School of Creative Industries

BA (Hons) Journalism with Foundation Year

BA (Hons) Full-time 4 years, Part-time 8 years

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BA (Hons)
Start date(s)
September 2024
UCAS Code
P502
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (4 years),Part-time (8 years)
Campus location
University: City Campus
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

The BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism at the University of Wolverhampton aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills you need for working in the digital multi-platform environment of the 21st century newsrooms.

The content of the degree has been designed taking into account the main factors that steer the practice of journalism globally such as convergence, digital copyright and the use of public data to craft stories. Taught by academics and professional journalists, you will learn about the latest developments in multimedia journalism and gain a range of practical skills encompassing the traditional forms of content production, such as radio, video/TV and photography, and a more complex and innovative set of technologies needed to successfully develop and manage digital content on different journalistic platforms. This course is designed to address the needs of the UK employers and takes into account the on-going international transition of the sector into a full web-based business models or web based modes of delivery. You will develop a range of subject specific and transferable skills and by the end of the course you will have your own portfolio, which is an immense value in graduate employment. In addition, the course offers a suitable and balanced diet of practical and theoretical optional modules, allowing you to deepen your interests, whether in sports, investigative journalism, mobile and data journalism, politics, celebrity, film or business. If you want to start building your portfolio and to specialize in your preferred area, then this is the course for you!

What are the top reasons to study this course?

  • It is a unique programme in West Midlands and Wales. Only 8 universities in the country offer similar courses. None of them is located in the West Midlands or Wales.
  • We focus on employability. Students’ success is at the core of our programme and that is why practical work is project-based with students being the journalists, producing radio and television news bulletins and digital packages to industry standards and deadlines.
  • You will gain in-depth knowledge and skills that provide the essential first step to a satisfying career and transferable skills that you can use throughout your career whether in broadcast media journalism or another industry
  • We provide excellent work placements and links to industry and fully- equipped media facilities: radio and television studios, newsroom and editing suites.
  • You will gain practical, hands-on experience using high-end media equipment and develop skills in digital production, writing, interviewing and editing.
  • Highly experienced staff dedicated to providing a personal learning experience for every student.
  • Lovely campus and exciting student life.

As this is a brand new course for 2017/18 the UNI Stats data is not accurate since there are no previous students to report statistics on. Please feel free to contact us for more details arts@wlv.ac.uk

 

What happens on the course?

Throughout the three levels of the degree you will be introduced to a full range of modern media and will adopt real-world working strategies, produce ground breaking audio, video, web and social media content and benefit from work placements that will enable them to enter the job market with the most up-to-date and relevant knowledge and expertise.  

You will benefit from a wide range of academic activities that will help you make the most of your experience at the university, such as:

  • Lectures and workshops
  • Newsdays
  • Practical sessions (working to deadlines),
  • Tutorials
  • Work Placements
  • Independent study (reading books and journal articles, working on group projects, preparing presentations and writing your assignments)
  • Industry visits

Modules and Assessment

Here are some of the modules that you will be taking:

  • News writing
  • Radio Production
  • Television News Production
  • Multimedia News Production
  • Media Law and Ethics
  • Sports Journalism
  • Photo Journalism
  • Convergent journalism
  • Placements
  • Multi-platform Newsroom
  • New Media
  • Convergent News Production
  • Investigative journalism
  • Tabloid Journalism
  • Writing for business and corporations

Assessment:

  • Portfolios and e-portfolios
  • Research report/essays – individual work.
  • Group work and presentations.
  • As-live/ Live reporting for multimedia platforms (audio, video, texts, photograph and other media products).

New £5m Screen School

Wolverhampton Screen School will be the ambitious epicentre for stimulating screen based culture, education, research and industrial development within the region and beyond.

Additional Information

BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism 

  • The member of academic staff who leads this course is Dr. Bianca Fox.
  • For more information about our facilities Degree Show page.

 

We are currently reviewing our foundation course to enhance student learning and success. Course details may be subject to updates. Please keep an eye on our pages for updates.

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Suitable roles for graduates include but are not limited to:

Newsreader; TV or Radio producer; TV or Radio presenter or reporter; Correspondent; News editor; Online, newspaper or magazine reporter; Camera operator; Radio and broadcast news reporter and editor; PR and communication; Creative assistant; Democracy and campaigns coordinator; Editorial assistant; Journalist and press officer; Magazine assistant; Media executive; Political reporter; Production trainee/researcher; SEO content writer; Social media and marketing assistant; Content administrator. 

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

We have a lovely campus here at Wolverhampton, with great facilities: two fully- equipped television and radio studios, newsroom, HD cameras, editing suites, and a dedicated enthusiastic team ready to help you at anytime. This course is designed to meet current industry standards for broadcast and print journalism, where the use of multimedia news packages is essential for delivering news to broad audiences. Our course offers placements, career advice and other networking opportunities for all of our students and considers the development of innovative and entrepreneurial skills to allow students to engage in local, national and international media, working in partnerships or as freelancers, and connecting them with employers and professional bodies.

Comment from our External Examiner:

"Each year the samples material I have read contained wonderful work from exciting modules with an impressive range of academic and practical assessment tasks. I appreciate that a great deal of work goes into how to achieve the best results from students. The internal markers applied impressive standards in grading, providing high-quality feedback and should be congratulated on the quality of the Course content."

Further Information

Bianca Fox is a Senior Lecturer in TV, Broadcasting and Journalism at the University of Wolverhampton, UK. Before this, she held a Lecturer position at the University of Huddersfield. She is a former freelance journalist and holds a Ph.D. in Media and Communication Studies. Bianca has an outstanding international scientific background, she was a Visiting Scholar at the University of Westminster in 2011 and at the University of Paris III: Sorbonne Nouvelle in 2015, and has published in international journals from the UK, Italy, Germany and the USA. She founded the Research Centre CCMRC.eu, is an active member of important international scientific associations, including IAMCR, ECREA, MeCCSA, and an active editorial board member of Journal of Journalism and Mass Communication, Interpersona, and International Journal of Communication and Health. Broadly, and her research interests lie in multi-platform journalism, digital culture, and media sociology.

Qualifications: PhD in Media and Communication Studies; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education; MA in Media and Communication Studies; Bachelor of Arts (English Literature); LLB (Bachelor of Laws).

Maria Urbina’s professional experience has focused on online media, corporate communications and international journalism. She has worked as online editor as well as PR manager in different Chilean media outlets and institutions. Her professional activity includes developing media content for multimedia platforms as well as implementing media strategies for corporate communications.  As foreign correspondent, Maria has covered political and economic affairs in Europe and Central America for Spanish speaking newspapers and magazines, such as the economic magazine America Economia and La Segunda. She was awarded the Prize for Economic Journalism by the CAF-Development Bank of Latin America and Instituto de la Empresa in 2014.  Maria’s joined the University of Wolverhampton in 2015 as Senior Lecturer where she teaches journalism related modules. Her teaching experience includes positions at Nottingham Trent University and The University of Sheffield. Maria's academic interests are political culture, media, and multimedia journalism in the global south.

Qualifications: PhD in Politics; MBA; PGDip in Marking and Management; BA in Media Studies and Journalism; BA in History.

Manuel Hernandez - A former Reuters correspondent, Manuel has worked for numerous global media outlets, such as CNN and other multinational corporations. He has focused his work on two main areas: generation of news content for specialised audiences (financial, business and political affairs) and planning and implementing corporate communications, PR and marketing plans. Manuel is a PhD candidate at the University of Leeds. Originally from South America, where he also worked for Brahma and Unilever in marketing and public relations, he has been teaching media-related modules at the University of Wolverhampton since 2004. He has a particular interest in Data Journalism, CSR and NPOs.

Qualifications: M.Dip in Media Management; MSc in Public Relations; PGCE in Higher Education; Fellow of the Higher Education Academy; Licentiate in Media Studies and Journalism.

Media practitioners - Guest lecturers from the industry include practitioners from ITV, 5Live, Wolverhampton Express&Star, BigCentreTV, etc.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUIQ0SovOU4

Throughout this course, you will gain a range of practical skills encompassing the traditional forms of content production such as radio, television and photography and a more complex and innovative set of technologies needed to successfully develop and manage internet based journalistic platforms. The practical skills will allow you to develop, manage and present projects suitable to be published or broadcast in newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and online. The course will also provide you with transferable entrepreneurial and management skills; you will learn how to manage your professional conduct and plan your career development in relation to the duties and responsibilities of a multimedia journalist, exercise personal responsibility, decision-making and team leadership, operate successfully in a team context in a multi-platform newsroom, working in flexible, creative ways, both independently and in teams, showing self-discipline, self-direction, communication skills, critical thinking and a reflective and problem-solving capacity.

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
Home Part-time £4625 per year# 2024-25
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

Additional Course Costs

Additional Materials: £50 to 250 per semester - Prices vary according your subject of practice.

Additional Field Trips: £50 to 500 - Prices will vary according to location.

Additional Events: £350 - Degree Show/New Designers.

Costs will vary according to the medium and mode of your practice but considerations will be around materials, installation and presentation.

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies

Further information on these additional costs will be provided prior to the start of your studies

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

Typical entry requirement: 48 UCAS points

  • A Levels - grades DD
  • BTEC L3 Extended Diploma or OCR Cambridge L3 Technical Extended Diploma - grades PPP
  • BTEC L3 Diploma - grades MP
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits) of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (48 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 45 credits at pass)
  • UAL L3 Extended Diploma in Art and Design or Creative Media Production & Technology - grade P

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

  • If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.
  • International entry requirements and application guidance can be found here

Other Requirements

Those meeting the entry requirements may be shortlisted to attend an interview. Further details can be found at https://www.wlv.ac.uk/apply/how-to-apply/4---after-youve-applied/subject-specific-applications/. Applicants will also be required to provide satisfactory reference.

Students must have studied a minimum of two years post GCSE level. However, it is expected that some applicants will be mature students with work experience, who wish to further their career development. These applicants will be processed through standard procedures, which may involve an interview as part of the process. Please see http://wlv.ac.uk/mature for further information.

 

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

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