Our philosophy students benefit from being part of a lively and active academic community. You’ll learn through formal courses and extracurricular seminars, while our small group teaching helps you to find your feet in the academic environment. There are plenty of opportunities to discuss critical issues with staff and fellow students, including an optional residential weekend each year. 

Our journalism students gain practical skills through writing in a variety of styles, work experience and developing broadcast and presentation skills. You’ll be able to network with invited speakers and take short industry summer courses. 

In your first year, you’ll be introduced to the skills of newswriting and interviewing and explore the complex ethics surrounding journalism. You’ll learn to think critically about what journalism means by examining persuasion in the media, including the use of rhetoric and propaganda. You’ll also study social and political philosophy, covering topics such as freedom of speech and terrorism, and examine the nature of knowledge and reality. 

In your second year, you’ll delve into influential works of philosophy and political theory such as the themes in Plato’s Republic. In journalism, you will learn the skills of broadcast radio, how to find news, create a magazine and study some of the great journalism campaigns from Watergate to the Black Lives Matter campaigns. 
 
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. You’ll decide in your second year with us, so there is still plenty of time to think about this. 

In your final year, you’ll have the opportunity to develop your interests in topics such as political or feminist philosophy, or the philosophy of language. In journalism you will have the opportunity of doing work experience within journalism or a related field, studying international reporting, creating your own journalistic website and building a journalism portfolio. Through our pitch-to-a-professional scheme you will get the chance to try out your ideas on a professional journalist and meet industry practitioners through our series of talks by people working in the communications industry, many of whom are former graduates who studied journalism at UH. 

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?

Our hands-on journalism training equips you to pursue a career in the media, whether in features, news, radio or online. You’ll have opportunities to go on work placements at local newspapers, radio stations or TV channels, where many students have work published. 

Studying philosophy teaches you to ask penetrating questions and identify flawed arguments – skills integral to news and investigative reporting, as well as the practice of law. You’ll develop many other transferable skills sought by employers, such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to communicate ideas in a structured, productive way. 

Our graduates have an excellent record of securing roles in a range of industries including teaching, the media, publishing and information management. For those interested in teaching, all Humanities graduates are guaranteed an interview with our School of Education. Many graduates go on to higher levels of study, engaging in research in their chosen fields. 

Our hands-on journalism training equips you to pursue a career in the media, whether in features, news, radio or online. You’ll have opportunities to go on work placements at local newspapers, radio stations or TV channels, where many students have work published.

Studying philosophy teaches you to ask penetrating questions and identify flawed arguments – skills integral to news and investigative reporting, as well as the practice of law. You’ll develop many other transferable skills sought by employers, such as creative and critical thinking, problem solving, and the ability to communicate ideas in a structured, productive way.

Our graduates have an excellent record of securing roles in a range of industries including teaching, the media, publishing and information management. For those interested in teaching, all Humanities graduates are guaranteed an interview with our School of Education. Many graduates go on to higher levels of study, engaging in research in their chosen fields.