Year in Journalism
Journalism puts you in the front row seat of history – whether that’s holding power to account, exploring complex social issues or analysing cultural moments that define a generation. Take a Year in Journalism and work two days a week at KMTV, with opportunities to gain experience at KentOnline’s digital newsroom
How does a Year in Journalism fit into my degree?
This freestanding, self-contained year, is open to students from any school in the University and can be taken after Stage 2 or 3 (that is, between your second and final year, or after your final year).
Journalism informs democracy, speaks truth to power, and connects communities. As part of the Year In programme, you will work two days a week at KMTV, with opportunities to gain experience at KentOnline’s digital newsroom.
Students who successfully complete the Journalism year and their home degree will graduate ‘with a Year in Journalism'. The full transcript of your degree results will include your marks for the Year in Journalism, as evidence of your achievement for potential employers.
How to apply
To apply, please email progadmin@kent.ac.uk giving your student number.
Application deadlines
- For current stage 3 students - applications close 26 March 2027 (students with a visa should check eligibility)
- For current stage 2 students - applications close 30 July 2027
Please note that if you are in your final year, there is an earlier deadline to enable graduation. It is important to apply as soon as possible.
With changes to student funding, anyone who starts their programme from 2027 will be able to take a Year In after Stage 3 only.
Do you have any questions?
For more information, please see our FAQs or contact:
- Rob Bailey (Course Lead)
- Programme Administration
Am I eligible?
Yes, if you are a University of Kent undergraduate student who:
- is currently in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of your degree
- averaging 50% or above in your current degree programme
Candidates will also be asked to have an informal interview with a member of the KMTV team as part of the requirements of the course’s professional accreditation.
If your degree is accredited with a professional body, you will need to confirm with your home School that this can include the option of a Year in Journalism.
About the course
During the year you will join KMTV as a trainee reporter, covering news, features, sport and more across Kent as part of an award-winning television news team. You will be mentored by full-time journalists and will be supported to develop your own story ideas and your voice as a storyteller.
Your development will be supported by high-quality teaching by practising journalists. You’ll learn how to write concise, engaging copy for a range of audiences, learn how to film and edit eye-catching TV packages and develop voice skills for presenting and reporting.
Modules
You will take the following compulsory modules:
- Broadcast Journalism (this module runs through to the summer term)
- Essential Journalism (this module runs through to the summer term)
- Media Law, Ethics and Regulation
- Broadcast Journalism (this module runs through to the summer term)
- Essential Journalism (this module runs through to the summer term)
- Power, Government and Data
- Broadcast Journalism (this module runs through to the summer term)
- Essential Journalism (this module runs through to the summer term)
FAQs
Yes, if you are a University of Kent undergraduate student who:
- is currently in Stage 2 or Stage 3 of your degree
- averaging 50% or above in your current degree programme
Candidates will also be asked to have an informal interview with a member of the KMTV team as part of the requirements of the course’s professional accreditation.
If your degree is accredited with a professional body, you will need to confirm with your home School that this can include the option of a Year in Journalism.
Students who successfully complete the Journalism year and their home degree will graduate ‘with a Year in Journalism'. The full transcript of your degree results will include your marks for the Year in Journalism, as evidence of your achievement for potential employers.
Your degree classification will depend on your main degree subject and not the Year in Journalismwhich is a pass/fail year. If you pass the year, you will get ‘with a Year in Journalism' added to your degree title. If you fail, you will drop back to your current degree. You do not risk your current degree classification by doing the year.
Please talk to staff in your home School about whether adding a Year in Journalism will affect your accreditation or not.
The Year in Journalism should be viewed simply as an additional year of study, making a three-year degree into a four-year degree. If you pay your own tuition fees, then you will have to pay for an extra year. For those eligible, student loans should normally be available for all four years. However, it is your responsibility to check with the Loan Authority that they will continue to give you financial support on the new programme.
International students wishing to add the Year in Journalism will be approved on a case-by-case basis in accordance with UK immigration regulations and the University’s Tier 4 policy on Academic Progression and Change of Course.
Students also need to be aware that they may need to return to their home country to apply for a new visa to add the year to their degree.
Assessment is 100% coursework across all modules with a strong focus on original storytelling, with flexible briefs which allow you to follow your interests and develop a specialism while being held to professional newsroom standards.
At the core of this will be a portfolio of original stories you have produced during the work placement module and on any additional placements. The portfolio requires you to demonstrate your versatility as a digital and TV journalist with a mix of written, live, as-live and pre-recorded content.
It will be accompanied by a reflective critique which is your opportunity to reflect on your growth as a journalist and how you overcame the challenges you faced while producing the stories. These assessments prepare you for future job applications by helping you to produce a showreel of content to share with employers and to reflect on editorial issues which often arise in job interviews
Unfortunately not. The programme is only open to current Kent undergraduates, not Master’s or PhD students.