Journalism and Language Studies

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Academic Year of Entry: 2024/25
Course overview
(BA) Bachelor of Arts
Journalism and Language Studies
Current
University of Essex
University of Essex
Language and Linguistics
Colchester Campus
Honours Degree
Full-time
Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
Languages, Cultures and Societies
BA P595
08/05/2024

Details

Professional accreditation

None

Admission criteria

  • A-levels: BBB - BBC or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A-levels, including B in one essay based subject.
  • BTEC: DDM - DMM or 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of the equivalent of 2 full A-levels. The acceptability of BTECs is dependent on subject studied and optional units taken - email ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.
  • Combined qualifications on the UCAS tariff: 120 - 112 UCAS tariff points from a minimum of 2 full A levels or equivalent. Tariff point offers may be made if you are taking a qualification, or mixture of qualifications, from the list on our undergraduate application information page.
  • IB: 30 - 29 points or three Higher Level certificates with 555-554.
  • IB Career-related Programme: We consider combinations of IB Diploma Programme courses with BTECs or other qualifications. Advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
  • QAA-approved Access to HE Diploma: 6 level 3 credits at Distinction and 39 level 3 credits at Merit, depending on subject studied - advice on acceptability can be provided, email Undergraduate Admissions.
  • T-levels: We consider T-levels on a case-by-case basis, depending on subject studied. The offer for most courses is Distinction overall. Depending on the course applied for there may be additional requirements, which may include a specific grade in the Core.

Contextual Offers:

We are committed to ensuring that all students with the merit and potential to benefit from an Essex education are supported to do so. For October 2024 entry, if you are a home fee paying student residing in the UK you may be eligible for a Contextual Offer of up to two A-level grades, or equivalent, below our standard conditional offer.
Factors we consider:

  • Applicants from underrepresented groups
  • Applicants progressing from University of Essex Schools Membership schools/colleges
  • Applicants who attend a compulsory admissions interview
  • Applicants who attend an Offer Holder Day at our Colchester or Southend campus

Our contextual offers policy outlines additional circumstances and eligibility criteria.

For further information about what a contextual offer may look like for your specific qualification profile, email ugquery@essex.ac.uk.

If you haven't got the grades you hoped for, have a non-traditional academic background, are a mature student, or have any questions about eligibility for your course, more information can be found on our undergraduate application information page. or get in touch with our Undergraduate Admissions Team.

IELTS (International English Language Testing System) code

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall, or specified score in another equivalent test that we accept.

Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

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 for the relevant countries.

Please note that date restrictions may apply to some English language qualifications.

If you are an international student requiring a Student visa to study in the UK please see our immigration webpages for the latest Home Office guidance on English language qualifications.

What if my IELTS does not meet your requirements?

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.

Do I need to have achieved an acceptable English language qualification before I apply?

You don’t need to achieve the required level before making your application, but it will be one of the conditions of your offer.

What if the English language qualification I hold, or am taking, is not listed?

If you cannot find the qualification that you have achieved or are pending, then please contact Admissions on ugquery@essex.ac.uk for advice.

What are the requirements for second and final year entry?

Different requirements apply for second and final year entry, and specified component grades are also required for applicants who require a visa to study in the UK. Details of English language requirements, including UK Visas and Immigration minimum component scores, and the tests we accept for applicants who require a Student visa (excluding Nationals of Majority English Speaking Countries) can be found here

Additional Notes

If you’re an international student, but do not meet the English language or academic requirements for direct admission to this degree, you could prepare and gain entry through a pathway course. Find out more about opportunities available to you at the University of Essex International College

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

Staff photo
Mrs Laura Hedwig Anneliese Lewis

Assistant Professor

Durham University

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.

eNROL, the module enrolment system, is now open until Monday 27 January 2025 8:59AM, for students wishing to make changes to their module options.

Key

Core You must take this module.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Core with Options You can choose which module to study.
You must pass this module. No failure can be permitted.
Compulsory You must take this module.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Compulsory with Options You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.
Optional You can choose which module to study.
There may be limited opportunities to continue on the course/be eligible for the degree if you fail.

Year 1 - 2024/25

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  LT135-4-FY-CO  Essential Journalism (Joint Honours)  Core  30  30 
02  LT138-4-AU-CO  The Journalistic Imagination: Contemporary Issues in Journalism  Compulsory  15  15 
03  LT147-4-SP-CO  Practical Podcasting  Compulsory  15  15 
04    Language option (Intermediate or above) or Intensive Beginners Part I & II  Optional  30  30 
05    Language option (Beginners to Post A-Level) or Intensive Beginners Part I & II  Optional  30  30 
06  LA099-4-FY-CO  Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics  Compulsory 

Year 2 - 2025/26

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  LT231-5-FY-CO  Audio and Video for Broadcast and Online (Joint Honours)  Compulsory  30  30 
02  LT232-5-AU-CO  Feature Writing and Magazine Journalism  Compulsory  15  15 
03    LT238-5-SP or LT242-5-AU  Compulsory with Options  15  15 
04    Language option (Post A-Level or above)  Optional  30  30 
05    Language option (Post Beginners or above)  Optional  30  30 
06  LA099-5-FY-CO  Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics  Compulsory 

Year 3 - 2026/27

Component Number Module Code Module Title Status Min Credits Max Credits
01  LT312-6-FY-CO  Advanced Practical Journalism  Compulsory  30  30 
02  LT431-6-SP-CO  Comparative Media Law and Regulation  Compulsory  15  15 
03    LT396-6-AU or LT969-6-AU  Compulsory with Options  15  15 
04    Language option (proficiency or above)  Optional  30  30 
05    Language option (Intermediate or above)  Optional  30  30 
06  LA099-6-FY-CO  Careers and Employability Skills for Languages and Linguistics  Compulsory 

Exit awards

A module is given one of the following statuses: 'core' – meaning it must be taken and passed; 'compulsory' – meaning it must be taken; or 'optional' – meaning that students can choose the module from a designated list. The rules of assessment may allow for limited condonement of fails in 'compulsory' or 'optional' modules, but 'core' modules cannot be failed. The status of the module may be different in any exit awards which are available for the course. Exam Boards will consider students' eligibility for an exit award if they fail the main award or do not complete their studies.

Programme aims

Journalism:



  • create graduates who are thoroughly grounded in the theory and practice of journalism,

  • able to make sound editorial judgements and behave in a professional manner;

  • help students to develop their writing and broadcasting skills to a high level;

  • encourage students to develop their critical faculties, in particular to adopt an inquiring, sceptical and whole-hearted approach to their work;

  • encourage students to work effectively on their own and in teams to produce the best journalism.



Modern Languages:



  • enable students to become proficient in one or two modern languages, developing an appropriate level of fluency and accuracy in using the language(s) as a medium of understanding, expression and communication (both oral and written), with awareness of stylistic and sociolinguistic variation (where relevant higher-level courses can be taken).

  • Offer students the opportunity to become familiar with linguistic techniques used to describe aspects of the structure of one or two modern languages.

  • Equip students with a range of transferable cognitive, practical and key skills.


Students who study just one language will also have the opportunity to 



  • Develop a greater understanding of aspects of the culture and society of countries which use the chosen modern language(s) as a medium of communication, enabling them to draw comparisons with their own culture and observe contrasts and (through the year abroad) to experience, engage with and integrate into another culture.

  • Develop skills in translation, interpreting, and creative writing, providing a foundation for further study, employment and lifelong learning.



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 history and evolution of journalism, the current state of the industry and its future prospects

A3: The role of publishing and broadcasting in a modern society

A4: The UK legal system, and the law, regulatory framework and codes of practice relating to journalism

A5: 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

A6: Learn linguistic aspects of the chosen modern language(s) including sound structure, word and sentence structure, lexis, usage, and socio-stylistic variation in the chosen modern language(s)

A7: Learn linguistic concepts and metalanguage used to describe and analyse the chosen modern language(s)

A8: Aspects of the culture and society of one or more countries which use the chosen modern language(s) as a medium of communication, drawing comparisons with their own culture and observing contrasts.

A9: Learn and practice techniques of translation, interpreting, and creative writing (For students studying only one language)

A10: Learn analytic methods and techniques used to analyse texts and other authentic modern language materials from a variety of perspectives (For students studying only one language)

Learning methods

Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback, reflective portfolios, presentations, debates, study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials and role-play activities, book reports, translations.

Assessment methods

A1-A5 Range of in-class tests, portfolio of work, reflective journals, group work, project work, essays and other coursework
A1: examination
A6-A10: Range on in-class tests and oral examinations, reflective portfolios, group and independent projects, quizzes, exercises, written exams, book reports, translations

(A8 to A10 relate to students studying only one language)

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: Turn raw data and information into clear, accurate and engaging journalism with impact

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: Evaluate, interpret and demonstrate critical judgement in the understanding of developments in the news, of issues and concepts, and be able dispassionately to assess one's own work and the work of others

B6: Produce independent and imaginative treatments conforming to a clear framework of values

B7: Abstract and synthesise information from a range of sources (lectures/seminars/classes, journals, books, internet, etc.) identifying central concepts and findings

B8: Interact in the chosen languages, expressing one's own ideas (and responding to those put forward by others) coherently and articulately

B9: Be able to exploit cognitive skills from one language in another

B10: Be able to exploit cultural and language awareness to solve communicative problem in both spoken and written contexts

Learning methods

Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback, reflective portfolios, presentations, debates, study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials and role-play activities, book reports, translations.

Assessment methods

B1-B6: Assessment is by coursework, practical assignments, portfolios, group projects, peer assessment, critical commentaries, written examinations and, in some cases, oral presentations.

B7-B11: Range of in-class tests and oral examinations, reflective portfolios, group and independent projects, quizzes, exercises, written exams, book reports, translations, web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials

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 operate in professional manner, observing ethical and legal constraints

C6: An ability to competently communicate ideas and materials in one or two modern language(s) both orally and in writing

C7: Gather and process information from different sources, e.g. doing a bibliographic search in the library, accessing material from online databases and locating and downloading appropriate foreign language materials from the Web

C8: Ability to make professional presentations and create reflective journals

C9: Ability to produce professional reports in the form of book reviews, providing evaluative and critical analyses

C10: Develop the ability to think laterally and appreciate different cultural perspectives

Learning methods

Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback, reflective portfolios, presentations, debates, study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials and role-play activities, book reports, translations.

Assessment methods

C1-C5: Assessment is by coursework, practical assignments, portfolios, group projects, peer assessment, critical commentaries, written examinations and, in some cases, oral presentations.

C4, C6-C10: Range of in-class tests and oral examinations, reflective portfolios, group and independent projects, quizzes, exercises, written exams, book reports, translations, sub-titling tasks, web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials

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: 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.

D4: 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.

D5: Ability to work autonomously, showing organisation, self-discipline and time management, and to take responsibility for ones own work and actions in individual and collective contexts, reflecting on ones own performance and making constructive use of feedback in class and written comments on coursework and oral communication.

Learning methods

Lectures, workshops, group discussion and reflection, work experience, practical exercises, formative feedback, reflective portfolios, presentations, debates, study of authentic (textual, or video, or film, or aural) materials and role-play activities, book reports, translations.

Assessment methods

Assessment is by coursework, in-class tests and oral examinations, practical assignments, (reflective) portfolios, group and independent projects, quizzes, peer assessment, critical commentaries, written examinations and, in some cases, oral presentations, book reports, translations, and web-based assignments involving a web search or producing web materials


Note

The University makes every effort to ensure that this information on its programme specification is accurate and up-to-date. Exceptionally it can be necessary to make changes, for example to courses, facilities or fees. Examples of such reasons might include a change of law or regulatory requirements, industrial action, lack of demand, departure of key personnel, change in government policy, or withdrawal/reduction of funding. Changes to courses may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will also keep students informed appropriately by updating our programme specifications.

The full Procedures, Rules and Regulations of the University governing how it operates are set out in the Charter, Statutes and Ordinances and in the University Regulations, Policy and Procedures.

Contact

If you are thinking of studying at Essex and have questions about the course, please contact Undergraduate Admissions by emailing admit@essex.ac.uk, or Postgraduate Admissions by emailing pgadmit@essex.ac.uk.

If you're a current student and have questions about your course or specific modules, please contact your department.

If you think there might be an error on this page, please contact the Course Records Team by emailing crt@essex.ac.uk.