BA Journalism and Politics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Essex

Program Overview

If you’re interested in how the world works and love the idea of telling real stories that matter, this course is a perfect fit. It blends journalism training with political understanding — so you’re not just reporting information, you’re analysing why things happen and how to explain them clearly to the public.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 – Building the Basics
You start by learning the foundations of journalism in modules like Essential Journalism — everything from finding a story to writing and mobile news reporting. Alongside this, you’re introduced to politics through modules such as Introduction to Politics and History of Journalism, giving you an understanding of how governments, media, and public opinion connect.

Year 2 – Becoming a Multimedia Storyteller
In your second year, you get hands-on with different forms of media. You’ll create podcasts, videos, and online content in modules like Audio and Video for Broadcast and Online, while Feature Writing and Magazine Journalism help you sharpen your long-form writing. In politics, modules such as Ethics and Public Policy or Principles of Social Justice help you dig deeper into the big issues and decisions shaping society.

Year 3 (Final Year) – Professional Practice & Specialisation
Your final year is where it all comes together. You’ll take modules like Advanced Practical Journalism and Comparative Media Law and Regulation, and complete a major journalism project — often based on a political issue you care about. This is your chance to produce portfolio-ready work that mirrors real industry standards.

Focus Areas

“Multimedia reporting, political communication, media law, public policy, ethical journalism, and global politics.”

Learning Outcomes

“You’ll graduate able to research and produce professional news content, analyse political systems and events, apply media law and ethics, and communicate complex political issues in a clear, engaging way across digital and traditional platforms.”

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This course isn’t tied to a specific accreditation body, but it’s professionally focused and designed with industry standards in mind, preparing you for careers in journalism, media, public affairs, or political analysis.

Reputation / Employability

Essex’s Department of Government is ranked 2nd in the UK for research output in politics (REF 2021).
The university is well-recognised for political studies and journalism training with strong industry links and practical career support.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This course doesn’t just teach you theory — you actually get to experience what it’s like to work in a real newsroom. From your very first year, you’ll be using professional media equipment, working in studios, and producing stories based on real political events. The University’s dedicated Media Centre gives you access to cameras, recording equipment, editing rooms, and broadcast-standard studios — it feels like stepping into an actual media production house.

You’ll constantly learn by doing — creating political news reports, podcasts, documentaries, interviews, and online articles. Group projects mirror real newsroom teamwork, and by the final year, you’ll produce a full multimedia journalism project that can go straight into your portfolio.

And because this is paired with Politics, every story you produce is backed by a strong understanding of government, policy, campaigns, and public opinion — so your journalism isn’t just good, it’s informed.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Hands-on work in the Media Centre studios — with access to professional cameras, audio, lighting, and radio/podcast rooms.
Editing suites and digital tools — you’ll learn how to edit for online, video, and broadcast journalism using industry-standard software in the university's production labs.
Practical modules every year — like Essential Journalism, Audio & Video for Broadcast, and Advanced Practical Journalism, where you create real news stories and features.
Group-based newsroom projects — you work in teams just like real journalists do, planning, producing, and publishing stories.
Final-year multimedia project — your chance to create a professional investigative film, political documentary, campaign analysis, or digital news feature.
Politics applied to real issues — debates, simulations, media regulation, public policy analysis — linking journalism to what’s happening in governments and elections.
Modern libraries & digital archives — access to news databases, political archives, Hansard records, international press sources, and media law resources.
94% student satisfaction with learning resources — according to DiscoverUni, students praised the availability and quality of equipment, software, and facilities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this course don’t just leave with a degree — they leave with a voice, a portfolio, and the ability to understand and explain what’s really happening in the world. Whether you want to work in newsrooms, political campaigns, public affairs, or digital media, this course opens doors to careers like Broadcast Journalist, Political Correspondent, Communications Officer, or Policy and Public Affairs Analyst.

Because you’ll understand both how stories are made and how politics actually works, employers value this combination of creativity and critical thinking.

Here’s how Essex helps you get there:

Career support built into your degree – The Essex Careers Service offers one-to-one career coaching, CV and portfolio help, mock interviews, and direct links to employers in journalism, public policy, and media.
Strong graduate outcomes – Around 88% of Essex graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduating. Politics-related graduates earn around £26,500 on average 15 months after graduation, rising to £30,000–£32,000+ after a few years.
Industry-relevant teaching – You’ll be taught by journalists, political researchers, and media professionals who bring real newsroom experience and government insight into lectures and workshops.
Professional value beyond one industry – Even though the degree isn’t tied to a formal accreditation body, it offers long-term credibility in multiple sectors: news media, political consultancy, NGOs, campaigning organisations, think tanks, and digital content agencies.
Networking & real-world connections – Through guest speakers, political debates, media projects, and student journalism opportunities, you’ll start building professional contacts before you even graduate.

Further Academic Progression:

If you want to specialise further after your BA, you could explore:

Master’s degrees such as MA Journalism, MA Political Communication, MA International Relations, MA Public Policy, or MA Digital Media.
Research pathways like MPhil/PhD in Politics, Media, or Communication Studies.
Professional training in fields like Broadcast Journalism, Public Relations, Campaign Strategy, Political Consultancy, or Data Journalism.