Journalism - Subject Guide

There are lots of different ways to acquire information and many more different styles in which to write and publish. As a result, there’s a whole range of different types of journalism, and many different routes you can take to specialise in the area which resonates with you the most. 

Some of these include: 

• Investigative journalism: A very hands-on type of work, investigative journalists delve deep into research, uncovering facts and exposing wrongdoing, corruption, or societal issues. It involves interviews and in-depth analysis, where professionals often become part of the story to produce in-depth reports. 

• Broadcast journalism: Simply put, this is journalism for television and radio. It usually involves presenting news stories in a concise, engaging format for broadcast to a wide audience. Broadcast journalists often work under tight deadlines, delivering breaking news updates and providing live coverage of events. 

• Photojournalism: This is often a slower and more contemplative style of visual storytelling, told through images to convey compelling stories moments in time. Photojournalists document events, people, and places, often in challenging or dangerous environments, to inform and evoke emotional responses in viewers. 

• Opinion journalism: This highly subjective form of reporting offers commentary and personal perspectives on current events or trends. Opinion journalists publish through newspaper columns, editorials, and opinion pieces to provide personal insight that reflect many different viewpoints and ideological perspectives. 

• Sports journalism: There’s a lot going on in the world of sports. Sports journalists report on matches, athletes, and organisations, providing up-to-the-minute analysis for sports enthusiasts. They cover a wide range of sports, from mainstream to underground, delivering live commentary, match reports, and human-interest stories. 

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• News writing 

• Media law and ethics 

• Feature writing 

• Interviewing techniques 

• Multimedia storytelling 

• Smartphone journalism 

• Journalism ethics and regulation 

• Political reporting 

• Investigative reporting 

• Broadcast journalism 

You’ll be equipped with essential skills for researching, writing, and reporting news stories across various media platforms, from traditional print media to the most cutting-edge online content. You’ll learn how to gather information, conduct interviews and verify sources to produce accurate and engaging content. You’ll craft storytelling abilities, as well as covering the ethical principles and legal frameworks required to perform fair and representative  journalism.  

Additionally, you’ll gain proficiency in a wide range of transferable skills that'll prove useful whatever your career progression after university, for example: 

• Research skills 

• Advanced written communication  

• Time management  

• Interpersonal communication 

• Editing 

Professional bodies such as the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) or the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) provide accreditation for university courses in the UK. 

This ensures that courses meet professional standards and completing an accredited journalism degree may also offer exemptions from professional qualifications offered by NCTJ or BJTC. 

There are plenty of alternative degree pathways, that contain similar course content to journalism. If you’re thinking about a career in writing, research, or reporting then consider these related subjects before making your final undergraduate university choices: 

• English literature 

• Photography 

• Media studies 

• Communications 

• Creative writing 

You can become part of the immense flow of information and culture that is the modern media landscape. You can relay news and current events to the public, unmasking the realities of society and the systems which govern them.

Alternatively, you could provide a valuable service to cultural and sporting institutions by informing the public about what’s on and why it’s interesting. You’ll be able to find work in a huge variety of places,  with options to focus on a niche area of interest, or work more broadly, perhaps finding opportunities to travel and explore new and unreported stories around the world. 

Some career options available to journalism graduates include: 

• Reporter 

• Broadcast journalist 

• Writer 

• Social media editor 

• Public relations 

• Digital marketing executive 

• Publishing editor 

• Travel writer 

• Food critic 

These are just a few of the most common job roles. You'll find plenty of other options available to you, and you can also continue your studies by completing a postgraduate degree in journalism or a related subject. 

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