You’ll follow a flexible programme of study, which introduces you to the methods and approaches of different disciplines, allowing you to concentrate on areas you find especially interesting. 

Our interactive seminars and workshops help you find your feet in the academic environment, and establish ways of working confidently, creatively and collaboratively. There is plenty of opportunity to add to your journalism through related societies such as the journalism society. 

In your first year, you’ll gain insight to the relationship between citizens and governments. You will be able to choose between modules that allow you to understand how states interact with each other in international politics, why different countries have different political systems and how we can analyse military conflict. You’ll learn about how journalists and government interact and reflect on ethical journalism, as well as learning to write across platforms. 

In your second year, you’ll learn about the ideas that inform democratic politics and develop an understanding of the pressing issues and current dynamics that shape 21st century politics, for example how security concerns shape political decisions, the changing nature of British politics or the politics of energy supply. You’ll expand your journalism range, broadcasting for radio, creating your own magazine concept for an audience and writing for it, finding news stories and learning about the political journalism stories that changed the world from Watergate to Black Lives Matter. And you’ll become adept at working out what is and isn’t fake news. 

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, it’s time for the culmination of your studies. You’ll be able to develop expertise on topics that fit with your personal interests and professional aims, preparing you for a range of careers after graduation. You can study the politics of the global economy, how peacebuilding missions function, and what makes them successful, but also take a critical look at how gender dynamics and colonial legacies continue to shape contemporary societies. You’ll become an international reporter, reporting on a global event, will seek out work experience in journalism or related area such as PR or marketing, or start your own media business. You’ll also create your own website and furnish it with content and create a portfolio of work to show employers. By the end of this year, you’ll realise both how far you have come and have a range y of journalism for your CV. 

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?

Employability is central to everything we do. Our courses equip you with transferable, intellectual, and personal skills and experiences that are valued by employers in a wide range of industries. 

Our graduates have an excellent record of gaining employment in media, publishing, teaching and information management where their skills in analysis, communication and evaluation are highly valued. Over 96% of University of Hertfordshire students are in work or further study six months after graduating, according to the latest Destination of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey.  

For those interested in teaching, all Humanities graduates are guaranteed an interview with our School of Education. 

Many of our graduates go on to higher levels of study, engaging in research in their chosen fields.