A varied and flexible journalism degree
This degree starts by teaching you the essential knowledge and skills that all journalists or content creators need — for example, research, finding interviewees, writing skills, audio and video skills and using photographic imagery. You will also learn audience theory and broader intellectual skills, such as critical thinking and reading.
Once you are confident in these foundational areas, you will have a lot of freedom to determine the content you want to create and the format you want to make it in. Through optional modules and assignments, you can set your own agenda and go out and find stories to report on, whether those are about politics, business, fashion, sport, music or food. We'll also provide opportunities for you to cover local events, such as fashion shows, sports competitions, music concerts and more.
We give all journalism students an online platform for their work — storyhub — and you will also get the opportunity to gain work experience with local news outlets and magazines. If you choose to join our student-run communications agency, you can get extra experience of working for real clients and further insight into how content is used for PR/marketing purposes.
Building industry knowledge and contacts
This BA (Hons) Journalism features a packed programme of guest speakers and events designed to boost your industry contacts and career prospects. Collectively, our teaching team have a diverse range of experience and contacts, which they gained while working as journalists. This means you will regularly have contact with professionals from the journalism field or the wider creative industries.
One frequent visitor is the TV broadcaster, sports commentator and actor, Arlo White, who has an honorary degree from our University. We also have links with Reach plc, who own local news outlets, as well as local PR companies.
Our annual Employability Day — described as 'speed-dating for students and employers' — is a unique opportunity to speak one-to-one with industry figures and ask them anything you want. Our students usually have really open, honest conversations with employers at this event, which can help them decide on their next career move. Of course, it's also an excellent place to network and find placements and job opportunities.
Outstanding facilities
You'll be based at our Markeaton Street site in Derby, which has a purpose-built journalism facility. This includes three radio studios, a fully equipped television studio, video editing suites, Mac suites and a newsroom featuring the latest software. Our radio studios have recently been refurbished and fitted with Calrec technology — a leading range of broadcast audio mixing consoles and equipment. All large media companies are now migrating to this technology, so we're ahead of the game.
This means you’ll be confident using industry-standard technology, giving you a real advantage when you're looking for a job.
Study abroad
We offer various opportunities for you to spend time in another country, including studying at our partner universities or working on a placement or internship.
Following the UK’s departure from the European Union, the Government is launching a new scheme to fund study exchanges and placements abroad. The new Turing scheme will replace Erasmus+, the Europe-wide student exchange programme.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
You will learn in a variety of ways, including through:
- workshops
- news days
- lectures
- seminars
- real-world learning/projects
- fieldtrips
- technical visits
- conferences
Assessment
You will be assessed by coursework assignments, which may include:
- video and audio packages
- social media campaigns
- radio reports or podcasts
- features and news articles
- magazines
- academic essays
These assignments will enable you to build up a wide-ranging portfolio of work to show employers when you graduate.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Find out more about personal academic tutoring
2023 entry
These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2023 entry.
| Requirement | What we're looking for | | UCAS points | 104-112 |
| A Level | BBC-BCC |
| T Level | Merit |
| BTEC | DMM |
| GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Access to HE | Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 |
Offers will be made initially based on your application, including predicted grades and/or grades you have already achieved. You may be given the opportunity, within your offer letter, to submit a portfolio. If you submit a strong portfolio we will make you an unconditional offer, to reflect the quality of your work and your potential.
Additional entry requirements
English language requirements
IELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each skills area)
This course develops the broad range of knowledge and skills you need to become a multimedia professional, adept in the production of content for print, online and broadcast outlets. These skills can take you anywhere in the world.
You’ll be prepared not only for a career in journalism, online or broadcast media production, but also for roles in social media, content creation, marketing communications/PR, advertising, law and public administration or politics. In fact, the research and communication skills of a journalist are highly transferable to a huge variety of graduate level jobs.
If you would like to continue your studies at masters level, our MA Journalism is the ideal next step.
Ensuring you’re ‘work-ready’
Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with support from day one of your course to ensure you leave Derby as a ‘work-ready’ graduate - industry aware, motivated and enterprising. Throughout your studies, you’ll also benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions. The support continues once you’ve completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.
Included in your fees
- Access to the Equipment Centre which stocks a huge range of cameras, audio equipment, and accessories which are available for booking by students at no cost
- Various day field trips – for example, these have included Alton Towers, Shrovetide Football, the Bradford National Media Museum, and Escape rooms in the past year
- Mandatory trips to media companies or other interesting organisations. Previous trips have included visiting BBC Radio Derby, the Derby Telegraph, the Nottingham Post and BBC News and Sport at Salford
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Some equipment including storage drives (about £10) and external storage drives (£50 - £100) for use with cameras.
Optional costs not included in your fees
- It is useful but not essential to have a smartphone (£50 - £750)
- Some students choose to buy accessories for the phone such as external microphones (approx. £10 - £15) and tripods (£5 - £25)
- Some students also find it useful to purchase their own laptop for use in the field but this is not required (from £150)
- It is also possible that you will want to travel to cover particular news stories - as this is not required by the course, the cost is not covered in your fees.
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
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