Develop the practical skills and knowledge needed to succeed as a sports journalist or public relations professional. Sports journalism is one of the fastest growing areas in online media, and a major component of print and broadcast media. Print Journalists are also in demand for the publicity departments of major sports clubs and organisations, which are also expanding rapidly. This is leading to an increasing demand for graduates with good journalistic and media skills and a sport-focused portfolio.
On this course, you learn how
You also gain public relations and media liaison techniques, such as how to devise and organise media opportunities and how to write • web pages • press releases • news items • personality features • promotional material.
We teach you the skills and knowledge required by employers. This involves a mix of traditional reporting skills and an understanding of the emerging technologies in the media industries that affect the way journalists record and report the latest stories. You learn about a range of technical and journalistic skills such as
You learn how to manage the print and broadcast media at sports matches and events and how sports publicity and marketing departments are organised and run.
You produce and process sports publicity material for media use and discuss the major issues affecting sports worldwide including • commercialism • globalisation • racism • hooliganism • political regulation and interference • sponsorship • match fixing.
We offer you regular one-to-one feedback, given by practising sports journalists and public relations professionals. We can also offer you opportunities to gain experience and insight through our links to major broadcasting, newspaper and sports organisations, such as professional football clubs.
There may also be opportunities to further your learning through work placements, working with sports publications, the sports departments of newspapers, or in the media departments of sports clubs and organisations.
Read about opportunities and experiences available to our students on our Journalism blog.
Modules
Gain the relevant skills and knowledge for a career in
Sports journalism is an extremely competitive field. The industry relies heavily on freelance sports journalists, and the course equips you with the skills necessary to enter the freelance market.
It also provides the publicity skills and understanding of the media which are increasingly sought after by clubs and organisations.
Want to bring your sports knowledge to radio, the internet or television screens? Southampton Solent’s Sports Broadcast Journalism master’s degree is an advanced course designed to help bring you closer to a career working in video or audio production in the world of sport. Taught by industry professionals and academics, this is a challenging course where teaching is led by professional standards and industry practices.
On this advanced-level course, students learn how to source, gather and deliver professional sports content on numerous different video and audio platforms across a wide variety of sports. The course also encourages students to develop their editorial and technical skills and build relationships with external clients, whilst creating a portfolio of video, audio and academic material to showcase their abilities to potential employers.
With an increasing demand from sports audiences for innovative approaches to storytelling and high-quality production, broadcasters must constantly update their practices and utilise social media to research and promote their work. Understanding and adapting to changes within this fast-moving industry is core to the teaching on this master’s degree.
Regular ‘news days’, where students will need to respond, gather and produce stories for a same-day news and radio output, are built into the course programme to further increase students’ exposure to a realistic broadcast environment and prepare them for the deadlines and quick-thinking they’ll need to demonstrate to become a sports broadcaster. This element of the course is regarded by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council as good teaching practice.
Recent BA (Hons) Sports Journalism graduates gained full-time employment at Daily Mail Online, The Guardian, Sky Sports, BBC Local Radio, M&Y Media, Inside the Games, Southend United FC, plus a variety of Freelance Journalist roles. Some students have moved into Public Relations, with one in an Account Manager role that earns £50,000 straight out of university.
This course is well-suited to those with a sport or journalism background who wish to move into sports broadcasting across traditional and digital platforms.
The course content is ideal for students wishing to gain a deep understanding of the technical and practical aspects of broadcasting.
Students on this course have full access to the University’s industry-standard broadcast facilities, which include four television studios, eight radio studios and extensive editing and production facilities which are configured to industry standard. High definition camera equipment is also available to all video production students.
Students also have access to camera equipment and professional recording devices, plus radio and TV studios. Use of computers with Final Cut Pro X and Adobe Audition plus the use of normal Solent resources: library and IT centres.
Suitable roles for graduates include sports journalists or editors at TV stations, radio stations, productions companies or live TV units; newspaper or magazine content production; online presenter/producer; freelance broadcasting; public relations; digital and social media communications; crisis management.
Graduates would be advised to gain the Diploma in Journalism or National Qualification in Journalism which is offered by the National Centre for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
MPhil/PhD options are open to those wishing to pursue academic research and teaching.
The course team themselves are current industry professionals engaged in regular broadcast practice with television and radio channels such as Sky Sports, Sky Sports News, BT Sport, ITV, BBC, BBC Radio Solent.
The course also builds on Solent’s current relationships with professional and amateur sports clubs in the South, including Hampshire County Cricket Club, for whom the University is an official provider of video content, and Southampton Football Club. Previous students on our sports journalism courses have benefitted from guest lectures and workshops by industry speakers.
The MA course is new but the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism course is taught by lecturers who are all still working in the industry (Sky Sports, ITV, BT Sport, BBC Radio Solent) which means that getting high-profile guests in to talk is very easy. The guest lecturers have come down to do Q&A's, Mock Interviews, critique work and offer career advice.
Recent broadcast guests include: Sarah Gomme and Fred Dinenage (ITV Meridian); Tom Hepworth (BBC South Today); Nigel Dean (Sky Sports); Chris Eldergill (CNN World Sport); Jeff Freeman (IMG); Paul Belverstone (Premier League Productions)
Assignments in several units to suit the needs of their employers, including:
Half of the Professional Practice unit involves an extended work placement within the Broadcast Industry. The course has links with industry and will provide an extended work placement (up to 15 weeks) with a broadcaster. That's Solent is the first partner but there are also conversations happening with BT Sport, Eurosport and Perform. The placement will take place in Period Two of the course but will include one day of university work each week to attend Sports Broadcast Production.
There will be one assessment in Period 1 which will be on the lecture-based teaching and then a Period 2 assessment will be a reflection on their 15-week work placement.
Students are able to gain vital hands-on experience in relevant environments such as local or national television and radio stations.
The course is aligned with and has been written in consultation with the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), who also accredit the University’s Sports Journalism undergraduate degree. BJTC partners include the BBC News, ITV News, Sky News, Reuters.
This is an integrated multimedia journalism course that prepares you for a career in the global journalism industry by providing you with the core skills for print, broadcast, magazine and online platforms.
During the course you learn how to gather, organise, write and present information to a professional standard across a variety of platforms and to different audiences.
Key areas of study include • print • broadcast • digital/online journalism • writing and presentation skills • interviewing • TV and radio presentation skills • professional practice • global journalism • shorthand.
By selecting options to meet your own interests you are able to specialise in print journalism, magazine journalism, radio journalism and television journalism.
Throughout the course you gain an understanding of how your chosen area operates in Britain and internationally by examining different examples of journalistic practice. You are able to bring your own experience of journalism in your home country and gain insight into practices in Britain, Europe and the wider world. You study case-studies from regions of the world that interest you in order to compare different approaches to journalism.
Print and online journalism modules prepare you to develop the multiplatform skills to operate effectively as a news and feature journalist in any global newsroom. This means learning to develop a strong news sense, an ability to select and prioritise key facts and quotes, and writing skills for different platforms.
You also
Broadcast journalism modules develop your skills in radio and TV broadcasting, and in interviewing and presenting. You produce radio and TV packages in a dedicated TV and radio studio and two dedicated newsrooms.
Alongside practical skills, the course gives you the opportunity to study the ethical, legal and regulatory context in which journalism is practised. Theoretical content deepens your understanding and critical awareness of on-going debates about the economic and political role played by journalists and global news organisations in modern societies.
Read about opportunities and experiences available to our students on our Journalism blog.
Sheffield Hallam University acts as a centre for the NCTJ national examinations.
Semester one core modules
Semester one optional modules
Semester two core modules
Semester two optional modules
Semester three core modules
Journalism is a global industry and this course prepares you for a career in your home country or elsewhere in • print journalism • magazine journalism • sports journalism • online journalism • broadcast journalism (TV and radio) • public relations.
Journalism is a broad term and you could pursue a very rewarding career in any of its many forms.
A career in journalism suits those who are flexible and enjoy team work as you may be dealing with breaking news and a tight deadline. In today’s newsrooms journalists require skills across a range of media-platforms and need to be able to communicate news and information to a range of audiences.
There are opportunities to work on regional newspapers, television and radio throughout the world, but some choose to pursue a career in a national media industry and may therefore be based in a capital city. Many journalists work on a freelance basis and the demand for experienced freelancers is increasing, making this an attractive option, especially for feature writing.
In the UK salaries vary considerably depending on whether the post is a regional or national one. A regional journalist just starting out on a career in the UK can expect to earn £12,000 – £15,000 as a trainee, whereas an experienced person working for a national newspaper can expect up to around £35,000 – £40,000.
The course prepares you to work in the UK journalism industry across a range of multi-media platforms.
On this course you learn how to
You also gain a sound knowledge of media law and an understanding of central and local government, together with a critical awareness of the debates and issues surrounding the practice of journalism in the 21st century.
You need to complete a minimum of two weeks on professional placements and this, together with coursework activities, enables you to develop an extensive portfolio of journalism.
The course is delivered by an award-winning team of journalists with extensive professional experience.
We also offer an extensive guest lecture programme. Recent speakers have included editors and journalists from Buzzfeed, ITV News and Sky News.
Read about opportunities and experiences available to our students on our Journalism blog.
Modules
Semester one core modules
• writing for the media • media law and regulation 1
Semester one optional modules
• radio journalism • sports journalism 1 • magazine journalism
Semester two core modules
• print and online reporting • media law and regulation 2 • public affairs
Semester two optional modules
• TV journalism • sports journalism 2
Semester three core modules
• journalism project
This course gives you the skills and knowledge for a career in • print journalism • magazine journalism • sports journalism • online journalism • broadcast journalism (TV and radio) • public relations
Journalism can be a very rewarding career. Flexibility and team work are important as you may be dealing with breaking news and a tight deadline. In today’s newsrooms journalists require skills across a range of media-platforms.
There are opportunities to work on regional newspapers throughout the UK, but some choose to pursue a career with a national newspaper or newsroom and may therefore be based in London. Others prefer to be geographically mobile and look for opportunities to work abroad.
Many journalists work on a freelance basis and the demand for experienced freelancers is increasing, making this an attractive option, especially for feature writing.
It is sometimes said that journalists have a passion for news and don’t do it for the money, but good salaries can be earned especially for those with experience. Salaries vary considerably depending on whether the post is a regional or national one. A regional journalist just starting out on a career in the UK can expect to earn £12,000 – £15,000 as a trainee. An experienced person working for a national newspaper can expect up to around £35,000 – £40,000.
MA Specialist Journalism at Cardiff Metropolitan University is taught by academic staff who are both practitioners and researchers. This distinctive degree is aimed to support you while you develop your journalistic skills and techniques within one of the following specialisms: film, music, fashion or sports journalism.
The course has a strong employability focus allowing students to combine journalistic techniques and perspectives with practical vocational skills, which are reinforced by work placements. Whether for professional development purposes, to enhance your freelance career, or as your first step into the world of journalism, the MA will help you gain the knowledge and confidence to be a specialist journalist.
We have expertise across a number of fields and our academic community is vibrant and dynamic with strong industry links.
One of the great strengths of the programme is its flexibility. MA Specialist Journalism can be studied either full or part time allowing you to control the pace and depth of your postgraduate study. Programme delivery is also enhanced by the university's commitment to e-learning.
Core Modules:
This module will provide students with the key skills required to write as journalists and then focus those skills on their chosen specialism.
This module will apply the skills developed in Writing for Magazines by exploring the language, content, style and structure of magazine, newspaper and online features.
The Specialist Journalist
In this module students decide on one specialist subject area, study the nature of journalists’ work in their chosen field, and also produce longer feature articles aimed at specifically targeted audiences.
This module will provide students with the key essential skills to become multimedia journalists and adapt those skills to their specialist field.
This module will provide students with an understanding of the changing landscape of contemporary journalism, and develop knowledge and understanding of journalistic law and ethics.
As well as a work placement in a relevant media organisation, students will also develop essential skills and knowledge needed for making a successful living in the new media landscape.
This module aims to provide the reflective skills necessary to function as a successful journalist, exploring the processes and skills necessary for undertaking rigorous, credible, ethical and worthwhile research.
Dissertation This module allows students to create a journalistic portfolio from their chosen specialism.
Most modules are taught through group workshops and seminars. Some modules will also include individual tutorials and the dissertation module is delivered entirely through one-to-one tutorials with your supervisor.
In workshops and seminars full use is made of University technology and course materials will be delivered and stored through our Virtual Learning Environment. It will be possible for you to access the Virtual Learning Environment remotely and you will be encouraged to do so.
Most modules are 20 credits and the dissertation is worth 40 credits.
In a 20-credit module you will receive 22 hours of timetabled teaching and you will be expected to conduct 178 hours of independent study. In a 30-credit module you will receive 33 hours of timetabled teaching and you will be expected to conduct 267 hours of independent study. The 40-credit dissertation is mainly conducted with independent study. You will receive 4 hours of tutorial supervision (this includes supervisors looking over your work) and you will be expected to conduct 396 hours of independent study.
Each student is appointed a personal tutor who will be available for academic advice, pastoral support and personal development planning. Tutors also have weekly office hours.
A critical but supportive environment is achieved through a combination of workshops, research seminars and e-learning. You will be introduced to the practicalities of preparing and submitting your work for publication.
We have a variety of approaches to assessment across the degree depending upon the module. All practical modules are assessed through portfolios of journalistic work and accompanying critical essays in which you are required to reflect on your journalism and to contextualise your work. These modules also include class-based formative peer-assessment in the form of practical workshops. These do not count towards your final grade but the sessions do help you grow and reflect as a specialist journalist.
Modules also make use of Virtual Learning Environments for assessments and you may be asked to view material online and then to respond to it.
You will receive tutor support in class and through our VLE in order to prepare you for each assessment point. We also have library facilities online and at campus.
As well as a career in journalism, the MA is also a great choice for those wishing to enhance their employment and professional opportunities in editorial and publishing careers.
Key journalistic skills and techniques are, of course, central to the degree. However, this degree will also encourage you to develop the valuable transferable skills of autonomy, effective collaboration, self-direction, organisation, initiative and adaptability that are highly regarded in the workplace.
As well as journalism, a Master's degree in Specialist Journalism could also lead to a variety of other careers, such as: teaching, research, public relations, marketing, the civil service, publishing, the media, and employment in the public or voluntary sectors.
This course has been designed to help you find challenging and rewarding work in journalism.
During your time with us, you will learn the skills that you will need to become an incisive, thoughtful and successful journalist.
As well as a general professional grounding in journalism, you will also be able to specialise in your second semester in print and online journalism, broadcast journalism or sports journalism, depending on which pathway you choose in your second semester.
Upon graduation, you will be awarded a PgDip or MA degree and will have had the opportunity to achieve the NCTJ Diploma - all are important qualifications to help launch your career in the UK media industry.
This is a highly intensive course and only for you if you are fully committed to becoming a working journalist, particularly in the UK. You will study modules closely aligned with the NCTJ syllabus so that you are also able to pass seven components of the NCTJ Diploma, such as Media Law and Reporting.
During trimester 1, you will study the basic skills of writing news in print, broadcast and online formats. These key skills are supported by study of media law and also ethical practice to encourage you to become a highly aware journalist. Intrinsic to this course are daily sessions of shorthand, a traditional skill still valued by the modern news industry, including broadcast organisations.
You will be able to sit NCTJ examinations at the end of trimester 1 and also complete the NCTJ Portfolio during trimester 2, when you will be encouraged to sit the NCTJ's shorthand exam and pass at 100 words per minute.
At the beginning of trimester 2, you will be able to take one of the three pathways in news, broadcast or sports journalism. However, you will be able to gain the NCTJ qualification, irrespective of the pathway you choose.
Once you pass the Postgraduate Diploma, you are eligible to study the optional MA Major Project in trimester 3 (summer) to be submitted in mid-September.
Work placements are arranged during trimester 1 and trimester 2.
The majority of the course is delivered largely through workshops and students are assessed mainly by coursework and projects, with some formal examinations.
80% Workshops and 20% Lectures.
Careers range from newspapers to radio and TV, websites and the public relations sector.
CAREER PROSPECTS
Thanks to our strong links with the BBC, many of our graduates are now employed by the British public service broadcaster, working for news and sports output across radio, TV and online. Several of our students have secured the very competitive BBC news traineeships in recent years. Others have gone on to get positions with regional newspapers and news agencies, while some have entered public relations, where companies value the core journalistic qualification offered by the course.
LINKS WITH INDUSTRY
Students get the opportunity during the course to do industry placements in their chosen specialism area. This gives them valuable experience of working in newsrooms, having content published or broadcast, and the chance to establish useful links with professionals. Our placement partners include the BBC, ITV (Granada Reports), the Manchester Evening News, Bolton News, Key 103 and local news agencies.
