Journalism (with Integrated Foundation Year)

Why study the BA Journalism (with Integrated Foundation Year) at Goldsmiths
This programme is for curious, creative, engaged students, interested in exploring society, exposing injustice and unearthing the truth to inform, inspire and empower. Rarely has journalism been more urgent and in need of a generation equipped to report on our rapidly changing world and help shape a positive future. You'll be guided by our diverse team of award-winning media professionals and world-leading academics, who will help you find meaningful stories and your voice.

• This is a four-year degree. If you successfully achieve the progression requirements of the Foundation Year, you can continue onto our full-time three-year undergraduate degree in Journalism.

• There are no formal entry requirements for this programme, you just need to demonstrate a lively interest in the world of the media – so it's an ideal choice if you're returning to education or don't have the qualifications to apply directly to the BA Journalism.

During the foundation year:

• You'll develop an understanding of media theory and media practice, and the confidence, skills and creative foundation to thrive at undergraduate level.

• You'll be introduced to a broad spectrum of critical perspectives on the media and a range of contemporary media practices.

• You'll develop your skills in creative approaches to media and communications.

• The programme includes a study skills module, where you'll get to develop your academic writing and research skills.

• You'll be taught by highly experienced tutors and technicians in studio settings, using the same industry-standard facilities as the undergraduate degrees.

On successful completion of the foundation year, you'll progress onto Year 1 of the degree

• Study in one of the top Media, Communications and Cultural Studies departments globally. We are ranked second in the UK for 'world-leading or internationally excellent' research (REF, 2021) and 16th in the world (third in the UK) in the 2024 QS World Rankings by Subject.

• Learn a range of cutting-edge skills that will equip you to work across different journalistic platforms from print and digital to broadcast.

• Develop data journalism skills and learn how to use them to create compelling infographics.

• Work in professional broadcast studios, both TV and radio/podcasting, to produce news bulletins and long-form programming. You’ll learn a range of exciting skills on camera and behind the scenes, including filming, interviewing, scripting, presenting and editing.

• Whether you’re passionate about politics, the climate emergency, social justice, culture, sport, fashion, music and beyond, we will teach you how to find stories around every corner you turn and draw them out of the people you meet.

• At the end of your studies, you’ll produce a multimedia feature on a subject you care about, where you will bring together all the skills learnt.

• Publish your work on a live local news website (EastLondonLines) while you study. You will report on issues and events happening in the heart of some of London’s most diverse and dynamic boroughs. Hear what industry experts have to say about our local news website.

• Alongside practical training, you will study theory as part of our commitment to critical approaches to the media.

• At a time when journalism has become increasingly uncritical, we believe in the figure of the journalist as a public intellectual. You’ll learn how to situate journalism within a wider cultural, political and global context, how to ask the right questions and think critically about how the world functions and the role of journalism within it.

• We take a global, decolonial approach to journalism so you can contribute to fostering transnational dialogue and develop ways to counter inequality.

Year 0 (Foundation Year)
You will study the following modules:
Media Theory
Photography
TV & Video
Radio
Writing for the Media

Year 1 (credit level 4)
All modules in Year 1 are compulsory:
Introduction to Power, Politics and Public Affairs
Introduction to Multimedia Journalism
News and Culture
Key Debates in Media Studies
Introduction to coding and digital methods for journalism
Broadcast journalism 1: Audio and Video

Year 2 (credit level 5)
You will take the following compulsory modules:
Multimedia Journalism
Data Journalism and Visualisation
Journalism and Society
Media Law and Ethics
Feature Writing
Broadcast Journalism 2: The Magazine Show

Year 3 (credit level 6)
You take one compulsory module:
Final Multimedia Project and Portfolio

Optional modules
You'll then take optional modules to the value of 60 credits (2-4) from an approved list provided by the department each year.

These include practicial and theory modules from across the Department of Media, Communications and Cultural Studies.

Recent examples of optional modules include:
Photo-journalism
Podcasting
Arts and Fashion Journalism
Work Placement
Dissertation
Contemporary Feminist Media Cultures
Digital Audiovisual Media: New Aesthetics and Practices
Structure of Contemporary Political Communications
Race, Empire and Nation
Embodiment and Experience
Social Media in Everyday Life: A global perspective
Mediating Violence: Feminist, Queer, Decolonial Perspectives
Music as Communication and Creative Practice
Virtual and immersive media experience
Race and Technology

Please note that due to staff research commitments not all of these modules may be available every year.

The pass mark for this Foundation Year is 50%. However, students must achieve 60% in all sections of the programme to proceed onto the first year of BA Journalism. Students achieving between 50%-60% will be awarded the Goldsmiths Foundation Certificate in Media and Communications.

You’ll be assessed by a variety of methods, depending on your module choices. These may include coursework assignments such as extended essays, reports, presentations, practice-based projects or essays/logs, group projects and reflective essays, as well as seen and unseen written examinations.