Course summary

Learn the core practical skills of journalism and how to apply them to a sports specialism using traditional research and writing approaches as well as new and developing media forms. Sharpen these skills with an in-depth understanding of the wider political, social, historical and economic sporting environment - alongside the legal and ethical frameworks journalists work within - adding depth and authority to your reporting. Foundation Year In the Foundation year you will study three days per week. The focus will be on academic writing skills and numeracy, plus subject-specific content to fully prepare you for entry to an Undergraduate degree. The course has been designed to develop your skills and to prepare you for entry onto the first year of your chosen course. It provides a balance between content related to your chosen subject and the range of wider skills required for undergraduate study. This is an integrated four-year degree, with the foundation year as a key part of the course. You will be required to pass the foundation year in order to progress to the first year of your BA (Hons) degree. This course is ideal for those who do not meet our standard entry requirements or those with a non-standard educational background. It will allow you to graduate with a full undergraduate degree in your chosen subject in four years. Facilities and Specialist Equipment

• Mac-equipped newsroom with radio news booth and transmission gallery.

• High-spec multi-camera television studios.

• Industry-standard radio facilities.

• Outside broadcast (OB) recording equipment.

• Netflix-standard film cameras.

• Digital video-editing suites with Adobe Creative Cloud software.

• We are the official Education Partners of Luton Town FC and Bedford Blues RFC Foundation, giving you opportunities to put your journalism skills into practice covering live events.

• Benefit from studying with a team of industry specialists in both sports reporting and general journalism, across a range of platforms.

• Develop a portfolio of work and contacts, and hone your journalism skills through regular news days, developing your skills via real-life sports reporting assignments.

• Develop live projects for industry organisations including Coolr social media agency, Pooja Studios, Luton Town FC’s Media and PR department, MK Dons FC and MKFM radio station.

• Work for our in-house sports TV channel, Bulls TV, and provide sports coverage for our University’s Bedfordshire Bulls sports teams.

• Hear from leading academics, sports participants and masterclass speakers from both the worlds of sport and media. Past guest speakers include Keanu Rattray, Digital Content Manager at FIFA, and Mick Payne, Match of the Day producer.

• Report from your first year for our news website and present your own show on Radio LaB, our University’s community radio station.

• Take advantage of field trips to studios and course-related destinations including MKFM, Luton Town FC, MK Dons FC, BBC Broadcasting House, BT Sport, and Sky.