Journalism and Media

Are you an aspiring journalist keen to acquire professional journalistic skills? Do you want to gain a sophisticated understanding of the rapidly changing fields of journalism and media? If so, our BA Journalism and Media is ideal with its combination of academic analysis and practical teaching from experienced industry professionals.

Why choose this course?

• Not only will you gain practical knowledge of the journalism field, you will also gain the skills needed to build, manage and navigate a career within today's media landscape.

• The course offers you the insights afforded by a degree that investigates the political, social and cultural dimensions of news and media as well as allowing you to master a full range of vocational skills in journalism and media production.

• You can specialise in the arena of digital media by taking specific modules which will allow you to gain a BA Journalism and Digital Media; or you can pursue an interest in environmental studies choosing option modules on the environment and environmental law to graduate with a BA Journalism and Media with Environmental Studies.

What you will learn

This course offers you a unique multidisciplinary approach, challenging you to develop an understanding of the political, historical, cultural and social contexts in which journalists operate, take advantage of new opportunities and develop your own specialism and voice. This academic emphasis is complemented by hands-on practical modules, in which you will learn how to write, create, design, research and curate across a range of journalistic specialisations, genres and platforms.

How you will learn

We offer you a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops with an emphasis on interaction and engagement. You will engage with authors from a wide range of disciplines including politics, cultural studies and sociology.

Our practical modules are taught by established media professionals who will equip you with the skills you need to write, research and communicate as a journalist, as well as how to design and produce print publications, audio and video.

The course is offered for full- or part-time study, with classes taking place in the evening.

Foundation Year

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Highlights

• Acquire up-to-date skills and knowledge from experienced practitioners at the heart of London's global media industry and leading academic researchers in the field.

• In film, media and cultural studies, Birkbeck offers an extensive portfolio of internationally respected courses that span journalism, media and cultural theory, arts policy and management, film and television studies, creative marketing, digital culture and East Asian cultural studies.

• We also affiliate with a number of research centres and networks, including Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture, Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image, Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology and the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies.

• Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Careers and employability

On successfully graduating from this course you'll have gained an array of transferable skills, including:

• high-level communication expertise

• a critical ability in the use of theoretical perspectives

• research, analysis and project management

• fluency with academic concepts and theories

• how to develop original insights and arguments.

Graduates can pursue careers in:

• journalism

• media production

• public relations

• creative industries.