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Credit: Courtesy Marjon University

The partnership with the BBC is not the only link we provide on our courses. We have frequent guest lectures from industry professionals working for: the BBC, ITV, The Guardian, Plymouth Herald, Sky Sports and regional freelancers, filmmakers and broadcasters.   

Our facilities offer hands-on training like no other. All in one place you can have access to our 24/7 radio station and online TV news channel. We can also stream and record podcasts, broadcast live-lounge music gigs, plays and performances. You will learn to write scripts for radio, TV, news bulletins, news cues and how to structure both radio and TV programmes. We will also teach you how to self shoot, using both cameras and mobiles, how to generate great audio, story ideas and produce, direct and edit your own shows. 

Our teaching is split between practical sessions at The Workshop and theory lessons on the small and hearty Marjon campus. Our Journalism and Media Centre gives students access to the full range of Apple devices, professional DSLR cameras and lenses, recording equipment and editing suites all loaded with the latest software. Here we learn Adobe programmes, Burli (radio news), how to write and design for online and print and how to structure your own blog site. All of these contribute to creating your own identity as a budding journalist.  

Our graduates have moved into some fascinating roles in the industry. From working for Plymouth Herald, the BBC, Channel 4 and a range of PR and marketing agencies to name a few. Their jobs include newspaper reporters, broadcast journalists, radio producers, editors, heads of marketing and press officers. You can really reach any inch of the industry following your studies with Marjon.

We offer three different degree specialisms:

   •   BA (Hons) Journalism

   •   BA (Hons) Journalism (Sport)

   •   BA (Hons) Journalism (with Photography)

All three courses follow the same structure of learning. During your three year degree at Marjon you will study the following in your modules and apply the aspects of the course you choose:

Courtesy Marjon University

Year One

The power of the written word is key to being a well-rounded journalist. You will learn how to tell an effective story and be successful in doing so. You will use audio recording and editing equipment to develop sorties for radio, podcasts and online platforms. This includes presenting live on-air and structuring a news report.

Investigative journalism is a skill that requires in-depth research on a subject. As part of the first year, you will choose a topic and produce a project that shows your ability to research that subject. This will form your first long-form written piece on the degree and prepare you for your final year dissertation.

Following a developed interest in storytelling through radio, you will concentrate on improving your ability to present through video and image-based content. Our lecturers will teach you how to shoot and edit for TV, magazines and newspapers.

Year one ends with a media law module. You will learn and understand the importance of being on the right side of broadcasting laws and debate the ethical position of a journalist. What is the right thing to do?

Courtesy Marjon University

Year Two

During your second year, you will challenge your creativity and curiosity as a writer. Developing on the research module in first year, the task is to research and develop an argument about a topic in the media and concisely reflect on it. This will be a test of your planning, research and execution of long-form journalism.

Radio journalism is the main proportion of this year, where students look at the specific audiences within radio, as well as writing news bulletins. You will continue to work closely with the BBC by making programmes and packages, taught by their professionals.

The second half of the year involves developing an understanding of magazine journalism and becoming a part of the team who produces Marjon’s annual magazine, Sound. Encompassing Plymouth and its surroundings, you will support the production of feature articles for a summer edition.

Digital storytelling is the current front-runner in modern day journalism. Being able to produce structured and engaging digital content will set you apart from other candidates when applying for jobs in the future. As part of the second year module, students produce shows for TV, radio and online platforms, all as if it was a day in the life of a working journalist. You arrive in the morning and by 2 pm, you have rehearsed and are ready to present live news, which can all be broadcast from The Workshop to social media and YouTube.

The final module of second year runs throughout the whole year. Students will take part in placements and work experience with industry organisations. You are encouraged to do at least 15 days in a journalistic field of your choice. You will also develop CV building skills, including methods of how to network and perform in interviews. Past students have completed work experience with Plymouth Argyle FC, Plymouth Raiders Basketball, Radio Plymouth (Now Greatest Hits Radio), Plymouth Herald, South Hams Newspapers and many more.

Year Three

The final year studying Journalism at Marjon brings together everything you have learned in the first two years, to round off your degree with a polished CV ready for employment. Students complete their dissertation, the final flagship project. What do you want to show off to potential employers? What are you good at? Show off your best knowledge and skills.

Students continue to develop on their broadcasting ability, frequently running live news programmes in a fast-paced and exciting environment. You will draw on all your digital skills and use them in one single production, just like what appears on news programmes today. Content creation is key to today’s journalism. Students learn how to tie up online news stories, be their own editors and create audience packages of industry quality.

To round off the year, students are grouped to produce a summer magazine of their choice. You will design a 36-page magazine, which is printed and added to your portfolio. You will also have a marketing module, in which students create their own campaign and apply all the technical skills they have displayed up until this point. Students experience live briefs from industry professionals and begin to make close contacts in the industry.

To conclude, all three degrees are fully accredited by the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA) and have a strong programme in which graduates leave being already respected in the industry. Our programme delivers what employers want. There is no need to look further than Marjon.

If you are interested in studying Journalism at Marjon, you can contact the programme lead, Mike Baker, on mbaker[at]marjon.ac.uk.

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