BA (Hons) Journalism Bachelor's degree at the Arts, London
BA (Hons) Journalism at Arts London. You'll work across core theory, research methods and applied practice, alongside professional skills and an independent project.
About this course
BA (Hons) Journalism is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at the Arts, London, based in London College of Communication. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Journalism graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £25,000. (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.
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)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 95% (2021-23; 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
- Introduction to Journalism and Publishing20 credits
Module details
You'll be introduced to the course, the college and your tutors, key approaches for the study of journalism and publishing, and the skills required for independent and collaborative learning.
- Essential Journalism Skills20 credits
Module details
This unit introduces the key skills for producing news and short form features across a range of different formats. You will learn news gathering and interviewing techniques, as well as how to write for a target audience.
- Key Concepts in Journalism and Publishing20 credits
Module details
This unit situates journalism within a broader cultural and social context. You will gain a historical perspective on the development of the media industry and the role of the journalist, as well as considering the impact of technological change and the evolving audience.
- Law, Ethics and Social Principles20 credits
Module details
This unit introduces the essential laws which govern journalism and publishing, including defamation, privacy, contempt of court and copyright. You will also discuss broader ethical questions and consider how responsible media practitioners might navigate them.
- Digital Content20 credits
Module details
You will learn how to generate audio-visual journalism for digital platforms including framing, shooting, editing and uploading content, giving you the creative and technical skills to produce your own stories from concept to completion.
- Digital Publishing20 credits
Module details
You will learn the design and production skills to present, format and share information across different media channels to optimise audience reach. Alongside this you will be introduced to industry-standard software and publishing templates, as well as how to access LCC technical facilities.
Year 2 8 modules
- Social Justice JournalismOptional20 credits
Module details
If you choose this specialist area of contextual study, you will explore ways in which journalism can become a vehicle for social change. You will analyse recent journalism related to topics discussed in class as a basis for exploring key theories and academic writing in this field. Your work on this unit will help you to prepare for Year 3's Research Project.
- Lifestyle JournalismOptional20 credits
Module details
If you choose this specialist area of contextual study, you will explore the definitions and challenges of lifestyle journalism and its role as a relevant and potentially disruptive form of storytelling. You will analyse recent journalism related to topics discussed in class as a basis for exploring key theories and academic writing in this field. Your work on this unit will help you to prepare for Year 3's Research Project.
- Feature Writing and Social Media20 credits
Module details
You will develop a fully digital approach to journalism: engaging your target audience via the creative integration of text, image and graphics as well as using social media to enhance your reach. You will also apply the principles of ethical reporting and consider the challenges of AI and misinformation.
- Professional Industry Practice20 credits
Module details
As part of developing your own professional practice and media profile, you will have the opportunity to complete a period of work experience as well as collaborate on live briefs provided by industry partners.
- Design, Production and Project ManagementOptional20 credits
Module details
As part of a team, you will create a multiplatform brand, learning a range of design and editing skills to conceive and shape your artefact, plus the project management knowledge to bring it to fruition.
- Video StorytellingOptional20 credits
Module details
You will learn how to give your video stories a professional edge, using advanced camera techniques on location and in the studio, plus the journalistic skills required for researching, scripting and interviewing.
- Contemporary Challenges in Journalism20 credits
Module details
This unit explores many of the most pressing issues facing journalists today. You will examine how changes in technology, politics and culture are reshaping journalism as a profession and its evolving role in democratic societies.
- Practice Option 220 credits
Module details
You will have a choice of units, giving you the opportunity to enhance your understanding of a specialised area of journalism or publishing. Topics may include photojournalism, podcasting and magazine design.
Year 3 4 modules
- Journalism Project40 credits
Module details
This unit is the culmination of your practical journalism studies on the course, resulting in a final portfolio of work produced for the Artefact brand, our public-facing website, social feeds and magazine. You will be able to choose between written and audio-visual formats.
- Audiences and Analytics20 credits
Module details
This unit will build on your knowledge of how to attract and analyse an audience. Using Artefact as a real-life example, you will develop strategies to engage particular demographics, managing and monitoring the brand's social media platforms.
- Research Project40 credits
Module details
You'll produce a piece of research based on a topic of your choice related to journalism, applying relevant research methods under one-to-one supervision. You will be offered options for your methodology and presentation of findings. This unit will be very useful for those considering further study at MA level.
- Creative Futures20 credits
Module details
You'll have the opportunity to explore career options and employment trends as well developing your professional profile and an action plan in preparation for life post-graduation.
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 BA (Hons) Journalism degree equips you to work across news, storytelling and digital platforms. You'll start with foundations in media theory, production techniques and how the media industries work, learning camera, audio, editing and writing for different formats. In Year 2, you'll typically move into specialist journalism and PR modules alongside digital cultures and social media, gaining practical storytelling skills and research methods. Year 3 offers specialist options such as film, games, sports media, political communication and advertising, culminating in an industry project or placement and a substantial media production or dissertation. The course combines theoretical understanding with hands-on practice, preparing you for roles in journalism, PR and related fields.
Who it's for
You're drawn to telling stories that matter and breaking news that affects communities. You're curious about how information shapes public understanding and you want to know how news organisations actually work. You'll suit this course if you're a strong writer, a keen observer of current events, and comfortable gathering information under pressure, whether through interviews, research or firsthand reporting. You'll find a practical, hands-on environment where theory meets the demands of real journalism.
Careers & job market
Across Media & Communications courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating. Among those in employment, 60% are in highly skilled roles or continuing their studies. Nationally among journalism and media graduates, starting salaries 15 months after graduation range from £22,000 to £28,000; after five years, the range is £22,525 to £31,800. Careers span news media, broadcasting, digital publishing, public affairs and communications roles in the public and private sectors.
University & format
The BA (Hons) Journalism is studied full-time at the University of the Arts, London, based at London College of Communication. The course runs for 3 years and is taught in English. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, the qualification is nationally recognised. The university holds a Bronze award for teaching quality from 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.
- 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.
Provider-published requirement; check the linked course page before applying.
Entry & how to get in
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 | 93% |
| another higher-education qualification | 3% |
| a Baccalaureate | 2% |
| a previous degree | 1% |
| an Access course | 1% |
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.
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.
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.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code P500). 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.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at Arts London →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Media & Communications graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £25,000 | £22,500 – £28,000 | 1265 |
| 3 years after | £24,000 | £17,000 – £28,500 | 145 |
| 5 years after | £30,000 | £23,500 – £36,500 | 150 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,265. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 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.
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.
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Stronger evidence. Published sample: 1,265. Cohort 2021-22. 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.
Compared with 541 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Is BA (Hons) Journalism worth it?
It depends. BA (Hons) Journalism adds about +£30,630 over the first ten years vs. going straight to a job, but on these earnings the payoff is slower than average.
Cumulative earnings vs. going straight to work at 18, counting tuition and 3 years of wages given up while studying. The line clears zero around year 21.9. This is a simplified gross-earnings comparison, not a forecast of cash loan repayments.
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.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Media & Communications graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Media companies
- Agencies
- In-house comms teams
- Broadcasters & charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Media & Communications graduates.
Media Operations, VP (Parental Leave Cover)WPP MediaMedia Relations ManagerCommonwealth War Graves CommissionMedia ManagerUS Tech SolutionsMedia Planning and Buying CoordinatorBurberryMedia Sales ExecutiveService ServiceMedia Planner/BuyerDifferent Technologies Pty Ltd.Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
Published home tuition is £9,790/year for this course. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £25,000. 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 9.1 out of 10: NSS 87.3% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
University of the Arts, London
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 London College of Communication
7,241 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 Arts London from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £30,890 / 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 Arts London’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 Arts London and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at Arts London
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BA (Hons) Journalism
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.