BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism program at Bournemouth University prepares students for careers in the fast-paced world of sports journalism. It equips students with the skills and knowledge to work across multiple platforms and thrive in an increasingly digital industry. Through hands-on experiences, industry placements, and guidance from experienced professionals, graduates are well-positioned for roles in sports reporting, writing, and production.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism program at Bournemouth University is designed for students seeking a career in the dynamic and deadline-driven world of sports journalism. The program equips students with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a multi-platform and increasingly digital sports journalism industry.

Objectives:

• Gain the knowledge and skills needed to work in a multi-platform and increasingly digitally focused sports journalism industry.
• Become a sports and convergence specialist, agile enough to respond to new technologies and consumer/audience behaviors.
• Showcase sports journalism skills to the public via BUzz, BU’s campus radio station, Nerve magazine, and personal social media channels and websites.
• Build valuable industry connections through placements with national and regional media organizations.
• Learn from experienced professionals, including senior industry guest speakers and successful alumni.

Outline:

Foundation Year (Optional):

• This year is for students who do not meet the entry requirements for the degree course.
• It provides a grounding in media & communication skills required for the course, building confidence, knowledge, and skills for further study.
• Core units:
• Academic & Professional Practice: Develops academic and professional skills, including academic skills required at degree level and professional skills through interactions with employers, careers services, and online resources.
• Collaborative Communication Project: Focuses on communication as a process and project, promoting team-based iterative project work through the collaborative development of a communication solution to a specific communication problem.
• Media & Current Debates: Introduces the role and responsibilities of the news media within democratic societies and the varied nature of reporting key events, issues, and debates within the contemporary 24/7 news cycle.
• Media Work: Familiarizes students with various profiles and career paths in the communication and media industries, inspiring them to reflect on and develop their professional identity.

Year 1:

• Core units:
• News and Storytelling 1: Introduces key principles and practices of journalism, including news gathering and production techniques.
• Broadcast Journalism 1: Covers the concepts and techniques of newsgathering, video and audio storytelling, interviewing, writing for the audience, and video production.
• Journalism and Society: Explores the workings of central and local government, as well as political and economic processes as they relate to journalism in society.
• Research for Journalism: Equips students with the theoretical underpinnings and practical skills needed to practice journalism as research.
• Media Law: Covers confidentiality, copyright, defamation, contempt, and the laws governing reporting for print and broadcast.
• Digital Storytelling: Introduces online, interactive, non-linear, and mobile journalism, exploring innovative storytelling practices.
• Shorthand 1: Develops the ability to write and transcribe Teeline shorthand.
• Students are required to complete a 4-week placement by the end of their final year.

Year 2:

• Core units:
• Broadcast Journalism 2: Extends knowledge of core concepts and skills associated with video and audio journalism, focusing on the key principles of broadcast sports journalism.
• News and Storytelling 2: Covers key principles and practices of journalism, emphasizing the production of fair, accurate, and balanced journalism under deadline pressure.
• Issues and Controversies in Sport, Culture and Society: Explores key contemporary issues surrounding sport through various social sciences perspectives.
• Journalism research methods: Covers the conceptual tools and practical approaches needed in researching the production and content of media texts, alongside consumption by audiences.
• Sports World: Considers different stories required at each stage of the sports news cycle and explores sports politics, sports public affairs, and key sporting issues.
• 21st Century Journalist (optional): Evaluates the sustainability and value of existing media products while developing awareness of the technical, legal, creative, and business principles and practices of the publishing agency.
• Global Current Affairs (optional): Provides an understanding of developments in news, technology, and geo-cultural systems.
• Photojournalism (optional): Explores how narrative and images interact through various forms of photojournalism, including sports, anthropological, and smartphone photography.
• Shorthand 2 (optional): Enhances employability by developing and demonstrating the ability to write and transcribe Teeline shorthand.
• Students are required to complete a 4-week placement by the end of their final year.

Placement Year:

• Students complete either two short placements (on the three-year version of the course) or a minimum 30-week work placement (on the four-year version).
• Placements can be carried out anywhere in the world.
• The placement offers the chance to gain experience and make contacts for the future.

Final Year:

• Core units:
• Major Multimedia Project: Students produce a substantial multi-media sports project demonstrating the ability to source and package original content with journalistic rigor and technical professional expertise.
• Converged Journalism: Students hone their skills by working in a professional converged news production, including the production of news in converged newsrooms imitating industry practice to realistic deadlines.
• Professional Perspectives and Global Voices: Students debate key challenges and issues in journalism, engage with visiting professionals, and reflect on their professional development.
• Sports Journalism Dissertation: Students explore a topic in the field of sports journalism.
• Shorthand 3 (optional): Enhances employability by developing and demonstrating the ability to write and transcribe Teeline shorthand.

Assessment:

• Details of the assessment methods and contact hours for each unit of the course can be found in the programme specification.
• The programme specification is available for download.

Teaching:

• Teaching is typically delivered by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit.
• This includes senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners, demonstrators, technicians, and research students.
• Students benefit from regular guest lectures from industry professionals.
• Practical learning is integral to the degree, and students have access to industry-standard specialist facilities.

Careers:

• The course prepares students for a job in the field of sports journalism, where they will be expected to work across a range of channels and use a variety of mediums.
• The course prepares students for a wide variety of positions, depending on the area in which they want to specialize.
• Typical starting job roles include:
• National and regional football reporting
• Sky Sports presenting
• National and regional online sports reporting and writing
• Writing for national sports magazines
• Freelance reporting across the media
• Producing media content for football clubs, including AFC Bournemouth

Other:

• Bournemouth University is ranked in the top 20 universities for Journalism in the Guardian University Guide 2023.
• The course is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
• Students have the opportunity to gain the NCTJ Level 5 Diploma in Journalism, which increases employability and ensures readiness for a fast-paced newsroom.
• The tuition and first sit exam fees for the NCTJ Diploma are included in university fees.
• Students can choose to undertake their placement abroad, giving them the opportunity to develop themselves personally, academically, and professionally.
• The faculty running the course offers the support of a Placement Coordinator to help students plan their placement and ensure they get the right experience.
• The university has built close industry links, and its network of employers that are keen to work with placement students is always growing.
• Students must have basic computer literacy, including knowledge of Word, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• The university provides a range of student services, including advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support, and a careers service.
• Students have access to the university library, which is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge.
• Students have access to Brightspace, the university's virtual learning environment.
• Students have access to IT labs, a wireless network, AV equipment to borrow, and free software downloads.
• Students have access to the BU Language Centre to help them develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• The university has a 24-hour security team.
• Students can find full information about funding their studies and paying their fees in the undergraduate fees and funding section.
• Students may be eligible for scholarships and bursaries.
• The university is committed to ensuring there are no hidden costs while students are studying.
• Students will need to meet the cost of any Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check if required by their placement setting.
• Students will need to meet the cost of any clothing or equipment costs required for their placement.
• Students can join SportBU, the university's sports club.
• The university has a strong professional reputation and is respected for its journalism across the media industry.
• Students can further develop their education by studying for a postgraduate degree.
• The university offers a number of preparatory programmes through Bournemouth University International College.
• The university welcomes applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course.
• The university recognizes the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcomes applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognized by the Institute for Apprenticeships.
• The university is happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry.
• The university recognizes that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications and will consider their application on these merits.
• The university provides additional learning support (ALS) for students with disabilities or conditions.
• The university will work with students to identify any support or adjustments they would need.