Birkbeck, University of London
Journalism and Media with Foundation Year BA (Hons)
Birkbeck, University of London

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 15 graduates of Journalism and Media with Foundation Year BA (Hons) and other courses in Media Studies at Birkbeck, University of London for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Media Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
73 /100
15 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of all UK Graduates of

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22015 £19786 £23752
25-75 percentile range £19370 - £25034 £15719 - £24645 £18442 - £29758

Course Description

Are you a budding journalist keen to acquire practical journalistic skills? Do you want to gain a sophisticated understanding of the rapidly changing fields of journalism and media? During this journalism and media degree, you will combine the academic analysis of media with practical teaching from experienced industry professionals.

Our BA Journalism and Media offers a unique multidisciplinary approach, challenging you to develop an understanding of the political, historical, cultural and social contexts in which journalists operate. This academic emphasis is complemented by solid practical modules, in which you will learn how to write, create and curate across a range of journalistic specialisations, genres and platforms - from the more traditional to the digital.

This is your opportunity to gain an independent, university-level qualification focused on strategic and high-end skills. Not only will you gain practical knowledge of the journalism field, but also the cutting-edge insights needed to build, manage and navigate a career within today's fast-changing media.

If you opt for the Foundation Year route, this will fully prepare you for undergraduate study. It is ideal if you are returning to study after a gap, or if you have not previously studied the relevant subjects, or if you didn't achieve the grades you need for a place on your chosen undergraduate degree.

Highlights

  • Acquire up-to-date skills and knowledge from experienced practitioners at the heart of London's global media industry and leading academic researchers in the field, such as Professor Tim Markham, Joel McKim, Scott Rodgers and Justin Schlosberg.
  • Attend our dynamic programme of seminars, events and guest lecturers organised by affiliated research centres and networks.
  • In film, media and cultural studies, Birkbeck fosters an especially research-intensive environment. We offer an extensive portfolio of internationally respected courses that span a variety of academic disciplines and engage with the latest ideas and techniques in journalism, media and cultural theory, arts policy and management, film and television studies, creative marketing, digital culture and East Asian cultural studies.
  • We also affiliate with a number of research centres and networks, including Birkbeck Interdisciplinary Research in Media and Culture (BIRMAC), Birkbeck Institute for the Moving Image (BIMI), Vasari Research Centre for Art and Technology and the Centre for French, Francophone and Comparative Studies (CFFCS).
  • Birkbeck was ranked as one of the top four universities in the UK for its Art and Design research in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework.

Careers and employability

Graduates can pursue career paths in:

  • journalism (newspapers and magazines, print, online and digital)
  • public relations
  • creative industries.

This degree can also provide transferable skills and knowledge to work across a broad range of professional communications roles and settings.

We offer a comprehensive careers service - Careers and Enterprise - your career partner during your time at Birkbeck and beyond. At every stage of your career journey, we empower you to take ownership of your future, helping you to make the connection between your experience, education and future ambitions.

Academic essays, journalistic writing, audio/visual productions, blogging, mind maps, conceptual representations and digital media projects.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Media Studies

Requirements for international students / English requirements

IELTS academic test score (similar tests may be accepted as well)

    • 6.5
    • Mphil / PhD

If English is not your first language or you have not previously studied in English, our usual requirement is the equivalent of an International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic Test) score of 6.5, with not less than 6.0 in each of the sub-tests. We also accept other English language tests.
Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Journalism and Media with Foundation Year, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Average student cost of living in London

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • Foundation

University Rankings

Positions of Birkbeck, University of London in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of Birkbeck, University of London in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #30 
    • #176 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 26 October, 2022]

See all 17 university rankings of Birkbeck, University of London

About Birkbeck, University of London

Birkbeck, University of London (BBK) was established in 1823, and takes a different stance towards admissions than many other universities. Applicants are encouraged by BKK to apply even if they don’t possess the traditional qualifications normally required, as applications here are also considered based on an assessment of your knowledge on the subject, and any work experience you might have. Being located in the very centre of London, students will have all the advantages of the city’s public transport connections, as well as the chance to live in such a diverse and vibrant city with all that it offers.

List of 197 Bachelor and Master Courses from Birkbeck, University of London - Course Catalogue

Student composition of Birkbeck, University of London

undergraduates:
4800
postgraduates:
2810
Total:
7610
  • Stella’s Starting Study Vlog
  • Top reasons why students choose Birkbeck, University of London
  • “How has the Birkbeck experience been for you?”
  • Birkbeck's Student Experience
  • Studying for a PhD at Birkbeck - Veronika Akhmadieva

Where is this programme taught

Main Site
map marker Show on map

Similar courses

Program University Student satis­faction Unem­ployed Drop­out Tuition (UK) Tuition (Inter­national) UCAS Tariff City
Sports Journalism with Integrated Foundation Year BA (Hons) University of Sunderland 90% 5% 0% £9250 £16000 115 Sunderland On campus Full-time
Journalism with Human Rights (Including Year Abroad) BA (Hons) University of Essex 77% 2% 5% £9250 £19500 129 Colchester On campus Full-time
Journalism BA (Hons) Teesside University 80% 10% 10% £9250 £15000 105 Middlesbrough On campus Full-time
Journalism BA (Hons) De Montfort University 70% 5% 25% £9250 £9250 £15750 £15750 126 Leicester On campus Full-time
Journalism and Publishing BA (Hons) Bath Spa University 89% 20% 15% £9250 £16905 128 Bath On campus Full-time
Journalism /Journalism (Sport) (top-up) BA (Hons) University of the West of Scotland - - - £9250 £16000 - Paisley On campus Full-time
Journalism, Media and Communication and Human Resource Management BA (Hons) University of Strathclyde - - - £9250 £19600 - Glasgow On campus Full-time
Journalism with Foundation Year BA (Hons) University of Derby 85% 5% 6% £9250 £14900 118 Derby On campus Full-time
Journalism and Sociology BA (Hons) University of Essex 67% 0% 8% £9250 £19500 130 Colchester On campus Full-time
Journalism, Media and Communication and Law BA (Hons) University of Strathclyde - - - £9250 £19600 - Glasgow On campus Full-time