University of Essex

BA Multimedia Journalism

Year 1

• Practical Reporting, Interviewing and Production (Single Honours)
• Media Law
• Reporting Politics
• History of Journalism
• Journalism Now

Year 2

• Audio and Video for Broadcast and Online (Single honours)
• Feature Writing and Magazine Project for Print and Online (Single honours)
• Advanced Media Law and Ethics
• Research and Data Handling

Final Year

• Advanced Practical Journalism
• Newsroom Practice
• Multimedia Project

You will gain a thorough training in the theory and practice of journalism:

• Benefit from opportunities to work in the field, both independently and alongside practicing journalists across a range of media
• Be mentored by a leading professional in a chosen specialist subject, such as business, arts, literary, political or sports journalism
• Find, tell and publish your own ‘real' stories across different media, building a substantial portfolio of work to show to future employers
• Study topics including the art of storytelling, the history of journalism, and multimedia production
• Work towards the industry-standard NCTJ Diploma in Journalism as part of your degree
• Gain an essential understanding of media law and how the UK works.

Professional accreditation

Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) works in partnership with all the main employers in the UK broadcast industry. Our primary responsibility is to accredit UK journalism courses within higher education. Our current partners are; ITV, BskyB, ITN, BBC, Reuters, AP, Channel 4, The Radio Centre, Skillset and the NUJ. Our accreditation standards are very much based on direct and practical experience and all accredited courses are very much valued by teachers and students, employers and employees, as they are relevant and responsive to the operational demands of the broadcast industry.

Essex journalism graduates are equipped to embark on any one of a number of career paths within the industry.

You graduate with all the core skills of a professional journalist, underpinned by the Diploma of Journalism from the National Council for the Training of Journalists, which you attain as part of our course. This is an industry standard and is recognised and valued by editors when recruiting staff.

You will compile an impressive portfolio of published work and complete a detailed multimedia project in your final year, allowing you to offer real evidence of your range and capabilities to future employers. You also develop knowledge of a specialist subject such as business, politics, international affairs or sport giving you a head start if you want to pursue a career in one of those areas.

You will be multi-skilled, familiar with production techniques in television, radio, online and newspaper journalism, and with the option to gain advanced skills in specific areas in your final year.

Digital technology encourages entrepreneurship, and allows young journalists to work outside traditional employment routes with established media organisations in favour of creating their own niche brand online. Our BA Multimedia Journalism course gives you the skills and confidence to succeed in whatever path you choose.

BA Multimedia Journalism: 3 years

BA Multimedia Journalism (Including Year Abroad): 4 years

BA Multimedia Journalism (Including Placement Year): 4 years

• Teaching will mainly take the form of lectures and classes of about 20 students
• Opportunities for placements
• Mentoring from professionals in your specialist subject
• A typical timetable involves a one-hour lecture and a one-hour class for each of your modules every week