Sports Journalism BA (Hons)

UCAS code P501

Duration

3 Years

Location

Stoke-on-Trent campus

With its outstanding employment outcomes, our Sports Journalism degree is the perfect pathway to a career in the sports media industry.

Graduates from this course have progressed to careers within the BBC, ITV, Sky Sports, BT Sport, Eurosport, ESPN, Press Association, the FA, Premier League, the RFU, Rugby Football League, newspapers, professional football (including most of the Premier League clubs) and other sports like F1 and horse racing.

You’ll study practical modules in our state-of-the-art newsrooms. These contain the latest industry-standard equipment. And you’ll be introduced to the practical skills of journalism, including the reporting of sports events using print, online, radio and TV.

 You’ll be taught by experienced academics with an impressive network of contacts for you to access – perfect for securing an industry placement.

We also offer a Foundation Year in Creative Media Production that is a progression route to BA (Hons) Sports Journalism, for those who might not have attained the entry requirements for direct entry onto the degree.  The Foundation Year in Creative Media Production will prepare you for Level 4 study, and allow you to work on BA (Hons) Sports Journalism related projects.  Contact our advisors for more information about our Foundation Year entry.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Course content

You’ll develop your sports news, feature writing and broadcasting skills. You’ll also receive essential technical training in editing and production techniques in preparation for work placement in a sports journalism environment.

The course is taught from our state-of-the-art newsrooms, which contain the latest industry-standard equipment. You’ll participate in our Sports Newsnights which are broadcast on Facebook Live, covering the action as it happens from our broadcast newsroom or from sporting locations.

You’ll also explore media law and shorthand to National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) standards.

Our academics continue to work in the sports media industry and have an impressive network of contacts for you to access. We encourage you to participate in as much industry-related work experience as possible. The course includes a three-week assessed work placement that could help you make useful contacts that lead to future employment.

Academic year

The course operates on a modular basis that provides flexibility and choice. Typically the majority of modules are 30 academic credits with a smaller number of 15 credit modules. Each credit taken equates to a total study time of around 10 hours. Total study time includes scheduled teaching, independent study and assessment activity. Full-time students take modules worth 60 credits per semester, with part-time students taking proportionately fewer credits per semester. All students take a total of 120 credits per level and 360 credits for the degree as a whole. Your overall grade for the course and your degree classification are based on the marks obtained for modules taken at levels 5 and 6. The full-time course has one start point in September.

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Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module where available.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Journalism In Practice 20 credits
Media Law 20 credits
Sports Culture 20 credits
Sports Pr In Practice 20 credits
Writing For Sport 40 credits
Year 2 compulsory modules
Multi-Platform Sportswriting 40 credits
Production Journalism 20 credits
Sports Broadcasting 40 credits
Sports Pr Operations 20 credits
Year 3 compulsory modules
Newsday 40 credits
Pr Campaigning 20 credits
Sports Journalism Project 40 credits
Work Placement And Career Development 20 credits

Entry requirements

112-120 UCAS Tariff points

  • GCE A Levels - grades BBC or equivalent
  • Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • Access to HE Diploma - Pass Access with a minimum of 80 UCAS tariff points. Applicants to Staffs who are taking the Access to HE Diploma receive a reduced tariff point offer as part of our access and participation plan activity
  • UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
  • T Levels - Eligible T Level applications will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of P (A*-C) or Higher Pass as a condition of offer

We offer a Foundation Year in Creative Media Production that is a progression route to BA (Hons) Sports Journalism.  The Foundation Year in Creative Media Production will prepare you for Level 4 study, and allow you to work on projects that directly relate to the degree level study you wish to progress onto.  Contact our advisors for more information about our Foundation Year entry.

We understand that you might have experienced a challenging run up to higher education and may have not met the entry requirements as listed. If this is the case don’t worry, contact us and our team of expert advisors can guide you through the next stages of application, or help you find the perfect course for your needs.

For equivalent entry requirements in your home country, please see the information on our country pages.

Choose your country

Check our entry and English language requirements for your country.

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Facilities

MoJo Kits

Our MoJo kits work with smartphones to allow our students to report 'on the go'. This encourages students to consider how they can compile and tell a story in a fast paced, continually moving environment.  

Careers

Graduates from our Sports Journalism degree are employed throughout the world of sport, in all the major UK broadcast organisations and beyond (eg Eurosport and IMG Asia). Many of the 92 English professional football league clubs currently employ Staffordshire sports journalism graduates.

Others work in sports PR, newspapers, agencies and digital sports media outlets. Those who decide not to pursue a career in the media apply their transferable skills within sectors such as teaching, retail and marketing.

All students have access to Career Connect, our dedicated careers team.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

You will be taught through a combination of lectures, seminars, workshops and laboratory practicals. Seminars enable you to discuss and develop your understanding of topics covered in lectures in smaller groups of around 16-18 students. In addition, you will have timetabled meetings with your personal tutor at least twice a year. You will be taught in first-class learning spaces throughout your course. 

Assessment

Your course will provide you with opportunities to test your understanding of your subject informally before you complete the formal assessments that count towards your final mark. Each module normally includes practice or ‘formative’ assessments, for which you receive feedback from your tutor. Practice assessments are developmental and any grades you receive for them do not count towards your module mark. There is a formal or ‘summative’ assessment at the end of each module. This includes a range of coursework assessments, such as essays, reports, portfolios, performance, presentations, final year, independent project and written examinations. The grades from formal assessments count towards your module mark.

Learning support

In addition to the excellent support you will receive from your course teaching team, our central Academic Skills team provides group and one-to-one help to support your learning in a number of areas. These include:

  • study skills such as reading, note-taking and presentation skills
  • written English, including punctuation and grammatical accuracy
  • academic writing and how to reference
  • research skills
  • critical thinking and understanding arguments
  • revision, assessment and examination skills
  • time management

Additional support

Our Student Inclusion Services support students with additional needs such as sensory impairment, or learning difficulties such as dyslexia.

Feedback

You will normally receive feedback on coursework assessments within 20 working days following the date of submission. Examination feedback may take a variety of formats. However, as a minimum, generic feedback will be made available to all students who take written examinations.

Your study time will consist of class contact hours, self-directed learning, assessment and placements where appropriate. Your actual contact hours will depend on the subject area, on the option modules you select and professional body requirements. 

Year 1

17% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
83% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Year 2

16% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
84% of time in independent study
0% of time in work based learning

Year 3

14% of time in lectures, seminars or similar
79% of time in independent study
8% of time in work based learning

Independent learning

When not attending lectures, seminars, laboratory or other timetabled sessions, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve utilising a range of digital resources including our virtual learning environment; reading journals, articles and books; working on individual and group projects; undertaking research in the library; preparing coursework assignments and presentations, and preparing for examinations. Your independent learning will be supported by a range of excellent facilities. These include the library, open access computer facilities, informal learning zones, a range of laboratories and performance and studio spaces.

Year 1

0% practical assessments
88% coursework
13% written exams

Year 2

8% practical assessments
81% coursework
11% written exams

Year 3

5% practical assessments
95% coursework
0% written exams

Staff

You will be taught by an expert teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners with industry experience. Postgraduate research students who have undertaken teaching training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader.

Ian Whittell

Senior Lecturer

I am course leader for the BA and MA Sports Journalism Awards and also still an active national sportswriter, as founder and director of one of the country’s leading independent freelance sports editorial agencies.

Ian's profile

Ian Bayley

Senior Lecturer

.Ian is a Senior Lecturer and an award leader for the BA (Hons) Professional Sportswriting and Broadcasting degree. He previously worked in Sports PR, Sports Journalism and News Journalism

Ian's profile

Matthew Smith

P/T Lecturer (Hrly) - Journalism

Matt joined Staffs, on a part-time basis, in 2020 and has been passing on his experiences and expertise to our students. One of the country’s most prominent sports broadcasters, Matt is the face of BT Sport’s European football and cricket coverage.

Matthew's profile

Simon Humphreys

P/T Lecturer (Hrly) - Sound & Comms

Simon has extensive experience as a reporter and editor for BBC, Talksport and local radio.

Simon's profile

Fees

For the course starting on 22 September 2025 the tuition fees are:

Study option UK / Channel Islands International
Full-time £9,535 per year of study £16,750 per year of study

UK and Channel Island students: This tuition fee is agreed subject to UK government policy and parliamentary regulation. If the UK government passes appropriate legislation, the fee for subsequent years of study may increase in each academic year. But this increase will not exceed the rate of inflation as measured by RPIX**. Any change in fees will apply to both new and continuing students. The University will notify students of any change as early as possible. Further information about fee changes would be posted on the University’s website once this becomes available.

**RPIX is a measure of inflation equivalent to all the items in the Retail Price Index (RPI) excluding mortgage interest payments.

Included in the fees:
  • Printing in the broadcast newsroom and StaffsLive newsroom
  • Travel to essential reporting/filming assignments at sporting events
  • Hire of audio/visual equipment for producing TV/radio assignments
  • Access to media centre for Premiere Pro editing facilities
  • Access to university library facilities including media library and Premiere Pro editing
  • Access to books on recommended reading lists
  • Access to digital archive and online academic depository
Not included in the fees:
  • Travel costs on news days covering stories in the region
  • Occasional extended visits to sporting events/organisations
  • Travel/accommodation to fulfil certain module requirements
  • Optional personal insurance when taking equipment out of stores on longer unsupervised shoots (£50-£100 approximately per shoot). It may be possible to add some items to home contents insurance
  • Purchase of books on recommended reading lists
Accommodation and living costs

Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. 

Sources of financial support

If you receive funding from Student Finance you may be eligible to apply for additional benefits. Details can be obtained by reading our additional funding web pages, or visiting www.gov.uk.

Scholarships and additional funding

As an undergraduate student at Staffordshire, you may be eligible for additional financial support through one of our scholarships and bursaries. You can visit our funding page to find out more and check your eligibility.

Our students

The Sports Journalism course at Staffordshire University is probably one of the best in the country. It’s certainly one of the main reasons that I got a job at Wales Online as a Digital Sports Writer. The live Newsdays allow students to experience what it’s like to work in a place like this and, along with work placements, which is another reason I got a job here straight from graduation, are what separates it as a course and a university.

Ben James

Sports Journalism

I spent two years on placement at Stoke City when they were in the Premier League and the Championship which was unbelievable. It really prepared me for the future and helped me to know what the sports media industry was like. Without that experience and skills from my course and support from my lecturers, I wouldn’t have been able to get a job in the industry.

Conor Shaw

Sports Journalism Graduate

During my time at University, I was given the chance to work with Stoke City FC and spent a full matchday with their media team. In my third year, I spent a full season with Kidsgrove Athletic FC as part of their media team which was a great experience. Ultimately, Staffordshire University has given me the skills and confidence I needed to go out and pursue my dream career.

Liam Kelsall

Sports Journalism

I absolutely love the course that I studied at Staffs. The quality of the course stood out among the others. The lecturers have got great industry experience – a lot of them are still involved in the industry which is really important. The facilities are absolutely fantastic. You’ll benefit from the experience so much.  

Jack Bradley

Sports Journalism

We got to do so many things and meet so many people in our industry. We got to really be hands-on with sports journalism which is key for getting a job eventually. We got to go to so many different places and report on so many different things – but the highlight was probably the Staffs Uni Sports Nights which is where we went out to different grounds and reported from them and that was just fantastic. I wouldn’t have got the same level of experience at other places. 

Jacob Leeks

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

I can’t speak highly enough of the equipment that we’ve had at our disposal. Having the opportunity to use things that are used in a professional set-up just improves your skills and prepares you for when you go into the real world. It’s the most rewarding time of your life in the sense that you can do great things coming out of it, so just go for it!

Joshua Dainty

Sports Journalism

Apply

Location Award Study option Start date
Stoke-on-Trent campus BA (Hons) Full-time 22 September 2025 Apply now

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at University of Staffordshire, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of University of Staffordshire enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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