Course summary
The sports journalism course gets you into the thick of the action straight away, reporting on local and national sports for both online and traditional media platforms. You will be a practicing journalist from day one – benefiting from outstanding teaching, facilities and contacts, along with plenty of opportunities to put your learning into practice. The course has been developed to meet the needs of the modern sports journalism industry and is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), which ensures you are ready to work for their industry partners (BBC, Sky News, ITN, Channel 4 News, Global Radio, Associated Press, Reuters and National Union of Journalists). The degree boasts a broad spectrum of transferable skills - from print or broadcast to online and social media reporting – training you to produce a comprehensive news package that will engage and excite your audience. The proof is in our graduates. Solent sports journalists operate at some of the top broadcast companies, including Sky Sports, BBC Sport, ESPN and talkSPORT, as well as national newspapers such as The Daily Mail and The Times. Other graduates work in the media offices of football, cricket and rugby clubs, as well as creative agencies and organisations. At Solent, you'll have access to industry-standard software and work with real news agency material and interviews with the biggest names, via our partnership with Press Association (PA) and Independent Radio News (IRN). In a dedicated newsroom, you will engage in news productions for Solent Sports News using high-end media equipment, where you'll be encouraged to report on a variety of sporting events and stories. You'll also use our other industry-standard broadcast facilities including television and radio studios, editing and production facilities, and professional grade camera, audio and lighting equipment. The course also hosts guest speakers and masterclasses from high‑profile figures in sports journalism and broadcasting, including leading writers, commentators, and editors from national newspapers, Sky Sports, ITV and the BBC. And the south is a fantastic location to engage with sporting activity. Solent University is the official education partner of Championship side Southampton Football Club, while the nearby Utilita Bowl is home to Hampshire Cricket and hosts regular national and international matches. The Solent is a popular race sailing location, hosting major events such as the America’s Cup. Plus, the University has many successful sporting teams and athletes for you to create content from. If you’re looking to study our sports journalism degree but don’t have the relevant qualifications or experience, the foundation year in media will help you develop the core skills and knowledge to progress. Find out more about the foundation year in media. This course also offers the option of a placement year. A placement year allows you to put what you've learned in your first and second years into practice in the workplace, gaining valuable real-world work experience before you graduate. Our course and placements teams will help you find the perfect industry placement in your chosen field. Who is this course for? Solent’s sports journalism degree is ideally suited for people with a passion for sport, excited by the prospect of working in a demanding, deadline-driven environment, and looking to build experience in state-of-the-art facilities and using the kind of professional-grade equipment you will find out in the industry. Applicants should have studied a creative or humanities subject and be able to demonstrate strong writing ability, analytical thinking, and an interest in storytelling across print, broadcast, and digital platforms. If you want to make an impact on the world, sports journalism at Solent could be the best choice you make.
Modules
YEAR ONE CORE MODULES Ready for Broadcast Making Your Debut Sport Journalist Toolkit In the Frame YEAR TWO CORE MODULES Sports Report Data Journalism and Visualisation Sports Social Storytelling The Press Pass FINAL YEAR CORE MODULES Future of Sports Journalism The Professional Launchpad On Air Final Whistle
Assessment method
You may be assessed at the end of each block by: Portfolios Individual presentations Written exams Practical exams Essays Video submissions Blogs As part of this course, you will study one module at a time, giving you the chance to build a deeper understanding and see the results of your hard work more quickly. With regular assessments and feedback, rather than exams all at once, you’ll also benefit from improved focus, and a more manageable workload.
How to apply
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:
- SJ01
- Institution code:
- S30
- Campus name:
- Main Site
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
International applicants
For information about applying to Solent as an International applicant, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/how-to-apply/entry-requirements/help-for-international-students
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - 104 - 120 points
A level
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DMM
Access to HE Diploma
Scottish Higher
AS
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - D*D
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Foundation Diploma (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Certificate (first teaching from September 2016)
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DMM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - D*D
Pearson BTEC 90-Credit Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF)
Pearson BTEC Certificate (QCF)
Scottish Advanced Higher
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 28 - 31 points
Welsh Baccalaureate - Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate (last awarded Summer 2024)
Extended Project
HNC (BTEC) - P - D
HND (BTEC) - P - M
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - DMM
OCR Cambridge Technical Diploma - D*D
OCR Cambridge Technical Foundation Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate
OCR Cambridge Technical Certificate
T Level - M
• Direct entry to years 2 (Level 5) or 3 (Level 6) We welcome applications from students currently studying a Foundation Degree, DipHE, HNC, HND or modules of an undergraduate degree course at another university, who wish to enter directly into Years 2 or 3 of one of our undergraduate degree courses. • Level 5 (year 2) entry To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area. • Level 6 (year 3) entry To directly enter the third year of this course you need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.
Additional entry requirements
Interview
All applicants will be required to attend an interview.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | with 5.5 in each individual component. |
| TOEFL (iBT) | 80 | with a minimum of 20 in each individual compoenent. |
Solent University can also accept the following English Language Test: Duolingo English Language Test 115 overall with a minimum of 95 in each component. All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office. We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at this PDF document which outlines both Solent University and Home Office requirements for a number of language tests.
Student Outcomes
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
| England | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9790 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9790 | Year 1 |
| International | £19081 | Year 1 |
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Sponsorship information
Solent University offers a number of bursaries, grants and scholarships. For more information, please visit https://www.solent.ac.uk/finance/grants-bursaries-scholarships/bursaries
Provider information
Southampton, Solent University
East Park Terrace
Southampton
SO14 0YN
