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Journalism and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS

Birkbeck, University of London

Degree level: Undergraduate
Awarded by: University of London

Journalism and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish)

Course options

2025 - 20262026 - 2027
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Birkbeck, University of London has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

Open days

28Jun
Birkbeck, University of London - Undergraduate open day
Undergraduate

Course summary

This BA Journalism and Language is ideal if you are an aspiring journalist keen to acquire professional journalistic skills and a sophisticated understanding of the fields of journalism and media, as well as engaging with international contexts and enhancing your linguistic skills. Why choose this course?

  • You will gain practical knowledge of the journalism field and the cutting-edge expertise needed to build, manage and navigate a career within today's media landscape.
  • Studying a language allows you to better understand other people, cultures and the multilingual worlds in which we live. Developing advanced communication skills and intercultural awareness is also key to enhancing your employability.
  • You will be taught by internationally renowned academics, researchers and writers in a school which prides itself on multidisciplinary excellence.
What you will learn You will develop your own specialism along with an understanding of the political, historical, cultural and social contexts in which journalists operate. An academic emphasis is complemented by practical modules taught by established media professionals who will equip you with the skills to write, research and communicate as a journalist, and to design and produce print publications, audio and video. The languages component will enable you to reach a high level of competence in a modern language of your choice. You can choose French, German, Italian, Japanese or Spanish, starting at the level of language that suits you. Korean is offered starting from beginner level. How you will learn You will be taught via lectures, seminars and workshops with an emphasis on interaction and engagement. Language teaching takes place in small-group seminars and the course is delivered in the target language. It is available to study full- or part-time. Classes take place in the evening. Foundation Year 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
  • You will 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.
  • In our central London location in Bloomsbury we are surrounded by cultural institutes relevant to the study of languages and literature, such as the Institute of Languages, Cultures and Societies, the Goethe Institute, German Historical Institute, Institut Français, Instituto Cervantes, and Japan House London.
  • You will have the chance to attend seminars, events and guest lecturers organised by affiliated research centres and networks, including Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture, Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image, Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology, the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies and the Centre for Iberian and Latin American Visual Studies.
  • 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.
Careers and employability On successfully graduating from this course you will have gained transferable skills important in working across a broad range of professional communication roles and settings, including:
  • high-level communication expertise
  • the use of theoretical concepts and perspectives
  • research, analysis and project management skills
  • fluency with academic concepts and theories, and how to develop original insights and arguments
  • an enhanced ability to engage with the complexity of different cultural contexts and perspectives.
Graduates can pursue career paths in media and cultural institutions, journalism, public relations or professional communications.

Modules

For information about course structure and the modules you will be studying, please visit Birkbeck’s online prospectus.

Assessment method

Essays, journalistic writing, blogging, layout, video and podcasting.

How to apply

29Jan

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

Please select a course option – you will then see the application code you need to use to apply for the course.

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Year 1

International applicants

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

We welcome applicants without traditional entry qualifications as we base decisions on our own assessment of qualifications, knowledge and previous work experience. We may waive formal entry requirements based on judgement of academic potential. FOUNDATION YEAR DEGREES Our 'with Foundation Year' route is designed to give you extra support as it provides you with an additional year (full-time) or two years (part-time) of supported study. This is an ideal route if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied this subject, or if you did not achieve the grades you need for a place on this degree. Once you successfully complete your Foundation Year studies, you will automatically advance onto the main degree.

Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students
60%
Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)
80%
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

England £9535 Year 1
Northern Ireland £9535 Year 1
Scotland £9535 Year 1
Wales £9535 Year 1
International £18060 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

Students are charged a tuition fee in each year of their course. Tuition fees for students continuing on their course in following years may be subject to annual inflationary increases.
Journalism and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Spanish) at Birkbeck, University of London - UCAS