Journalism Pathways in the UK

Journalism is something that most people encounter everyday. Whether this is on the TV through a news broadcast, online media outlets, or print media such as newspapers and magazines, the products of journalism are present in most places. As a journalist, you will investigate and report events, issues and trends, informing the general public. In recent years, journalism has evolved from solely using traditional media, to utilizing modern media, such as social media.

An undergraduate degree in journalism will give you an insight into the discipline, covering topics like writing, communication, reporting, ethics and media. You will also be provided with the opportunities to understand how your reporting will impact the delivery and therefore interpretation of news stories, and how news is impacted by the world around us.

Your degree will be delivered through a mixture of modes. These will include lectures and seminars, as well as practical sessions. You may also be required to participate in a placement module, which will allow you to experience working in a professional journalism environment.

Depending on where you choose to study, you may be able to specialise towards the end of your degree. This specialisation can influence what area of journalism you would like to work in when you have graduated. Common specialisations include:

• Broadcast Journalism
• Global Journalism
• Journalism Design
• Sports Journalism
• Public Relations
• News Writing
• Media Law

If your degree requires you to write a dissertation, this will provide you with an opportunity to further research a favoured area of journalism.

The accreditation of your degree will depend on where you choose to study, as well as the specific content of your course. Typically, you can expect to be awarded a Bachelor of Science (BSc), but some courses might award you a Bachelor of the Arts (BA).

Generally, an undergraduate degree in journalism will take three to four years. Foundation degrees, diplomas and certificates can last up to two years when studied full-time.

Once you have successfully completed your degree, you can choose to either seek employment in your chosen area, or further your studies. Continuation of your studies could be in the form of a postgraduate degree, such as a masters or PhD, or a graduate diploma or certificate.

Graduates of journalism will have a wide range of career options available to them. Positions can be found in broadcasting companies, print media publishers, public relations consultancy firms, and communications agencies. You might choose to work as a news reporter, an editorial assistant, a broadcast journalist, or a feature writer.

As well as working within journalism, there are career opportunities in unrelated fields as well. You will have gained transferable skills and knowledge whilst studying journalism, such as effective and clear communication, critical analysis, and creative and independent thinking.