Designed for committed would-be journalists, this BA degree course has strong links with television and radio, national newspapers, local newspaper groups and magazine publishers and belongs to a small ‘premier league’ of applied journalism taught in the UK.

Teaching on the BA Journalism degree course centres on the use of London College of Communication’s multi-platform newsroom, so that students can learn a truly convergent approach to their developing craft and gain practical experience of acting within roles such as editor, subeditor or writer.

LCC’s strong work-based learning experience offers unique opportunities for production work on the live university newspaper and website, the Arts London News so that training in reporting and writing is directly put into both print and online.

You can expect...

You can expect to learn all the fundamental and more recent skills of journalism necessary in preparation for this fast-paced world. From traditional practices such as subbing, writing and newsgathering right through to digital production, multimedia and social networks, students will gain an all-encompassing view of the industry to help steer potential areas of specialism or simply have the versatility to undertake many entry-level posts, at least.

While this degree is very practice-based it is however supported by contextual and critical theory and your ability to research, debate, reason and critique will become advanced. You will also hear from a wide range of guest speakers, be taught by practitioners with extensive industry experience, develop a professional knowledge of contemporary affairs, the national ‘news agenda’ and ethical issues and graduate with a strong portfolio of work.

The range of related roles that students typically progress into range from editors, reporters, features writers and sub-editors, public relations officers, journalists through to newspaper and periodical editors with a recent alumni survey showing that 70 per cent obtained a salaried position in journalism within the year following graduation. Recent graduate successes include employment at BBC, Sky News, CNN, national newspapers, specifically Daily Mail, The Guardian and the Press Association, with others choosing to pursue postgraduate studies at Masters level.

Tutors on this course...

Tutors on this course have typically held senior editing or production posts in national print and broadcast that takes in experience from fleet street papers, BBC Worldservice, Panorama and many other noted news sources.

Alumni include...

Helen Boaden, BBC Director of News; Kate Thornton, TV Presenter; Lisa Smorsarski, The Stylist Editor, Chair of the British Society of Magazine Editors; Martin Townsend, The Sunday Express Editor; Ailsa Leslie, Daily Mail Sub-Editor; Jenny Purt, Press Association; Jonathan Overend, BBC Sports Commentator; Charlie Parker, Citywire Investment Editor; Nadene Gouri, Al Jazeera TV.

This course is taught within the School of Media at LCC.

Learning and teaching

Courses in UAL span a broad range of art, design, communication, business, media, science and communication subjects. So the ways in which you learn and how your time is used will vary according to the specific course you are studying; this may be in studios, labs, classes, involve working alone, learning from peers in pairs or groups, or with external partners. Most importantly, no matter which course you enrol on, you will learn not only about your subject but also about how you learn and how to increase your knowledge base.

Our courses will guide you to take increasing responsibility and ownership of your work and your learning. We do this so that you will be ready and able to take full advantage of the full range of opportunities offered by the creative industries in the global economy. 

Assessment

Assessment always sounds austere and foreboding, but it is not. We see assessment as a very real part of learning, rather than just a means of looking back at past work and measuring achievement; we believe that assessment helps you plan future work and develop new ideas.

Your work will be assessed through projects or portfolios, with written papers or research journals, and, on some courses, examinations. You will be graded according to a set of marking criteria that relate to such things as research, subject knowledge, methodology, and your capacity to analyse and reflect on your achievements. So don’t be afraid of assessment - it is the way to progress.

Year 1

• Introduction to Study in Higher Education
• Practical Journalism - News Reporting
• Contextual Studies 1 - The Emerging Press
• Convergence Media 1

Year 2

• Collaborative Project
• Research
• Convergence Media 2
• Contextual Studies 2 - The Modern Media

Year 3

• Practical Journalism - Final Practice Project (Arts London News)
• Contextual Studies – Dissertation

Most students will progress into jobs in journalism (print, broadcast or in new media).

Enterprise and employability at UAL

We know what it takes to be successful in your chosen field. Your tutors are professionals in their own right and understand what you need to help you establish your career. Staff in our Centre for Student Enterprise and Employability (SEE) are dedicated to helping you build up work-relevant skills, knowledge, experience and networks throughout your time here. You will also benefit from our many relationships with industry, which give our students exclusive opportunities and access to networks and funding.

Artists and designers tell us they value UAL's informed engagement with their career and professional practice development and our ability to offer them practical advice, guidance and opportunities across the wide spectrum of possible professional pathways - as entrepreneurs and employees. Staff value the resources and skills UAL makes available to help them deliver effective professional and career development through the curriculum.

Find out more

ArtsTemps (SEE) is the UAL in-house recruitment agency placing students and graduates in paid temping roles within the University. 

Creative Opportunities (SEE) is the UAL job vacancy and work placement website for students and graduates and advertises hundreds of creative job and placement opportunities each month.

Get more information and advice on employment and creative careers for all UAL students and graduates.

Recruitment and admissions

The BA Journalism Course team recognise applicants come from a broad spectrum of backgrounds from across the world. The course in the main attracts students who apply direct from A level or other equivalent qualifications but it also welcomes students from Foundation Diploma in Art and Design (Media Pathway) and other art courses as well as mature students who may have worked in industry.

Entry requirements (Home/International/EU)

For admission to the BA Journalism course applicants normally need:

• 200 UCAS tariff points (gained at GCE Advanced level, preferably two A levels at grade B or above) will be considered, supported by passes in five other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. 
• Alternatively, you will be considered if you have achieved 1 subject at GCE Advanced level and Foundation Diploma in Art and Design, supported by passes in three other subjects at GCSE Grade C or above. In addition, the University of the Arts London Awarding Body Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Art and Design will be considered.  
• We also accept people with the equivalent qualifications obtained through a National Diploma, Access, NVQ and a variety of other pre-University level qualifications including International and European Baccalaureate. Other qualifications, including overseas, may be considered.
• We also accept those with relevant professional and vocational qualifications.
• The subjects the Course Team will be looking for in your application are wide ranging: your A levels (or equivalents) would ideally have two Bs at Advanced level, achieved at grade B or above and may include Arts and Humanities and other Social Science subjects.

Other entry routes

We also welcome applicants such as mature students who do not have formal qualifications but may have relevant experience. Students applying to this course will be expected to demonstrate a specific interest in this area of study and should have a commitment to engaging with Journalism Theory and practice. In such cases students applying on the basis of their previous experience or who wish to enter the course with through Accreditation of Experiential Learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes should apply via UCAS and will be guided by the admissions staff on the AP(E)L processes.

Language requirements (International/EU)

• International and EU students: In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) is required.
• If your first language is not English you should check you have achieved the correct IELTS level in English. Further information is available on our International Applications page.
• International applicants, please visit our International Applications page for further details regarding International Admissions.

Study Abroad applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the Study Abroad website details on how to apply or contact the Study Abroad office:

T: +44 (0)20 7514 2249
E: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk

Deferred entry

For Home/EU applicants, the Course Leader will determine whether deferred places are available for the course. If you wish to defer your place, it is advisable to indicate this on your application form and/or discuss this with the admissions team and course leader before/after applying at the earliest opportunity. In all cases, deferred places will only be held for one year.

International applicants are normally permitted to defer entry to any programme of study for one year only, after which they will be asked to re-apply.

Admission procedures

The selection procedures for the course adhere to the Equal Opportunities policy of the University of the Arts London.

Applications are normally made through UCAS. Applications for this course are assessed on the basis of qualifications and the personal statement.

If more information is required, a member of the course team may contact the applicant and in some cases, may request the candidate to attend an interview and bring a piece of work (500 Words) that highlights your abilities as a Journalist.

Student selection criteria - what do we look for?

All applications will be considered by the course team and offers will be made based upon the following selection criteria.

The team will consider three key elements when making a decision on your suitability to join the course:

1. Firstly they will look at your qualifications (or projected results).
2. Secondly, they will review your academic or personal reference.
3. Then they will scrutinise your personal statement.

The personal statement is a very important part of your application and should demonstrate to the team that you are interested in advertising and that you have thought very carefully about why you want to study on this course.

You should take great care when writing your personal statement to ensure that it is well written, clear and free of any spelling mistakes. It is your biggest chance to impress the team by demonstrating your appreciation of what the course can offer you and how you feel it might help you in the future. It is also an opportunity for you to state what you feel you would bring to the course. Through their personal statement, applicants should show a strong interest in Journalism. This can be demonstrated through work experience, studying and personal experience and their ambitions for personal development as a student at the LCC.

Portfolio advice

There is no requirement for a portfolio for entry onto this programme.

Interview advice

Occasionally an applicant will be invited for interview who has either requested to discuss their application with the course director or who the course director feels would benefit from discussing their application prior to final consideration.

If you are invited for interview you can prepare yourself in advance by thinking of questions that you may have for the course director and also re-familiarising yourself with your UCAS personal statement- from which the course director’s questions will probably arise. You should bring a piece of work (500 words) that highlights your abilities as a journalist.

The course team will be looking for students who are outgoing, show a keen interest in current and world affairs and for students that have good communication and people skills.

The interview will be relatively informal and will take place, normally, at the LCC.

Students are admitted to the course having fulfilled the necessary entry requirements and on the basis of their potential to benefit from the programme.

Minimum UAL entry requirements

Find out more about the University's Regulations on Admissions.

UK/EU Applicants

You will need to apply through the UCAS online application system.

You can find London College of Communication (LCC) courses listed under University of the Arts London on the UCAS website. All LCC UCAS course codes can be found on the course ‘Facts’ tab (at the bottom) or on the UCAS website.

Our University code is U65

There is no 'Campus Code' for London College of Communication

If you are a UK or EU student and you have an admissions enquiry please use the Online Course Enquiry Form selecting LCC as the College you are interested in. For additional enquiries please use the contact information as below:

T: +44(0)20 7514 6599

International Applicant Enquiries

If you are a non-EU international student admission enquiries should be made through the International Office. For additional enquiries please use the contact information as below:

T: +44 (0)20 7514 8138
E: international@lcc.arts.ac.uk

Study Abroad Applicants

International undergraduate students can apply to join this BA course for a period of up to three terms as a Study Abroad student. Please visit the Study Abroad web page for details on how to apply or contact the Study Abroad office on the details below:

T: +44 (0) 207 514 2249
E: studyabroad@arts.ac.uk