BA Hons Journalism, Media and Communication & Human Resource Management

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Strathclyde

Program Overview

This BA (Hons) degree brings together the creative, fast‑moving world of media and communication with the strategic, people‑centred discipline of human resource management. It is ideal for students who are eager to tell stories, craft messages, and also understand how organisations and their employees work — giving them both creative and operational strengths in the job market.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In the first year, students begin with foundational modules in journalism, media and communication — such as Introduction to Journalism, Media & Communication and Introduction to News & Features — which build essential skills in reporting, writing, interviewing and understanding media systems. Simultaneously they study the HRM element via Managing People, gaining a broad overview of people management, workplace dynamics and organisational contexts.

Year 2
In the second year, the media side deepens via mandatory modules like News Reporting and Writing and Journalism, Media & Communication: Theories & Methods, along with options such as Digital Media: Histories, Theories, Practices or Feature Writing — so students advance both conceptually and practically in digital and feature‑journalism domains. The HRM half now focuses on areas such as recruitment & selection, teams and groups, employee commitment and engagement — showing students how people are managed and motivated in real workplaces.

Year 3
In year three, students continue to advance their media skills and conceptual understanding — taking option modules reflecting current media trends (for example, in digital storytelling, media law, or changing audiences) and may have opportunities for professional placements or practical projects. On the HRM side, year three advances into the employment‑relationship domain: topics such as power and authority, interests and conflict in organisations, and advanced organisational behaviour become central.

Year 4
In this Honours year, students have the chance to choose from specialised media modules (such as Digital Tools & Data Journalism, News Consumption, Trust & Misinformation, or a major project/dissertation in media and communication) alongside HRM specialist classes. The combination allows them to integrate creative media practice with strategic human‑resource management insight, preparing them for diverse career paths.

Focus Areas

Media production and storytelling (print, digital, broadcast, social), communication theory and critical media studies, organisational behaviour and employment relations, people management strategy, digital journalism tools, and workplace dynamics.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be effective communicators and storytellers equipped to produce high‑quality media content and critically analyse media systems, while also possessing solid competency in managing people and workplace processes — including recruitment, training, conflict resolution and organisational strategy.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

While the programme does not list a single accrediting body for HRM, the HRM component maps closely to core professional competencies within HR practice (recruitment, training, employment relations, organisational behaviour) and the media component aligns with industry demands for digital journalism, content creation and media literacy.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Strathclyde is ranked 1st in the UK for Communication & Media Studies according to The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026.
Graduate‑outcome data shows a high employment rate, with 95% of students from related programmes in employment or further study 15 months after graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Strathclyde, this joint degree isn’t just about theory — you’ll be immersed in industry-relevant work, developing journalism skills while also grounding yourself in the world of HR. You’ll work on real media projects, get exposure to newsrooms, and collaborate with companies through your HR studies. In your final year, you even have the choice of doing a work-based placement module in the media sector. Plus, you’ll benefit from guest lectures by professionals in broadcasting, NGOs, and government bodies, and participate in student-run media activities such as the campus newspaper and radio. This hands-on mix helps you build a professional-ready portfolio and network.

Here are the main experiential components:

Work Placement (Media): In Year 4, take a credit-bearing placement in newsrooms, non-profits, government bodies, or other media organisations.
Work-Based Learning Class: Apply your journalism and media knowledge in real contexts, including projects with broadcast organisations, charities, and publishers.
Final Year Project / Dissertation: Choose between an academic research dissertation or a practical project, such as a digital journalism portfolio, under faculty supervision.
Guest Lectures & Industry Engagement: Regular talks from journalists, media leaders, third-sector professionals, and government bodies help you stay connected to the real world.
Field Trips & Media Networking: Visit newsrooms in Glasgow (including BBC and STV) and other media organisations as part of your curriculum.
Student Media Clubs: Write for or run the campus newspaper, work with the podcast society, or join the radio/podcast clubs — excellent hands-on experience.
HRM Group Projects: Work on team-based assignments, engaging in real business-case problem-solving with input from industrial partners.
HRM Student Society: Connect with alumni, employers, and peers through the HRM Society, enhancing learning and career prospects.
Study Abroad Option: Spend one or two semesters abroad in Europe, North America, or other destinations for a broader global outlook.

Facilities & Academic Support

To support this practical learning, Strathclyde offers:

Strong Media Teaching Team: Lecturers are active researchers and media professionals, keeping classroom learning up-to-date with current industry trends.
Guest Speaker Series: The department regularly hosts journalists, editors, and communication experts.
Tutorials & Seminars: Smaller seminar classes allow you to workshop stories, get feedback, and critically engage with media theory.
Online Learning Tools: HRM modules use structured online teaching materials, with group work supported by digital platforms.
Library & Digital Resources: Access Strathclyde’s extensive library databases for media theory, HR research, and reporting, plus computer facilities.
Career Support: Strong involvement from the Careers Service helps you find internships, placements, and work experience aligned with both journalism and HR interests.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this joint degree can move into roles that combine media savvy with HR/business skills. Typical career paths include journalist or content creator, internal communications officer, HR assistant or recruiter, or media relations specialist. Over time, you could progress to HR manager, communications or PR manager, or even digital media strategist.

Here’s how Strathclyde supports you — and how this degree gives you a meaningful, flexible start:

University Support & Employability Services
- Strathclyde’s Careers & Employability Service provides one-on-one counselling, help with applications, and access to employer networks.
- Work-based learning is built into the programme: in your fourth (honours) year, you can take a credit-bearing placement option in newsrooms, third-sector organisations, government bodies, and more.
- There are guest lectures and strong industry engagement every year — external speakers from the media world help you build professional networks.
- Student societies give practical platforms: many students work in the Strathclyde Telegraph, run Fusion Radio, lead podcast projects, or join photo and media clubs.
Graduate Employment & Potential Roles
- Journalism/media graduates go into roles like press officer, marketing & media officer, freelance journalist, PR assistant, and more.
- HRM graduates work as HR trainees, HR assistants, recruitment consultants, and in general administration/management roles across sectors.
Industry Connections & Accreditation
- Through the HRM subject, you study recruitment, training, conflict management, and employment relationships — all highly relevant to modern business.
- Strathclyde Business School is triple-accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), adding significant credibility to the HRM portion of your degree.
- The Department of Work, Employment & Organisation is a CIPD‑approved centre, meaning your HR training is professionally recognised.
Long-Term Value
- This degree is rare in combining creative media understanding with business and people management, making you more versatile.
- In an increasingly digital and content-driven business world, organisations need people who can craft messages and understand organisational behaviour — you get both.
- Placement experience and real-world project work, such as your honours dissertation, help you build a strong portfolio and professional experience.
Graduate Outcomes
- Graduates secure roles in journalism, public relations, internal communications, corporate media, and HR departments.
- HRM training also opens opportunities in graduate schemes, recruitment roles, and broader management positions.

Further Academic Progression:

You could pursue an MSc in Digital Journalism or Media & Communication, building on the skills and knowledge from your degree.
If you lean more into HR, an MSc Human Resource Management can lead to professional CIPD membership.
For research or specialised academic roles, a PhD in Media / Communication or PhD in Work & Employment Studies is possible, offering paths into academia, policy, or consultancy.