BA in Journalism and Media

Why choose this course?

Are you considering a career in journalism or media? This practical course will give you an excellent start, preparing you for the changes and challenges that you'll meet along the way. You'll gain the skills to communicate effectively across diverse media and markets.

You'll research, design and produce a range of media products, developing skills in project management and team-working. Live projects include creating and producing the campus newspaper and news website, The River.

Through practical modules, you'll develop your writing, editing and production skills. You'll also acquire an understanding of the legal and ethical implications that may apply to your work.

Reasons to choose Kingston

• Kingston is ranked No.2 in London for journalism and media (Guardian University League tables 2023).
• Kingston's media facilities include industry-standard software, two dedicated newsrooms and a broadcast media suite.
• You'll gain invaluable experience through a journalistic work placement. This experience, alongside your portfolio, will enhance your employability in the communications sector.

What you will study

Practical modules will develop your writing, editing and production skills, as you originate, design and produce a range of media products. You'll grow effective communication skills and gain an understanding of the legal and ethical implications of your work.

The programme offers a multidisciplinary approach, challenging you to develop an understanding of the various contexts in which journalists and communications professionals operate.

You'll also do work experience in a media environment which will help you prepare for a 21st-century communications career.

Modules

Each level is made up of four modules, each worth 30 credit points. Typically, a student must complete 120 credits at each level.

Year 1

In the first year, you'll be introduced to particular media forms and genres and to relevant conceptual frameworks for the analysis of media and culture.

You'll acquire specific skills for successful study through the seminar activities and assessment tasks for the four core modules.

Core modules

• Practical Journalism 1
• Thinking about Journalism
• Media Now: Texts, Practices and Events
• Digital Media Foundations

Year 2

In Year 2, you'll build on the theoretical and conceptual understandings developed in your first year on the core module Theories of Mass and New Media. You will also study the legal requirements of journalism in Practical Journalism 2 and you can diversify through studies in global political communication and the history of journalism.

You can study abroad or take a work placement in your second year at locations in Europe, the United States, and Australia.

Core modules

• Practical Journalism 2
• Researching the Media: Key Theories and Methods
• Optional modules
• Magazine Journalism
• Journalism in History and Literature
• Broadcast Journalism
• Digital Media Production
• Digital Storytelling
• Identity and Difference

Year 3

The final year Media Research Project is a Capstone module which offers you the opportunity to develop a project showcasing the media knowledge and understanding you have developed throughout your degree. You'll have to publicly present the work produced in this module at the end of the academic year. You can focus your project around a traditional 10-12,000-word dissertation, a media product, or a workplace project produced as part of a company placement.

Core modules

• Practical Journalism 3
• Media Research Project
• Optional modules
• Journalism Specialism
• Journalism, Ethics and the Industry
• Issues in Contemporary Media and Culture
• Professional Communication Skills
• Television Production

Please note

Optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.

After you graduate

Students on the course develop leading-edge knowledge and expertise in multi-media journalism and digital media production and go on to work as reporters, communications officers, content creators, production assistants, producers and more in top media organisations like Guardian Media Group, the BBC, Channel 4, Express Group, and Haymarket Media Group.

Students gain a range of transferable skills including research, initiative, leadership, team building, interview techniques and the ability to produce precise, accurate, engaging writing to tight deadlines. Kingston journalism graduates are highly sought after with 100% working in graduate jobs or undertaking postgraduate study (DHLE data 2016).