What are the skills a journalist needs in today’s fast-paced, exciting, digital world?

The way we consume media has been revolutionised by digital technology. Online news, podcasts and social media compete for our attention alongside newspapers, magazines and radio. But today’s journalists still need to be able to tell a story, to keep people informed and entertained, and to communicate the truth.

From learning how to webcast and create videos, to carrying out research and conducting interviews, our BA Journalism degree will give you hands-on practical experience and high-level communications skills from many different areas such as journalism, PR and marketing.

At Hertfordshire, you’ll explore journalism in the context of the wider media landscape, giving you the flexibility to mould your future, whether that’s in hard news or lifestyle journalism, social media, corporate communications, magazines, marketing or PR.

You’ll be taught by academics who have worked for the BBC, Cosmopolitan, The Guardian, The Sun, The Times and a wide variety of other media and broadcast outlets.

Core subjects in your first year include an Introduction to Media Practices and Introduction to Journalism, and cover media platforms, from video and podcasts to web-based and interactive media. You’ll explore the law and ethics of journalism and study Global Media and Society, considering issues such as how globalisation has impacted on the media. Optional modules introduce you to creative writing and film criticism.

In your second year you’ll focus on social media, radio journalism and research methods, as well as building on the skills you’ll need to write engaging features and strong news stories. For potential media entrepreneurs, optional modules on App Design and Video Feature will enable you to explore their commercial possibilities.

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too. 

Choices in your third year could include studying abroad or spending a placement year building your mass communications skills through working in a social media role, marketing, PR, magazines or corporate communications. Or mix the two with a half-year placement and half-year study abroad, an unusual but increasingly popular combination.

You can also write a dissertation on a subject of your choice, build your own journalism skills portfolio by creating a website or social media campaign, or writing a series of articles – or even start your own business. A further option is a term’s work experience, supported by your tutor, adding to your employability as a skilled media practitioner.

Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.  

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.  

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it. 

What's next for my career?

Studying journalism opens doors to a range of careers where your creativity, writing, communication and research skills are invaluable. Jobs directly related to your degree include:

• Broadcast journalist
• Editorial assistant
• Magazine features editor
• Magazine journalist
• Newspaper journalist
• Press sub-editor
• Publishing copy-editor/proofreader
• Web content manager
• Writer

Employability is central to everything we do. Our hands-on journalism training equips you to pursue a career in the media, whether in features, news, radio or online, but this degree course also opens up opportunities in PR, corporate communications, marketing and advertising. Your creative and critical thinking, as well as the analytical, research and communication skills you’ll gain through this degree, are all highly valued by employers in a wide range of industries.

One of our recent graduates has been shortlisted for Blogger of the Year in the UK Blog Awards and is now a staff writer on National Geographic Kids magazine. Another is manager of community online development at the Institute of Engineering and Technology, while another is a sports journalist on the Daily Express.