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Check eligibility →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.
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.
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Work placement. 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 (code P504). 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
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
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
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
undergraduates
Check eligibility →Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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.
- 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.
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.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Teesside 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 Teesside University Main Campus
2,900 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 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.
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