Enter OTP
The BA (Hons) Journalism with Media Studies at the University of Portsmouth is designed for creative, curious minds who want to explore how journalism and media shape the world. It combines practical storytelling, digital production, and media theory to prepare students for fast-evolving careers in journalism, broadcasting, and communication.
Curriculum Structure
Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in journalistic writing, media analysis, and digital storytelling. You’ll explore core modules such as Introduction to Journalism, Media and Society, and Writing and Reporting. This year helps you understand how news and media influence culture and gives you hands-on experience creating compelling content across platforms.
Year 2
The second year deepens your skills in multimedia production and critical thinking. Through modules like Feature Writing, Media Studies: Theories and Practices, and Digital Journalism, you’ll develop advanced reporting techniques while learning how to analyze and critique contemporary media. You’ll also gain experience working on real-world journalism projects, preparing you for professional work environments.
Year 3
In your final year, you’ll refine your professional voice and specialize in areas that match your career goals. Modules such as Specialist Journalism, Investigative Reporting, and a Final Year Project or Dissertation allow you to produce a substantial body of work that demonstrates your research, creativity, and editorial judgment. This year emphasizes independence and professional readiness for the media industry.
Focus Areas: Journalism, Media Studies, Digital Storytelling, Feature Writing, Media Theory, Investigative Reporting
Learning Outcomes: Graduates will master journalistic research, reporting, and editing skills; gain critical insight into media influence; and develop the ability to produce accurate, ethical, and engaging content across print, broadcast, and digital platforms.
Professional Alignment (Accreditation): This course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), ensuring that the curriculum meets industry standards and prepares students for professional journalism roles.
Reputation (Employability Rankings): The University of Portsmouth is ranked among the top modern universities in the UK for graduate employability and student satisfaction, recognized in national rankings such as The Guardian University Guide and QS World University Rankings.
Here’s how experiential learning works in the BA (Hons) Journalism with Media Studies at the University of Portsmouth—you’ll be doing, not just reading:
From Day 1, you’ll be using professional-standard equipment and learning in real media environments, not just classrooms. The School of Film, Media and Creative Technologies gives you access to studios, newsroom spaces, TV studios, digital suites, and immersive tech labs. You won’t just observe—you’ll produce content, work on journalism projects, collaborate in real teams, and take part in placements in the industry.
Here’s a closer look at what that actually means:
🎯 Experiential Learning – what you’ll do and use:
Student Newsroom: Work in a newsroom that mirrors real news organizations, equipped with 25 Apple iMacs and Adobe Creative Cloud (Premiere Pro, Photoshop, InDesign) for editing, layout, and audio-visual work.
Eldon TV Studios: Use the UK’s first university-based broadcasting studio, complete with multiple cameras, a TV studio gallery, mixing and control rooms, a green screen studio, and outside-broadcast cabling and uplink units.
White Swan TV Studio & Gallery: These spaces connect to the Eldon studios, offering alternative production and recording options.
CCI Open Access Suite: Macs and PCs with Adobe Creative Suite and other media production tools for coursework and personal projects.
Centre for Creative and Immersive Extended Reality (CCIXR): Explore VR, AR, and immersive media projects in this cutting-edge hub.
Modules like Mobile Journalism: Shoot, edit, and publish stories using smartphones and portable gear.
Group projects and media products: Collaborate with fellow students to produce multi-platform journalism pieces under real deadlines.
Industry placements: You can opt for short-term placements or a full placement year in newsrooms, agencies, or broadcasting, giving you hands-on experience in real media settings.
NCTJ-aligned training: The course prepares you for professional journalism exams and ensures you meet industry standards.
Diverse assessments: Instead of just essays, you’ll create podcasts, blogs, videos, news articles, and portfolios—so you graduate with a body of real media work.
Equipment loan stores: Borrow cameras, lighting, and recorders to complete your projects.
Library and digital resources: Access research materials, historical archives, and multimedia resources to support your studies.
In short: by studying this program, you won’t just learn journalism theory—you’ll practice it using industry tools, in real media settings, work in teams, take live briefs, and may even experience professional media work before you graduate.
Progression & Future Opportunities
Graduates from the BA (Hons) Journalism with Media Studies at the University of Portsmouth go on to dynamic careers across journalism, broadcasting, and digital media. Many find themselves working in fast-paced newsrooms, creative agencies, or communications roles where storytelling and media strategy intersect. Typical roles include journalist, media researcher, public relations officer, and digital content producer.
Your future is supported every step of the way through:
Careers and Employability Service – offering personalised career guidance, mock interviews, and networking opportunities with employers even after graduation.
Strong industry links – partnerships with media organisations such as the BBC, ITV, and The News, Portsmouth, give students access to real-world placements and professional projects.
Impressive graduate outcomes – 93% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of graduation (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2023).
Valuable accreditations – the course is accredited by the Professional Publishers Association (PPA), adding long-term credibility and recognition in the media industry.
Practical experience that counts – opportunities to work on live briefs and publish stories through Journalism at Portsmouth’s student media platforms, building a strong portfolio before entering the job market.
Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students can advance their expertise with postgraduate options such as the MA Journalism, MA Media and Communication, or MA Digital Media at the University of Portsmouth or other leading institutions worldwide — paving the way for careers in media management, research, or higher education.
A levels - BBB-BBC / IB: 24UCAS points - 112-120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalentIELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.TOEFL: 79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.GCSE: 2 GCSEs at grade C/4 or above to include English.For Indian Applicants: 70% in the Central Board AND Average of 75% or above in the 12 Standard (State Board) examinationsFor US Applicants: High School Diploma (usually GPA 3.0)AP: 444 / ACT: composite score of 27 / SAT: 1200 in SAT Reasoning (combined) and 3 SAT subject tests at scores of 600, 600, 600JournalistNews ReporterBroadcast PresenterMedia ResearcherDigital Content CreatorSocial Media ManagerPublic Relations OfficerCopywriterEditorCommunication SpecialistPress OfficerDocumentary ProducerMedia AnalystFeature WriterContent Strategist
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University of Portsmouth
