BA Journalism

About this course

Journalism is at its best a public service: gathering facts, scrutinising power, giving voice to communities, and communicating clearly and accurately to audiences who depend on reliable information to make sense of the world. The profession has been transformed by digital technology, which has changed how stories are told, how they are distributed, and how newsrooms are resourced. But the core demands of journalism remain constant: rigorous research and verification, ethical judgement, clarity of expression, and the ability to identify what is genuinely significant in a torrent of information. At the University of Sunderland, this part-time programme teaches you essential journalism skills while training you to produce content for print, digital, and broadcast platforms. You will work from the outset as a practising journalist in the university's mediaHUB, covering news, sport, fashion, arts, and entertainment for real audiences, learning on live platforms rather than simulations. This immediate professional engagement is central to the programme's approach, and it means you build a portfolio of real published work as your training progresses. A year abroad is available for those who want to develop an international perspective on journalism and media. The programme also prepares you for the National Council for the Training of Journalists diploma, which is widely recognised by employers in the UK media industry. Graduates pursue careers as reporters, journalists, editors, digital producers, content creators, documentary makers, and broadcast journalists across a wide range of media organisations, from local and regional news to national broadcasters, online publications, and international newswires. The skills in research, storytelling, and clear communication that journalism training develops are also valued in public relations, communications, content strategy, and the many roles in government and civil society that involve informing the public. Some graduates continue to postgraduate study in journalism, media, or a specialist reporting area.

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