Journalism - Journalism (Sports)

Gain experience, build up a valuable network of contacts, and graduate ready to work in the industry with the Journalism - Journalism (Sports) program of the University of Sunderland. Choose your specialism, with an the option to graduate with MA Journalism (Sports). Kick-start your career with a postgraduate degree accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ).

Learn to be a journalist in our real-world newsroom – the mediaHUB – where you will work alongside journalists from the BBC and national and regional media. Publish your work on our websites and develop a portfolio of content that will launch your career; graduates have gone on to work at BBC News and Sport, Sky Sports News, national newspapers and magazines, football clubs and PR Firms.

Whatever your previous study or experience, theJournalism - Journalism (Sports) program of the University of Sunderlandwill give you all the skills you need to become a journalist. Cover core reporting skills, media ethics and law, video and digital content, and investigative journalism techniques. Stay mainstream, or choose the sports pathway and learn a range of specialist sports journalism skills. In the final stage of the course you will produce your own series of in-depth articles on a subject of your choice. Those who specialise in Sports can graduate with MA Journalism (Sports).

Alongside the MA, you’ll have the opportunity to do the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) Diploma in Journalism or Sports Journalism. NCTJ accreditation is widely recognised as a gold standard for courses that turn out highly-skilled, highly-motivated and highly-employable trainee journalists. Previous study of journalism is not a requirement.

Career opportunities

• Recent Sunderland graduates have gone on to work for the BBC, Sky, The Essex Chronicle, The Huddersfield Gazette, Spark Magazine, See Tickets, The Socialist Worker, The Prague Post, What Culture, and BBC Relish Magazine. Sports specialists have been employed by Sky Sports News, JPI Media, Reach, a range of football clubs, the PGA Golf Tour and a variety of PR companies.
• During the course we encourage you to gain industry experience which will enhance your skills, build up a valuable network of contacts and boost your employability. A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.
• As a professionally accredited centre for journalism education, we provide you with an opportunity to influence the future teaching of journalism. You can become an NCTJ student representative and attend a national council meeting once a year.

Courses include:

• Practical Journalism

E-portfolio

• Essential Journalism

• Essential Media Law
• Investigative Journalism
• Digital and Video Journalism