Undergraduate BA (Hons)

Journalism (Broadcast)

Salford School of Arts, Media and Creative Technology

Attendance

Full-time

Course

Three year

Next enrolment

September 2024

Introduction

In a nutshell

Broadcast Journalism plays a vital role in society. It keeps us informed of what’s happening in the world around us, updates us on the things we really need to know, and does so in a way that’s accessible for everybody. If you’re eager to investigate and report on the latest events and issues, then our broadcast journalism degree is the right choice for you.

In today’s digital age, internet joins TV and radio as one of the key platforms through which news is shared. To reflect cutting-edge developments in broadcast journalism, this course covers both traditional and new media to prepare you for the reality of working as a professional broadcast journalist.

What’s more, this broadcast journalism course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), meaning you’ll be gaining a first-class understanding of the field from leading experts. And we’re the only university with a campus at MediaCity so you’ll study right next to the BBC and ITV.

You’ll learn how to investigate, record, edit and produce news for online, radio and television, with the option to specialise in your preferred areas in your second and third years. You’ll also undertake placements at news organisations, participate in regular newsdays and be encouraged to gain experience as part of Salford’s student-led broadcast, Quays News, which is supported by guest editors from the BBC and ITV.

To find out more about what it’s like to study journalism at Salford, read real news created by our students #JournalismAtSalford

The course reflects real-world journalism practices with a challenging and diverse curriculum. Students learn how to research, write, shoot and edit content to a professional standard. 

- BJTC course accreditation report 

You will:

  • Study for a BJTC-accredited course and learn from leading broadcast journalists
  • Be part of the thriving MediaCity community – it’s one of the country’s leading digital and creative hubs and is home to the BBC and ITV
  • Gain a full understanding of the broadcast journalism landscape in the context of both traditional and new media
International

students accepted

Course accreditations

BJTC logo

This is for you if...

1.

You want to develop your skills and techniques in the context of broadcast journalism.

2.

You have a passion for TV, radio and online journalism and are keen to gain hands on experience of the industry.

3.

You want to launch your career as a broadcast journalist and build your professional profile and portfolio of work

Course details

All about the course

At Salford, our broadcast journalism modules are designed to introduce you to a range of different media, including radio, television and online reporting. As your studies progress, you’ll have the opportunity to specialise in the area of broadcast journalism that interests you most, from podcasting to sports reporting.

And it doesn’t end there. As part of this course, you’ll also be taught how to write in shorthand, attend broadcast workshops in editing, and learn how to use camera equipment and recording devices – all of which are highly sought after by future employers. What’s more, as a broadcast journalism student studying in Salford, you’ll also have the chance to gain hands on experience in our MediaCity newsroom and find out just what it’s like to cover developing stories as they happen.

The university maintains modern, industry reflective facilities to prepare students for careers in broadcast journalism. Students have access to high-quality equipment... the facilities reflect the latest trends and techniques in the field including mobile reporting kits and a newly refurbished podcast studio. 

- BJTC course accreditation report

Want to find out more? Read our course breakdown below to learn what you’ll be exploring in each module.

Asian Media Awards logo

The University of Salford is tremendously proud to have been the premier partner for the Asian Media Awards over the last ten years and is determined to play its part in inspiring the next generation of Asian talent to consider and pursue a career in the creative industries.

Year one

Introduction to Journalism

You will study and discuss the purpose, ethics and culture of journalism in lectures, workshops and seminars. You will be introduced to key journalism models and theories, and the expectations of academic study skills and writing. You will analyse the historical development of journalism in the UK and place it within a wider social, cultural, political and economic context.

Audio and Video Journalism: Storytelling

Seasoned broadcast professionals will teach you how to produce audio and video news content, introducing techniques of mobile journalism as well as basic broadcast editing and studio use.

Essential Reporting

This module will enable you to identify the distinctive qualities of news journalism. You will learn how to source and produce stories, providing you with fundamental editorial and technical skills such as news judgment, interviewing, accuracy, verification, writing and structuring news stories, and working to deadlines.

Law and Ethics

Understanding media  law  and ethical boundaries is essential learning for any aspiring journalist. For that reason, this module provides you with a basic understanding of the legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks to which journalists work, including visits to local courts.

Multimedia Reporting

You will develop as a networked journalist by developing your own blog and exploring the multitude of digital platforms available to source and output journalistic content. You will also learn techniques of immersive storytelling.

Audio and Visual Journalism: Production

This module will equip you with the technical skills necessary to produce broadcast quality news. In addition to gaining a strong understanding of camerawork, video and audio capture and editing, you will also learn how to write and structure packages for a variety of broadcast formats.

Year two

Critical Journalism Studies

The main purpose of this module is to develop your understanding of the ways in which technological, social, political and cultural changes have impacted journalism. You will learn to analyse journalism practice and the contemporary trends emerging within the profession whilst improving your research skills and your ability to critically evaluate your own practice.

Broadcast Journalism

This module introduces you to more advanced techniques in editing and camerawork, live reporting and studio skills across radio and television. You will develop your editorial and creative skills in producing radio and TV feature packages by working in our state of the art studios.

Broadcast Newsdays

This module builds on the knowledge, understanding and skills of the Broadcast Journalism module through live weekly newsdays working in teams to create and broadcast a range of news bulletins, packages and programmes across radio and television.

A number of options from the below list will run each year:

Future Journalism

Journalism is always changing. This module tracks emerging trends in journalism and particularly the ways in which technological developments can be harnessed by journalists to create content and engage audiences. You will analyse and experiment with cutting-edge tools and techniques of journalistic storytelling to develop the practical skills involved in using new technologies and formats for creating journalistic content.

Lifestyle Journalism

Lifestyle Journalism is an increasingly popular area of journalism, whether for newspaper supplements, magazines, lifestyle programmes or podcasts. Students taking this optional module will learn how to research and write stories about all aspects of lifestyle and how to bring them to life with eye-catching text, graphics and images.

Feature Writing

You will learn how to write different types of features for newspapers and magazines in various markets. By the end of this module, you will have gained practical skills in the art of feature writing as well as enhanced your ability to formulate and pitch story ideas to commissioning editors.

Sports Journalism

The exciting field of sports journalism encompasses everything from football matches and rugby games to global Olympic events. In this elective module, you will learn essentials skills for writing clear and concise sports copy, interviewing players and officials, and producing match reports for print and online sports publications.

Court Reporting

Focusing on the law surrounding court reporting, this module will build upon your learning from the Law and Ethics module in year one. You will analyse court procedures used in the development of UK law and explore the effect of court reporting restrictions on the news gathering process.

Political Communication: Media and Democracy

This module explores the relationship between the media and politics in liberal democracies. You will focus on the nature of political media and reporting, the media's influence on politics, and how political actors use the media. You will also study the rise of the internet and new media technologies and what this means for democracy.

Music Journalism

This module provides an overview of journalistic methodologies as applied to the fields of music and the music industry. You will examine and construct a variety of forms of journalistic output as related to music as well as develop a critical understanding of the interrelationship between market, industry and culture.

Public Affairs

This module will raise your awareness of UK government systems, providing you with an overview of national, regional and local government and the relationship of each with the news media. You will learn how to report council meetings, parliamentary committees and understand the relationship between journalists and local and central government.

Celebrity Journalism

This module will provide you with an overview of how the media views and reports on the world of celebrity. You will learn the professional skills of celebrity journalism as well as develop a critical understanding of the challenges and constraints facing celebrity journalists today, including ethical dilemmas such as media bias, cheque book journalism and issues around privacy.

Podcasting

This module will explore podcasts as a form of journalistic storytelling. You will learn how to pitch, research, structure and produce podcasts for target audiences.

War and Conflict Reporting

This module aims to provide you with a broad history of war reporting from the Boer War to the present day. This will enable you to assess the role of technological developments in war reporting and the social, cultural and political trends affecting war reporters today.

University Wide Language Programme

This module provides the opportunity to learn or develop a language with the University-wide language programme.

Quays News

Students on this module are at the heart of our Quays News output, planning the content, creating packages and presenting the weekly TV programme while learning more about production skills in the gallery and studio.

Year three

Journalism Practice

The core aim of this module is to provide you with professional journalism experience in our multimedia newsrooms. By working alongside professional journalists during multi-platform newsdays, you will sharpen your professional skills and further prepare yourself for the demands of working in a modern digitalised newsroom.

Major Journalism Project or Dissertation

You will produce an in-depth piece of online, print, radio or TV journalism with professional tutorial supervision or undertake a dissertation in a journalism-related area with academic support.

A number of options from the below list will run each year:

Photojournalism

You will gain an in depth understanding of photojournalism by critically evaluating this specialised craft from technical, practical, aesthetic, ethical, legal, sociological and psychological perspectives. You will have the opportunity to enhance your expertise as a photojournalist by developing your own portfolio and engaging in a range of briefs.

Political and Campaigning Journalism

You will examine how journalists approach the reporting of political issues, gaining a broad understanding of techniques and practices used in regional, national and international contexts. You will also analyse the use of social media in political reporting as well as consider relevant ethical dilemmas around editorial control, spin and the lobby system.

Magazine Journalism

This module will develop your understanding of the entire process of creating a magazine publication in print and/or online. You will learn how to originate, write, assess and develop ideas and have the necessary organisational and practical skills to see them through to completion.

Interests, Power, and Media Policy

The purpose of this module is to provide you with a critical awareness of the ways in which influential interests and power can shape the nature of communication media policy. You will explore a range of policies as well as the main actors and institutions who devise and influence media policy creation.

Journalism and Public Relations

This module will examine the role of the PR industry and its link to journalism and the media. Through a number of practical workshops, you will gain a strong understanding of the principles and practices behind successful PR strategies and campaigns.

Investigative Journalism

This module examines the historical context of investigative journalism and the challenges faced by news organisations and by investigative journalists when publishing their work. It studies the specialist methods used by investigative journalists including secret recording and analysis of documentary evidence and the legal and ethical issues involved.

University Wide Language Programme

Choose to study a world language in a friendly, supportive environment. Delivered over two semesters, with additional resources available via Blackboard, you will receive around 50 hours of supported learning to help you progress and consolidate your listening, reading, speaking and writing core skills. Available languages include Arabic, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese and Spanish.

Advanced Sports Journalism

Take this module to develop your sport journalism skills, particularly in a live environment for both broadcast and digital platforms. Industry guests will also help to expand your understanding of the role of journalists within sport, of issues such as racism and gender, and of the audience for sport across delivery platforms.

Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.

What will I be doing?

50%

Workshops

30%

Lectures

20%

Newsdays

TEACHING

As part of your broadcast journalism degree, your timetable will include a breakdown of your scheduled lessons with timeslots for you to explore your independent research interests. Your classes will be based at our MediaCityUK campus.

You will learn mostly through practical journalistic work – coursework, projects and practical exercises. There will also be some exams and short essays.

ASSESSMENT

Most assessments are conducted through practical journalistic course work and formal written essays. You will undertake an exam in media law, and potentially exams as part of some optional modules. Exams form an important part of the BJTC accreditation of the course.

You will work both individually and in groups to create a range of projects for assessment.

BE A PART OF A CREATIVE, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY

All our Journalism courses are delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology. Our focus is to ensure that you have the skills you need to pursue your dreams, and we encourage our students, past and present, to collaborate with each other and achieve great things.  

Each year - through the Create Student Awards – our School rewards the incredible achievements and successes of our final year and postgraduate students.  

Whatever you choose to study with us, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it. 

Journalism FACILITIES

Our MediaCity facilities are industry-standard, so much so that they are used by our industry partners themselves.

When you study with us, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who’ll teach you how to use our facilities. These include:

TV News studio - a state of the art news set, including three HD cameras with teleprompters. 

This studio also can link up to the other two TV studios in the building based on the ground floor, enabling live feeds. 

TV studios - our TV studios have been used by the BBC for a variety of broadcasts, such as the Olympics and Christmas music concerts, and they’re equipped with the same audio-visual systems used by ITV and Sky too. 

The studios have green screen facilities as well as basic props so you can design and build sets for a range of projects. 

Newsroom - you’ll use this space as a hub to simulate a full working day in a newsroom, covering breaking stories. Software available includes Avid iNews, Avid NewsCutter, Adobe Audition and Premier, all of which are used by the industry. 

Radio studios - we can offer you three cutting edge studios which have been used for live contributions to shows on talkSPORT and Capital. 

Equipment stores - cameras, tripods and mics – they’re all essential to media production. But don’t worry, you won’t need to spend thousands of pounds to get the set-up you need – we have a fully equipped equipment store available for you to use and take out industry-standard kit. 

You’ll be able to shoot and record on location in the high quality you need to bring your vision to life. 

Explore our Journalism facilities at the University of Salford

MEET THE JOURNALISM TEACHING STAFF

Are you looking to learn more about the background of our Journalism tutors and demonstrators, or put a face to a name?

Find out who'll work with you throughout your academic journey at the University of Salford.

Explore the Journalism faculty at the University of Salford

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

EMPLOYMENT

You may be asking yourself, ‘what can you do with a broadcast journalism degree?’ Well, here’s the inside scoop.

Throughout this course, you’ll have gained both theoretical knowledge and invaluable real-world experience, helping you to clinch your first role in journalism. You will become comfortable working behind, or in front of, a camera or microphone, and reporting on the latest events. You will understand the technical elements of news production, as well as critical journalistic disciplines, such as how to investigate stories, interview people and format news reports.

A degree in broadcast journalism prepares you for a career in the media, communications or information sector, as well as a variety of roles in related fields. You will be in a great position to pursue roles with local broadcasters, as well as online news organisations. However, more broadly, you will have transferrable skills that can be applied to related fields such as PR, communications and video production.

Read Victoria Janes story about how she went from studying a Journalism degree at Salford to BBC Radio 1.

FURTHER STUDY

Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further postgraduate path through our Postgraduate programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.

A taste of what you could become

A TV journalist

A radio presenter

An online journalist

A public relations practitioner

An editor

And more...

Career Links

Graduates have secured journalism jobs at the BBC, ITV, newspapers and online sites. They have also found work in related areas, including public relations.

Requirements

What you need to know

APPLICANT PROFILE

Are you a budding news broadcaster? Do you have experience of sharing news stories on a local news platform? If so, our broadcast journalism university course is the right option for you. Offering you the chance to focus on a range of disciplines within journalism, it will develop your skills in journalistic methodologies needed to take the first step in your professional career.

To gain a place on this broadcast journalism degree, you’ll have to submit a personal statement and meet our entry requirements when you apply.

Within your broadcast journalism degree personal statement (up to 500 words), we’ll want to understand:

  • What motivates you and what current experiences do you have in terms of journalism and multimedia content creation?
  • How have you been involved and what did you do?
  • Are you an evidence-based and creative thinker?
  • How do you develop your ideas?
  • Do you have any knowledge of the broadcast journalism sector; are there any brands or projects that inspire you?
  • Why do you want to work in the journalism sector?
  • Why is the University of Salford and this broadcast journalism degree the right choice for your future goals?

Applicants may be asked to take part in an informal group seminar discussion or interview– either live or on camera – to demonstrate their skills.

Standard entry requirements

GCSE

English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.

You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.

UCAS tariff points

112 points.

A level

112 points.

T level

Merit

BTEC National Diploma

DMM 

Access to HE

112 points including Media or Humanities subject area

Scottish Highers

112 points

Irish Leaving Certificate

112 points 

International Baccalaureate

29 points including Media or Humanities

European Baccalaureate

Pass in Diploma with 74% overall including Media or Humanities 

International students

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.0, with a written element of 8.0 and no element below 6.0.

We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.

Alternative entry requirements

Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)

We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.

There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.

How much?

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2024/25 £9,250.00per year
Full-time international 2024/25 £17,040.00per year

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Scholarships for International Students

If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.

Apply now

All set? Let's Apply

Enrolment dates

September 2024

September 2025

UCAS information

Course ID PP53

Institution S03