This unique BA Journalism course will move you through theory, skills and production toward the pursuit of an exciting career in the increasingly global and digital journalism industries.
Taught by staff with academic expertise and professional experience, you’ll develop journalism skills and receive training in TV, radio and digital production – all alongside theoretical study.
You’ll learn how to spot and investigate a news story, then write, produce and edit your own work across different platforms in our industry-standard studios, editing rooms and media suites.
Your work as a journalist will be informed by expert knowledge and academic research. Our internationally recognised lecturers will engage you in critical and theoretical debates about the role of journalism in politics and society, as well as discussions about ethical issues and regulation of the media. You will learn about the new challenges journalism faces both as an industry and as a public service, and the transformations journalism has experienced through digital technologies.
We will encourage you to develop links with the media industry, with opportunities to meet and learn from a range of professionals throughout your course. Recent guest speakers have included senior journalists from the BBC, Channel 4, commercial radio and the independent production sector. You’ll also have options to take a work placement, year in industry or year abroad to put your skills into practice. Leeds University Union’s (LUU) award-winning student media societies provide a further opportunity to get hands-on experience of making TV, radio and digital content.
In your first year, you will explore the fundamentals of journalism study and practice. You will learn how to find and research a news story and develop the personal and communication skills to stand out in a fast-paced world of media and journalism. You will learn the basic building blocks to begin producing your own journalism for audio, video and digital platforms. You will explore the study and critical discussion of journalism as both a subject of academic inquiry and an arena of professional practice. You will develop your news literacy and gain an understanding of the laws and regulations governing the media. You will explore the relationship between journalism and democracy and discover how journalism is shaped by power holders in politics, business and technology.
In your second year, you will build on this knowledge, where you will extend and specialise through real world briefs, collaboration, industry challenges and by expanding your networks. You will learn how to investigate and develop a story using investigative journalism techniques such as data journalism, freedom of information requests and working with case studies. You will write, produce and edit your own stories in our industry-standard studios, editing rooms and media suites. You'll practice these skills in a simulated newsroom environment during 'newsdays'.
You will develop your critical thinking through research informed teaching from leading international researchers. This includes the exploration of ethical and global issues, critically reflecting on the implications of developments in the way journalism is produced, distributed and consumed for the role of journalism in democratic societies. You can also specialise in areas of the study and practice of media and communication by choosing options in years two and three from within the School of Media and Communication or beyond.
In your final year of study, you synthesise your knowledge, critical thinking and professional skills with either a major research project (Dissertation) or a piece of practice-based research work (Project and mini-dissertation) in the field.
Production and industry are integrated into this course throughout, and you’ll also have the option of a work placement to gain experience and put your skills into practice. We encourage y
ou to expand your academic and professional horizons with the option to work in industry or study abroad for a year, turning your programme into a four-year experience. Through optional modules, you can choose to specialise in topics including the reporting of politics, climate communication and popular music in society.
The BA Journalism course in the School of Media and Communication at Leeds is dynamic, forward-thinking and well regarded, and embedded in a thriving research culture.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM1014 | Introduction to Journalism Studies | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM1015 | Introduction to Journalism Skills | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM1016 | Introduction to Journalism Production | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM1230 | Introduction to Media and Communication Research | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM1320 | Journalism, Politics and Society | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM1350 | Introduction to Media Law and Regulation | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
Investigative Journalism - 20 credits
Broadcast Journalism Practice - 20 credits - prerequisite for COMM3390 - PFP
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM2300 | Journalism Ethics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
| COMM2375 | Issues in Journalism | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2385 | Digital Journalism | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM2725 | Digital Cultures | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM2777 | Working in Digital Media Teams | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM2910 | Communication Research Methods | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM2950 | Media, Power and Social Justice | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| CSER2206 | Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| FOAH2020 | Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Candidates may replace 20 credits of options with 20 credits of discovery modules in semester two if timetabling allows
The module list is indicative and may vary each year depending on staff availability
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM3390 | Live News Production | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study ONE of the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM3300 | Journalism Individual Project Portfolio | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
| COMM3910 | Communication Dissertation | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study 60 credits from the following optional modules:
The module list is indicative and may vary each year depending on staff availability
Basket A
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM3130 | The Documentary and Reality | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3250 | Feminism, Identity and Media | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3260 | Understanding the Audience | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3340 | The Reporting of Politics | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3355 | Journalism Placement | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| LAW3280 | Media Law | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) |
Basket B
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM3180 | International Communication | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3550 | Popular Music and Society | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3866 | Global migration, ‘race’ and media | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3925 | War and Media | 20 | Not running in 202526 | |
| COMM3950 | Promotional Culture | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3960 | Creative Work in the Cultural Industries | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates may replace 20 credits of options with 20 credits of discovery modules if timetabling allows.
The module list is indicative and may vary each year depending on staff availability.
Last updated: 10/03/2025 16:40:04
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