Hi Eleri26,
I am a recent graduate from London Metropolitan University and I studied for a BA in journalism. It is true that you can work in journalism without a journalism degree, however, a degree in journalism is a huge help in the industry. Here at LMU, I was taught by some fantastic lecturers who are all wonderful journalists. Some here write for The Guardian, for NME, some are producers at the BBC, some produce radio news like 5Live and so on.
I enjoyed the past three years so much and I have gained so much experience because of it. Not only are you taught how to write news stories for both news and features in either print or online, you are taught skills that increase your chances of working in the industry. You are taught how to use nearly the entire Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Premier Pro, Audition), shorthand, camera skills, editing skills, radio production, presenting, investigative journalism skills and so much more. Here, we were taught and given the opportunity to build our own magazines from scratch, both online and in print. We produced, directed, wrote and presented our own television shows and radio shows. We learnt how to use all the equipment to put together a great radio/TV piece and had voice training to help us sound wonderful on camera or radio.
Skills like these are essential for a journalist because, and we have been told this for three years by professionals, your editor will want to know that you have transferable skills so you can report on absolutely anything with any equipment, be it pen or camera.
Here at London Met, you get to specialise in your second year and third year. I chose to do campaign journalism and arts journalism, but others chose science, data, fashion or others. In third year, when you do your dissertation (the topic you decide) you get placed with a lecturer who has contacts and experience in that area. I did my dissertation on anxiety and my advisor was a lecturer who had contacts in the health industry and who has freelanced and been employed by health magazines in the past.
A journalism degree will really make you stand out because papers, magazines, TV. radio, know how much goes into a journalism degree. I have attached the video of our soon to be journalism graduates and what they have to say about studying journalism at university.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OiK1EkJoRaEThe graduates, my friends from the course, have got great jobs. One directed and produced his own documentary and it's just been shown on TV! One is a journalist for a mortgage and insurance magazine, another travels the UK interviewing bands, a friend gets to go to all film premieres and interviews actors/actresses, I have gone into content marketing and freelancing, another is in PR, one of the magazines that was made in third year has been given funding to be put on the shelves! So much can come from it. You can go into so much!
As for what you should do beforehand, media is a great idea to get you used to camera work because it can be daunting on a journalism degree when you meet a big camera for the first time. Anything creative always helps! Other than that, pick something you are passionate about! Passion always helps journalism. I chose geography at A-levels because I absolutely adore traveling, nature, how the world ticks and I have shown that in my degree. I am also passionate about mental health, which has made my writing so much better. Do something you are passionate about and a journalism degree will come much easier.
I recommend you start a blog and just write about what you love. If a university then asks you for a portfolio, you have a range of things to send them. A portfolio is always great! I also recommend getting any experience that you can because it goes a long way! Write for a school paper or try to freelance.
If you have any questions, we are always here to offer advice or answer any questions you may have.
Molly