Sports Journalism

Sports Journalism Overview

The BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree will give you the skills and knowledge to craft compelling sports stories. From breaking news coverage to in-depth editorial pieces, you will develop the technical expertise to deliver engaging multimedia content.

Learn what it means to be a sports journalist and operate professionally within the relevant laws, regulations and codes of practice. Develop your investigative, analytical and creative skills and understand how to harness data to back-up your stories. You’ll also develop your practical skills in interviewing, presenting, editing and reporting.

Our teaching team has lots of experience working for top-name broadcasters like BBC Sport and CNN, so you’re definitely in good hands! Plus, our industry connections mean you’ll meet some amazing people and begin to build your professional network.

Grounded in theory, rich in practice, this programme will enable you to:

Understand the place and practice of journalism in the rapidly changing context of contemporary media and social media.
Build key critical thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills essential in a competitive professional environment.
Develop wide-ranging knowledge of the production, meaning and consumption of various news media, including sport and investigative reporting.
Gain practical reporting, editing and presenting skills across a range of digital media technologies, techniques and platforms.
Become an ethically informed, critically minded and highly reflective practitioner.
Enjoy a relevant placement opportunity with one of UA92’s leading partners.

All UA92 degrees are awarded by Lancaster University.

KEY INFORMATION

Duration

2 - 4 Years

Intakes

September
November†
January
February†
April
June†

Location

Manchester - Old Trafford Campus

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You can complete your degree in as little as two years, depending on your starting point and study preference. For example:

Standard degree – three years to complete*
Accelerated degree – two years to complete*
Foundation with standard degree – four years to complete
Foundation with accelerated degree – three years to complete

†Not applicable for two year accelerated degree

*Entry via Integrated Year One or direct entry

Page Section

> Entry Point - Foundation Modules

The International Foundation Programme will be taught at the UA92 Business School

Academic and English Skills

This module is designed to provide students the grounding ready to undertake Level 4 study. It focuses on developing students’ knowledge, communication, analytical, critical thinking and key transferable skills which support undergraduate study. It includes a planned combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars, peer support activities, and blended learning to enable candidates to achieve these essential skills. There is an emphasis on student-driven learning and student engagement and participation in the design and evaluation of the module.

Introduction to Numerical Techniques

This module will introduce students to basic maths theory and concepts to prepare them for studies in the first year of a degree. It includes a planned combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars, peer support activities, and blended learning to enable candidates to achieve these essential skills. There is an emphasis on student-driven learning and student engagement and participation in the design and evaluation of the module.

Introduction to Research

This module is designed to provide students with the necessary research skills to be able to succeed at Level 4 study and beyond. It will enable students to understand, generate, analyse and interpret data and to draw valid conclusions from data. It develops students research skills, how to conduct effective research supported by a clear research plan and data analysis techniques. It includes a planned combination of lectures, tutorials and seminars, peer support activities, and blended learning to enable candidates to achieve these essential skills. There is an emphasis on student-driven learning and student engagement and participation in the design and evaluation of the module.

Introduction to Media and Communications

This module is part of a planned pedagogic approach to ensure students are prepared to achieve and succeed in undergraduate study. It focuses on developing students’ knowledge, communication, analytical, critical thinking and key transferable skills which support undergraduate study. It includes a planned combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, practical work, peer support activities, and blended learning to enable candidates to achieve these essential skills. There is an emphasis on student-driven learning and student engagement and participation in the design and evaluation of the module.

> Entry Point - Year 1 Modules

Media, Technology and Culture

You’ll reflect on your own everyday media usage, explore how rapid changes in information and communication technologies shape other social, economic and cultural transformations and consider issues of media production, dissemination and reception.

Media Production

You’ll develop your practical media skills; working individually and collectively using different digital tools (including cameras, audio equipment, editing software), and learn to display your work online in a professional context.

Communication Techniques and Creating Content

You’ll explore a range of different approaches to media products, produce a magazine, podcast or documentary; working together in a group to present your work

Introduction to Sports Journalism

You’ll explore the key principles of sports journalism and get to grips with the ethical standards and professional codes to which sports journalists must adhere. You’ll gain an understanding of what sports journalists do and learn mobile digital tools to help your digital storytelling.

Interactive Learning and Communication Skills (Integrated Year One only)

Designed for international students, this entry point will develop a greater understanding of the skills you will need to develop in order to successfully and confidently progress with your UK degree.

The additional module has been designed to help students develop their academic literacy, and research and communication skills in preparation for undergraduate study. The areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening will be covered. The Integrated Year One will also help students understand the institutional culture, practices and core terminology of UK higher education.

Integrated Year One students will study all academic modules with direct Year One entrants. Additional support and guidance, designed for international students, will also be provided.

The Integrated Year One accepts students with a lower academic level than the standard Year One.

Year 2 Modules

Sports Journalism Practice

You’ll look at case studies of different journalistic roles in sports; developing a personal career plan and identifying the key skills and experience required. You’ll engage in practical sports journalism to showcase your skills and present your work in a professional context.

Media Narratives

You’ll explore how to communicate stories in an online non-linear environment, examine digital narratives and learn how to create stories using different narrative structures and understand how digital technologies, immersive media and interactivity, have reconfigured media experiences and the news.

Audio and Video Production

You’ll further develop your video and audio production skills; working in a small group to create sophisticated media artefacts.

News Journalism

You’ll explore how ‘news’ is identified, gathered, researched, authenticated, recorded, and presented. You’ll produce engaging news reporting on a variety of topics and develop your journalism skills and understanding of a ‘newsroom’ environment.

Year 3 Modules

Media Law and Ethics

You’ll gain an in-depth knowledge of the legal, ethical and regulatory constraints that exist within the media industries. Focusing on a UK context, you’ll explore some of the key tensions that determine the media coverage of events and get to grips with relevant laws, regulations and professional codes of conduct.

Advanced Sports Journalism

You’ll further refine your reporting, editorial and presentation skills by undertaking an advanced journalistic project focused on the world of sport. You’ll advance your interviewing and writing techniques and explore feature writing and long-form journalistic storytelling.

Data Journalism

You’ll explore the increasingly important role numerical data plays in contemporary journalism, increase your data awareness, design skills and knowledge of data journalism and consider how data can be used and visually understood by your audience.

Final Project

You’ll complete a project, on a relevant subject area that demonstrates your research, problem-solving and practical skills.

What's next for a Sports Coaching graduate?

As a sports journalism graduate, you’ll be ready to take on the opportunities and tackle the challenges of the fast-paced field of sports media. Whether you dream of becoming a broadcast journalist, news editor, TV producer, content creator, copywriter or public relations officer, a career in sports journalism has so many options.

Sports journalism offers some of the most creative and rewarding careers in media. There’s no doubt about it, sport has some of the most engaged and passionate audiences in the world. As well as creative and fulfilling work, sports journalists often enjoy travel, flexibility and high-earning potential.

If you are passionate about sports and have a flare for storytelling, this is your opportunity to become the next leading voice in sports journalism.

Entry Requirements

Scholarships

Fees