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Broadcast Journalism ^*

BA Honours

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Accredited by BJTC

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Broadcast Journalism ^*

BA Honours

Year of entry: Sept 2019 Sept 2020
Course Type: Full time (3 years)
Foundation (4 years)
Tariff Points: 112
Study Abroad:

Placements:

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Course Overview

Are you excited by the fast-paced world of radio, TV, social media and digital news? Do you want to be part of this fiercely competitive and constantly evolving industry?

Kick-start your career by studying Broadcast Journalism at our award-winning Centre for Journalism. Broadcast Journalism is a vocational degree that will develop your practical broadcast skills and expose you to the reality of delivering news to a range of audiences.

Why study with us?

• Learn from the experts. Our lecturers are award-winning with extensive industry experience.

• Develop your practical skills. You'll learn in our industry-standard broadcast studios on campus.

• Build your professional networks. Our excellent professional links across a wide range of newsrooms will give you the chance to make contacts and hear from experts.

• Impress employers. Our course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council, which means it's relevant and prepares you for today's broadcast industry.

SUBJECT FOCUS DAYS

Are you a Year 12 students looking to start a degree in September 2020? Subject Focus Days are designed as taster days of what it's like to study each subject at Leeds Trinity.

Find out more and book your place here.

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90%

of our Broadcast Journalism students are satisfied with the teaching on their course.

(National Student Survey 2018)

25%

Our Journalism courses are ranked in the top 25% of all UK universities.

(Guardian University Guide 2019)

95%

of our students are employed or in further study six months after graduating.

(Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education 2017)

No.2

Leeds Trinity University is 2nd in Yorkshire for overall student satisfaction, behind only the University of Leeds.

(Mainstream universities in National Student Survey 2018)

Course Information

About this course >

You'll gain detailed knowledge and understanding of the key historical, political, economic, social and cultural contexts of the news media, as well as developing the vital knowledge of media law required for broadcasting.

You'll learn how to write for the broadcast media, as well as developing transferable multi-media skills relevant for broadcast journalism, content creation and other news-related communication fields.

Experience is crucial, so you'll put your broadcast journalism skills into practice by completing professional work placements in each year of your degree. This will include live broadcasting for Bradford Community Radio and TV reporting for our news magazine show Yorkshire Voice.

You'll also have the opportunity to gain additional work experience in your final year with our Professional Learning through Work module, which involves working with an employer on a live, long-term project.

Our course is highly valued by employers thanks to its Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) accreditation, which recognises its relevance and responsiveness to the operational demands of the broadcast industry.

Leeds Trinity University courses terms and conditions

Further Study

Following the course, you will be qualified to study at postgraduate level in areas such as MA Journalism, which we provide here at Leeds Trinity.

Accredited by BJTC

This course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC). The BJTC accreditation standard is based on direct and practical experience. Accredited courses are highly valued by employers as they are relevant and responsive to the operational demands of the broadcast industry.

Modules >

Overview

Year one

Year two

Year three

Year 1

A grounding in journalism, introducing you to mobile journalism, audio skills, television studio, online news, as well as media law, ethics and a professional development which culminates in five-week placement.

Year 2

In year 2 you delve deeper into radio and television news production, learn more about OFCOM and media law, are introduced to important theories and concepts in journalism studies, and further your journalistic on-line skills. The year culminates in a six-week period of radio broadcasting for Bradford Community Radio and TV reporting on Yorkshire Voice.

Year 3

In year 3 you usually begin the year with a professional three week placement where you can make the most of the skills you’ve acquired over the previous 2 years, perfect your audio and visual skills, develop your own website, and study case law and public affairs. You may choose a research dissertation OR professional learning through work where you negotiate a project with an employer.

On this course you will study a range of modules which may include the following:

JOU4402 - Professional Development and Placement
This module supports students in understanding the different opportunities open to them in the workplace and the skills employers are looking for and helps them develop the employability skills required in the workplace. At the end of this module students will take part in an intensive two-week professional skills preparation block before undertaking an industry placement.
JOU4426 - Practical Journalism 1
Students will learn how to find, research and write news stories in an appropriate style for different platforms. They will learn and practise interviewing skills. The sessions will be partly classroom-based in workshops but will include a lot of live reporting, and students will build a portfolio covering key skills. This module includes teamwork in the TV studio, video journalism, radio and digital skills.
JOU4912 - Journalism in Society
This module will look at the purpose of journalism, how it developed, and journalistic reporting in the present day, focussing on newspapers, and some of the issues and debates in this sector. As part of this, students will be required to learn about the history of the press and freedom of the press from the 17th century to the development of new technology in the present day, including multi-platform delivery and the use of user-generated content, and the subsequent implications for producers and consumers of news. It will look at the role which journalism plays in wider society. The module will go on to examine different types of journalism and ethical and other issues around the reporting and coverage of a range of specialisms, such as sport, science and/or crime reporting.
JOU4942 - Media Matters
Media Matters is an introduction to media law and covers the basics of the legal system, contempt and reporting restrictions as they affect sexual offences and crimes involving juveniles. A key part of the module includes visits to crown and magistrates' court to see how such laws are applied in practice. The module also covers regulation as it affects the print and broadcast media. Finally, it includes a brief introduction to defamation (a topic which is covered in more depth in levels 5 and 6).

On this course you will study a range of modules which may include the following:

JOU5052 - Radio and Podcast for Journalists
This module provides an understanding of radio and its current context. It examines the different marketplaces / audiences relevant to radio and provides tuition in interview skills, writing for radio and the skills needs to compile, write and deliver a news bulletin.
JOU5322 - Professional Development for Broadcast Journalism
1.A professional development programme with special reference to employability in journalism and related sectors. The programme will comprise: - reflection on the nature of work and ethical issues related to it; - development of employability skills, including digital skills; - development of group work and team building; - interviews with Placement Tutor. 2. The Law element in the PDPM module will build on and enhance the study of Law and Regulation from Level 4, and will normally include topics such as reporting restrictions, contempt of court and defamation. It will also include a basic introduction to Public Affairs (central and local government, the monarchy and European Union). 3. An in-house live broadcasting period at the beginning of Semester 2, in both radio and television - outward facing, and using all the industry conventions associated with reporting, production and broadcasting. 4. Critical reflection and evaluation of this period of news days. 5. An element on Holding Power to Account, which will ensure students have a basic knowledge of the working of Public Affairs (government as it affects journalists). This includes a visit to observe a council meeting.
JOU5404 - Practical Journalism 2: Newswriting
Students will examine key areas of news reporting through formative and summative practical exercises in class, with articles published online. Includes use of authoritative sources, research, interview and writing skills. Students have free rein over geographical area and subject matter covered. In Semester 1 students take part in informal peer assessment and feedback exercises. In Semester 2 students are introduced to content management system/s and are required to create and display multi-media content, e.g. headlines, text, images, captions, hyperlinks and video, and promote their work via social media.
JOU5912 - Journalism in Context
Building on knowledge and understanding of the development of journalism and contemporary debates and issues in journalism studied at L4 in Journalism in Society, this module examines journalism studies in more depth and detail, introducing students to important theories and concepts in journalism studies about how news is constructed and presented, the wider, often less visible, influences on journalism (for example, structural or ideological), and the subsequent effects on the news and journalism that audiences receive. As part of this, the module will look at seminal studies and abstract concepts in the field, for example, primary definition, moral panics, and the propaganda model. In addition, students are also introduced to different approaches to carrying out media research and to apply their acquired knowledge of both theory and research techniques in an appropriate and relevant way to a research proposal, which will be used as the basis for a research project at L6 or the project for the Professional Learning Through Work module.
JOU5972 - Television News for Journalists
The module runs over two semesters. In the first semester, students will be introduced to digital camera and editing equipment of industry standard. They will learn key news writing and production skills. In the second semester, they will move on to produce a feature package.

On this course you will study a range of modules which may include the following:

JOU6174 - Digital Media Portfolio
This module allows students to pursue an individual journalism project which brings together the skills they have developed during the course of their studies, with particular emphasis on writing video and audio skills but also allowing students to use photographic skills to pull together a project which requires them to demonstrate an ability to identify a niche audience, and plan and produce suitable content for multi-platform delivery. Students will have the opportunity to take forward the audio and visual skills acquired in levels 4 and 5 and to particularly develop skills in relation to producing stories for an on-line audience. Students will demonstrate their employability skills and professional readiness by preparing a professional portfolio and undertaking a mock job interview.
JOU6214 - Advanced Broadcast Journalism
This module expands on skills learned in the Level 5 Broadcast Journalism module, and pulls in other relevant journalism skills from the two previous years overall. It stretches students to extend their news production skills and journalistic skills by engaging with the production of television and radio news artefacts and programmes. The module will begin with a three week industry placement in the early part of Semester 1. This placement will enable students to apply their learning from Levels 4 and 5 in the workplace, and students will be closely monitored throughout the attachment period to ensure that they use the opportunities offered to maximum advantage. To this end students will be required to maintain an attachment log in which they record their daily activity and reflect on their experience. In television, students will go on to work toward longer-form television pieces which combine their news production skills learned in level 5 semester 1 with their feature news production skills learned in level 5 semester 2 and use them to produce a television news and current affairs programme which extends their news bulletin production skills and brings in more considered news features and programme production skills. In radio, students will develop their production skills to produce longer form programme packages and, working as a team, a radio sequence programme (or programmes) in which each team member has a clearly identifiable contribution. This will require students to understand the conventions of packages, voice pieces, bulletins and/or location reports and similar devices in styles suitable for given audiences. Students must also apply an advanced understanding of the requirements, conventions and regulatory regimes applicable to different broadcasters and content providers. During the module, students will take part in 18 live news days - 2 radio planning days and 1 production day in Semester 1, 5 multimedia days during Journalism Week and 10 TV newsdays (5 planning and 5 production) in Semester 2. These will be University-based and linked to either assessment production or live events. Broadcast Journalism students will be given voice coaching in a mixture of group and individual sessions.
JOU6352 - Professional Learning Through Work
This module enables students to develop and negotiate learning outcomes and assessment modes that provide the flexibility for them to apply theoretical understanding and practical work based development to a chosen context. This could include a work based project or intervention or an alternative professional development project within their work setting. Students will be expected to negotiate a project with their employer or prior placement provider organisation that meets the needs of both the employer and Leeds Trinity University
JOU6522 - Public Affairs
Content for this module follows the NCTJ Diploma syllabus for Essential Public Affairs. Public Affairs examines the structure, finance operation and responsibilities of local and central government, as well as European government and looks at constitution in the UK, the monarchy and issues of devolution. It covers the electoral system in the UK, discusses how governments and local authorities are held to account and helps develop an understanding of how to access information from public bodies. It also looks at the workings of key frontline services, namely the NHS, education, social services, planning and environmental bodies, highways, transport and the emergency services. Throughout the module, you are encouraged to develop an interest in public affairs, identify issues of interest to news audiences and understand how to translate those issues into a journalistic format.
JOU6902 - Law for Journalists
TThe main principles of English law affecting the media, including the laws pertaining to contempt, copyright, defamation, privacy, human rights, court reporting, access to information and terrorism. The module will cover key legal areas which crop up in day-to-day reporting and also reflect changes in legislation / case law which impact on journalists.
JOU6912 - Journalism Research Project
This module will require students to utilise the research methods they have been taught at Level 5 and apply them to a research project in a chosen specialist area relevant to journalism. It follows directly on from Level 5 Journalism in Context and the research proposal which students submit at the end of their second year. In the Journalism Research Project module, students develop their proposal into a full piece of research, delivered through a final project report. The module includes initial refresher sessions as students consider what has changed with regard to their proposals since submission in Level 5. This will be followed by guidance on how to structure the project. Thereafter students will work independently to produce a research project, through supervision.
MFC6142 - Advanced Documentary Production for Journalists
In this module, students will have an opportunity to build on the editorial and technical skills learned on previous modules, in order to devise, research and produce a ten-minute documentary film, for their career portfolio. Sessions will provide a theoretical understanding of the nature and role of documentaries and an insight into the impact they can have, as well as practical aspects of contemporary documentary production - such as devising and researching programme ideas, finding key contributors the preparation and execution of single-camera location filming and story-telling in the editing process. It will culminate in an intensive period of self-directed team-based production, during which students will work in teams with students from the MFC 6044 module, to create a ten-minute documentary film to a professional quality (together with a 'legal binder' of industry-standard production documents). They will also supply an individual critical analysis of the finished film, their individual role in it, what they learned and how they would improve their performance in the future.

Structure >

Learning and Teaching >

At Leeds Trinity we aim to provide an excellent student experience and a personal approach to helping students achieve their academic and professional potential. We have a strong tradition of supporting student employability, with relevant skills embedded in the curriculum and professional work placements included in all our undergraduate programmes.

The key themes of our strategy are student confidence, professionalism and social responsibility. To help students achieve their potential we emphasise learning as a collaborative process, with a range of student-led and directed activities. This approach ensures that students fully engage in shaping their own learning, developing their critical thinking and reflective skills so that they can identify their own strengths and weaknesses, and use the extensive learning support system we offer to shape their own development. Our full Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy can be accessed here. #expand#
Modules on this course are delivered through a combination of interactive workshops, practical sessions, lectures and small group tutorials/seminars.

On this course students undertake an extended News Production Project at the end of the first year which features a series of live news exercises and a 20-credit Personal Development and Placement module which features six-weeks of live news broadcasts in the spring term of Level 5, sandwiched between periods of preparation and reflection on learning. Students also undertake three-weeks of industry placement at the start of Level 6.

At Level 6 students are offered the opportunity to undertake a choice of research-based academic modules and practical journalism projects which provide an extended opportunity for critical thinking and the enhancement of professional skills.

All students are offered opportunities to develop professional skills, links with employers, mentors and our alumni throughout their programme of study. You will have the opportunity throughout the programme to engage in extra-curricular activities and volunteering related to your graduate prospects.

We make extensive use of Moodle, Leeds Trinity's virtual learning environment (VLE), to support class sessions, and of e-resources to enable 24/7 access to learning materials from off-campus.

Assessment

A variety of assessment methods are used, matched to the learning outcomes for the programme, to enable students to demonstrate the full range of knowledge and skills that they have developed. There is some scope for students to be involved in negotiating and evaluating some assessment.

Students are offered the opportunity to develop their own essay titles/research project subjects in final year modules and the chance to develop their own ideas for practical journalism pieces of work throughout the course.

Assessments tailored to this course include live news broadcasts and other live news production exercises, social media exercises and, in the final year, the production of a digital media portfolio tailored to a niche market of each individual student's choice.

In addition to each of your module assessments you will take a programme level assessment in each of the first and second year of your programme. This is designed to assess your understanding of everything you have been taught and to help you to understand how different elements of your degree fit together to make a coherent programme.

You will be given weekly directed activities to complete in each module. These will contribute marks towards the final module assessment and reward engagement with the content of the module. They will also help you to check your understanding of what has been taught. Some of these activities may include further reading or preparation tasks for seminars. Some of the tasks will be completed online and may include quizzes which provide you with instant feedback on your understanding of the module content. In some modules lecturers may place some of the taught content on videos which you may be required to watch prior to attending a class. This will free up time for you to work on meaningful projects in class.

On this programme there are some assessments which are marked on a pass/fail basis rather than graded. Please note that these assessments are excluded from the calculations made to produce the figures published in the Key Information Set (KIS) for this programme/subject.

Entry Requirements >

Typically, our entry offer for this degree course is 112 UCAS tariff points.

Other requirements: For the old GCSE system we require grade C or above and for the new GCSE grading system we will accept grade 4 or higher in English Language. We also accept a variety of international equivalent qualifications.

We welcome students with a wide range of qualifications such as A Levels, BTECs and accredited Access courses. We treat every application on its own merits; we value highly the experience you illustrate in your personal statement. Applicants who meet the entry criteria will be invited to interview.

If you have achieved a qualification such as a foundation degree or HND, or have gained credit at another higher education institution, you may be able to enter the course at Level 5 or 6. For more information, read our student guide to the Recognition of Prior Certified Learning

If you are unsure about the acceptance of a particular qualification, you can check with our Admissions Team on 0113 283 7123 or email admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk.

Student Finance >

UK & EU Students:

Tuition fees cost £9,250 a year for this course in 2019/20. Part-time tuition fees would be pro-rated accordingly to the number of credits you're studying. Depending on government policy, tuition fees may rise with inflation in future years. Find out more here.

Living costs will also need to be taken in to consideration. Find out more about accommodation and costs here.

Leeds Trinity offers a range of bursaries and scholarships to help support students while you study. Get more information about bursaries and scholarships here.

International Students:

Tuition fees cost £12,000 per year for this course starting in 2019-20. Part-time study is not available for international students on a Tier 4 Student Visa. Find out more

Additional Costs

We advise students to budget for the following in addition to annual tuition fees:

Recommended and required reading lists will be provided at the start of your course. All the books and e-books are available from our Library to borrow but you may choose to purchase your own. We recommend £390* as an average annual budget for learning resources if you decide this is for you. *This figure is based on the Department of Work and Pensions course costs allowance 2015.
Field trips may occur during this course and either fully or partly subsidised by the University.
You'll need to include placement/s travel and associated costs too, however the University will contribute a standard amount towards your total expenditure.
The University provides students with a £6 printing credit each academic year which can be topped up either on campus or online.

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Placement Opportunities

We are one of only a few UK universities to build professional work placements into every degree. You'll complete professional work placements during each year of your degree, working in local radio stations including the BBC and commercial radio, regional and local television and production companies.

You'll complete professional work placements during each year of your degree, working in local radio stations which could include the BBC and commercial radio, regional and local television and production companies.

Graduate Opportunities

You'll graduate ready to work in a newsroom environment, with broadcast news providers in public and commercial sectors, at production companies and in social media roles. Our recent graduates work in television production companies, as radio presenters and as producers.

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What is Unistats?

What is Unistats?
Unistats is the official site that allows you to search for and compare data and information on university and college programmes from across the UK. The site draws together comparable information on those areas that students have identified as important in making decisions about what and where to study.