Journalism and Communications BA(Hons)
Enhance your communication skills and prepare for a career in journalism, broadcasting, digital content or social media.
Key details
| Course Duration | 3 years |
| Attendance | Full-time |
| UCAS code | Y8U4 |
| Location | Falmouth Campus |
| Contact | 01326 254350 |
Introduction
You'll have the chance to specialise in health, tourism, events or sport communications, and work with creative and technology start-ups. With a firm grasp of journalism, communications and multimedia, you'll work on our news and magazine enterprises and devise multimedia campaigns and social media strategies for various causes, companies and concerns. You’ll also have the chance to develop your multimedia storytelling skills with third-year work placements.
Course details
What you'll learn
Taking a global perspective, you’ll focus on public communications for the non-profit sector. You’ll learn how digital and social media are reshaping power, persuasion and influence - so you can enter the evolving journalism world with the visual and verbal skills you’ll need.
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You’ll learn essential critical thinking skills in both journalism and communication, as well as how to record video and audio. We’ll also cover essential communication skills like writing academic work, referencing, and project management.
Modules
Informing & Influencing
Journalism & Communications in Context
Multimedia Methods
Persuasion & Publicity
Politics & Law for Journalists
Journalism & Communications Ethics
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Broadening your knowledge base, you’ll learn skills like how to produce successful campaigns for charities and NGOs, and study subjects like how different regimes prevent radical change through censorship and regulation. On top of this, you’ll build your broadcasting skills, and produce multimedia magazines and news sites.
Modules
Magazine Content & Creation
Censorship & Regulation
Features & Long Form
Campaign Communications
Journalism & Communications Research
Advanced Multimedia Methods
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Refining your skills, you’ll further specialise in anything from health to tourism. You can also study strategic communications for development and intercultural communications. And by completing a dissertation and gaining experience in local, national and international newsrooms and public communications departments, you’ll gain real experience and make valuable industry contacts.
Modules
International & Intercultural Communications
Dissertation or Mini Documentary
Multimedia Enterprise 1
Multimedia Enterprise 2Optional modules
Health & Medical Communications
Sports PR & Communications
Tourism & Event Communications
The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.
How you'll learn
You’ll gain industry experience from guaranteed placements in newsrooms or public sector communications departments, trips to councils, courts and other news-making organisations, and regular guest lectures from a range of media companies.
With a unique emphasis on practical workshops and seminars, you’ll learn by doing and critically reflecting. Our teaching and assessment methods mean you can take a flexible approach to your learning, with the opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad.
We’ll also encourage you to become even more employable by finding and taking on outside projects.
How you'll spend your time
Year | Timetabled teaching and learning activity | Guided independent study | Placements |
1 | 23% | 77% | 0% |
2 | 26% | 74% | 0% |
3 | 19% | 81% | 0% |
How you'll be assessed
Year | Written exams | Practical exams | Coursework |
1 | 15% | 13% | 72% |
2 | 0% | 20% | 80% |
3 | 0% | 15% | 85% |
Assessment methods
- Continuous assessment
- One exam on politics & law for journalists
- Freelance portfolio
- Extended critical dissertation in the final year
Staff
With experience in roles like field producer for the BBC and deputy editor for the Oxford Mail, your tutors provide expertise in everything from ethics and regulation, to media law and public affairs, to blogging and digital media.
Andy Chatfield
Andy is a former deputy editor of the Oxford Mail, who worked in the newspaper industry for 20...
Kevin Bishop
Kevin Bishop is an broadcast news producer with over 30 years experience in newsgathering....
Julia Kennedy
Graduating as a mature student with an English and media studies degree in 2001 (...
Sasha Dobrota
Sasha has been producing and managing cultural projects, experiences and events for the last...
Facilities
- A well-equipped digital newsroom with news feed.
- 25 workstations with professional scriptwriting and editing software.
- The Soundhouse, our dedicated radio studio.
- A wide range of DV cameras and audio recording devices.
- Exclusive use of The Lighthouse, the School’s new study and meeting space.
How to apply
Entry requirements
104 - 120 UCAS points, primarily from Level 3 qualifications like A-Levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma, or a Foundation Diploma.
Check how many points your qualifications are worth
We’ll also consider you based on your individual merit and potential. So get in touch if:
- You’re predicted points below our requirements
- You’re thinking about transferring from another institution
- You have other qualifications or professional experience
Language requirements
GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent.
We also accept qualifications equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
If you need a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you’ll need to take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT).
Apply via UCAS
Enter these codes at UCAS Apply and Track
- University code F33
- Course code Y8U4
Deadlines
UK/EU applications: 15 January
Late applications will be considered if there are places available.
International fee payers can apply after the deadline. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.
Next steps
Once you’ve applied, you’ll receive a Falmouth Applicant Portal login, where you’ll find more details about these requirements.
What we're looking for
We want someone who:
- Is enthusiastic and committed, with experience in relevant subjects.
- Has been involved in a school magazine, personal blog or similar.
- Knows about world affairs, politics and popular culture.
- Makes informed references to current developments across a range of subjects.
- Has analytical skills, and can comment intelligently and incisively on recent news, events and campaigns.
- Shows independence and initiative.
- Has extra-curricular interests, part-time jobs or hobbies.
Fees, costs & funding
Tuition fees 2019-20
£9,250 - full-time UK/EU
£15,000 - full-time international
Typical course costs
- £100-£200 - Recurring annual costs
- £600 - Optional study visits and placements for the course duration
If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter.
The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs
Funding
For information about funding available, please visit our undergraduate funding page