Sports Journalism
MA, PGDip, PGCert

Modules

• Sports Journalism Core

Sports Journalism (Core)

This module is led by award-winning sports partners at News Associates/Sportsbeat. Led by Managing Editor James Toney, author of Sports Journalism: The Inside Track (Bloomsbury, 2012) and sports reporter, Graham Moody, the module covers all the essential skills to become a successful sports journalist. This involves in-class practical exercises and reporting from local and national sporting events. Here, you have the opportunity to practice match reporting and interviews, sometimes at nationally televised sporting events.You will also receive training and guidance in online sports writing with Visiting Lecturer, Julian Shea.

Assessment: Portfolio of published sports stories and NCTJ exam in Sports Journalism.

Credits: 20

• Reporting and News Writing Core

Reporting and News Writing (Core)

Journalism requires many skills. On this module, we not only train you to write a news story, but where to find one and how to develop it. The module involves a regular news quiz, lots of practical news writing exercises and submission of stories to the local media for publication. We will also prepare you for your NCTJ Reporting exam.

Assessment: NCTJ Reporting Examination and Multimedia Portfolio, which includes your best stories from the year.

Credits: 20

• Core Skills for Journalists (Shorthand) Core

Core Skills for Journalists (Shorthand) (Core)

On this module, students either focus on online sub-editing or shorthand. Shorthand remains an invaluable tool for the trainee journalist which editors still value, particularly for telephone interviews or in situations that demand quotes be turned around quickly or where recording equipment cannot be used. To apply for the Sky Sports News Graduate Internship Scheme you need to achieve 100 words per minute. Students who opt out of Shorthand can focus on other core skills that are in high demand in online news including digital production, sub-editing and using data analytics.  

Assessment: Either shorthand exam or practical digital production editing exercise.

Credits: 20

• Digital Sports Journalism Core

Digital Sports Journalism (Core)

This is an applied module that will develop your ability in digital communications, an essential skill required for the modern workplace. Our students learn how to shoot video on high definition cameras, SLRs and their mobile phones. They also learn how to adapt content for multimedia platforms and different audiences around the world. This module is taught by a former BBC News Editor, with 30 years of experience of international news reporting.

Assessment: Portfolio of best work is submitted for final assessment.

Credits: 20

• Media Law Core

Media Law (Core)

Understanding media law and regulation is essential knowledge that employers look for in new recruits. We cover court reporting, media regulation, copyright, defamation, privacy, the libel laws and numerous other legal and ethical issues that confront journalists and media organisations every day. This includes understanding how the internet and social media is posing new challenges for existing media law, but we also examine carefully what you can and can't do on social media as this is constantly changing. We aim to include study visits so you can experience the legal system in action too.

Assessment: NCTJ exams in Media Law and Court Reporting.

Credits: 10

• Public Affairs for Journalists Core

Public Affairs for Journalists (Core)

It is often said that sport and politics don't mix, but whether we like it or not they do. Understanding complicated political issues at the local and national level is a key skill for any trainee journalist. Indeed, most journalists start their careers on a local paper or a regional radio or television station. Local government is therefore still a significant source for news. It also underpins a lot of sports news. On the public affairs modules, you learn the basics structures of British politics. You will interview politicians and journalists as well as observe politics in action at the Houses of Parliament, City Hall, and Richmond Council.

Assessment: NCTJ examination in public affairs and one public affairs news story that can have a sporting angle.

Credits: 10

• Critical Issues in Sports Journalism Core

Critical Issues in Sports Journalism (Core)

This module provides comparative and topical perspectives on the challenges journalists face in the twenty-first century. Students will examine the legal, regulatory and ethical concerns journalists now face in an uncertain world. It compares journalism across the globe and in different regional contexts, drawing on critical research in war reporting, online communications, data journalism, news bias and representation. Topical issues usually include the role and influence of public relations, social media and fake news.

Assessment: One essay and one presentation.

Credits: 20

• Sports Journalism Project Core

Sports Journalism Project (Core)

This is our independent study module. Under supervision, students can write a dissertation on their chosen subject, produce a short documentary, design an industry research project in collaboration with an employer, or develop a website. We also offer the opportunity for students to produce a work based professional practice portfolio.

Assessment: submission of final project at the end of the course.

Credits: 60