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The University of Northampton · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism (with Foundation Year) Bachelor's degree at Northampton
BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism (with Foundation Year) at Northampton. Delivered at Waterside Campus, it is accredited by the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC), ensuring professional recognition in the sector.
BA (Hons)
Award
4
Years
Full-time
Study mode
85%
in work/study (15m)
About this course
Learn practical skills needed to thrive in the industry and gain experience in sports reporting on our Multimedia Sports Journalism degree. Apply today! From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism (with Foundation Year) is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at Northampton, based in Waterside Campus, University of Northampton. It runs 4 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 Sport & Exercise Science, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.6
/ 10
Excellent
3 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent87
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
- Writing Skills for Sports JournalistsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the writing skills of a sports reporter across platforms including print, online, and broadcast. Students will learn to write sports reports, match previews, full-time match reports, quote-led reports, post-match press conference features and follow-ups as well as using social media.
- The International Sports IndustryCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the international sports industry. Students will learn the structure of each sport and which governing body covers it both domestically and internationally. They will examine the administration, regulation and structure of sport and its relationship with the media.
- 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.
- Sports NewsgatheringCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a range of skills connected to researching, writing and gathering of sports 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.
- Sports News ProductionCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a range of skills connected to researching, writing and producing sports 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 portfolio of practical assignments.
- Specialist SportCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to equip students with the research and journalistic skills required to produce multimedia journalism relating to minority and/or 'specialist' sports. The module will require students to demonstrate their adaptability to produce journalistic content relating to subject matters outside of their sphere of interest in a direct, in-person format and utilising several key elements of modern journalistic practice. Students will be required to engage with the subject matte
Year 2 6 modules
- 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
- Sport Broadcast SkillsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is for students to develop their professional journalistic skills in research, newsgathering, reporting and production. These skills will then be put into active use to industry-standard deadlines in Sports News Days module which follows this module. Students will also be assessed on their learning in a real-life environment by reporting back on their work placement.
- Sports News DaysCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is for students to develop their professional journalistic skills in research, newsgathering, reporting and sports production. This module will be delivered in a form that includes 'Sports News Days' when students will report on the news in a near-professional work environment, with a specific deadline.
- Live Sports Reporting and RegulationCompulsory20 credits
Module details
The purpose of this module is to enable students to convey the excitement of a live sports event through multimedia content generation. Students will learn advanced radio, video and text generation techniques for live as well as develop a near professional understanding of the regulation and ethics underpinning live sport journalism. Using industry standard equipment students will compile a portfolio of their broadcast work and be tested on their knowledge of industry regulation and coverage gui
- Design Skills for Sports 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 Sports 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.
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 with practical skills for sports journalism and multimedia production. You'll typically start with foundational modules in anatomy, exercise physiology and sport psychology, then progress through technical and analytical work in biomechanics, training physiology and research methods. As you advance, you'll explore specialist areas such as strength & conditioning, sport psychology, nutrition, rehabilitation, coaching and PE teaching routes, whilst gaining hands-on experience in sports reporting and multimedia storytelling. Your final year includes an applied placement and independent research project, allowing you to develop a professional portfolio in the industry.
Who it's for
This course suits you if you're interested in sports journalism and multimedia production, and want structured preparation before beginning degree-level work. Most accepted students arrived with A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among entrants was 48–63 points. You'll need fluency in English and commitment to full-time study. The foundation year gives you time to develop essential academic skills and subject knowledge before progressing to the main degree.
University & format
The University of Northampton, based at Waterside Campus, offers this course as a full-time, 4-year degree taught in English, with a foundation year included. The course is accredited by the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC) and leads to a BA (Hons) qualification. The University holds Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
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.
Application timelineWhat happens next
- 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.
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 equivalent90% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Typical UCAS tariff: 48 - 63 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
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 90% |
| another higher-education qualification | 5% |
| No / unknown prior qualifications | 5% |
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.
Your UCAS points0
▾
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
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 gradesDEEA-level equivalent admitted students held
- 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 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.
💡 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 4 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
All Northampton funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
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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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Sport & Exercise Science 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 | £20,000 | £13,000 – £24,500 | 10 |
| 3 years after | £20,500 | £17,000 – £25,000 | 80 |
| 5 years after | £25,500 | £20,000 – £30,000 | 85 |
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
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in sport & exercise science · 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 Sport & Exercise Science nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£20,000
£22,000 – £30,000After 3 years LEO
£20,500
£19,125 – £27,000After 5 years LEO
£25,500
£23,375 – £33,000national rangethis course’s medianaxis £18,000 – £34,000
National figures for Sport & Exercise Science 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 Sport & Exercise Science courses at the same study level.
This course £25,500Peer median £27,500Middle 50% £26,000–£30,000
19th percentile
Compared with 915 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Anglia Ruskin UniversityBSc (Hons) Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation£25,500Anglia Ruskin UniversityBSc (Hons) Equine Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation£25,500London Metropolitan UniversityBSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science£25,500London Metropolitan UniversityBSc (Hons) Sports Therapy£25,500
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 Sports Journalism (with Foundation Year) worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism (with Foundation Year) 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
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 4 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.
−£24,160
10-year payoff
extra earnings over the first decade, after the fees you pay
0.38×
Return on investment
extra earnings over 10 yrs per £1 of fees
£39,160
Tuition over the course
£9,790/yr × 4 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 4 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 Sport & Exercise Science graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Sport & Exercise Science courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes62%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled80%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow 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 Sport & Exercise Science 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
- Sports clubs & NGBs
- Leisure providers
- Schools
- The NHS
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Sport & Exercise Science graduates.
Sport CoachAspire PeopleSport Science LeadBiolyz FlexCoBTEC Tech Awards Sept 22 - Sport - ExaminerPearsonEquine Vet: Independent Clinic for Leisure & Sport HorsesBritish Veterinary LGBT+Learning Mentor (PE/Sport)Prospero TeachingCasual Youth Worker: Sport, Community Growth & BelongingActive Herefordshire & WorcestershireLive from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
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 8.6 out of 10: NSS 87.1% · 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%
Biological and sport sciences across the UK
Students111,380
Aged 25+16.5%
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 Sport & Exercise Science 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.
Related courses
More at Northampton
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
Entry is historically accessible, accepted students came in with a broad spread of qualifications. The most common tariff band among recent entrants was 48 - 63 UCAS points. Use the calculator on this page to see where your predicted grades would put you; many universities also make lower contextual offers.
What are the entry requirements?
Set by Northampton. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
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.)
What will it cost me?
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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