Journalism BA(Hons): Is this course right for me?

Studying Journalism

What is journalism?

Journalism is a very varied profession. The 70,000 journalists in Britain today range from music critics to war correspondents. They contribute to a wide range of publications, including:

national, regional and local newspapers - from the Sunday Times to the Yeovil Express;
magazines as varied as Nursing Times, The Spectator, Heat and Homes and Gardens;
the growing range of online publications - including Youthnet, spiked-online, openDemocracy.net and BBC News online;
broadcast journalism outlets - including the BBC, ITN and Sky.

Many other professions - such as public relations, advertising and publishing - also rely on people with journalistic skills.

Is journalism for you?

If you're thinking of studying journalism but aren't sure whether it is the right career for you, here are a few things to consider:

Journalists tend to be people who want to know what is going on in the world, so they follow TV or radio news bulletins and read newspapers and magazines. That way they stay informed not only about politics, but also about fashions, the arts, personalities and social trends.
Journalists are curious. They want to understand what is happening and to hear the latest news and gossip.
Journalists are communicators. When they know or learn something they like to pass it on to others. They care about finding the right words and grammar to communicate clearly and well.

If this sounds familiar, you may have the makings of a journalist yourself.