Subject overview

Why media and journalism? 

We live in a media-saturated society influencing almost every aspect of our lives. If you want to understand our contemporary world, you have to understand the media and get to grips with journalism in its many guises – from magazines, newspapers, film and broadcasting to blogging, YouTube and twitter. And that’s not just because the media inform, educate and entertain us, it’s because they also provide the means by which we communicate with each other individually, nationally and globally. 

The media, with journalism an important component, help shape how we act as citizens, consumers and producers. They are part of how we construct our communities and identities, and how we organise and experience our everyday lives. The media are integrated into almost every aspect of modern life, and journalism mediates our relation to society. This is precisely what makes questions about the media’s production, meanings and impacts so challenging. It is also important that media practitioners – potentially you – are both highly skilled and have a thorough knowledge of the place of the media and journalism in the modern world.  

Programme content

This is an exciting and challenging course on which you will develop journalistic and media practice skills alongside wider academic study. You will learn to understand journalism’s place in society, consider the ethics of journalism and evaluate journalistic output. 

With an emphasis on broadcast journalism, but concerned with all platforms – TV, radio, online and print/ text – throughout there is a strong emphasis on the practical aspects of journalism. We are currently seeking accreditation from the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council (BJTC). BJTC is the largest journalism course accrediting body in the UK, working in partnership with the main employers in the UK broadcasting industry. 

Core content

Year 1 

You get a grounding in approaches to journalism and engage in writing news stories and critical debate about the media. You also learn to create projects in digital media, sound and video 

Year 2 

Your study involves practice in broadcast journalism – TV and radio. You study journalism law and ethics, and take modules engaging with issues related to news, politics and power or another media option 

Year 3 

You choose a special topic (which may include music, political, arts or financial journalism or photojournalism), strengthen your print journalism skills, and study aspects of international political communication. Emphasis is placed on research skills and independent study. Your learning is supported by tutor supervision and guest lectures, culminating in a dissertation and a project 

Study abroad

Whichever course you choose, you have the opportunity to study abroad. You can study in English at universities in Australia, Europe and the USA, or in another language if you have high-level skills. Sussex has over a hundred partner institutions. Studying overseas broadens your horizons and strengthens your knowledge and understanding of a different culture. It can be invaluable in developing your networks and opening up wider employment possibilities.

How will I learn?

Throughout your course, you will develop a rich portfolio of skills in critical and textual analysis, research planning and methods, and learn how to present your ideas effectively in a variety of formats. These skills, together with the cultural knowledge and critical agility you will have developed from studying the media in a variety of contexts, will prepare you for a wide range of careers in the media industries or other professions.

For more information, visit Studying at Sussex.

What will I achieve?

• the skills to produce effective and professional journalism material for a target audience, across platforms and to a deadline
• competence in using equipment and working with discipline-based software
• ability to offer critically informed comment to evaluate real-world situations and facts
• competent knowledge of forms of media, especially news media, and an understanding of how media texts are produced, distributed and consumed against a political and social background both in the UK and internationally
• ability to contribute effectively and confidently to debates about journalism
• competence in communicating complex ideas and analysis through written and oral exposition
• the skills to manage your personal professional development in preparation for employment or further study.

Entry requirements

Sussex welcomes applications from students of all ages who show evidence of the academic maturity and broad educational background that suggests readiness to study at degree level. For most students, this will mean formal public examinations; details of some of the most common qualifications we accept are shown below. If you are an overseas student, refer to Applicants from outside the UK.

All teaching at Sussex is in the English language. If your first language is not English, you will also need to demonstrate that you meet our English language requirements.

A level

Typical offer: ABB

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in English, normally at grade B.

International Baccalaureate

Typical offer: 34 points overall

For more information refer to International Baccalaureate.

Access to HE Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

Specific entry requirements: The Access to HE Diploma should be in the humanities or social sciences. Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in English, normally at grade B.

For more information refer to Access to HE Diploma.

Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass with at least grade B in the Diploma and A in the Additional and Specialist Learning.

Specific entry requirements: The Additional and Specialist Learning must be an A level (ideally in the humanities or social sciences). Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in English, normally at grade B.

For more information refer to Advanced Diploma.

BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma

Typical offer: DDM

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in English, normally at grade B.

For more information refer to BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma.

European Baccalaureate

Typical offer: Overall result of at least 77%

For more information refer to European Baccalaureate.

Finnish Ylioppilastutkinto

Typical offer: Overall average result in the final matriculation examinations of at least 6.0

French Baccalauréat

Typical offer: Overall final result of at least 13/20

German Abitur

Typical offer: Overall result of 1.8 or better

Irish Leaving Certificate (Higher level)

Typical offer: AABBBB

Italian Diploma di Maturità or Diploma Pass di Esame di Stato

Typical offer: Final Diploma mark of at least 90/100

Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers

Typical offer: AABBB

For more information refer to Scottish Highers and Advanced Highers.

Spanish Titulo de Bachillerato (LOGSE)

Typical offer: Overall average result of at least 8.0

Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma

Typical offer: Pass the Core plus at least AB in two A-levels

Specific entry requirements: Successful applicants will also need GCSE (or equivalent) in English, normally at grade B.

For more information refer to Welsh Baccalaureate.

Related subjects

• American studies
• Computing
• Cultural studies
• Drama studies
• English
• English language
• Film studies

Fees and funding

Fees

Funding

The funding sources listed below are for the subject area you are viewing and may not apply to all degrees listed within it. Please check the description of the individual funding source to make sure it is relevant to your chosen degree.

Careers and profiles

Studying journalism will provide you with a rich educational experience and an excellent preparation for freelance work or employment in the creative industries including news media, public relations, broadcasting, advertising, marketing and communication departments of non-governmental organisations, public institutions and private companies. 

You will also be equipped to pursue a further vocational specialism or more academic study at postgraduate level. 

Careers and employability

For employers, it’s not so much what you know, but what you can do with your knowledge that counts. The experience and skills you’ll acquire during and beyond your studies will make you an attractive prospect. Initiatives such as SussexPlus, delivered by the Careers and Employability Centre, help you turn your skills to your career advantage. It’s good to know that 94 per cent of our graduates are in work or further study (Which? University).

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Jonathan's staff perspective

‘Sussex provides world-leading teaching and excellent academic facilities, with a vibrant student life in a fantastic location. All of this meant that I left Sussex with a unique set of experiences and a degree that has prepared me for my future.

‘Joining Student Recruitment Services at the University has enabled me to share my experiences of Sussex with others. Coming to an Open Day gives you the opportunity to meet our research-active academics and our current students, while exploring our beautiful campus. But don’t worry if you can’t make an Open Day, there’s plenty of other opportunities to visit Sussex. Check out our Visit us and Open Days pages or our Facebook page to find out more.

‘I’ve loved every moment of my time at Sussex – these have been the best years of my life.’

Jonathan Bridges
Graduate Intern, Student Recruitment Services