University of Portsmouth
Journalism with Creative Writing BA (Hons)
University of Portsmouth

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews of 20 graduates of Journalism with Creative Writing BA (Hons) and other courses in Creative Writing at University of Portsmouth for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Creative Writing.

Overall student satisfaction
82 /100
20 total respondents

Primarily based on data from undergraduate degree students.

The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Creative Writing

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Creative Writing at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22000 £21500 £25500
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £25000 £18500 - £24000 £20000 - £30500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Creative Writing

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21668 £19943 £23617
25-75 percentile range £19581 - £25328 £15754 - £24500 £18615 - £29665

Course Description

Overview

If you love writing and reporting, our Journalism with Creative Writing degree course can help you turn your abilities with the written word into a fulfilling career.

You'll study, experience, and combine the complementary disciplines of factual journalism and creative writing. One day you might write a news report about a local charity or review a concert, and the next author a short story, a poem, or a play script.

You'll also develop research skills and learn about the structure and mechanisms of the industries you could end up working in – from getting a script approved to legal issues surrounding publishing news stories.

You’ll graduate ready to dive into a career in professional writing, with the skills and knowledge you need to get started in whichever writing field you choose.

Course highlights

  • Get further professional journalistic qualifications by taking National Council for Training Journalists (NCTJ) exams
  • Refine your practice by learning from published authors of novels, poetry and screenplays, and journalists with written and broadcast experience in local, regional, national and international journalism
  • Grasp of the role of journalists in democratic society by learning about media law and industry code
  • Enhance your discipline and teamworking skills by collaborating with other students on other courses within the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
  • Gain valuable industry knowledge and experience by taking an optional placement
  • Capture information at 100 words-per-minute writing speed by taking shorthand training

Work towards your NCTJ Diploma

On this course, you can choose to take the examinations that lead to the industry-recognised NCTJ Diploma in Journalism.

If you want to do the full NCTJ diploma alongside your degree, apply for our BA (Hons) Journalism course instead.

Careers and opportunities

As traditional communication and literature move towards web and digital, the demand for journalists and writers is growing. Print newspapers and magazines may be declining, but digital versions are replacing them. In addition, social media, blogging, TV and film production, and other platforms contribute to the demand for journalists and writers. Graduates with strong transferable skills are also sought in related industries such as public relations or communications.

As a graduate, you'll have diverse writing skills that will help you in most sectors.

You can also freelance or pursue postgraduate studies.

Graduate areas

Areas our graduates have gone onto include:

  • broadcast, print and online journalism
  • creative writing
  • marketing
  • public relations
  • communications
  • teaching
  • advertising
  • arts management

Graduate roles

Our graduates have worked in a variety of roles, including:

  • trainee reporter
  • social media editor
  • digital marketing executive
  • copywriter
  • theatre manager
  • editorial assistant

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Journalism with Creative Writing BA (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

20% Teaching and Childcare Support Occupation
15% Teaching and Childcare Associate Professionals
15% Process, plant and machine operatives
10% Leisure, travel and related personal service occupations
10% Information Technology Professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Caring personal services
5% Welfare and housing associate professionals
0% Science, engineering and technology associate professionals

**You'll be assessed through:** essays, presentations, in-class tests, media artefacts (e.g. producing a video or magazine), practical and written exams, short stories, screenplays, a collection of poems, a public relations campaign, final-year dissertation. You'll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for Creative Writing

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

PTE Academic 54

An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill.

TOEFL (iBT) 79

79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.

Cambridge English Advanced

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.

Cambridge English Proficiency

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.

Trinity ISE

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Journalism with Creative Writing, 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 the UK

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:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)

University Rankings

Positions of University of Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Portsmouth in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #55 
    • #401 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

See all 31 university rankings of University of Portsmouth

About University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.

List of 234 Bachelor and Master Courses from University of Portsmouth - Course Catalogue

Student composition of University of Portsmouth

undergraduates:
18085
postgraduates:
5005
Total:
23090
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Where is this programme taught

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