BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism · NorthamptonBachelor's degree · 3 years
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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate

BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism Bachelor's degree at Northampton

BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism at Northampton is accredited by the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC) and recognised as a nationally accredited UK degree.

BA (Hons)
Award
3
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
in work/study (15m)

About this course

Train for a career in radio, TV, newspaper, magazine and digital journalism on our holistic Multimedia Journalism degree. Apply now! From the provider’s course page.

BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.

For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £20,000. (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.

8.5
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent86

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)

Graduate outcomes
In work or further study 15 months after graduating
Excellent85

Limited evidence Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 85% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)

Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85

Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 85% (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 1 6 modules
  • Storytelling for NewsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce learners to non-fiction storytelling, developing their skills and building confidence in writing across a variety of styles including news, comment and features.

  • Law and Public Affairs for JournalistsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is lay the groundwork for students' ability to newsgather important public interest stories effectively and legally safely. It covers the key civic structures for the UK and the essential elements of media law.

  • Reporting PowerCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to build on the knowledge of civic structures and writing skills gained in Semester 1 by deepening students' reporting skills ahead of their Level 5 newsdays and by deepening their analysis and understanding of how to find stories from civic structures

  • Newsgathering SkillsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a range of skills connected to researching, writing and gathering of news stories. It aims to allow students to develop technical and editorial expertise across print, radio, television and online journalism through guided instruction and completing a portfolio of practical assignments.

  • News Production SkillsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a range of skills connected to the production of broadcast bulletins whilst researching, writing and producing news stories. It aims to allow students to develop technical and editorial expertise across radio, television and online journalism through guided instruction and completing a range of practical assignments.

  • Journalism NowCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to equip students with an understanding of the contemporary practice of multimedia journalism, by examining the current models of communication with reference to its origins, context and likely development. Through an examination of practice, past and present, you will learn to understand the ethical challenges and practices of journalism now. The module will look at evolving modes of communication, the business models that need to keep them stable and their impact

Year 2 6 modules
  • Design Skills for JournalistsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to develop students' skills in hands-on page design, layout, sub-editing and proofreading, as well as associated content management. Students will be using industry-standard graphic design and publishing software to produce their own individual magazine or newspaper project.

  • Digital Skills for JournalistsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to develop awareness of digital toolsets and critical thinking on development of content on digital platforms. Students will enhance their analytical and teambuilding skills by devising and delivering a digital service to a defined target market.

  • Law and Regulation for JournalistsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to analyse the legal and regulatory framework under which a journalist operates and learn to apply it in content creation scenarios. Students will apply their knowledge through exercises in multiplatform court reporting and enhance their knowledge of regulation, which governs published and broadcast material.

  • Broadcast Skills (Newsdays 1)Compulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is for students to develop their professional journalistic skills in research, newsgathering and reporting relevant to broadcast and on-line digital news production. This module will serve as the preparatory upskilling module for the Semester 2 module JOU2026 News Days when students will report on the news in a near-professional work environment, with a specific deadline.

  • Newsdays (2)Compulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is for students to develop their professional journalistic skills in research, newsgathering, reporting and production. This module will be delivered in a form that includes 'News Days' when students will report on the news in a near-professional work environment, with a specific deadline.

  • Academic and Journalism Long Form SkillsCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module is a core Level 5 building block for two major assessments of Level 6: JOU4001 Journalism Dissertation and JOU3002 Journalism Practical Project. This Level 5 module has two strands, academic and practical but is bound together by the need for critical thinking and close examination of journalistic practice whilst forming an important stepping stone transition to the methods of independent learning necessary for Level 6. In preparation for the dissertation this module introduces the m

Year 3 6 modules
  • Law and International Media RegulationCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module will add to students' legal knowledge and relate that study to an examination of how the media is regulated in the UK and globally. This will include the rights of journalists, protection of journalists, and the role played by trade unions and campaigning organisations.

  • Journalism Practical ProjectCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to facilitate independent creative and critical work in a specified area of journalistic production. It requires students to initiate, discuss and negotiate a body of work for the year, and then to take responsibility for the successful completion of that work to deadline.

  • LAUNCHPAD: Careers in JournalismCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module prompts students to consider a specific role or function within journalism, and to investigate how this might become a future career path. Teaching and learning requires students to research and critically reflect on the structure of the sector and their personal intentions and professional development.

  • Multiplatform JournalismCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    This module is the principal module for Multimedia Journalism students. The focus is on establishing and managing a local journalism newsroom with outputs on digital, radio and television. Students will submit a portfolio providing evidence of their journalistic contributions during the period of the project.

  • Future Trends in JournalismCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to examine the development of future trends in journalism. Journalism has undergone several waves of significant change, such as the emergence of digital journalism, social media, and data journalism, this module aims to critically examine those changes and critique emerging future trends.

  • Journalism DissertationCompulsory20 credits
    Module details

    The purpose of this module is to provide an opportunity for students to develop, at length, a particular disciplinary interest. This may derive either from study in the first two years of the degree, or from reading and/or practice activities on their own initiative.

Foundation Year 3 modules
  • Professional and Academic Skills for University StudyCompulsory40 credits
  • Applied Learning ProjectCompulsory40 credits
  • Foundations in Culture and The Creative IndustriesCompulsory40 credits

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 degree trains you for careers across radio, television, newspapers, magazines and digital journalism. You'll usually begin with foundational modules in media theory, production skills and how broadcasting and publishing industries operate. From Year 2 onwards, you'll move into specialist journalism practice alongside modules on digital cultures, social media and research ethics. Year 3 allows you to deepen your focus through options such as journalism, PR and advertising, film and television, social media, games and interactive media, or a production portfolio. Most students undertake an industry project or placement, working on real commissions, alongside a final dissertation or major production piece.

Who it's for

This course suits those interested in journalism, broadcasting, and multimedia storytelling. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among entrants was 64–79 points. The course is taught in English.

University & format

The University of Northampton is a university located in Waterside Campus, Northampton. This is a full-time, 3-year Bachelor's degree taught in English, leading to the award BA (Hons) in Multimedia Journalism. The course is accredited by the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC), and your degree is nationally recognised as a UK degree-awarding body qualification.

Student satisfaction

How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.

The teaching on my course
88%
Learning opportunities
96%
Assessment and feedback
90%
Academic Support
100%
Organisation and management
95%
Learning resources
77%
Student voice
57%

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.

Application timelineWhat happens next
  1. 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted

    Your application needs a reference before you can send it.

  2. 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  3. 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

  4. 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline

    18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.

Show 5 later dates
  1. 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens

    Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.

  2. 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers

    Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.

  3. 2027 entryClearing opens

    Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.

  4. 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications

    Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.

  5. 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice

    Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.

Published entryBBC at A-Level or DMM at BTEC typical offer

Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.

PlacementPublished placement option

Work placement. Availability, selection and pay can vary.

Open daysOpen Days

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

Entry & how to get in

Typical offer (from the provider)The university’s course page lists a typical A-level offer of BBC. Always check the provider for the current offer and subject requirements.
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent100% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 64 - 79 pointsThe most common UCAS tariff band among accepted students. This is what entrants had, not a stated requirement.
Professionally accreditedAccredited by the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC)
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check Northampton's official course page for the current offer.

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

QualificationShare
A-levels or equivalent100%

Entry & your chances

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

Accessible entry

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.

Add your grades to see where you land

Your points will drop onto the distribution above, with an honest above / within / below read.

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.

Apply by13 January 2027, 18:00 UK timefor this course
Typical gradesDDDA-level equivalent admitted students held
  1. 1
    Register on UCAS Hub

    Create your UCAS application and add this course. 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 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time

    UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. 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 Northampton 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

Home£9,790 / yr
International£17,000 / yr

Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).

Check fees at Northampton →

For students who normally live in England

illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
£9,790tuition used per year, published course home fee
illustrative borrowing over 3 years

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 Northampton 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.

StudyKit · free

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.

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.

Graduate earnings: this course

WhenMedianTypical rangeGraduates
15 months after£20,000£13,000 – £24,50010
3 years after£20,500£17,000 – £25,00080
5 years after£25,500£20,000 – £30,00085

Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23.

Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course

85%
in work or further study 15 months on
60%
in highly skilled work or study
85%
continue past their first year
70%
find their work meaningful
30%
say work fits their future plans
  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
£20,000
£22,000 – £28,000
After 3 years LEO
£20,500
£18,275 – £25,800
After 5 years LEO
£25,500
£22,525 – £31,800
national rangethis course’s medianaxis £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.

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.

85 of 100

were in work or further study

15 months after graduation

80% working0% working and studying5% in further study60% in highly skilled work or study

Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2022-23. Limited evidence. Published sample: 10; treat comparisons cautiously. Cohort 2022-23. 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.

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 · 25% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
  • Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
  • Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
  • Media ProfessionalsSOC 2020 249 · 10% of published destinations · ASHE median £40,895

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: 50; response rate: 50%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.

Is BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism worth it?

Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.

Slower payoff: this course’s graduate earnings stay close to non-graduate pay
break evenyr 0yr 5yr 10yr 15yr 20yr 25yr 30graduateNot recovered within 30 years

Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The model remains below break even after 30 years. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.

−£14,370
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
0.51×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£29,370
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 3 yrs (published course home fee)
£25,500
Grad earnings, 5 yrs on
£1,500 above a non-graduate (£24,000)

Model: this course’s own median graduate earnings (Graduate Outcomes / LEO) above the £24,000 non-graduate baseline (ONS), net of £9,790/yr over 3 years (published course home fee). Eligible England-domiciled students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan; repayments are 9% only on income above the threshold, with anything left written off after 40 years. That makes the cash flow different from conventional commercial debt. Opportunity cost assumes £18,000 gross earnings forgone in each study year; figures are nominal and exclude tax, living costs, investment returns and loan interest. A simplified estimate. Earnings and actual fees vary by graduate, provider, fee status and UK nation.

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

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

85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £20,000. 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 8.5 out of 10: NSS 86.1% · in work or study 85% · continued 85%.

Who studies here and in this subject?

Provider- and UK subject-level context.

The University of Northampton

All students13,505
International16.4%
Aged 25+34.8%

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 Waterside Campus, University of Northampton

2,220 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.

Violent Crime 679Anti Social Behaviour 509Shoplifting 183Public Order 163Other Theft 143

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

Tuition fees

International tuition is £17,000 / 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 Northampton’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 Northampton and gov.uk before you apply.

Common questions

Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 64 - 79 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, 85% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 60% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £20,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
The published home tuition is £9,790 per 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. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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