BA (Hons) Journalism · Teesside UniversityBachelor's degree · Duration varies
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Teesside University · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Journalism Bachelor's degree at Teesside University

BA (Hons) Journalism at Teesside University. You will study core theory, research methods, and applied practice, including specialist options and an independent project, alongside professional skills training.

BA (Hons)
Award
Years
Part-time
Study mode
Teesside University Main Campus
Location

About this course

BA (Hons) Journalism is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Teesside University, based in Teesside University Main Campus. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.

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
  • Collaboration ProjectCore20 credits
    Module details

    Enhance your skills in team-working, communication, project management and negotiation. You collaborate with a group of your course mates to produce a small-scale creative project in response to a subject-specific brief.

  • Current Issues in Journalism and MediaCore40 credits
    Module details

    Enhancing your understanding of how the media operates globally and nationally, you study the structures and characteristics of journalism practice around the world. You explore the effect of UK structures and systems of government and other public institutions on the practice of professional journalists. Learn how to research, write and produce content for radio, television and digital platforms.

  • Introduction to the Creative IndustriesCore20 credits
    Module details

    With many opportunities in the creative industries sector, learn how to start on your career path while developing vital employability skills such as networking and digital presence. Understand the structure of the sector and the interdisciplinary relationships between art, design and media. Discover how the sector operates locally, nationally and globally – debating the role of policy and the importance of sustainability.

  • Journalism: Principles and Practice (News and Sport)Core40 credits
    Module details

    You are introduced to the core journalistic skills of news and sports reporting, and study story gathering techniques in the digital landscape. Develop different styles of writing, interviewing and research, as well as video and audio production skills. Explore ways to cultivate and develop contacts, effectively utilising sources in the gathering, communication and dissemination of news and sport stories. You also gain an essential grounding in media law to produce legally and ethically sound co

Year 2 4 modules
  • Creative Research ProjectCore20 credits
    Module details

    Develop critical thinking and analysis skills, exploring contemporary issues and debates related to the creative industries. You research a specific area or development within your chosen subject – this may be technical, economic, ethical, legal, cultural, sociological, or a combination. You draw on appropriate academic and industry sources to contextualise your research. You present your topic and initial research within taught sessions, providing an opportunity for peer and tutor feedback.

  • Digital Storytelling (Sport, News and Public Relations)Core40 credits
    Module details

    Explore media, public relations and communication theories, and how social media is a powerful platform to reach large audiences. You find and analyse data, and learn how to visualise that information before putting it to the test during a series of simulated live news and sporting events. Learn how to produce accurate, informative and entertaining sports and news stories to tight deadlines, developing the skills to create compelling multimedia digital content.

  • Industry ProjectCore40 credits
    Module details

    You develop and explore, in depth, a creative industry-based project in your specialist area of design, art, media, music, photography or illustration - relevant to your future professional practice. While forming a professional portfolio of work, you experience real-world business scenarios and challenges, industry competitions and cross and inter-disciplinary activities. You gain skills in project management, applied research methods and collaborative creative work.

  • Working in the Creative IndustriesCore20 credits
    Module details

    There are many challenges facing contemporary art, design and media practices. You research the social, political or ecological challenges around us to generate a small-scale project. You develop and reflect on your understanding of enterprise in the context of the creative industries. Contextualise your own professional practice and aspirations through application of critical thinking and problem-solving skills.

Final year 2 modules
  • Major ProjectCore60 credits
    Module details

    You produce a self-managed, individual extended piece of independent investigation and/or creative production or portfolio of work. Supervised by an academic member of staff, you take responsibility for the planning and execution of the work, including the consideration of associated legal, social, ethical and professional issues. You explore in depth a chosen subject area, demonstrating your ability to analyse, synthesise and creatively apply your learning, showing critical and evaluative skill

  • Professional PracticeCore60 credits
    Module details

    Plan and implement your departure from education to your first or new career, or to further study. You continue your creative practice, developing a portfolio and/or extended piece of work which reflects you as a creative. You explore discipline-specific employability strategies, and engage and network with industry to develop key connections.

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 the theories, skills and industries that underpin modern journalism and media. A course like this typically moves from foundational modules in media power, production and how broadcasting and publishing actually work, through to specialist pathways in Year 2 and 3. You'll usually cover digital cultures and social media, then move into focused areas such as journalism, PR and advertising, film and TV, social media, games and interactive media, or production portfolio work. The final stage normally includes specialist options, an industry project or placement with a media organisation, and a dissertation or substantial media piece that draws on your learning.

Who it's for

This course suits you if you are curious about how media shapes stories and society, and if you want to develop the practical tools to investigate and report. You should be drawn to writing, interviewing, and finding truth in complexity. The part-time format works well if you need to balance study with work or other commitments. You'll build a portfolio and learn newsroom discipline, it's hands-on and demanding, not abstract. If you want a direct route into journalism, or a foundation to move into related fields like communications or research, this is a working environment, not a lecture-hall retreat.

Careers & job market

Nationally, 90% of Media and Communications graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree. Of those working, 60% are in highly skilled roles or further study. Starting earnings for Media and Communications graduates range from £22,000 to £28,000 at 15 months; after five years, the range is £22,525 to £31,800. These figures are based on national Graduate Outcomes and Longitudinal Educational Outcomes data, not university-specific guarantees. Journalism roles sit alongside broader media, communications, and research careers. Your NCTJ accreditation opens doors within professional newsrooms.

University & format

This is a part-time Bachelor's degree (BA Hons) taught at Teesside University, a university founded in 1930 and based on its Main Campus. Instruction is in English. The course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). Teesside University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and has received a Gold rating for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.

Applicant information

The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.

2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider

Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates

PlacementPublished placement option

Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysBook an open day

See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.

2026 entryLive availability check

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

Professionally accreditedAccredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ)
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Teesside University's official course page for the current offer.

Entry & your chances

An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.

Offer-based entry

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.

Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
UCAS codeP504quote this on your application
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course (code P504). One application covers up to five choices.

  2. 2
    Write 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.

  3. 3
    Submit by Apply directly to the provider

    Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.

  4. 4
    Reply to your offers

    When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.

  5. 5
    Results 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.

💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask Teesside University whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.

Fees & funding

What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.

Tuition per year

Homeup to £9,790 / yr
Internationalset by the university

Standard capped home fee at English providers (2026/27); Scotland, Wales & NI differ.

Check fees at Teesside University →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
Check providertuition used per year, no published course home fee, total not estimated
total borrowing, course length not published

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.

Funding matched to this course

Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for

All Teesside University funding →

Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.

Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.

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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.

Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check

Careers & earnings

What Media & Communications graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.

  1. 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
  2. 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in media & communications · 2–5 yrs
  3. 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
  4. 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs

How pay grows: this course vs Media & Communications nationally

Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£22,000 – £28,000
After 3 years LEO
£18,275 – £25,800
After 5 years LEO
£22,525 – £31,800
national rangeaxis £17,000 – £33,000

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.

Job market & outlook

How Media & Communications graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.

90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Media & Communications courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes
60%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled
85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuation

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.

Where they work

  • Media companies
  • Agencies
  • In-house comms teams
  • Broadcasters & charities

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

Teesside University

All students21,570
International28.5%
Aged 25+57%

Media, journalism and communications across the UK

Students47,255
Aged 25+18.5%

HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.

Local crime-data context

A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.

Around Teesside University Main Campus

2,900 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 963Shoplifting 389Anti Social Behaviour 331Public Order 257Criminal Damage Arson 199

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 Teesside University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.

Tuition fees

International tuition is set per course by Teesside University; 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 Teesside University’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 Teesside University and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Set by Teesside University. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
See the career and earnings data for Media & Communications below (national Graduate Outcomes / LEO figures).
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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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