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Journalism with Integrated Foundation Year

  • BA (Hons)
  • 4 Years
  • Full-time including foundation year
  • 14/09/2026
  • Undergraduate
Sir Tom Cowie Campus
Awarded by:
The National Council for the Training of Journalists
More about University of Sunderland

Course options

2025-20262026-2027
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Course summary

This is a four-year version of our popular BA (Hons) Journalism course, with an integrated foundation year. Study a practical journalism degree, led by professional journalists who have worked for some of the UK’s biggest titles. Work closely with industry to learn the cutting-edge skills required to make your mark in the media. Become a journalist from the day you arrive and work for our award-winning radio station and websites.

On BA (Hons) Journalism, you'll learn all the essential skills of journalism, producing content for a wide range of print and online platforms while working in our own newsroom under the guidance of staff who have worked for the likes of the Mirror, Grazia, Private Eye and many more. We'll teach you how to write and research news stories and feature articles; create video and interactive content; design newspaper, web and magazine pages; and become adept in using all the latest digital storytelling tools for websites and social media. You'll also study the development of journalism and its principles and ethics.

A key element of this course is the range of optional subjects you can take, among them modules in sports writing, fashion journalism, public relations, and investigative journalism. You’ll significantly boost your employability by graduating with both an honours degree and the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, which is the foremost industry qualification required by most employers in the media.

Modules

Please see the course details on our website for up to date module information.

Assessment method

Please see the course details on our website for up to date information on assessment methods

Professional bodies

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

  • The National Council for the Training of Journalists

Ways to study this course

Campuses

  • Sir Tom Cowie Campus

Study options

  • BA (Hons) • Full-time including foundation year • 4 Years

Start dates

  • 14/09/2026

Apply by
14 January

This is the equal consideration deadline. You can still apply after this date, but your application may not receive guaranteed consideration.

Application codes

Course code:
P502
Institution code:
S84
Campus name:
Sir Tom Cowie Campus
Campus Code:
B
Points of Entry:
Foundation

University of Sunderland has participated in the Teaching Excellence Framework. These ratings were awarded in 2023, for four years.

See why these ratings were awarded
What does this TEF outcome mean?

How to apply

Apply by
14 January

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Application codes

Course code:
P502
Institution code:
S84
Campus name:
Sir Tom Cowie Campus
Campus Code:
B

Points of entry

The following entry points are available for this course:

  • Foundation

International applicants

International applicants are not eligible for this course

Open days

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements

UCAS Tariff - 40 points

A minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent)

GCSE/National 4/National 5

Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Math's and English Language at grade C or above. If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade, then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Math's and English Language, we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.

The Integrated Foundation Year is specially designed to support you where you have just missed the grades required for direct entry onto a three-year degree, or if you have relevant work experience and are now looking to broaden your subject knowledge but want more time to develop study skills before starting your degree.

Entry requirements are provided for guidance only and we may offer you an entrance interview which will help us determine your eligibility for your chosen degree. This enables us to consider making you an offer if you are perhaps a mature student who has been out of education for a period of time, or you have gained significant knowledge and skills through employment rather than traditional education.

Eligible entry qualifications:

  1. Normally a minimum of three Level 2 qualifications (NVQ, GCSE or equivalent), including Math's and English langauge at grade C or above** and a minimum of 40 UCAS tariff points from Level 3 qualifications (e.g. A or AS Levels, T Levels, BTEC certificates/diplomas, access courses or equivalent)
    OR
  2. Demonstrable evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills acquired from at least three years of post-school work experience.

** If you have studied for a GCSE which has a numerical grade then you will need to achieve a grade 4 or above. Equivalent alternative qualifications are also accepted, such as Level 2 Key Skills in Communication and Application of Number. If you have not achieved a grade C in Math's and English language, we may be able to work with you to ensure that you are able to gain these in the first year of the course, depending on your experience.

Find out more about qualification requirements for this course.

Historical entry grades data BETA

This section shows the range of grades students (with UK A-Levels or Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diplomas) who received offers were previously accepted with (learn more). It is designed to support your research but does not guarantee whether you will or won't get a place. Admissions teams consider various factors, including interviews, subject requirements, and entrance tests. Check all course entry requirements for eligibility.

Not enough data available

We are unable to show previous accepted grades for this course. This could be because the course is new, it's a postgraduate course, there isn't enough historical data, or the provider has opted out of sharing their entry grades data for this course - learn more.

Subject Spotlights

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Student Outcomes

Operated by the Office for Students

80 Employment after 15 months (Most common jobs)

100 Go onto work and study

The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.

Fees and funding

Tuition fees

No fee information has been provided for this course

Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website.

Additional fee information

Please refer to our website for course tuition fees - https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/

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