Broadcast Journalism, BA (Hons)

This course, which is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), is a vocational degree that combines practical training in broadcast journalism with a solid academic base. Taught by staff with substantial experience in the media, and situated in purpose built facilities, you will learn the skills needed to work in a broadcast newsroom, along with media law, politics, and an understanding of the role of the media within society.

Our journalism courses are among the most highly-regarded in the UK and our graduates have gone on to work with:

• BBC
• ITN
• Sky News
• major newspapers
• numerous BBC and commercial radio stations across the country.

This course has been developed in close association with major media organisations to offer innovative and relevant education and training for careers in radio and television news. Students follow a well-balanced course that combines theoretical studies with practical training and professional work placements leading to a qualification recognised in the industry.

Why choose this course?

• This degree was the first undergraduate course to receive full bi-media recognition from the industry watchdog the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) in 1998. Since then it has had continuous accreditation and praise for the quality of the teaching, the excellent facilities, and the dedication of support staff.
• Visiting lecturers have included:
  • Jon Snow of ITN's Channel 4 News
  • BBC correspondents James Reynolds and Richard Bilton
  • Sunday Telegraph Editor Ian MacGregor
  • NTU's Chancellor Sir Michael Parkinson.
• NTU's Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism facility includes:
  • one of the largest student newsrooms in the UK
  • radio studios
  • a modern TV studio and gallery.
• Students on this course can also take advantage of the International Exchange scheme and study in
  
  • Europe
  • USA
  • Thailand
  • Australia as part their degree.
• This course has produced award-winning graduates who have won industry gongs.

What our students say

"I used to spend my afternoons working in the NTU news gallery – now I've graduated I work in a real gallery as a producer making key on-air decisions."

Terry Brennan
BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism graduate

What the professionals say

"It is important that those who are choosing to go into the industry are as well prepared and highly skilled as they can be, not only to compete for jobs but also to ensure that the media grows and remains fresh with new ideas brought in by graduates. The Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism at Nottingham Trent University is focused on giving students the best possible start by ensuring that our graduates have all the skills necessary to be at the forefront when it comes to employability."

Sir Michael Parkinson
Broadcaster, Journalist and Author

Open days
To get a real taste of this course, why not visit us on one of our open days?

Any questions?

General course enquiries
Email us
Facebook
Telephone: +44(0)115 848 5806

Admissions enquiries
Telephone: +44(0)115 848 4200

When does the course start?

Please see the academic calendar for term dates.

What will I study?

Modules

Year One

• Democracy in Action (C)
• Covering the Courts (C)
• Media Matters (C)
• Media and Politics (C)
• News Production and Studio Skills One (C)

Year Two

• Keeping out of Court (C)
• Social and Ethical Aspects of Media Regulation (E)
• Global Journalism (C)
• Sports Journalism (E)
• News Production and Studio Skills Two (C)

Year Three

• Limits of Liberty (C)
• Celebrity Journalism (C)
• Multiplatform Project (C)
• Production Management (C)

C = Compulsory module
E = Elective module

Practical work and News Days
Practical skills (in radio, television and online) are taught across all three years. These modules aim to develop the skills you'll need to work as a broadcast journalist. Teaching and learning activities include:

• writing for broadcast
• research
• interviewing
• radio and television recording and editing
• news reading.

Students also spend a considerable time learning the skills necessary to be able to use broadcast equipment and IT systems. All students are involved in mock newsday activities which aim to simulate the real world. These take place on a weekly basis at key stages during your course of study, and also as a rolling week of news day activity. Staff act as consultant editors, as do representatives from industry. Roles on news days are rotated and cover:

• news reading
• presenting
• reporting
• television gallery roles
• editing.

In the second year you will also produce material for our online blog NottsNewsLive.

How will I learn?

You will be taught through a variety of teaching and learning experiences which will include:

• lectures and briefings
• TV, radio and online news production
• seminars
• tutorials
• news days
• presentations
• teamwork
• live projects
• personal development planning
• visits.

You will also be involved in self-directed project work where you will have the support of NOW, our virtual learning environment.

This course is 50% practical and 50% academic.

How will I be assessed?

Each module is assessed separately and may involve a combination of the following:

• essays
• projects
• competency portfolios
• placements
• class tests
• seminar presentations
• skills assessments
• formal examinations.

Over the three years students gradually increase their study skills, production and presentation techniques. The marks that count towards the degree also increase year-by-year, so that assessment is matched fairly with the expected rate of students’ learning throughout the three year course.

You will receive feedback throughout the module so you know what level you are working at.

Is the course professionally accredited?

Our BA (Hons) Broadcast Journalism course is one of only a few courses in the UK accredited by Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).

BJTC accreditation enables industry employers to ratify the level of skills and knowledge journalism graduates have gained – ensuring they are ready to work in broadcasting without extra support. Graduating students often report the facilities at NTU are better than many industry positions and the skills they have acquired enable them to make an immediate impact in a working newsroom or broadcasting studio.

Learn from expert staff

Our journalism team is made up of expert academic and technical staff who have extensive experience in education and industry. These, together with visiting professionals, provide a rounded, up-to-date education, informed by current practice and industry developments.

Course Leader: Gail Mellors

Where will I study?

You will study this course at NTU's Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, City site, based in Nottingham city centre.

Exchange opportunities – study abroad

You will have the opportunity to apply for an exchange in Year Two, to study at another university in Europe through our Erasmus scheme. Gain valuable work experience that will impress employers, learn another language, experience other cultures and travel the globe - all as part of your degree. Our international exchange partners include universities in Australia, Europe, USA, Canada and Thailand. Find out more on an Open Day.

View the full course specification
Please note that course specifications may be subject to change Loading the player ...

Our award-winning range of Journalism courses are based in the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism, centrally placed on our City site. This multimillion pound development includes one of the largest student newsrooms in the UK, a fully functioning TV studio with production facilities and three radio studios.

Virtual tour

Watch our short video of the Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism.

Broadcast Journalism facilities

TV Studio

This provides:

• six high definition SDI cameras incorporating pedestals
• live weather green screen
• a studio news set with back video projection
• automated newsroom reading system (autocue).

TV Production/Viewing Gallery

This is a dedicated production facility incorporating:

• live multi-channel audio mixing desk
• digital high definition vision mixer
• operation stations including Director (with access to multi-functional communications system), a Production Assistant (accessing automated programme time counts), Autocue Controller (synchronising camera on-screen prompts in live TV studio), Play-out Operator (responsible for queuing and output of pre-record and news packages).

Newsroom

This provides:

• 96 work stations including two hydraulic work stations for disability access
• a specialised production facility for television, radio, print, magazine and online news production
• integrated 1GB network system
• Adobe Master Collection software (continual updates to latest versions)
• multi-screen workstations
• newsroom live production points, live links to external camera feeds
• live news feeds Independent Radio News feed
• Press Association Feed.

Three radio studios

The radio news production facilities incorporate:

• one larger studio with six-microphone hex desk (used for multi-presenter panel debates)
• fully sound proofed with acoustic isolated floating floor system
• news production consoles
• automated newsroom reading system (autocue)
• a three-presenter news desk
• automated live bulletin recorder
• audio news package play-out system (BPM)
• real-time audio monitoring for newsroom
• convergence systems for online platforms
• two voice-over recording cubicles.

Student technical resources

Free hire of broadcast equipment that can be used on location including:

• 70 wide screen digital video cameras
• high definition cameras
• video camera kits including balance line, microphone, Sony Pro headphones, Manfrotto Pro floating tripod system
• over 60 digital audio recorders (digital Marantz recorders)
• over 40 digital still cameras and production lighting equipment.

Photographic production area

This includes:

• a pull-down white Cyclorama curtain
• three point lighting system
• soft and hard lighting
• white defusing tent for photographing smaller objects (for print magazines).

Technical support

The Centre for Broadcasting and Journalism production facilities have a dedicated team of five friendly and experienced engineers. They provide constant technical support for students and update and create systems that mirror the latest innovations in industry.

Books and library resources

In our library you will have access to an extensive and diverse range of books, periodicals and other resources that focus on specialist areas within Broadcast Journalism.

IT resources

Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across the City site, with PCs providing access to:

• Microsoft Office
• email
• web browsing
• networked file storage
• high-speed online printing services (with a free printing allowance for each student).

Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.