BA (Hons) Journalism Bachelor's degree at York St John University
BA (Hons) Journalism at York St John University is accredited by the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC) and received Silver for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF 2023.
About this course
Tell important stories. Gain studio and on-location experience. Prepare for a career in journalism. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Journalism is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at York St John University, based in YSJ Main Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, 87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 55% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £23,000. (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)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 87% (2021-23; 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
- News Gathering and ReportingCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module provides an introduction to news gathering, reporting, and news and feature writing. Through this you will explore the principles of professional journalism, learning about the context and constraints that can affect a journalist's search for original, accurate, legally-sound and ethically sourced material. Some of the topics we will cover include: What is news? Sources of news Different forms of journalistic writing Ethics and media law Developing contacts
- Storytelling for BroadcastCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Storytelling is key to journalism, and on this module you will explore storytelling techniques, mainly in video and audio mediums. The skills you develop on this module will include: Single camera operation, Video editing, Audio recording and editing, Interviewing, Studio production, Ofcom code. You will also receive voice and presentation training to professional industry standards.
- Research in Media PracticeCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop your research and academic skills. Working with visiting professionals, you will begin in depth research into an area that interests you. This research will be framed around the differences between regional, national and international industries. While investigating your chosen topic, you will also interrogate the issues surrounding media theory and practice.
- Media, Culture and SocietyCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will explore some of the contemporary debates and issues which impact media production today. We will consider the cultural, economic and political power of media, and what this means for both producers and audiences. Through this module you will further develop your study skills, including: Research methods, Essay writing, Theoretical and historical modes of study, Referencing skills, Sourcing and using evidence. This enquiry-based, interactive style of learning will help to
- Online News and Content DeliveryCompulsory20 credits
Module details
During this module you will produce news and sport stories for our online platform, The Yorkie. This is a great opportunity to present your work for public consumption. You will explore new writing and learn to develop interactive content for online delivery. Getting the right message to the right person at the right time is vital for media success. With this in mind, you will consider how to promote your work to an audience. Areas covered in this module include: Leveraging content through socia
- Media Law and EthicsCompulsory20 credits
Module details
A knowledge of the laws surrounding media production is essential for a successful journalist or producer. On this module you will delve into different areas of legal requirements and restrictions, such as: Court reporting, Defamation, Privacy, Anonymity, Ethics, Ofcom code. As part of this module, you will observe live legal proceedings at courtrooms in York, witnessing trials and other hearings.
Year 2 5 modules
- Radio News and Audio FeaturesCompulsory40 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop your knowledge of radio news and audio features, creating your own audio programmes and running them over a series of newsdays. Working in a simulated professional environment, you will start your journey towards becoming an independent media practitioner. Time management, operating to a deadline, and audio production are key skills to have in the media industries.
- Magazine Production and DesignOptional20 credits
Module details
This module provides an introduction to the world of magazine creation, curation and publication. You will explore core concepts of production and design, learning to produce magazine content that attracts and engages audiences. When putting together materials, you will consider the specific target audiences for your project and carry out market research to help you content tailored for them. For your assessment you will produce an original magazine, as well as undertaking market research to sup
- PR and CommunicationsOptional20 credits
Module details
Understanding the industry and practices of PR and Communications is essential for journalistic success. On this module you will work on a real PR campaign to promote your own media project. You work will be influenced by investigations into the following key concepts: Media relationships, Digital and social media management, Issues and crisis management, Events management, Internal communications. At the end of the module you will submit a portfolio of work for assessment.
- Multimedia Newsday ProductionCompulsory40 credits
Module details
Using the production skills you gained in semester 1, you will create and produce your own newsday content for multimedia platforms. This will involve identifying and researching topics of interest, collaborating with internal stakeholders, and making sure that all content is delivered on time. Your focus on this module will be on delivering stories that engage on both audio and visual levels.
- Investigative JournalismCompulsory20 credits
Module details
Journalists have a responsibility to find stories and create content that is relevant to the most important issues in society. Their roles allow for them to hold public figures to account and investigate the facts of a story from fiction and exaggeration. On this module you will produce stories from reliable sources and make sure that your reporting is in line with the ethical and moral standards of legitimate journalism. The stories can cover any number of topics, including: Local council meeti
Year 3 4 modules
- Journalism PlacementCompulsory20 credits
Module details
This module is an opportunity to gain vital experience in a professional journalism or media setting. Supported by your tutors, you will spend 200 hours working in a professional media environment. During this time you will contribute to the creation, publication and execution of media outputs for live audiences, as well as building your professional network. Alongside your placement, you will attend seminars and workshops hosted by a range of industry professionals.
- Professional Newsroom PracticeCompulsory40 credits
Module details
This is a year long module on which you will work under the conditions of a professional newsroom. With your supervisor acting as Editor-in-Chief, you will run newsdays, finding stories and covering them. All of the work you produce will meet legal and ethical standards across multimedia platforms. The content you will create includes: A TV or audio news package, Presentation of a TV or radio magazine programme, A series of multimedia website articles. Completion of this module is essential for
- Media Research ProjectCompulsory20 credits
Module details
On this module you will develop your own research project on a media topic you are passionate about. This could relate to your career aspirations, your practical work, or a theoretical concept. We will teach you about research methods and ethics so that you can apply ethical research methods to your work. You can choose to write a traditional dissertation or a piece of practice-led work. Alternatively, you could produce a piece of critical media and write a short thesis to support it.
- Major Journalism ProjectCompulsory40 credits
Module details
On this module you will bring together the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout your degree to produce a substantial piece of journalism. This could be in the form of a documentary, a series of written features, or a magazine. You will present a project proposal to your supervisor which will include an explanation of the idea, target audience and budgets, plans for distribution, and marketing materials. You will then plan and produce the media artefact, working either individually
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 prepares you to tell important stories with hands-on studio and on-location experience. You'll usually begin with media theory, production skills and how broadcasting and publishing work. Year 1 builds your foundations in communication, camera work, audio and writing across platforms. In Year 2, you'll move into specialist practice, typically choosing between journalism or PR and strategic communication, whilst studying digital cultures and research methods. Year 3 lets you pursue specialisations such as journalism, PR & advertising, film & TV, social media, games & interactive media, or develop a production portfolio. Most students complete an industry project, placement or major production alongside a dissertation or substantial media artefact in their final year.
Who it's for
This course suits those committed to journalism as a profession. Most accepted students arrive with A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff among recent entrants has been 80–95 points. You'll need genuine interest in news, storytelling, and media practice, alongside the ability to work independently and meet deadlines in a fast-moving field.
Careers & job market
Across Media and Communications courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating, and 60% of working graduates are in highly skilled roles or undertaking further study. National earnings data shows starting salaries of £22,000–£28,000 at 15 months, rising to £22,525–£31,800 after five years. These are national figures for the field, not university-specific guarantees. The BJTC accreditation supports your pathway into broadcast and journalism roles.
University & format
York St John University, a University located in York, offers this BA (Hons) Journalism degree full-time over 3 years, taught in English. The course is accredited by the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC). The University is a recognised UK degree-awarding body, and the course meets the Office for Students' Silver standard for teaching quality (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.
Placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
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 | 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.
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.
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. 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 York St John 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.
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.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £23,000 | £21,000 – £25,000 | 40 |
| 3 years after | £18,000 | £15,000 – £22,000 | 65 |
| 5 years after | £22,500 | £17,000 – £26,500 | 80 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
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.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 40; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. 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.
Compared with 541 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
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 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £33,824
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 15% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
- Elementary occupationsSOC 2020 9 · 13% of published destinations · ASHE median £19,087
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: 160; response rate: 57%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Is BA (Hons) Journalism worth it?
Weigh it carefully. On these figures graduates of BA (Hons) Journalism earn close to non-graduate pay, so on cost alone the course is slow to pay off.
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.
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.
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
87% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £23,000. 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 90.3% · in work or study 87% · continued 95%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
York St John 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 YSJ Main Campus
2,229 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 York St John University from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £12,100 / 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 York St John 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 York St John University and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at York St John University
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
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