Program Overview

Our BA (Hons) English and Journalism course prepares you for a career in the dynamic and fascinating world of journalism. It develops your literary studies skills to analyse texts, conduct research, and construct arguments, while gaining valuable experience working on live stories in media environments, which will teach you how to craft a story in a way that engages the audience. You will benefit from industry-standard media facilities throughout your studies, including our live newsroom, to develop a journalism specialism in news, broadcasting, features, or design. 

What's covered in this course?

Taught by world-leading academics, this course brings together the study of English with knowledge of journalism practice and professional development. Combining the study of literature, language, drama and creative writing with the development of skills to become a thinking media worker, you will benefit from subject knowledge and transferable skills from both disciplines. 

Through the study of English you will develop an ability to work as an independent researcher, to communicate effectively in spoken and written discourse, to critically evaluate the work of others and respond imaginatively to original briefs. Understanding how language works in practice and how language and literature engage with societies are both vital in understanding how the discipline connects with the wider world, enabling you to focus on the production, interpretation and negotiation of meaning.   

These skills intersect with the journalism component, where you will publish your stories, use blogs (including the student-run Birmingham Eastside website), learn to shoot and edit news videos, and employ social media channels and other interactive media to support your work and self-development. Work experience placements on live stories in media environments will teach you how to craft a story in a way that engages the audience. Teaching for the journalism component takes place in radio, TV and photography studios, editing suites and computer suites, where you will build your skills as you begin to make contacts in the industry and make your first moves into media work.