Course summary

Are you a budding journalist keen to acquire practical journalistic skills? Do you want to gain a sophisticated understanding of the rapidly changing fields of journalism and media? During this journalism and media degree, you will combine the academic analysis of media with practical teaching from experienced industry professionals. Our BA Journalism and Media offers a unique multidisciplinary approach, challenging you to develop an understanding of the political, historical, cultural and social contexts in which journalists operate. This academic emphasis is complemented by solid practical modules, in which you will learn how to write, create and curate across a range of journalistic specialisations, genres and platforms - from the more traditional to the digital. This is your opportunity to gain an independent, university-level qualification focused on strategic and high-end skills. Not only will you gain practical knowledge of the journalism field, but also the cutting-edge insights needed to build, manage and navigate a career within today's fast-changing media. If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. Highlights

• Acquire up-to-date skills and knowledge from experienced practitioners at the heart of London's global media industry and leading academic researchers in the field, such as Professor Tim Markham, Joel McKim, Scott Rodgers and Justin Schlosberg.

• Attend our dynamic programme of seminars, events and guest lecturers organised by affiliated research centres and networks.

• The Department of Film, Media and Cultural Studies fosters a research-intensive environment and offers an extensive portfolio of internationally respected courses that span a variety of academic disciplines and engage with the latest ideas and techniques in journalism, media and cultural theory, arts policy and management, film and television studies, creative marketing, digital culture and East Asian cultural studies.

• The department is also affiliated with a number of research centres and networks, including Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture (BIRMAC), Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI), Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology and the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS).

• Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

• journalism (newspapers and magazines, print, online and digital)

• public relations

• creative industries.