(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Multimedia Journalism (Including Placement Year)
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Literature, Film, and Theatre Studies
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
BA P503
10/05/2023
Details
Professional accreditation
Accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).
Admission criteria
GCSE: Mathematics and English C/4
A-levels: ABB, including one essay based subject
BTEC: DDD, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
IB: 32 points or three Higher Level certificates with 655 including a Higher Level essay based subject grade 5. Plus either must include Standard Level Mathematics grade 4, or a minimum of 3 in Higher Level Mathematics. We will accept grade 4 in either Standard Level Mathematics: Analysis and Approaches or Standard Level Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation.
Maths in the IB is not required if you have already achieved GCSE Maths at grade C/4 or above or 4 in IB Middle Years Maths.
We are also happy to consider a combination of separate IB Diploma Programme Courses (formerly certificates) at both Higher and Standard Level. Exact offer levels will vary depending on the range of subjects being taken at higher and standard level, and the course applied for.
We can also consider combinations with BTECs or other qualifications in the Career-related programme – the acceptability of BTECs and other qualifications depends on the subject studied, advice on acceptability can be provided. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.
Access to HE Diploma: 15 level 3 credits at Distinction and 30 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided.
T-levels: Distinction, depending on subject studied -advice on acceptability can be provided.
As part of the application process for this course you may receive a phone call from our Multimedia Journalism admissions selector to discuss your application and your interest in the course. This is not a formal interview but an opportunity to chat through your expectations and understanding of what the course is about.
What if I don’t achieve the grades I hoped?
If your final grades are not as high as you had hoped, the good news is you may still be able to secure a place with us on a course which includes a foundation year. Visit our undergraduate application information page for more details.
What if I have a non-traditional academic background?
Don’t worry. To gain a deeper knowledge of your course suitability, we will look at your educational and employment history, together with your personal statement and reference.
You may be considered for entry into Year 1 of your chosen course. Alternatively, some UK and EU applicants may be considered for Essex Pathways, an additional year of study (known as a foundation year/year 0) helping students gain the necessary skills and knowledge in order to succeed on their chosen course. You can find a list of Essex Pathways courses and entry requirements here
If you are a mature student, further information is here
IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code
English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in each component.
Other English language qualifications may be acceptable so please contact us for further details. If we accept the English component of an international qualification then it will be included in the information given about the academic levels listed above. Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications
If you are an international student requiring a visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.
If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.
Course qualifiers
A course qualifier is a bracketed addition to your course title to denote a specialisation or pathway that you have achieved via the completion of specific modules during your course. The
specific module requirements for each qualifier title are noted below. Eligibility for any selected qualifier will be determined by the department and confirmed by the final year Board of
Examiners. If the required modules are not successfully completed, your course title will remain as described above without any bracketed addition. Selection of a course qualifier is
optional and student can register preferences or opt-out via Online Module Enrolment (eNROL).
None
Rules of assessment
Rules of assessment are the rules, principles and frameworks which the University uses to calculate your course progression and final results.
Additional notes
None
External examiners
External Examiners provide an independent overview of our courses, offering their expertise and help towards our continual improvement of course content, teaching, learning, and assessment.
External Examiners are normally academics from other higher education institutions, but may be from the industry, business or the profession as appropriate for the course.
They comment on how well courses align with national standards, and on how well the teaching, learning and assessment methods allow students to develop and demonstrate the relevant knowledge and skills needed to achieve their awards.
External Examiners who are responsible for awards are key members of Boards of Examiners. These boards make decisions about student progression within their course and about whether students can receive their final award.
Programme aims
- To create graduates who are thoroughly grounded in the theory and practice of journalism, and who have the range and depth of skills and knowledge necessary to embark on a career in journalism; to give students the legal, moral, ethical and values-based framework that will allow them to make sound editorial judgements and behave in a professional manner;
- To help students develop their writing and broadcasting skills to a high level; to equip students with the technical, editorial and other (eg shorthand) expertise they need to operate effectively as journalists in today’s converged, multimedia, digital environment;
- To encourage students to develop their critical faculties, in particular to adopt an inquiring, sceptical and whole-hearted approach to their work;
- To encourage students to work effectively on their own and in teams to produce the best journalism;
- To enable students to study for and achieve an industry-recognised qualification alongside their degree;
- To develop students’ application of their knowledge and skills in a work-based context;
- To enable students to develop essential work-based skills.
Learning outcomes and learning, teaching and assessment methods
On successful completion of the programme a graduate should demonstrate knowledge and skills as follows:
A: Knowledge and understanding
A1: Theoretical and practical approaches to journalism
A2: The UK legal system, court reporting and the law relating to the media
A3: The characteristics and needs of a range of print, broadcast and web-based journalism, how audiences consume them and how best to serve those audiences
A4: Production processes and professional practice in relation to newspapers, magazines, online content and broadcast journalism
A5: Advanced research and data handling techniques, and the ability to assess and report statistics-based stories
A6: A specialist subject area or form of journalism
A7: The influence of theory on practice, operating professionally within a complex and ever changing regulatory framework
A8: The history and evolution of journalism, the current state of the industry and its future prospects
A9: The role of publishing and broadcasting in a modern society
A10: The regulatory framework and codes of practice relating to journalism
A11: Reporting local and national government processes, the nature of devolution and the relationship with the EU
Learning methods
Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback.
Assessment methods
A1-A11 Range of in-class tests, portfolio of work, reflective journals, group work, project work, essays and other coursework
A1, A4-A7 examination
B: Intellectual and cognitive skills
B1: Able to absorb and organise large amounts of information in a short time, applying critical techniques to assess evidence on the basis of relevance, reliability and newsworthiness
B2: Theoretical and practical approaches to journalism
B3: Make good decisions and present clear, well-reasoned and coherent arguments, in writing or orally, often against a deadline
B4: Exercise judgement in designing, planning and delivering journalistic output
B5: Demonstrate critical judgement of developments in the news, and of issues and concepts, and dispassionate assessment of own work and the work of others
B6: Produce independent and imaginative treatments conforming to a clear framework of values
B7: Be a self-critical journalist able to apply theoretical knowledge to enable sound decision-making in delivering journalistic output
Learning methods
Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback.
Assessment methods
Assessment is by coursework, practical assignments, portfolios, group projects, peer assessment, critical commentaries, written examinations and, in some cases, oral presentations.
C: Practical skills
C1: An ability to find, research and write news stories and features for various print, online and broadcast media
C2: An ability to conduct interviews, record information accurately and analyse it to a professional standard
C3: An ability to work in production for various media, using industry-standard software and hardware
C4: An ability to work independently, cooperatively and in editorial teams to produce finished work to agreed deadlines for various media
C5: An ability to plan, produce and present projects suitable for publication or broadcast
C6: An ability to operate in professional manner, observing ethical and legal constraints
Learning methods
Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback.
Assessment methods
Assessment is by coursework, practical assignments, portfolios, group projects, peer assessment, critical commentaries, written examinations and, in some cases, oral presentations.
D: Key skills
D1: Ability to express oneself in a clear, focused, relevant and effective way, both orally and in writing
D2: Ability to use appropriate software and hardware to produce and present high quality editorial content
D3: Basic grasp of numeracy, and ability to understand and apply a sceptical approach to statistics
D4: Finding, understanding, organising and processing information. Applying knowledge and understanding to make judgements. Ability to question conventional wisdom and find innovative methods of research. Working to deadlines. Management of projects and timetables.
D5: Ability to plan, manage time, and advance and argue for proposals in editorial meetings, ability to respond constructively to criticism, ability to engage in collaborative writing and programme-making activities; ability to work co-operatively in a variety of group contexts, including practical production, taking on a number of different roles.
D6: Ability to take responsibility for own work and actions in individual and collective contexts, and to reflect on performance and make constructive use of written and oral feedback.
Learning methods
Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback.
Assessment methods
Assessment is by coursework, practical assignments, portfolios, group projects, peer assessment, critical commentaries, written examinations and, in some cases, oral presentations.