BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree at Liverpool John Moores University provides practical training and theoretical underpinnings in sports reporting across various media platforms. With a focus on hands-on experience, industry connections, and accreditation by the National Council for the Training of Journalists, this program equips students with the skills and knowledge for a successful career in sports journalism.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree program provides practical training in sports reporting across all forms of media and underpins it with the very latest theory. It will ask questions such as 'what is sport's role in society?' and 'what are the factors driving the surge in interest?' By the end of the course you will have all the answers and the academic underpinning to fully understand the industry's future direction.

Outline:

Level 4

• Core Modules:
• Understanding Journalism (20 credits):
Develop basic knowledge of key issues affecting the journalism industry including how it has evolved over time, looking at issues such as the changing economics of journalism and the influence of technology.
• Introduction to Reporting (20 credits): Develop skills required to identify and source news stories, including finding contacts, effective interviewing and first-class research skills.
• Introduction to Broadcast (20 credits): Provides an introduction to broadcast.
• Sports Journalism Skills (20 credits): Develop the knowledge and skills required to produce match/event reports across a number of sports.
Work in a number of simulated environments that replicate those that a sports journalist would routinely face.
• Newswriting for Sports Journalists (20 credits): Acquire introductory skills in sports news writing.
Develop an awareness of editorial judgement on sports desks, and the importance of accuracy in use of language skills.
• Essential Law and Ethics (Sports Journalism) (20 credits): Prepare for the NCTJ professional diploma examinations in Essential Media Law and Broadcast Regulation.

Level 5

• Core Modules:
• Journalism Issues (20 credits):
Gain knowledge of key contemporary issues within the journalism industry and explore questions about the media's role in a modern, democratic society.
• Magazine Journalism (20 credits): Prepares for the weekly production of magazines
  ewspapers in Level 6.
Introduces students to long-form writing for the web and print.
• Developing Broadcast Skills (20 credits): Learn how to research, write and produce high-quality, professional standard reports for radio and/or TV.
• Sports Media Communication (20 credits): Provides an awareness of the sports PR and communication environment.
Develop industry focused practical skills and critical thinking.
• Sports Journalism for a Digital Audience (20 credits): Build on and develop previous production and writing skills to produce and present digital sports content.
• Multimedia Sports Reporting (20 credits): Develop core sports reporting skills.
Replicate industry practice in various environments.
• Optional Modules:
• Study Year Abroad - Journalism (120 credits):
Provides students with an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement their program at LJMU.

Level 6

• Core Modules:
• Journalism Careers (20 credits):
Enables students to apply and evaluate their skills in a professional setting. Provides the means to identify skills and match them to the employment market.
• Advanced Sports Journalism Practice (40 credits): Synthesize skills of sports writing, reporting and production to produce journalism artefacts both in groups and individually that match or approach professional standards.
• Optional Modules:
• Features Journalism (20 credits):
Develop a critical understanding of the purpose of features and associated forms of writing such as reviews and opinion.
• Public Interest Journalism (20 credits): Covers the court system, court reporting restrictions, contempt of court, anonymity rules in court reporting, defamation in court reporting, accessing court information, open justice, reporting inquests, a journalist rights in reporting councils, government and other public bodies, the application of the Freedom of Information Act.
• Business of Sport (20 credits): Provides a critical analysis of sport in a business context.
• Dissertation (40 credits): Allows students to carry out a major project of private study and research.
• Final Project (40 credits): Gives students an opportunity to design and create individual innovative journalism products for a defined audience.
• Photojournalism (20 credits): Equips students with the photography skills required to produce images of publishable quality that meet news industry standards.

Assessment:

Assessment varies depending on the modules chosen, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework. Assessment methods include: essays, projects, portfolios of work, exams, reports, group and individual presentations, and dissertations. Much of the work is journalism based and supported by academic essays and presentations.

Teaching:

• Teaching Methods:
• Active blended learning approach, meaning students will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning.
• Teaching is delivered via a combination of lectures, seminars, online activities and workshops, in addition to around 22 hours weekly production work and independent research.
• In the final year, students will spend only two days per week in class.
• Faculty:
• The program is led by David Randles, an NCTJ qualified journalist with extensive experience in sports journalism.
• Unique Approaches:
• The program offers many opportunities for practical, hands-on experience and work placements, thanks to connections in the local, national and international media and sports clubs.
• The Liverpool Screen School is well equipped and there should be no reason for students to buy extra equipment.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Reporters
• Writers
• Editors
• Specialist correspondents
• Freelance journalists
• Television presenters
• Public relations departments
• Consultancies
• Web-based media
• Local authority press departments
• Opportunities:
• Many students are offered permanent jobs at institutions like the BBC, Trinity Mirror and Lime Pictures on the basis of a successful work placement.
• Outcomes:
• LJMU journalism graduates have a good track record of employment, forging successful careers in a variety of roles connected to the industry.

Other:

• Facilities:
• The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool's growing Knowledge Quarter.
• The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, TV studios, radio suites, green screen, editing rooms and news rooms, social spaces, and a café.
• It is only a short walk from LJMUs Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources students will require for their studies.
• Accreditation:
• BA (Hons) Sports Journalism is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists.
This key industry accreditation means the course focuses closely on UK employer requirements.
• All LJMU journalism students will have the first attempt of their NCTJ assessments paid for by the university (subject to attendance).
• Student Support:
• Students will be supported by a dedicated personal tutor who will be available to discuss course-related issues, monitor their progress, and meet with them twice a year to discuss their educational and career plans.
• Go Abroad:
Students may be able to study abroad as part of their degree at one of our 100+ partner universities across the world. They could also complete a work placement or apply for one of our prestigious worldwide internship programs.
• The Go Citizen Scheme can help with costs towards volunteering, individual projects or unpaid placements anywhere in the world.
• Student Life:
• There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree.
Students are encouraged to get involved in student life, including sports, societies, and volunteering.

• Home full-time per year: £9,250
• International full-time per year: £17,750
• All figures are subject to yearly increases.
Tuition fees are subject to parliamentary approval.