Sports Journalism (with Foundation Year) BA (Hons)
| Program start date | Application deadline |
| 2023-04-24 | 2023-02-10 |
| 2023-09-19 | 2023-01-27 |
| 2024-01-03 | 2023-11-25 |
Program Overview
Course overview
This course will introduce you to the key theories, contexts and practices within the sports journalism industry. The course examines sports journalism in depth, and has a strong focus on digital media to reflect current and emerging industry trends. You have the chance to develop a range of essential skills, including writing and broadcasting in multiplatform environments to help enhance versatility to work in a range of areas within the expanding sports media industry.
Why study this course with us?
We are ideally placed for access to a host of football’s Premier League giants and rugby’s Super League heavyweights based in the region, and for racing enthusiasts there is Chester Racecourse. We have strong links with a range of sports clubs including league and non-league football, basketball, cricket and rugby league. Students therefore have extensive opportunities to gain matchday experience and see their work published.
We have newsrooms dedicated to journalism, and you will be expected to pursue stories and develop contacts away from the classroom to assist with content for assignments and your professional portfolio.
Following the opportunity to undertake a five-week placement in Year 2 of the course, Year 3 sees students work closely with a sports club to produce live and exclusive content.
Students regularly interview professional athletes and sports stars such as former Liverpool FC and England defender Rob Jones.
Student support
We pride ourselves on the quality of support we offer, and have a range of support packages to help support students during their time at University.
Explore our study abroad opportunities and student exchange programmes
Program Outline
Teaching methods
The course will be delivered via a range of methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops and field trips. Sessions will take place within journalism labs with an emphasis on both practical and academic elements.
Assessment
Assessment involves a mixture of practical and written coursework, seminar presentations, essays and reflective evaluations, a major project and a dissertation. The range of assessments will be individual or group based.
Work based learning
As part of your studies you may take our
Work Based Learning
module, where you will be fully supported in securing a work placement of at least 150 hours, which you may be able to use in trying out a future career. Previous placements have included TalkSport radio, FourFourTwo magazine, Warrington Wolves and the Liverpool Echo.
Job prospects
We are immensely proud of our graduates who have found employment in the sports media sector including for the likes of FC Barcelona, LFCTV, Widnes Vikings, Press Association,The National League, Wakefield Wildcats, Chester FC and The Anfield Wrap, to name a few. Some of these positions were secured after successful placements facilitated by course tutors.
Careers service
The University has an award-winning Careers and Employability service which provides a variety of employability-enhancing experiences; through the curriculum, through employer contact, tailored group sessions, individual information, advice and guidance.
Careers and Employability - Student Services aims to deliver a service which is inclusive, impartial, welcoming, informed and tailored to your personal goals and aspirations, to enable you to develop as an individual and contribute to the business and community in which you will live and work.
We are here to help you plan your future, make the most of your time at University and to enhance your employability. We provide access to part-time jobs, extra-curricular employability-enhancing workshops and offer practical one-to-one help with career planning, including help with CVs, applications and mock interviews. We also deliver group sessions on career planning within each course and we have a wide range of extensive information covering graduate jobs and postgraduate study.
Students and graduates of the University of Chester can use our services free of charge for up to two years after graduating.
