You will be assessed in a range of ways including practical work, essays, presentations, exams and reflective reports.

Employability

Our undergraduate programmes are designed to sharpen creative and analytical skills and develop confidence in working in teams and in problem-solving techniques.

Aside from careers in journalism, employment in other sectors such as communications, public relations, policy, production, business and the non-governmental and charity sectors is also highly probable due to the transferable nature of the skills and knowledge provided.

We are highly mindful of the shortage of production journalists and will therefore be tailoring part of the programme in that direction to further enhance students’ employability

Careers

Many of our graduates will be seeking first jobs in journalism, primarily in the local and regional sector in print/online and/or broadcasting. The programme will also cater for candidates seeking to enter the burgeoning periodical sector.

Fees for 2013/14 entry

UK/EU students: £9,000 full-time

International students: £12,000 full-time

We are introducing over 700 scholarships for 2013, meaning that one in five applicants who join Brunel next year will receive financial support from the University. See our fees and funding page for full details

Fees quoted are per annum and are subject to an annual increase.

Entry Requirements for 2013 Entry

• GCE A-level Typical offer ABB, including a B in one of the following subjects: English, History, Economics, Sociology, Politics, Psychology, Geography, Business Studies, Philosophy, Law or Religious Studies indicating critical analysis and communication skills. Applicants who have already achieved at least BBB at A-level and have Personal Statements showing a strong interest in the course and transferable skills will also be considered. Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants within this range.
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate AABBB including one subject listed under A-level entry.
• Scottish Advanced Highers ABB including one subject listed under A-level entry.
• Advanced Diploma Progression Diploma grade A in Creative and Media or Public Services, including A-level grade B in one subject listed under A-level entry for Additional and Specialist Learning.
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma D*DD in Media and Media Production.
• IBDP 33 points including Higher Level 5 in one subject listed under A-level entry.
• Access Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher. An interview may be required.

For all of the above, 5 GCSEs or equivalent at Grade C or above are also required, to include Maths at grade C and English at grade B (please note that these must have been gained by the time you submit your UCAS application).

English Language Requirements

• IELTS: 7.5 (min 5.5 in all areas) 
• TOEFL Paper test: 637 (TWE 4)
• TOEFL Internet test: 110 (R18, L17, S20, W17)
• Pearson: 73 (59 in all subscores)
• BrunELT 75% (min 55% in all areas)

Brunel also offers our own BrunELT English Test and accept a range of other language courses. We also have a range of Pre-sessional English language courses, for students who do not meet these requirements, or who wish to improve their English.