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
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
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) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 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
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.
Contact
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2024/25 | 2025/26 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| International students (including EU) | £17,200 | £18,400 |
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.
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
We have extensive links with the media industry, and our course is strengthened by regular input from our industry advisory board of professionals, who offer a diverse range of experience and expertise. 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.
Preparing you for the world of work
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market.
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.
We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time at Stirling and develop the attributes required by employers. We also have a dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer and a Careers Service that work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your University experience and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.
Be the One: Donald Matheson
Hear from Donald Matheson, our BA (Hons) Journalism Studies graduate on how studying at Stirling helped him turn his passion into a career.
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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