BA (Hons) Journalism, Public Relations with Media Bachelor's degree at Sheffield Hallam University
BA (Hons) Journalism, Public Relations with Media at SHU. You'll study core theory, research and methods, applied practice, specialist options, an independent project, and professional skills.
About this course
Prepare for a career in the fast-moving fields of journalism, PR and media, gaining the skills and knowledge you need for a range of exciting roles. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Journalism, Public Relations with Media is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at SHU, based in City Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Media & Communications, see the sections below.
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 4 modules
- Broadcast JournalismCompulsory40 credits
Module details
On this module, you will research real-world stories and use audio and visual skills to create content for broadcast (from TV and radio to digital platforms and social media). You will gain an understanding of practical studio techniques, including production, editing, and broadcast. You will learn to reflect on your strengths, and recognise your professional behaviours, limitations, and experiences.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Campaign ManagementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will develop your communication, planning and management skills, with a focus on working across multiple digital platforms, and introduce you to the strategic and tactical skills and practices of a public relations professional. You'll develop an understanding of and apply relevant professional research skills to questions of audiences and stakeholders, as well as to the broader global, political, economic, social and technical environments in which the campaigns are based.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- News WritingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the practices and theories of news journalism, including industry expectations and competencies, editorial judgement, and ethics in journalism. You'll explore strategies for finding relevant and engaging news items, and practice writing stories for both print and online media.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- PR EssentialsCompulsory40 credits
Module details
On this module, you'll gain a foundation in what Public Relations is, how it evolved and how it works. You will explore the history of public relations and journalism. You'll encounter key theoretical perspectives on media and strategies of persuasive communication. Consideration is also given to how public relations works in contemporary contexts, particularly in terms of shaping perception and managing reputations.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 2 5 modules
- Content CreationCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This module will equip you with the skills to deliver content across social media and digital first platforms. It involves applying relevant methods, production techniques, and technical skills to support creative storytelling, while effectively communicating ideas tailored to specific audiences. You will work in groups as well as with external partners, demonstrating professional awareness, ethical practice, and self-leadership.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Crisis And Reputation ManagementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module, you will explore theoretical, conceptual and practical approaches to understanding, anticipating and analysing issues and crises which threaten the reputation of individuals and organisations. You'll learn how to establish priorities and strategies for managing these situations and develop contingency plans and action points.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Magazine And Feature WritingCompulsory40 credits
Module details
You will develop a deeper understanding and improved practical application of the ways in which journalists use language, content, style and structure to produce features for both print and online magazines. You will be introduced to the business of magazines and develop your ability to conceptualise, justify, design, and produce your own magazine content. You will explore how print and online magazines work together within a brand, and how content is shaped differently for printed publications,
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Media Law, Regulation And GovernmentCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module will introduce you to the key social, legal, governmental, and regulatory frameworks for professional journalism. Building on foundational knowledge from L4, you will focus on relevant local and national structures and processes, and on key topics of media law. You will develop a critical awareness around questions of ethics and the role of journalists in exploring, explaining, and exposing legal and political processes.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Study Abroad - Creative IndustriesElective60 credits
Module details
This module is for undergraduate students to study abroad in their second year, Semester 2 (only for courses that offer this option). With this module, you can spend a semester at one of the University's approved partner institutions worldwide – from Europe to the Americas, Asia Australia or Canada.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
Year 3 1 modules
- Undergraduate Sandwich Placement Applied Professional DiplomaCompulsory
Module details
The aim of this module is to enhance students' professional development through the completion of and reflection on meaningful work placement(s). A work placement will provide students with opportunities to experience the realities of professional employment and experience how their course can be applied within their chosen industry setting. In this module students undertake a sandwich placement (min 24 weeks / min 21 hours per week) which is integrated, assessed and aligned to their studies.
Final year 3 modules
- Approaches To Communication ResearchCompulsory20 credits
Module details
In this module you will explore the ways research can provide a deeper insight into communication practice in a range of social contexts. You'll develop your research skills, learning about a range of data collection methods relevant to Media, Journalism and Public Relations, and gain hands-on experience of approaches to the analysis of different types of data. The module will support you to reflect on the ethical considerations relating to research in online and in-person contexts.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Entrepreneurship And FreelancingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module equips you with the skills, contextual knowledge, and confidence to succeed in a flexible working environment and to understand the issues, problems and opportunities involved in freelancing or starting your own business. Working with external professional clients, you'll apply academic learning, take responsibility for goal setting, and demonstrate professional behaviours.
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
- Journalism, PR With Media Applied Project/DissertationCompulsory40 credits
Module details
On this module, you'll undertake a project in an area of
Assessment: Coursework (100%)
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
This course equips you for careers in journalism, PR and media by combining practical skills with critical understanding of how media industries operate. You'll usually begin with foundations in media theory, production techniques and industry structures, then progress to specialist pathways in areas such as journalism, PR & advertising, film & TV, social media, games & interactive, or production portfolio work. Your studies will typically move from core communication and research methods towards applied options and hands-on industry projects. In your final year, you'll normally undertake specialist options, complete an industry placement or project with a media organisation, and produce either a research dissertation or a substantial media production that demonstrates your professional capability.
Who it's for
This course suits those seeking to develop expertise in journalism and public relations whilst balancing other commitments, given its part-time structure. You'll gain both theoretical grounding and practical experience relevant to media and communications careers. The course combines specialist options with professional skills training, preparing you for roles across journalism, PR, and related sectors.
Careers & job market
Across Media & Communications courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating, and 60% of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries (15 months post-graduation) typically range from £22,000 to £28,000, rising to £22,525–£31,800 after five years. These figures come from the Graduate Outcomes survey and Longitudinal Educational Outcomes (LEO) data and reflect national patterns rather than guarantees for individual graduates. Your actual outcomes will depend on your choices, experience, and the roles you pursue.
University & format
Sheffield Hallam University is a University located at City Campus. The BA (Hons) Journalism, Public Relations with Media is studied part-time and taught in English. The course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), and Sheffield Hallam holds Gold for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, your degree will be nationally recognised.
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
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. 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 Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. 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
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at SHU →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 | £24,000 | £21,500 – £26,000 | 60 |
| 3 years after | £20,000 | £16,500 – £28,500 | 15 |
| 5 years after | £23,500 | £19,500 – £28,000 | 15 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-22.
- 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.
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.
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
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. 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
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £24,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Sheffield Hallam 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 City Campus
3,427 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 SHU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,000 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). 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 SHU’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 SHU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at SHU
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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