Undergraduate BA (Hons)
Journalism
Our ground-breaking degree combines advanced vocational training and rigorous academic study to prepare you for a career in journalism.
In a world hungry for news, the ultra-competitive media market needs versatile, multimedia journalists with cutting-edge skills and a highly developed awareness of ethics.
Our Journalism degree is based in state-of-the-art newsrooms complete with dedicated radio and television studios, and editing and production facilities. You learn to write and report in text, on air and for the internet. You also have regular access to work placements and internships at KMTV, our award-winning Ofcom-licensed professional TV channel that broadcasts from the campus.
The Centre for Journalism at Kent is leading the development of journalism as an academic discipline rooted in professional newsroom practice. On our professionally accredited programme, you study for an honours degree that includes history, politics and law while completing the National Council for the Training of Journalists’ (NCTJ) Diploma in Journalism. (*See fees and funding for additional costs.)
Emma's passion took her from the student newsrooms and KMTV to a job as an output producer at Sky News.
Communications and Media Studies at Kent was ranked 6th for graduate prospects in The Complete University Guide 2023.
Our students can learn from mentors in the industry thanks to our partnership with the John Schofield Trust.
Our Journalism BA is fully accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
Our typical offer levels are listed below and include indicative contextual offers. If you hold alternative qualifications just get in touch and we'll be glad to discuss these with you.
BBB
DDM
120 Tariff points from your IB Diploma, Typically H5, H6, H6 or equivalent.
English Language at grade C/4
Pass all components of the University of Kent International Foundation Programme with a 65% overall average including 60% in the Academic Skills Development module and 50% in LZ013 Maths.
The University will consider applicants holding T level qualifications in subjects closely aligned to the course.
Pass the Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 should be passed at Distinction, 12 at Merit, and 3 at Pass; or 33 at Distinction, 6 at Merit, and 6 at Pass.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate a serious interest in and commitment to journalism.
We welcome applications from international students with internationally recognised qualifications. A high level of English (equivalent to a native speaker) is essential.
This module listing is based on the current curriculum and may change year to year in response to new curriculum developments and innovation. You study a combination of compulsory and optional modules and may also be able to take ‘elective’ modules from other degrees, tailoring your studies to your ambitions.
What is news? Which sources are trustworthy? Writing news reports and the inverted pyramid. Reporting court cases and council meetings. Working off-diary. Distinction between comment, conjecture and fact. Public interest.
This module provides an overview of the British political system, focusing on recent political and constitutional developments. It will investigate topics such as the roles of Parliament, the Prime Minister and Cabinet, political parties, and the electoral system. It will assess key issues facing democratic government and institutions within the UK, analysing for example the role of Europe, the challenges posed by devolution, the Treasury and the National Health Service. There will also be discussion of contemporary political behaviour, including the issue of political participation.
British radio journalism, its history and development. Magazine and online production development. Use of microphones, audio and video recording equipment and studio production. Setting up and conducting of interviews. Use of digital audio and video editing systems to compile news packages and features. Team working. Sound and video on the internet. Publishing journalism online.
This module introduces students to historical and contemporary issues in journalism, including fourth estate theory and the role of journalists in representative democracies. It uses case studies of key developments in the media to introduce students to core research and writing skills for undergraduates, giving them a toolkit for critical study of media and journalism. The module develops skills which will be used in later academic work and extended projects throughout the programme.
The culture of British television journalism, its history and development. Use of cameras, editing equipment and television studio production facilities. Team working in television production. Advanced use of print design software, image manipulation software and print production facilities. Advanced techniques in radio news programme production. Advanced techniques in multimedia journalism production. How social media and reader interactivity is changing journalism and the legal, ethical, technical and editorial implications.
This module builds on the fundamental reporting and writing skills learned in year one and applies them to a range of more complex journalistic tasks. Students will learn to write longer stories, including features, and structure them to hold the attention of their readers. They will learn how to critically assess and manage sources of information, including verifying information sourced online, managing data resources, and working with anonymous or vulnerable sources. Students will build their personal portfolio of impactful, original journalism through the assessments in this module. It also prepares students to take professional exams in news writing and ethics
Basic Introduction to the English legal system. Introduction to the theory of, and law relating to, Freedom of Expression. Defamation. Breach of confidence and privacy. Contempt of Court. Reporting – courts and current events. Protection of journalists and their sources. Censorship. Copyright. Freedom of Information and Data Protection. Official Secrets.
The module examines the role of propaganda as a means of communication and persuasion and deals with the definitions, content, intent and methods of propaganda. It involves study and critical assessment of the role of propaganda in the two world wars, the Cold War, apartheid South Africa, Rwanda and contemporary conflicts and politics.
The culture of British radio, television, newspaper and online journalism, its history and development. Advanced use of cameras, audio recorders, editing equipment and radio and television studio production facilities. Advanced techniques in television news programme production. Advanced use of print design software, image manipulation software and print production facilities. Advanced techniques in radio news programme production. Advanced techniques in multimedia journalism production. How social media and reader interactivity is changing journalism and the legal, ethical, technical and editorial implications.
Development of techniques in long-form journalism. Identification of the story and research methods. Identification of most suitable platform(s) to tell a specific story. Developing key sources and newsgathering techniques. Formulating a narrative structure. Documentary sequences in audio and video. Multimedia presentation techniques. Honing writing styles. Editing techniques and styles in audio, video and multimedia. Delivery methods for journalism in the digital world.
Indicative topics are:
• Linear and non-linear narrative structures.
• The use of online and open-source tool research to create journalism projects.
• The power of interactivity. Putting the user in control of the story.
• Visualisation of data.
• Using crowd-sourced material to develop and augment core reporting.
• Techniques for adapting and creating journalism for mobile media.
• How social media and reader interactivity is changing journalism and the legal, ethical, technical and editorial implications.
Indicative topics are:
• How conflict reporting has developed from the 1930s to the digital multimedia reporting of the 21st century
• Journalism, patriotism and propaganda: war as a severe test of journalistic integrity and independence
• Embeds, independents and reporters' security
• Reporting terrorism
• The political impact of war reporting
Indicative topics are:
• Writing match reports, analysis and commentary for print and online to tight deadlines
• Using online tools, including social media, to produce minute-by-minute coverage of live events and increase audience
• Understand the impact of new media on sports journalism
• The social, historical and cultural context of sports journalism.
• Running too close to the circus – "fans with typewriters" and sports journalism's relationship with the PR industry
• The impact of commercialisation of sport on sports journalism
• Holding sports bodies to account – the structure of governing bodies and government departments
Students will build on and integrate their knowledge, skills and experience by undertaking an independent research project in the form of a supervised dissertation. Research can be undertaken in a broad range of areas, however it is expected that the content of the thesis will demonstrate clear links to other elements of the programme, for example, focusing on an aspect of the cultural and/or institutional role of journalism. The finished dissertation/project will therefore represent the synthesis and culmination of the skills and knowledge gained elsewhere on the programme.
This module will allow students to gain knowledge of television production from the planning stage through to its execution. During the Autumn term they will learn the language of television, camera work, scripting, organising a production, how to pitch a segment for a broadcaster, filming, editing, organising a crew and directing a live TV programme. They will then produce a TV segment in the genre of their choice (e.g. current affairs, music, arts, cooking etc) with support from their peers and academic staff.
This module will allow students to gain knowledge of television production from the planning stage through to its execution. During the Autumn term they will learn the language of television, camera work, scripting, organising a production, how to pitch a segment for a broadcaster, filming, editing, organising a crew and directing a live TV programme. They will then produce a TV segment in the genre of their choice (e.g. current affairs, music, arts, cooking etc) with support from their peers and academic staff.
This module will give students an introduction to the skills and habits specialist journalists need in a digital age, as well as encouraging them to develop their own specialism in journalism. It will including studying and critically analysing the key issues and debates in a specific subject area, communicating complex ideas in a simple and engaging way to a general audience, building contacts and expertise, and a critical look at the jobs market for specialists.
You have the opportunity to select elective modules in this stage.
Each day in the Centre for Journalism begins with an editorial conference. Students and staff gather in the newsrooms to discuss the top stories on the local, national and international news agendas and to consider how they have been reported in newspapers, by broadcasters and online.
Teaching is by a variety of methods including masterclasses, lectures, seminars, films and small group discussions. Professional skills are taught in a live newsroom environment, which replicates the atmosphere of a working multimedia newsroom. You participate in regular Live News Days, during which you work to deadline to produce live radio and television bulletins and newspaper pages, and to update websites. There are frequent guest lectures and masterclasses by working journalists and editors, including network broadcasters and editors of national and regional newspapers and magazines.
Assessment includes coursework (such as academic essays, television, radio and online news reports and newspaper articles) and examinations. Students compile portfolios of reports. In your final year, you complete an extended project in journalism, which may take the form of a television or radio documentary, an extended newspaper or magazine article, or a web report. You may also choose to write an academic dissertation.
There is a minimum of 21 hours contact time per week in your first and second year, in addition to which all students receive guaranteed one-to-one feedback on their assignments and have regular meetings with their personal academic adviser. You should expect to do a minimum of 15 additional hours personal study per week.
Students undergo assessment for the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism via examinations set by the NCTJ. There is a fee for each of these examinations, which students must pay in addition to their tuition fees. See the NCTJ website for current NCTJ exam fees.
For a student studying full time, each academic year of the programme will comprise 1200 learning hours which include both direct contact hours and private study hours. The precise breakdown of hours will be subject dependent and will vary according to modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
Methods of assessment will vary according to subject specialism and individual modules. Please refer to the individual module details under Course Structure.
For programme aims and learning outcomes please see the programme specification.
My course has geared me up perfectly for life as a journalist.
This degree prepares you to work across the broadcast, print and online media. You learn to communicate with non-specialist audiences and to present your opinion coherently and with passion.
Organisations employing our graduates include:
Other graduates have secured positions in communications roles for charities, NGOs and campaign groups or political parties.
The 2024/25 annual tuition fees for this course are:
For details of when and how to pay fees and charges, please see our Student Finance Guide.
For students continuing on this programme, fees will increase year on year by no more than RPI + 3% in each academic year of study except where regulated.*
The University will assess your fee status as part of the application process. If you are uncertain about your fee status you may wish to seek advice from UKCISA before applying.
Students undergo assessment for the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism via examinations set by the NCTJ. There is a fee for each of these examinations, which students must pay in addition to their tuition fees. See the NCTJ website for current NCTJ exam fees.
Find out more about accommodation and living costs, plus general additional costs that you may pay when studying at Kent.
Kent offers generous financial support schemes to assist eligible undergraduate students during their studies. See our funding page for more details.
At Kent we recognise, encourage and reward excellence. We have created the Kent Scholarship for Academic Excellence.
The scholarship will be awarded to any applicant who achieves a minimum of A*AA over three A levels, or the equivalent qualifications (including BTEC and IB) as specified on our scholarships pages.
We have a range of subject-specific awards and scholarships for academic, sporting and musical achievement.
Our graduates get great jobs, with some even being offered positions before they graduate. Here are just a few of their stories.
Next steps
If you are from the UK or Ireland, you must apply for this course through UCAS. If you are not from the UK or Ireland, you can apply through UCAS or directly on our website if you have never used UCAS and you do not intend to use UCAS in the future.
We welcome applications from students all around the world with a wide range of international qualifications.
Student life
Kent ranked top 50 in the The Complete University Guide 2023 and The Times Good University Guide 2023.
Free membership for undergraduates living on campus in 2024.
Kent has risen 11 places in THE’s REF 2021 ranking, confirming us as a leading research university.
An unmissable part of your student experience.
