Course summary
OVERVIEW UWS’s BA Journalism is a top-up degree which builds upon your previous studies and will teach you everything you need to know to become a savvy, multimedia-skilled journalist and reporter. We have developed the curriculum that reflects what the actual experience of the rapidly changing newsrooms will be and the skills required to operate successfully in these environments at a practical and intellectual level. This will enable you to explore, analyse and critique Journalism in a forensic way to more fully understand why the news/ethics/managerial decisions being made in the newsroom are being made. The students will also develop a very firm grasp of the role of Journalism in the social, economic, civic and democratic life of our societies. Underpinned by theoretical insight into ethical and effective journalism, you’ll study news reporting, develop interview techniques, and hone your writing skills to meet the practical demands of today’s fast-paced news environment. You’ll also have the option to specialise in Sports Journalism. Journalism pathway Those opting for the straight Journalism pathway will continue to build on their previous knowledge with opportunities to undertake work placement, produce portfolio-based work in news, features, specialist magazine journalism across a range of digital and online formats. Sports Journalism pathway This opting for the Sports Journalism pathway will undertake some of the same modules as the Journalism pathway students, eg, research methods, newsroom practice, creative portfolios. However, the focus of their final two years will be in meeting the requirements of sports journalism, as well as their own aspirations. Modules will explore sports news production in a range of sports programmes, with news, features, commentary and live reporting being key (much of this will be focused around our involvement with a range of sports organisations & clubs). PRACTICAL FOCUS During your time on this degree you’ll create content for uwsnewsroom.com and your own portfolio. You’ll also get the opportunity to develop close ties with partner organisations as media creators and producers, including Ayrshire Women’s Hub, Ayr United FC, St Mirren FC and Ayr Rugby Club. You will be expected to undertake either work-based learning in a newsroom environment or work-related learning as part of specific projects. For example, The Newsroom Practice module includes a requirement to undertake a placement which enables you to apply the skills and knowledge you have gained in a workplace setting and from which you will gain a valuable experience that is aimed at supporting both your learning and future employability. CAREER PROSPECTS Jobs The BA Journalism equips you to work in newsrooms across the globe and provides you the essential skills to compete within a multimedia environment.
Modules
In your first year of study you will study a range of modules outlining the role of journalisom is society, research methods, and newsroom practice. You can also choose to study the Sports Journalism Pathway where you will be introduced to sports news production as issues such as policty and the organisation of sport. In your final year, you will re-inforce your studies of professionalism in journalism and broadcast, news and politics, as well asoptions in podcasting, an international perspective of news and gloabl issues in sports news. However, the major component in this year is the final year creative research project. This project provides you the the opportunity to develop a significant creative research practice output which will be the result of a strong industry and production focus with critical evaluation and academic underpinning. The precise nature of the project will vary with your interests but examples could include: short film script, a 15 minute documentary, a TV series pilot, an audio/radio project or a multimedia portfolio of news, features and sports content. There is the minimum of a 5000 word written contextualisation; you will also have the opportunity to write a dissertation with a smaller practice portfolio.
Assessment method
Learning, teaching and assessment in this degree will be aligned with professional practice through the amalgamation of assessments that meet the needs of the university and a range of graduate skills, yet also help prepare students for the demands of the working environment beyond university. For example, aligned assessments are likely to include the production of a range of professionally produced news and journalistic artifacts that would be expected in industry and where effective communication, engagement and collaborative practice are key learning outcomes. The experiential learning opportunities in the programme will also students to learn how to work in teams co-operate with others in group projects, pose and resolve a range of problems both in the content and production of a range of journalism outputs, such as news, sports and magazine projects, and give and receive feedback through peer-review involving the whole class. Teaching will comprise practice-based workshops, simulated newsroom environments, production days, seminars and lectures. All modules are supported Moodle, an online VLE which enables staff and students to both communicate and share content on assessment, learning activities, information sources such as online broadcast and print materials, discussion forums and support for teaching and learning.
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
How to apply
25Jan
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- P500
- Institution code:
- U40
- Campus name:
- Ayr Campus
- Campus code:
- A
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 3
- Year 4
International applicants
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS: For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. These are shown below.
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
T Level - M
Year 3 SQA HND / BTEC Level 5 HND / Foundation Degree / DipHE: Journalism; Practical Journalism; Communication with Media; or relevant discipline with B in graded unit. Year 3 Applications will be considered by the Academic Admissions Officer
Additional entry requirements
Audition
Interview
Portfolio
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | IELTS 6.0 with 5.5 minimum in each skill / component. |
| Cambridge English Advanced | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Cambridge English Proficiency | 176 overall with no sub-test less than 169 | |
| Trinity ISE | Pass | ISEII with the minimum of a Pass in all sub-tests |
| PTE Academic | 54 | An overall score of 54 with no element below 51 |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 78 | no sub-test less than: Reading: 17; Listening: 17; Speaking: 17; Writing: 17 |
DUO LINGO In addition ot the above English Language tests, for 2022-23 entry, the University has approved the use of the online Duolingo English test as evidence of English language ability. UWS will accept an overall score between 90-115 with no component score below 90. For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level. The reason for this is that it’s essential that you are able to read, speak and understand the English language to get the most out of your time at UWS. All international applicants are required to meet minimum English language standards, with the exception of: // Native speakers of English // Erasmus students (unless advised otherwise) // non-Erasmus students from EU partner institutions (your institution must provide confirmation of your English language ability in the absence of a formal qualification) The qualifications above must have been gained within two years prior to the start of your course at UWS.
UWS's English language requirements
https://www.uws.ac.uk/international/english-language-requirements/
Student Outcomes
Operated by the Office for Students
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
Go onto work and study
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| Scotland | £1820* | Year 1 |
| England | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9250* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9250* | Year 1 |
| EU | £14500* | Year 1 |
| International | £14500* | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Additional fee information
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - SCOTTISH STUDENTS:
Eligible Scottish domiciled students can usually apply to have their tuition fees paid for them each year of their studies by the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS). If you're not sure about your eligibility, you should contact SAAS. You need to apply to SAAS each year of study to have your tuition fees paid directly to UWS.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - UK, IRISH & GIBRALTARIAN STUDENTS:
Eligible students who are domiciled in England, Wales, or Northern Ireland as well as from the Channel Islands, the Isle of Man, Gibraltar or the Republic of Ireland will qualify for tuition fees of £9,250 per academic session of study to a maximum of three years if you are studying on a four year bachelor degree course (eg. BAcc (Hons) / BA (Hons) / BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons)). So, if your degree is four years' duration, you will only be charged tuition fees for three years. Similarly, if you are studying a five year integrated master's degree course (eg. MEng (Hons)) the you will only be charged tuition fees for four years.
TUITION FEE INFORMATION - INTERNATIONAL (NON-EU) & EU STUDENTS:
These tuition fees apply to all non-EU, EEA, and all other EU students (excluding those from Republic of Ireland and Gibraltar, whose fee level is as per UK (non-Scottish) students - see section above for more details).
ADDITIONAL COSTS:
The cost of attending university is an investment in your future career.
In addition to tuition fees and living expenses, some courses involve extra costs such as consumable study materials, field trips, equipment and uniforms. You may also want to purchase some core texts and technology such as a new laptop etc. Some of these additional costs are optional, some, such as uniforms or safety equipment may be mandatory.
Check the course entry on our website for more more information.
Sponsorship information
Visit www.uws.ac.uk/scholarships
Provider information
University of the West of Scotland
Paisley Campus
High Street
Paisley
PA1 2BE