3 Years On Campus Dual-bachelors Program
If you’re passionate about how news shapes the world and want to understand the political forces behind it, Cardiff’s BA Journalism, Communications and Politics is an ideal choice. This unique degree blends media, communication, and political science, giving you the skills to analyse, report, and influence the stories that shape society.
Curriculum Structure
Year One
Your first year builds a strong foundation in both media and politics. You’ll explore how communication has evolved in History of Mass Communication and Culture, discover how journalism works in Understanding Journalism Studies, and get to grips with key political ideas in Introduction to Political Science or Introduction to International Relations. Through lectures, seminars, and group work, you’ll develop critical thinking and analytical skills from day one.
Year Two
In your second year, you’ll shape the degree around your interests. Choose modules like Media, Power and Society to understand how media influences politics, or Public Relations and Political Communication to explore strategic messaging. You’ll also learn essential research techniques in Doing Media Research: Approaches and Methods, and can study the impact of technology on global politics in Digital Technologies and Global Politics. This year is all about applying theory to real-world contexts and preparing for independent research.
Year Three
Your final year is where everything comes together. You’ll carry out your own in-depth research through a Dissertation and dive deeper into specialist topics like The Making and Shaping of News or Spin Unspun: Public Relations and the News Media. You can also take the Politics in Practice work placement module to gain valuable hands-on experience and industry connections before you graduate.
Focus areas: Journalism, media and society, political communication, public relations, research methods
Learning outcomes: Critical thinking, communication skills, media and political analysis, research design, professional readiness
Professional alignment: Builds core skills valued by employers across journalism, public affairs, politics, and communications
Reputation: Cardiff is ranked among the UK’s top universities for media and communications, with strong industry links and excellent graduate outcomes
At Cardiff, learning is designed to be hands-on from the very beginning. You won’t just study theories — you’ll apply them in real-world settings that reflect how journalism, communication, and politics work today. From producing multimedia stories in professional-standard newsrooms to analysing political events and engaging with industry professionals, the course gives you plenty of opportunities to practise what you learn.
You’ll study in one of the UK’s most respected journalism schools, with access to state-of-the-art facilities and opportunities to work on real projects. Modules include collaborative group work, research activities, and professional practice, helping you develop the skills and confidence that employers value.
Here’s how Cardiff helps you learn by doing:
Professional newsroom experience in six on-campus newsrooms equipped with industry-standard tools, simulating the pace and demands of a real media environment.
Access to specialist equipment including cameras, audio recorders and digital video tools to produce broadcast-quality content for coursework and projects.
Open-access computer labs with industry software for editing, publishing, and multimedia production.
Study visits and modules co-taught with professionals from Westminster and government agencies, giving you direct insight into how political institutions operate.
Opportunities to work on community projects, media collaborations, and work placements integrated into the course, allowing you to build real-world experience and networks before graduation.
Dedicated journalism and media library and purpose-built media spaces designed for collaborative learning and creative projects.
This combination of practical training, real-world exposure, and professional-standard resources ensures you graduate with the skills, confidence, and experience to succeed in journalism, communications, politics, and related fields.
A degree in Journalism, Communications and Politics from Cardiff opens the door to a wide range of exciting and meaningful careers. Graduates go on to shape public opinion, craft communication strategies, and influence decision-making across media, government, business, and non-profit sectors. Typical career paths include roles such as journalist or broadcaster, public relations and communications specialist, policy advisor or political analyst, and campaign or media strategist.
Here’s how Cardiff helps you launch a successful career:
Dedicated career support: Cardiff’s Student Futures team offers one-to-one advice, CV and interview workshops, employer networking events, and internship opportunities to help you transition smoothly into the workplace.
Strong graduate outcomes: Around 96% of graduates from journalism and media programmes are in employment or further study within 15 months, and 86% are working in highly skilled roles.
Industry connections that matter: You’ll benefit from Cardiff’s close links with media organisations, government agencies, NGOs, and communication consultancies through guest lectures, real-world projects, and placement opportunities.
Real-world experience: Modules like Politics in Practice offer practical placements, while collaborative projects and study visits build your professional confidence and network before graduation.
Long-term career value: Cardiff’s strong reputation and high employability rankings enhance the global recognition of your degree, giving you a competitive edge in the job market.
Further Academic Progression:
Many graduates choose to deepen their expertise with postgraduate study. Cardiff offers professionally accredited master’s degrees such as MA Broadcast Journalism, MA International Public Relations and Global Communications Management, MA News Journalism, and MA Magazine Journalism, which can further specialise your skills and open advanced career pathways.
Embark on your educational journey with confidence! Our team of admission experts is here to guide you through the process. Book a free session now to receive personalized advice, assistance with applications, and insights into your dream school. Whether you're applying to college, graduate school, or specialized programs, we're here to help you succeed.