BA (Hons) Journalism (with Foundation Year) Bachelor's degree at Liverpool Hope University
BA (Hons) Journalism (with Foundation Year) at LHU. You'll develop journalism skills, interviewing, research, reporting and editing, through live projects and real editorial experience, alongside the theory that underpins professional practice.
About this course
Journalism Home Staff Student Journalism BA (Hons)* (with Foundation Year) UCAS Code: J200 | Duration: 4 | Full Time | Hope Park UCAS Campus Code: L46 International students can apply | Study Abroad opportunities Overview Curriculum Entry Requirements Careers Finance Combinations Course Enquiry About the course *subjec From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Journalism (with Foundation Year) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at LHU, based in Liverpool Hope. It runs 4 years, studied full-time.
For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, 90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Media & Communications, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Limited evidence Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 90% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 78% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year One 4 modules
- Introduction to Journalism and SocietyCore
Module details
The module will provide a theoretical context for you to understand the role, power, and influence of the mass media in society (and the function of journalism therein), as well as set out the historical development of the mass media and journalism. You are expected to engage with key theoretical concepts related to communication, including models of communication and mass communication theories, as well as media representations and identity.
- Introduction to ReportingCore
Module details
This practice-based module will introduce you to key elements of news writing, interviewing, and opinion/analysis writing. The early weeks of the module will focus on developing your news writing techniques (how to write in short, simple language), how to sharpen intros and prioritise information within an inverted pyramid structure, and how to quote and/or paraphrase sources clearly and accurately. It will draw on concepts of News Values and 'newsworthiness' to support you in identifying news a
- Journalism Structures and PowerCore
Module details
Through this module, you will learn key concepts and arguments related to the Political Economy of Communication, with a particular focus on how the ownership and control of news media affects the professional practice of journalism. The module will examine news media industry structures and concentration of corporate ownership through the lens of the marketisation of news. This will include an examination of how the commercial imperatives of news media organisations can result in market failure
- Introduction to Digital ReportingCore
Module details
This practice-based module will run on the basis of two streams, and will highlight interconnections where appropriate: Mobile and Social Media Journalism, and Editing, Sub-Editing, and Fact Checking. The first part of the module will focus on Mobile and Social Media Journalism. Here, you will work both individually and collectively in editorial teams to research and produce news content using mobile technologies and social media platforms.
Year Two 4 modules
- Journalism, Regulation, Ethics, and LawCore
Module details
This module will seek to deepen your understanding of the relationship between the media/journalism and the State, while developing your knowledge of the ethical and legal considerations underpinning professional journalistic practice. The module will explore the key role of Ofcom in the UK's media regulatory architecture across broadcast media and areas of digital/social media, and in reflecting UK media policy.
- Audio and Digital Journalism ProductionCore
Module details
This practice-based module will support you in developing skills in audio journalism (radio and podcasting) as well as in digital journalism more generally. The first part of the module will focus on traditional radio and broadcast reporting skills, where you will become familiar with radio production technologies, including for both recorded and live reporting. For the latter, you will be introduced to the Adobe editing application Audition.
- International Journalism and TechnologyCore
Module details
This module will familiarise you with key factors impacting the practice of journalism in an international context, including the impact of historical and contemporary processes of globalisation on international news flows. The module will also examine how, in both historical and contemporary contexts, the practice and societal value of journalism has been affected by shifts in communication technologies.
- Research Methods in JournalismCore
Module details
It is important for Journalism students to develop key research skills to conduct research in the field. This module will provide you with appropriate skills and understanding of how to develop research questions, how to do literature review, and how to collect, collate, and analyse data applying quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods research approaches.
Year Three Semester 1 2 modules
- Journalism and Societal CrisesCore
Module details
Topics: Journalism and Societal Crises (Conflict, Environment, Populism); Journalism and Religion; Journalism and Economic Crises; Peace/Conflict Journalism; Journalism and Crime
- Video Journalism and VisualisationCore
Module details
Topics: Video/multimedia Journalism; Visualisation and Data Journalism
Year Three Semester 2 2 modules
- Political Journalism and Popular CultureCore
Module details
Topics: Political Communication and Journalism; Journalism and Popular Culture; Journalism and Celebrity
- Editorship and Journalism Production SpecialismCore
Module details
Topics: Editorial strategies and management; In-depth multimedia journalistic production on an editorial specialism of the student's choice (e.g., sports, photo, fashion, politics, the environment)
Year Three 1 modules
- DissertationCore30 credits
Module details
Split into a 5,000-word Theory project (15 credits) and a 5,000-word equivalent Practice project in long-form journalism (15 credits). This practical component may take the form of an extended written article or an audio/visual podcast or documentary.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
You'll study journalism alongside the broader context of media production, industries and communication theory. A course like this normally begins with foundations in media theory, production techniques and how the media industries operate. In your second year, you'll typically move into digital cultures and social media, before focusing on practical journalism or strategic communication depending on your interests. Year 3 usually offers specialisation options, such as film, games, sports media or advertising, combined with an industry project or placement and a final dissertation or substantial media production. Throughout, you'll develop skills in writing, interviewing, research and ethical practice for contemporary media platforms. The Foundation Year provides additional preparation before the main degree.
Who it's for
You're drawn to current events and storytelling. You have strong written communication skills and curiosity about how news reaches the public. You enjoy meeting people, asking questions and digging into evidence. The combination of practical newsroom work and academic study will suit you if you want to understand journalism as both a craft and a profession. You're looking for a course where theory and real-world application sit together, and you're committed to sustained, full-time study.
Careers & job market
Across Media & Communications courses nationally, 90 per cent of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after completing their degree. Starting salaries for journalism and media graduates fall between £22,000 and £28,000; after five years, the range typically extends to £22,525–£31,800. These are national figures from Graduate Outcomes data, not a guarantee. Sixty per cent of working graduates move into highly skilled roles or research-based study. Your career path depends on your own abilities, experience and the opportunities you pursue during your course.
University & format
Liverpool Hope University is a University located in Liverpool. This BA (Hons) course runs for 4 years full-time, including the Foundation Year, and is taught in English. It is a recognised UK degree-awarding body; degrees are nationally recognised. The university holds a Silver award for teaching quality from the Office for Students' TEF 2023. Study Abroad opportunities are available. The UCAS code is J200.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Year in industry. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications and UCAS points. If you're worried about grades, this course has historically taken a wide range, and contextual offers may apply.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code J200). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.
Check fees at LHU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Media & Communications graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £25,000 | £21,000 – £26,000 | 15 |
| 3 years after | £19,500 | £15,000 – £23,500 | 30 |
| 5 years after | £25,500 | £18,500 – £29,000 | 30 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in media & communications · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Media & Communications nationally
National figures for Media & Communications graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 15; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Media & Communications courses at the same study level.
Compared with 541 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Artistic, literary and media occupationsSOC 2020 341 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 20% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
- Media ProfessionalsSOC 2020 249 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,895
- Administrative occupationsSOC 2020 41 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £27,006
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 55; response rate: 55%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Media & Communications graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Media & Communications graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Media companies
- Agencies
- In-house comms teams
- Broadcasters & charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Media & Communications graduates.
Media Operations, VP (Parental Leave Cover)WPP MediaMedia Relations ManagerCommonwealth War Graves CommissionMedia ManagerUS Tech SolutionsMedia Planning and Buying CoordinatorBurberryMedia Sales ExecutiveService ServiceMedia Planner/BuyerDifferent Technologies Pty Ltd.Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
90% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.3 out of 10: NSS 82.1% · in work or study 90% · continued 78%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Liverpool Hope University
Media, journalism and communications across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Liverpool Hope - Hope Park
360 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Media & Communications right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to LHU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is set per course by LHU; international fees are typically £12,000–£30,000/year for classroom subjects and higher for lab/clinical ones. You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check LHU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with LHU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at LHU
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BA (Hons) Journalism (with Foundation Year)
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.