• Undergraduate

Broadcast and Digital Journalism BA (Hons)

Overview

Overview

Why study at UWL? 
  • In the top 30% of universities nationwide - The Guardian University Guide 2024
  • University of the Year for Social Inclusion - Daily Mail University Guide 2024
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
  • Number 1 London university (non-specialist) - National Student Survey 2023**
Why study this course?

Are you looking for a journalism degree that combines studying traditional formats alongside rapidly developing contemporary media? 

This course offers you the opportunity to train in a variety of journalistic forms, including video, radio and digital journalism as well as learning the basics of sound reporting, experimenting with new formats and having an opportunity to learn through work experience.

You will develop communication skills, learn creative techniques and enhance your technical abilities in preparation for a variety of future careers.

View some of our students' recent work.

A male student with headphones talking during a radio broadcast

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Broadcast and Digital Journalism with us?

Why study Broadcast and Digital Journalism with us?

What our students say…

They've really given me a platform to improve on my skills. I've gained confidence and now I'm doing all of these different things that I wouldn't have done if I hadn't come here. They've helped me get the experiences I need for the future as well.

Tom Burton
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Industry focused teaching
Audio student practices in one of UWL's radio studios
statistic announcing this course has been ranked 23rd overall in the UK by the Guardian University Guide
Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

The worlds of radio, TV, social media and digital technologies are exciting, stimulating and demanding. This broadcast and digital journalism degree is designed to equip you with the knowledge and experience to apply your skills and understanding of broadcast and online journalism in practical, real-life scenarios.

You will gain both academic and professional broadcasting skills including:

  • research writing
  • presentation and production
  • newsgathering
  • documentary production
  • broadcasting news
  • live magazine programming
  • evaluating broadcast policy
  • journalistic law.

During your studies, you will face new and challenging ways of telling stories and reporting events. This reporting could span a range of formats and settings, providing additional context to this interesting area of work. 

UWL boasts an extensive complex of studios equipped to professional specifications, including:

  • a radio studio
  • a TV studio
  • Mac labs
  • a photography studio.

You will use these facilities to create journalistic material for various modules and the News Days that form an integral part of the course.

You will also have the opportunity to gain valuable industry-based work experience, which will give you an insight into the employment opportunities within the sector. Our location in west London and our high standards have helped us to build links with national and international organisations, including the BBC, Sky, Capital Radio, Global Radio, the Independent and The Sunday Times. These connections have helped past students find exciting work placements.

For your final project, you will work to a live brief, creating a substantial piece of journalistic work to add to your portfolio.

Compulsory modules

  • Principles of Journalism

    On this module you will be introduced to the institutions and practices of journalism and broadcast journalism in the UK, and the analysis of journalistic output across a range of formats, including newspapers, TV, radio programming, and social media.

  • Journalism Skills

    You will focus on one of the core skills of news production: news writing. You will develop the practical skills that journalists use on a daily basis, such as researching, writing, and editing. In addition, you will learn what makes a particular story newsworthy.

  • Podcasting

    Dive into the world of audio production and storytelling through podcasts. Enhance your voiceover skills, audio recording, sound design and web design/publishing skills.

  • Video Journalism

    This module aims to provide you with a working knowledge of established industry conventions, the basic concepts and fundamental disciplines necessary in production; techniques in pre-production planning; team-building; digital camera; lighting; sound and digital editing techniques in order that you are able to understand all aspects of your craft critically and create visually strong and coherent work.

    You will learn the professional workflow of telling a story through video, as well as the ability to evaluate and criticise one.  

  • Radio Journalism

    Over the course of this module, you will explore key aspects of today’s radio journalism industry and how they fit alongside the growth of social media. You will develop the core skills needed to be a good journalist, from editorial skills to technical ones, including news writing, reporting and developing your interview techniques.

    You will explore how news bulletins are compiled, look at ethics and principles in journalism and develop news reading techniques. You will also consider ‘fake news' and how to recognise it.

  • Media Presentation Skills

    During this module, which is taught in conjunction with the Broadcast Journalism course, you will develop your speaking and storytelling skills, with the aim of enhancing your understanding of how journalists work - essential knowledge for public relations professionals.

Compulsory modules

  • Government and Politics Journalism

    On this module you will be introduced to the systems and main players in local, regional, national and European/international government as it applies in the UK. You will also have an opportunity to visit a number of political meetings during this module.

  • Documentary Production: Mobile Journalism and Features

    Building on the basic skills you would have acquired at level 4, on this module you will be given the opportunity to learn new documentary production techniques. You will work from original concept and pitch, to research, scheduling, pre-production, directing, camera, lighting, sound, editing, location permissions, managing crews and post-production.

  • Industry Experience

    You will begin with a structured induction process, during which you will be guided in researching the job market, understanding professional responsibilities, preparing a CV plus cover letter and undertaking a mock interview. Additionally, you’ll be guided in contacting and negotiating with a potential host organisation/employer or client to secure your industry experience.

  • Digital and Online Journalism Practice

  • Global Media Systems

  • Law for Journalists

    The module will cover and enable discussion on a range of legal topics and how they relate to journalism. These include freedom of speech and its caveats, defamation, official secrets, obscenity, the law of contempt, children in the news, privacy, copyright, freedom of information and the role of regulatory authorities.

Compulsory modules

  • Freelancing and Entrepreneurship

    Deciding to work in the freelance domain does not suit everyone, but preparing yourself for self-employment will frankly only enhance your ability to find work in any arena.

    Yes, there are many benefits – largely being your own boss, creating your own agenda, having more choice in the work you do, where you do it and who you do it for; but, you are also responsible for finding work, marketing yourself and your work/products/services, maintaining websites and social media output, producing the work itself, and finding people to collaborate with, and not only making money but doing the invoicing and tax returns that go with it! 

    So, while being a freelancer requires many hats and requires a wide variety of skills, it can also be very rewarding.  

  • Data Journalism

    This module will allow you to maximise the use of IT tools and data to support digital storytelling. You will learn the basics of a discipline that is growing in strength and importance; data journalism. This includes learning where to find data, how to critically analyse it, and how to maximise chances for shareability and interactivity. At the end of the module, you will have a solid understanding of the opportunities provided by data journalism in the digital age 

  • Project or Dissertation

    Choose from:

    Project: The project is a major piece of work that draws on the skills and concepts you have learnt in all your modules—practical and theoretical. You could choose to produce a short documentary film (10 mins max), a radio artefact (30 mins max), create a digital magazine or build a website that centres on a certain topic/current issue. 

    OR

    Dissertation: During the course of the first semester's classes and workshops, you will develop a research question, consider different research methods, explore how to structure an effective argument, and reflect upon the content of your proposal. This will help you to decide upon the topic of your dissertation and will support you to develop the research skills you need to successfully pursue a research project moving forward.  

  • Live News Production

    This module is the culmination of your journalism degree, whether in print, broadcast or digital. You will be introduced to the essence of the newsroom, working within a larger team and building the capabilities necessary for newsgathering, creating and airing high quality content under strict deadlines.

  • Representation and Diversity in the Media

    This module gives you an opportunity to study and engage with theories and debates around the social construction, representation and global and cultural understanding of diversity within the media industries.

    There is a particular focus on news media representations of race, ethnicity, gender, culture, and disability, and the goal is to equip you with a conceptual and theoretical grounding that allows you to practice culturally informed, inclusive and responsible journalism. 

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

112 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A Levels at grade B, B and C, or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Distinction, Merit, Merit
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

 

Looking for BA (Hons) Broadcast and Digital Journalism with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to have completed the 'Law for Journalists' Module (completed when studying Level 5) and show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Broadcast and Digital Journalism with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
7.5 IELTS or above

For us to accept an international English language testing system (IELTS) qualification, your certificate must show:

  • that you took the academic version of the test
  • that you got an overall score of 7.5
  • the original stamp and test report form number show that you received your IELTS qualification in the last five years

Looking for BA (Hons) Broadcast and Digital Journalism with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

Mature applicants (aged 21+): If you do not hold the qualifications listed but have relevant work experience, you are welcome to apply. Your application will be considered on an individual basis.

Level 5 (year 2) entry
To directly enter the second year of this course you will need to show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 120 undergraduate credits at Level 4 or a CertHE in a related subject area.

Level 6 (year 3) entry
To directly enter the third year of this course you need to have completed the 'Law for Journalists' Module (completed when studying Level 5) and show appropriate knowledge and experience. For example, you are an ideal candidate if you have 240 undergraduate credits (at Levels 4 and 5), a DipHE, Foundation Degree or HND in a related subject area.

Looking for BA (Hons) Broadcast and Digital Journalism with Foundation Year?

View Foundation Year course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

We offer generous bursaries and scholarships to make sure your aspirations are your only limit. In recent years, hundreds of students have received our Full-time Undergraduate Student Bursary.

Additional scholarships specifically for students in the fields of film, media and design are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year
Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

The fee above is the cost per year of your course.

If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year. If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.

Government regulation does affect tuition fees and the fees listed for courses starting in the 2025/26 academic year are subject to change.

If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Dr Sumaya Al Nahed

Dr Sumaya Al Nahed

Dr Sumaya Alnahed is an Associate Professor in Journalism and Course Leader for BA (Hons) Journalism and BA (Hons) Broadcast and Digital Journalism. Her research mainly involves analysis of news media representations, through an evaluation of the impact of social, political, and cultural influences on news production.

Dr Sumaya Alnahed is an Associate Professor in Journalism and Course Leader for BA (Hons) Journalism and BA (Hons) Broadcast and Digital Journalism. Her research mainly involves analysis of news media representations, through an evaluation of the impact of social, political, and cultural influences on news production.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

A female news reporter standing in front of a camera

Once you graduate, you could go on to be a:

  • researcher
  • production assistant
  • regional or international journalist
  • technical operator.

You may also find career prospects open to you within the following fields:

  • news
  • lifestyle print
  • online or broadcast journalism
  • TV and radio presentation
  • TV and radio production
  • policy forming organisations.

You may decide to specialise in a related area or explore a new subject. Please see our postgraduate courses for a range of options.

How to apply

How to apply

ARTSFEST

A college of student work.

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Film, Media and Communication ARTSFEST page.

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2022 and 2023 - Based on an average of all 27 questions. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.