English and journalism have long been a strong partnership. Today, with the multimedia element, our Joint Honours Degree puts a modern spin on this most enduring of relationships.

This exciting course offers the chance to bring the former together with an up-to-the-minute, multimedia version of the latter, reflecting the demands of the modern media environment. 

Today’s journalists are expected to operate across broadcast, print and online networks. With a broad range of units, we’ll give you all the skills you need to compete in this fast-moving world. You’ll learn from accomplished reporters and editors, drawing on extensive newsroom experience to give you industry-relevant understanding and insights. 

You’ll also build a set of complementary skills through our range of English units, including critical and cultural theories, and textual analysis. Then when you get to your final year, you’ll have the chance to put those skills into practice – by tackling a substantial piece of project work, whether a portfolio of journalism or an extended piece of critical writing. 

Along the way, you may have opportunities to study abroad and, if you wish, to do your third year as a placement - in Britain or abroad. You will be based in a lively department that is staffed by internationally renowned writers and critics, and there's a strong research culture, creating a learning environment that is both supportive and intellectually challenging.

Manchester has one of the biggest digital and creative sectors in the UK. With MediaCityUK, home to the BBC and ITV, it’s an ideal place for an ambitious journalist to build a network, gain experience and boost your career prospects.

Placement options

Placement opportunities may be available both in the UK and abroad, in a wide variety of roles.

Our dedicated placement team has developed excellent links with various industries. You will be offered support through a preparation programme of activities, including guidance on selection procedures, working overseas, CV preparation, interview and selection techniques.

Previous graduates from our courses in the areas of English and journalism have entered a wide range of careers. These include media work and teaching, where their transferable skills are particularly relevant, but also extend to banking, finance, manufacturing and retail. 

In particular, the rapidly changing digital media and creative industries offer career opportunities in an extremely wide range of sectors, including: print journalism, digital publishing and editing, broadcasting, researching, media development, freelance writing, specialist journalism, working for news agencies, public relations departments, and public sector press departments.

There is also the opportunity to engage in further study and professional training. Some graduates have undertaken further professional training to work in law, public administration, management, and librarianship. Others have gone on to study MA English Studies at postgraduate level where you have the opportunity to build your own bespoke masters experience, reflecting your interests in the further study of English, or MA Multimedia Journalism, which will prepare you to take a leading role in a rapidly evolving global media industry.