Journalism and Language Studies

What is BA Journalism and Language Studies?
BA Journalism and Language Studies is a three-year degree, with opportunities to study abroad, taught at our Colchester campus.

In a global and digital world, the ability to communicate across languages and cultures is increasingly valuable. This course combines practical journalism training with modern language study, enabling you to develop multimedia storytelling skills while building fluency in one or more languages.

Why this course
This degree brings together two complementary disciplines: journalism and language studies. You'll learn how to research, create, and share stories across a range of media platforms while developing the language skills and cultural understanding needed to communicate with diverse audiences around the world.

Through the language component of the course, you can study French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish as a main language, with Mandarin Chinese available as an additional option. Alongside this, you'll gain practical experience in journalism across radio, television, and online media.

As a student at one of the UK's leading social science institutions, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the political, cultural, and social contexts that shape the stories journalists tell. You'll study within a diverse international community and gain valuable global perspectives throughout your degree.

This course is ideal if you want to combine language expertise with professional communication skills and prepare for a career in an increasingly connected world.

Who should apply

• Students interested in journalism, media, and global communication

• Those who enjoy learning languages and exploring different cultures

• Learners seeking practical multimedia skills alongside academic study

• Anyone looking to build an international career in media, communications, or related fields

What you’ll learn

• Multimedia journalism: Create content for radio, television, digital, and online platforms

• International journalism: Explore journalism practices and reporting in a global context

• Language proficiency: Develop advanced skills in up to two languages from our range of modern languages

• Translation and intercultural communication: Build the skills needed to communicate across languages and cultures

• Global cultures: Study topics such as world cinema and international cultural developments

Your learning experience

• Practical journalism training: Develop production skills across multiple media channels

• Flexible language study: Choose from a range of modern languages and tailor your degree to your interests

• International perspective: Explore global cultures, media systems, and communication practices

• Interdisciplinary learning: Combine language expertise with journalistic storytelling and analysis

• Diverse academic community: Study alongside students from around the world in two dynamic departments

Careers and outcomes
A BA in Journalism and Language Studies equips you with language proficiency, multimedia expertise, and intercultural communication skills that are highly valued across a range of industries:

• Journalism and broadcasting: Reporting and producing content for local, national, and international audiences

• Media and communications: Creating content and managing communications across global markets

• International organisations: Supporting communication and engagement across languages and cultures

• Translation and language services: Facilitating communication between international audiences

• Public relations and digital media: Developing campaigns and content for multilingual environments

• You'll graduate with a combination of practical media skills, language expertise, and global awareness that can open doors to careers around the world.

See our website for information on modules you can study as part of this course.