Study Journalism in the United Kingdom
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Erudera's Complete Guide to Studying Journalism in The UK
The purpose of Journalism is to let people know what is going on in the world. Without it, the world would be kept in the dark, lacking most current and crucial information. Universities in the UK are aware of the importance of this field, and that is why they make sure that their students develop all the necessary skills to become the best of their fields. Once you graduate you will be prepared to go on to careers in TV, copywriting, SEO, film industry, sports industries, media companies and many more.
Reasons to Study Journalism in the United Kingdom
Benefit from the Top-notch Education
The great reputation for academic quality that the United Kingdom enjoys is definitely well-deserved. Due to the top-ranked universities and some of the best professionals that lecture in UK’s higher education institutions, the country has been a top destination for international students that wish to study the field of Journalism, and not only.
Connect with Industries through Internships
Another reason that makes the United Kingdom a great place to study journalism are the internships you will get to take part in during your studies. Universities that offer Journalism degrees offer placement opportunities to their students. In some universities you have the opportunity to choose an optional one-year placement, or in others the compulsory placement in the final year in which you will be working with an external client - this can be a newspaper, production company or broadcaster.
Choose from a variety of genres
The beauty of journalism is that it is not limited to one genre only. You can work in fashion and research trends and designers to create content for different stakeholders. You can work in sports and write summaries of sports competitions and conduct interviews with sport professionals. Or if you prefer investigative journalism, you can work with legal documents, government reports, or you can report political corruption or serious crimes. These are only some of the many fields in which you can specialize while studying Journalism.
Experience the Student Life
While you are in the United Kingdom, there will be various ways for you to try new things, make new friends, and have an unforgettable student experience that can rarely be found in other countries. You will also get to enjoy the historic buildings, cool vintage stores, some of the best food, the nightlife or take trips to marvel on the unique beautiful scenery of the country. Whatsmore, even though English is the official language of the country, you can hear more than 300 languages due to the constant flux of international students, business visitors, and immigrant communities.
Requirements
Admission requirements differ between Bachelor and Master’s degrees. There will also be additional requirements for international students.
To be eligible for a Bachelor degree in Journalism you should meet the following requirements:
- High School Diploma
- Submit Supporting Documents
- Personal Statement
- English language proficiency test
To be eligible for a Master degree in Journalism you should meet the following requirements:
- An undergraduate degree with a minimum of 60%
- Journalism portfolio
- Work Experience and Letters of Recommendation from Employer
- Academic references
- Personal Statement
- CV
- English language proficiency
- A Tier 4 Visa
Note that all documents should be submitted in English. If they are issued in a language other than English, you should submit their official translation.
Application Process
In the United Kingdom, applications for most full-time undergraduate courses are done through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). To apply through this platform you first need to open an account and attach the supporting documents.
Even though you send your application through UCAS, you should know that all the selection procedures fall upon the admissions office of the university you are applying to. Following the UCAS deadline, all applications must be submitted between 1 September and 15 January.
For some postgraduate studies you can apply directly to the university of your choice. However, it is best you check with the university on how they would like to receive your application.
Degree Duration: How Long Does It Take to Study Journalism in the United Kingdom?
The level of study you plan to pursue determines the length of your degree. In the United Kingdom, undergraduate studies in journalism are typically three to four years in length - if you study full time. During this period you may study modules such as: advanced digital storytelling, media law, TV documentary journalism, the ethnography of speaking, religion and media, popular music and society.
Postgraduate studies on the other hand, take less time to complete. If you study full time you can earn a master’s degree in journalism after 1 year of studying. During this period you will learn about broad topics within journalism such as: media law, digital journalism, traditional skills, news reporting and production, data journalism, reporting conflict, television production, advanced multimedia storytelling, etc.
Tuition Fees: How Much Does It Cost to Study Journalism in the United Kingdom?
Tuition fees vary depending on the universities and countries of the United Kingdom in which one wishes to study. The cost of tuition is one of the major expenses you will have while studying abroad, so it is important that you prepare financially before you apply. Usually tuition fees are higher in universities with a better reputation, but they are also higher in bigger cities.
For undergraduate studies an average of tuition fees for a Bachelor degree in journalism is around $16,992 (£12,000) per year. For postgraduate studies in journalism, tuition fees range from $18,408 to $35,482 (£13,000 to £25,000).
Journalism Jobs in the United Kingdom
Obtaining a degree in Journalism will secure you employment in a range of industries such as local, regional as well as national newspapers, radio and television stations, magazines, creative digital media companies, PR consultancies, advertising and marketing firms, charities, etc.
Some of the UK’s Journalists’ job roles include:
- Reporter
- Editor-in-chief
- News writer
- Producer
- Copywriter
- SEO
The salary of a journalist ranges from $17,000 to $65,181 (£12,000 to £46,000) per year. Among these job roles, journalists that work in television seem to earn the highest salaries, followed by those in radio and online media, and magazines and newspapers coming next.
