From reporting on the latest sports fixtures to holding those in the upper echelons of power to account, journalists are versatile and imaginative communicators with skills in research, multimedia communication, and public engagement that make them essential to society.
Updated: 26 Jan 2026
There plenty of different types of journalist out there, so bear in mind that you might be doing any of the following: investigating news stories, writing articles or scripts, making video content, editing the work of other writers, interviewing people over the phone, or live reporting from the field.
In terms of your working environment, you might find yourself in a fast-paced office-based team, solo travelling abroad to cover a local story as it unfolds, or trawling the web from the comfort of your own home. The variety in this profession is huge, although you’ll usually be operating within tight deadlines, with a mixture of solo and team-based work.
Research skills
Whether it be searching for leads, fact-checking sources, or figuring out the logistics of delivering a story, you’ll need to be able to perform fast, effective research that moves your project forwards
Time management
Many journalists work with news and current events, and therefore time is of the essence. You’ll need to handle working under pressure to deliver stories as they unfold
Curiosity and confidence
Asking the right questions at the right time is often the key to truly compelling journalism
There aren’t really any specific A‑levels needed to study journalism at university, however, A-level subjects like English, history, politics, social sciences, and languages are all beneficial as they build relevant skills.
Accumulating experience through writing, editing, or participating in student media like a magazine or radio show is a great way to add depth to your application, and shows great active interest.
Most start out with a BA in Journalism, and specialise later in their studies, postgraduate degree, or early professional work, but if you already know what type of journalism you want to cover in your career, then there are many degree options which allow you to specialise from day one. Some of these include:
Sports Journalism
Multimedia Journalism
Broadcast Journalism
Fashion Journalism
Journalism and Creative Writing
NEXT: Explore the full range of journalism degree courses
Typically you’ll start with core modules in year one, before progressing to elective modules in year two and three, and your final year will include a dissertation project on a topic of your own choosing. You’ll be taught via a blend of lectures, group classes, and self-directed study, and will be assessed through written assignments, digital media projects, presentations and more.
Bachelor’s courses typically last three years, in which time you’ll develop your own style and language of communication, while starting to build a professional portfolio.
Degree apprenticeships in journalism do exist, and these give you a great opportunity to work and study at the same time. You’ll earn a wage from day one, while working on live projects, and best of all—your employer will cover your tuition fees.
You can also complete a postgraduate journalism course if you hold an undergraduate degree in an adjacent subject area, such as English, history, creative writing, marketing, or media and communication.
Graduates often start out as trainee reporters or editorial assistants at local publications, radio, TV, or online outlets. Starting salaries vary, but are typically around £19,000–£24,000, rising to an average of £33,500 with experience.
As you build your portfolio, you’ll be able to specialise in areas like sports, politics, crime, or digital storytelling, carving out a niche in which you can become confident and garner larger projects.
Journalism brings plenty of opportunity for freelance work, enabling you to work on your own terms, and pursue the clients that interest you the most.
Get published early
Get involved with student media at your sixth form, local outlets, or online platforms where you can make your work accessible
Network actively
Contact people you’d like to work with—even if it seems unlikely they’ll want to collaborate. You never know how things will turn out, and it’s good to be on people’s radar for future opportunities
Build digital fluencies
Video content, SEO, blog writing, social media, data journalism—these skills make you more competitive, and allow you to take on a wider variety of projects
“We are trained to the standard of professional journalists, doing tasks similar to those out on the field and using equipment we would be expected to use. We follow formats like real-industry news days and get to produce projects across many mediums.”— Hannah, MA Multimedia Journalism at Bournemouth University
NEXT: Check out hundreds of student reviews
Can I become a journalist without a degree?
Yes, absolutely. Formal education is not a prerequisite, however it does give you a fantastic incubation period where you can experiment and hone your strengths before stepping out into the world
Is journalism a secure career?
It’s highly competitive and ever-evolving, but if you diversify your skills and are willing to adapt to varied roles in media, communications, PR, or content creation, then you’ll find a steady stream of opportunities
Ready to launch your career in communication? Explore a vast ecosystem of journalism courses today and find the one that resonates with you the most.
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