Multimedia Sports Journalism BA (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  You will be taught by people who still work in the journalism industry to follow the career paths they still enjoy. Coupled with the opportunities given to you by our sports clubs and media around the county and beyond, this BJTC accredited course will give you opportunities to learn and be supported by tutors who see you as more than a number.

  You will also have your learning future-proofed, by studying the growing areas of Esports reporting, data journalism, drone journalism and many other future technologies.

  In your first year, you will study media law and how both political and sporting opportunities work, so you understand how to get a story and how sport works as an industry.

  You will learn the core audio, video and mobile journalism skills which will allow you to conduct interviews (like Meliz pictured below), create reports and publish. You will also learn how to write sports stories and features.

  

  Journalism student Meliz interviewing Northampton Saints player James Grayson

  In the second year, you will enhance your skills on all of the above, with extended teaching in magazine journalism, sports media regulation, sports commentary and documentary making skills and we will prepare you for your final year projects and dissertation.

  In your final year, you will create a documentary or magazine on a sports

  

  Student Jamie – about to graduate and start his full time job at NTFC.

  issue of your choice and you will create a dissertation which investigates a key issue in sports media. You will also conduct newsdays where you create sports news content to deadlines and professional standards, much like you see and hear on Five Live, talkSPORT, Sky Sports News or BBC Local Radio.

  Upon completing the course you will be equipped with the skills to work in any area and across all platforms within the sports media, from local newspapers, newsrooms and commercial communication departments to national broadcasters such as BBC Sport, Sky Sports, Radio 5 and Associated Press. Or you cloud take a leaf out of Jamie’s book (pictured above), who has just secured a job at Northampton Town Football Club.

  Study Trips*

  In the below video, our Journalism students present highlights of their trip to Berlin, taking in an EU conference, a celebration of the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and reporting on sporting events; the students put into practice the skills that they’ve learned on their course.

  (*All trips subject to national and local Covid-19 guidelines and restrictions. See our situation updates page for more on the University’s response to Covid-19)

  Industry guest speakers

  BBC Sport’s Editor, Dan Roan, visits Waterside

   

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 21/22. The modules relating to the academic year 22/23 will be available from June 2022.

  • Stage 1
    • Writing Skills for Sports Journalists (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU1012

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the writing skills of a sports reporter across platforms including print, online, and broadcast. Students will learn to write sports reports, match previews, full-time match reports, quote-led reports, post-match press conference features and follow-ups as well as using social media.
    • The International Sports Industry (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU1013

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the international sports industry. Students will learn the structure of each sport and which governing body covers it both domestically and internationally. They will examine the administration, regulation and structure of sport and its relationship with the media.
    • Law and Public Affairs for Journalists (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU1022

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is lay the groundwork for students? ability to newsgather important public interest stories effectively and legally safely. It covers the key civic structures for the UK and the essential elements of media law.
    • Sports Newsgathering (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU1028

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a range of skills connected to researching, writing and gathering of sports news stories. It aims to allow students to develop technical and editorial expertise across print, radio, television and online journalism through guided instruction and completing a portfolio of practical assignments.
    • Sports News Production (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU1029

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce students to a range of skills connected to researching, writing and producing sports news stories. It aims to allow students to develop technical and editorial expertise across radio, television and online journalism through guided instruction and completing a portfolio of practical assignments.
    • Understanding Esports Media (20 Credits)
      Module code: SPO1050

      Status: Compulsory
      This module introduces students to the growing coverage of esports and to support students to develop a range of skills connected to researching, writing and producing journalism and content about esports. It develops students technical and editorial expertise across multimedia journalism.
  • Stage 2
    • Sports Journalism in Print and Online (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU2014

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to give students the technical skills necessary to produce their own sports magazine or newspaper and website. Students will learn page layout using industry-standard design and publishing software. Editorially, consideration will be given to the type of sports publication produced and its potential readership.
    • Academic and Journalism Long Form Skills
      Module code: JOU2027

      Status: Compulsory
    • Sport Broadcast Skills (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU2029

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to develop their professional journalistic skills in research, newsgathering, reporting and production. These skills will then be put into active use to industry-standard deadlines in Sports News Days module which follows this module. Students will also be assessed on their learning in a real-life environment by reporting back on their work placement.
    • Sports News Days (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU2031

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is for students to develop their professional journalistic skills in research, newsgathering, reporting and sports production. This module will be delivered in a form that includes 'Sports News Days' when students will report on the news in a near-professional work environment, with a specific deadline.
    • Live Sports Reporting and Regulation (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU2034

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to convey the excitement of a live sports event through multimedia content generation. Students will learn advanced radio, video and text generation techniques for live as well as develop a near professional understanding of the regulation and ethics underpinning live sport journalism. Using industry standard equipment students will compile a portfolio of their broadcast work and be tested on their knowledge of industry regulation and coverage guidelines.
    • Esports Commentating & Documentaries
      Module code: SPO2063

      Status: Compulsory
  • Stage 3
    • Journalism Practical Project (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU3002

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to facilitate independent creative and critical work in a specified area of journalistic production. It requires students to initiate, discuss and negotiate a body of work for the year, and then to take responsibility for the successful completion of that work to deadline.
    • Launchpad: Careers in Sports Journalism (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU3015

      Status: Compulsory
      This module prompts students to consider a specific role within sports journalism, and to investigate how this might become a future career path. Teaching requires students to research and critically reflect on the structure of the sector and their own intentions and professional development.
    • International Sport and the Media (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU3016

      Status: Compulsory
      This module enables students to develop a comprehensive understanding of the origins, development and expansion of the contemporary sports media business and its relationship with the governing bodies of national and international sport and media regulation. In particular, the commercialisation of sport and sports rights will be examined.
    • Multiplatform Journalism (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU3019

      Status: Compulsory
      This module is the principal module for Multimedia Journalism students. The focus is on establishing and managing a local journalism newsroom with outputs on digital, radio and television. Students will submit a portfolio providing evidence of their journalistic contributions during the period of the project.
    • Future Trends in Journalism (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU3020

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to examine the development of future trends in journalism. Journalism has undergone several waves of significant change, such as the emergence of digital journalism, social media, and data journalism, this module aims to critically examine those changes and critique emerging future trends.
    • Journalism Dissertation (20 Credits)
      Module code: JOU4001

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to provide an opportunity for students to develop, at length, a particular disciplinary interest. This may derive either from study in the first two years of the degree, or from reading and/or practice activities on their own initiative.

  Collapse

• Entry Requirements

  Standard entry requirements apply. A typical offer is BCC at A-Level or DMM at BTEC. You will be expected to have achieved GCSE Mathematics and English (or equivalent) at grade C/4 or above.

  For more more information on how to make an application, please visit our How to Apply page.

  If you are an International student and would like information on making an application, please see our How to Apply page.

  Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) Entry Requirements

  Admission to this foundation course is normally DEE at A Level or MPP at BTEC. However, we would also like to hear from you if you have professional or industry experience instead, a range of other qualifications or self-developed subject knowledge that relates to the course you wish to study.

  English Language Requirements

  All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:

  • Minimum standard – IELTS 7.5 or equivalent
    for study at undergraduate level.

  For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.

  Collapse

• Fees and Funding

  2022/23 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 22/23 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,500 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £9,250 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
  • International – Full Time: £14,000
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £14,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply

  Additional Costs

  • printing costs: £50+ per year
  • external hard drive to store material: £50
  • travel on Newsdays to stories: No more than £50

  21/22 Tuition Fees

  Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 21/22 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years.

  • UK – Full Time: £9,250
  • UK – Part Time: £1,465 per 20 credit module
  • UK – Integrated Foundation Year: £6,780 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BA rate)
  • International – Full Time: £13,000
  • International – Integrated Foundation Year: £13,000 as part of a four year programme (subsequent years will be charged at standard BA rate)

  Additional Costs

  • printing costs: £50+ per year
  • external hard drive to store material: £50
  • travel on Newsdays to stories: No more than £50

   

  For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.

  Collapse

• Accreditation

  Our Multimedia Sports Journalism programme is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.

  Collapse

• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join this full time degree at Northampton you will receive a laptop when your course begins. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks visit our Student Perks page.

  Collapse

• Integrated Foundation Year (IFY)

  The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.

  If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year programme which includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.

  Featuring a reduced tuition fee in the first year, our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.

  Collapse

• Learn on the job

  You will attend Northampton Saints rugby and Northampton Town football press conferences and games on a weekly basis from year one, as well as events at Silverstone, Northants Cricket, Huntingdon Races, Kettering esports tournament and Towcester Greyhounds.

  You will work on a student sports show on NLIVE community radio and also interview many other sports people from the area as part of your experience.
  You will get to meet well-known names who already work in the industry. Previous guest speakers include Jacqui Oatley, Faye Carruthers, Dan Roan, Liam Fisher, Sue Smith.

  Collapse

• FAQs

  How will I be taught on Multimedia Sports Journalism BA (Hons)?

  For this course your taught study will be a combination of lectures, seminars and workshops, both face to face and online through blended learning.

  How will I be assessed?

  You will be assessed through a variety of methods including practical portfolios, essays, reports, presentations, practical projects and written examinations and timed tests.

  Do you organise any study trips?

  In the below video, our Journalism students present highlights of their trip to Berlin, taking in an EU conference, a celebration of the anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, and reporting on sporting events; the students put into practice the skills that they’ve learned on their course.
  

   

  Are there any specialist facilities and features?

  • Course accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council
  • Our own, 24/7 FM radio station, NLive – community radio station for Northampton.
  • Broadcast standard multi-camera TV studio.
  • Broadcast-standard radio studios.
  • Free laptop with access to Adobe suite of editing and design programmes.

  Collapse

Careers and Employability

This course will open up a range of career opportunities, including…

Sports Journalist, club media officer, sports video content creator, sports commentator, esports reporter, TV reporter, feature writer, magazine writer.