Is it worth studying journalism BA?

2

I want to get into the field of journalism, however i was wondering what would be the best route to take in terms of higher education. I was going to study it at bachelors level, however I have heard that a lot of journalists only take journalism as a masters to a degree in english or communications. I wanted to ask if this information is correct, and if so what undergrad degree would be best to take.

Reply 1

evelynhh

3

Original post

by Erin17908

I want to get into the field of journalism, however i was wondering what would be the best route to take in terms of higher education. I was going to study it at bachelors level, however I have heard that a lot of journalists only take journalism as a masters to a degree in english or communications. I wanted to ask if this information is correct, and if so what undergrad degree would be best to take.

I can’t comment on any advice but I’m thinking of going down the journalism route as well but instead I might find apprenticeships. Currently, I feel that in this field skills are more valuable than qualifications so maybe try your masters and then try find an apprenticeship placement with a well-known company so you have a good mix.

Reply 2

NallyCityUniRep

Official Rep

7

Original post

by Erin17908

I want to get into the field of journalism, however i was wondering what would be the best route to take in terms of higher education. I was going to study it at bachelors level, however I have heard that a lot of journalists only take journalism as a masters to a degree in english or communications. I wanted to ask if this information is correct, and if so what undergrad degree would be best to take.

Hi! My name is Nally, currently studying Media, Communications and Sociology with Quantitative Methods at City St George’s, University of London. While I’m not doing pure journalism, there’s definitely a lot of overlap in terms of the skills we learn – things like critical thinking, media analysis, storytelling, research, and even some content creation.

It really depends on what kind of journalism you want to enter. A journalism undergraduate degree can give a very focused and practical foundation (news writing, media laws, ethics, cultural contexts). If you're already sure about journalism, a BA in Journalism can be great for building technical skills early on. But if you’re still exploring, something like Media and Communications keeps your options open while still developing relevant skills.

I hope my answer helps!
Nally

Reply 3

Teesside University

Official Rep

17

Original post

by evelynhh

I can’t comment on any advice but I’m thinking of going down the journalism route as well but instead I might find apprenticeships. Currently, I feel that in this field skills are more valuable than qualifications so maybe try your masters and then try find an apprenticeship placement with a well-known company so you have a good mix.

Thank you for your question – it’s great to hear that you’re considering a career in journalism. :smile:

While it’s true that some journalists choose to pursue a master’s degree in journalism after studying a broader subject like English, politics or communications, going straight into a journalism degree at undergraduate level has some clear advantages, particularly here at Teesside University.

Our BA (Hons) Journalism course is designed to immerse you in the industry from day one. You’ll benefit from:

· Industry relationships: We have long-standing links with organisations including the BBC, Newsquest, Reach PLC and Middlesbrough Football Club, giving you direct access to supportive voices, specialist expertise and valuable networking opportunities that can help launch your career.

· Practitioner-informed teaching: You’ll be taught by experienced journalists who have worked across print, broadcast and online media, helping you to find and develop your own creative voice.

· State-of-the-art facilities: As Europe’s first Adobe Creative Campus and the only Apple-accredited university, we provide the latest digital tools to develop your skills. You’ll also gain hands-on experience in our TV studios, radio station and multimedia newsroom.

· Real publishing experience: You won’t just learn about journalism – you’ll be a journalist. Through our TUXtra platform, you’ll publish stories, work to deadlines and build a professional portfolio.

· National recognition: The course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), one of the most respected pathways into journalism. Our graduates go on to excellent outcomes, with 90% in work and/or further study within 15 months of completing their degree.

On top of this, you’ll have access to opportunities through our Creative UK membership, where you can attend exclusive networking events, workshops and professional development activities.

We are currently offering courses for clearing, you can find more information here: https://www.tees.ac.uk/clearing/

I hope that helps :smile:

J

Reply 4

AlexBryanHawley

5

Original post

by Erin17908

I want to get into the field of journalism, however i was wondering what would be the best route to take in terms of higher education. I was going to study it at bachelors level, however I have heard that a lot of journalists only take journalism as a masters to a degree in english or communications. I wanted to ask if this information is correct, and if so what undergrad degree would be best to take.

Hello Erin,

I have just completed an Access To HE Diploma: English Studies course to enable me to start university this September. It’s your best route if you do not have the necessary qualifications/a-levels. Look for an English/Humanities Access to HE diploma course. It’s typically 9-11 months. At least 15 hours a week studying roughly. ( though I recommend way more)

Top marks award you 144 UCAS points; but with an overall pass or a low amount of collected points in either Pass, Merit, Distinction. (N.B Access to HE diplomas are awarded points per unit instead of an overall grade).

Hope this helps,

Reply 5

UAL Rep Faye

Official Rep

13

Original post

by Erin17908

I want to get into the field of journalism, however i was wondering what would be the best route to take in terms of higher education. I was going to study it at bachelors level, however I have heard that a lot of journalists only take journalism as a masters to a degree in english or communications. I wanted to ask if this information is correct, and if so what undergrad degree would be best to take.

Hello,
I have just completed my journalism degree at UAL and can help out with your question.

What you choose study depends on the specialism you are considering in your career. For example, I want to go down the fashion route of journalism so I studied fashion journalism as the content I learned was more specific to that niche which was useful. So if you already have a clear idea of what type of journalism pathway you want to go down, studying that may be useful.

That being said, most university courses aren't too narrow so you are still given the freedom to explore within and outside the niche you have chosen. For example, my course was more about journalism with a focus in fashion so all the information I learnt, I can now choose to work in fashion, or transfer all those skills to sports or investigative journalism for example.

However, if you are still unsure, you can do as you suggested and take the general route of studying English, communication or just a broad journalism course. You will then be able to transfer the skills you learnt into your niche once you identify it.

My biggest advice is to look at the actual content you will be covering on the course you choose. University websites usually breakdown the content you will learn online so you have an idea of what topics you will explore and can decide if it is for you. Don't base your judgment of a course from its title as that can differ across different unis.

Is it worth studying journalism BA?

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