BA (Hons) Journalism Studies

Prepare for a media career with our highly-rated Journalism Studies degree. Get hands-on experience, create a portfolio and make your passion your profession.

Journalism Studies

Key facts

  • Award BA (Hons)
  • Start date September 2024, January 2025
  • Duration 48 months
  • Mode of study full time, part time
  • Delivery on campus
  • UCAS Code P500
  • Study abroad opportunities

Overview

The digital age has transformed the way news is reported and consumed, with more media platforms available than ever before. A degree in Journalism Studies from the University of Stirling equips you with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge you’ll need to make a mark in this rapidly-evolving industry.

With over 30 years of experience in researching and teaching journalism, the University of Stirling has established a reputation as one of the UK’s top institutions in the field. This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of journalism, and offers an in-depth, critical understanding of journalism practice. You’ll work individually and in groups to write articles and prepare portfolios; create pages for print and online news platforms; produce and edit visuals; and contribute to class blogs. Everything you do will deepen your understanding of how professional journalists operate across broadcast, online and print media – and by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to take your place among them.

Guest lecturers from the media regularly visit the University to share their knowledge with you directly. The respected broadcaster Jon Snow described our media department as “a breed apart”. Join us to fulfil your ambitions in journalism, and you’ll soon find out why.

"The Film and Media Studies department is a breed apart. This is a holistic approach to film and media that refuses to ghettoise them into the narrow confines that others pursue in other institutions. For me Stirling is simply the best in this regard."

Jon Snow, broadcaster and journalist

Top reasons to study with us

* Rankings are based on institutions included in the Guardian University Guide 2023

Entry requirements

Year 1 entry – Four-year honours

SQA Highers
AABB – by the end of S5
AABBB – by the end of S6

GCE A-levels
BBB

IB Diploma
30

BTEC (Level 3)
DDM

Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.

Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.

Other Scottish qualifications

Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.

Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.

SWAP Access course - for mature students only.

Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.

Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B

Other qualifications

English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions

English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.

International entry requirements

Advanced entry

Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.

Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.

Other routes of entry

If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

  • IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic) 56 overall with a minimum of 51 in each sub-skill.
  • IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

Pre-sessional English language courses

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses

Course details

Take a detailed look at what you'll study on this course.

Modules

The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Course details

Teaching

Lectures, seminars, workshops and presentations are the main teaching methods on the course, and you’ll take part in live reporting assignments whenever possible. Journalists and editors from a range of newspapers and broadcasting organisations also contribute guest lectures and seminars.

The Hetherington Memorial Lectures have featured distinguished journalists such as James Naughtie, John Lloyd, Jon Snow, Roy Greenslade, Jonathan Freedland, Sheena MacDonald, Elinor Goodman, Allan Little, Lindsay Hilsum, and former editors of The Guardian, Peter Preston and Alan Rusbridger.

Fieldwork

Students on the Work Experience module get the opportunity to visit political and media organisations. We encourage students to secure work placements, and many of the practical assignments involve engagement with people in public life and ordinary women and men with stories to tell.

Assessment

The degree is assessed by means of essays, examinations, individual and group practical assignments and an academic dissertation on a topic related to journalism or a 10,000 word journalistic investigation.

Classroom hours

Each year you are expected to devote in the region of 1,200 hours to your course, if you are studying full time. About a quarter of this time is spent in lectures and workshops, the rest of the time is for self-directed learning, reading, researching and writing assignments.

Work placement opportunities

Your Journalism Studies degree includes opportunities to build a portfolio and to gain relevant work experience. You’ll get practical experience in workshops throughout your studies, and you can add to your portfolio by working on a student newspaper, magazine, TV or radio station.

There’s a work placement module on the course that allows you to gain valuable experience and make contacts within the industry. Students have undertaken placements with:

  • The Daily Record
  • The Sunday Mail
  • The Times
  • The Herald
  • The Scotsman
  • Edinburgh Evening News
  • The Press and Journal
  • Central FM radio
  • The Oban Times
  • The Alloa Advertiser
  • BBC
  • Channel Four
  • Sky

 

Study abroad

As a University of Stirling student, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.

Find out more about studying abroad.

Fees and funding

Fees and costs

Academic year: 2023/24 2024/25
Scottish students £1,820 £1,820
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland £9,250 £9,250
International students (including EU) £16,400 £17,200

Scottish students

This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.

Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.

You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.

You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).

We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

International students (including EU)

Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.

You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.

If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.

For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.

Additional costs

There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

Funding

See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.

Students from Scotland

Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland

Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.

International students

Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.

Cost of living

If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.

Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling.

Payment options

We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.

After you graduate

What jobs can you get with a Journalism degree?

Journalism courses open the door to a range of careers where creativity, writing, communication and research skills, are invaluable. Job possibilities include:

  • broadcast journalist
  • magazine journalist
  • newspaper journalist
  • online/digital journalist
  • newspaper editor/sub-editor
  • researcher
  • publishing copy-editor/proof-reader
  • editorial assistant
  • communications manager/officer
  • public relations officer
  • political communications
  • copywriter

We have extensive links with the media industry, and many of our graduates have pursued successful careers in print, broadcast and online journalism. This course is also strengthened by regular input from our industry advisory board of professionals, who offer a diverse range of experience and expertise.

Our alumni go into a range of careers, but among those who have been most prominent in shaping the world of journalism include John McLellan, former editor-in-chief of the Scotsman, a former member of the Press Complaints Commission, and currently Director of the Scottish Newspaper Society; and BAFTA-award winning investigative BBC journalist Mark Daly.

  • You’ll leave with extensive practical skills and a portfolio to enhance your employability.
  • Hone in on your career ambitions by combining Journalism with a range of other course options.

Companies we work with

Teaching staff write for publications including The Scotsman, the Evening News, The Irish News, New York Review of Books, Newlines Magazine. One of the team also works on the newsdesk at the BBC in Scotland. We are connected with 160 newspaper titles in Scotland through the Scottish Newspaper Society, and our students have had workshops from journalists from Channel Four News, Bauer Media, the BBC, The Scottish Sun, The Sunday Mail, and DC Thomson, among others.

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What our students said

Asya Filipova
Asya Filipova
Bulgaria
BA (Hons) Journalism and Politics
When I looked up all the journalism-related courses across Scotland, I found Stirling’s one to be the most diverse one. It offered all sorts of modules, from writing to multimedia reporting, from advertising to sports journalism.
Read Asya's story
Shumela Ahmed
Shumela Ahmed
United Kingdom
BA (Hons) Journalism and Politics
I have done so much during my time at Stirling. I’m very proud of the work we have done on widening access.
Read Shumela's story
Tamara Olori
Tamara Olori
Scotland
BA (Hons) Film & Media and Journalism Studies
After visiting the city for the first time on the open day and falling in love with the beautiful campus and facilities, I knew it was the place for me.
Read Tamara's story

Flexible study

Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.

Journalism Studies can be combined with any of the following courses:
Course nameUCAS code
English Studies UCAS code for this combination: QP35
Film and Media UCAS code for this combination: PP35
French UCAS code for this combination: RP15
History UCAS code for this combination: VP15
Politics UCAS code for this combination: PL52
Spanish and Latin American Studies UCAS code for this combination: PR54
Sport UCAS code for this combination: PC56

For a combined honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.

Find out more about degree flexibility and how you can take combined courses.