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Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Undergraduate BSc (Hons)
Digital Journalism
Explore your passion for storytelling and learn how to spot and communicate a story to create a digital presence.
Course Overview
-
P5N8 -
L27 -
Headingley Campus Beckett Park -
Full-Time -
3 Years -
20 Sep 2021
Learn to spot stories and tell them effectively by creating high-quality digital journalism.
You can apply to study the single honours degree or one of the combined awards via UCAS using the codes listed below. You also have the option of changing your award at the end of your first year:
- BSc (Hons) Digital Journalism (UCAS code: P5N8)
- BSc (Hons) Digital Journalism with Photography (UCAS code: P5W6)
- BSc (Hons) Digital Journalism with Data Visualisation (UCAS code: P5N9)
As part of this course you’ll:
- Develop the skills and confidence to identify a story
- Think about the different ways it could be told, whether using photography, video, graphics, sound or the written word
- Learn the art of taking a striking picture, the techniques for writing editorial content and how to use industry-standard editing software
- Work in a collaborative environment through group projects, including an online magazine. For each edition you'll take on a new role, learning the varied skills involved in producing a publication
- Keep up to date with advances in digital journalism to ensure your learning is current and that you’re fully prepared for the future
- Learn about how media has shifted from print to online and assess the impact this is having on journalism, and how to adapt to these changes
- Learn how to create and tailor stories for specific audiences.
You will be taught by a teaching team with multidisciplinary expertise in journalism, filmmaking, and photography. Your tutors maintain an active involvement in industry and this practice will inform your course experience.
We place significant focus on providing you with skills that will make you attractive to employers – not only as a content maker and storyteller, but also as a well-rounded and resilient individual who will thrive in a fast-paced and changing industry.
This course has strong links with employers, including BBC Yorkshire and JPI Media, publishers of Yorkshire Post and the Yorkshire Evening Post. Your learning will be supported by employers throughout the academic year, who will offer the opportunity to work on a series of live briefs. In recent years this has included social media and photography for the Radio Academy’s ARIAS awards and content production for Latitude and Deer Shed festivals.
You will also have opportunities to meet journalists, content creators and publishers from industry through guest lectures and workshops. Recently, this has included the award-winning conflict photographer Sean Sutton, photographer Marc Langley whose work has appeared in National Geographic, Russ Ellis from Team Sky and Ineos and journalist and publishing director Rob Orchard.
Your learning will be grounded in real-world experiences such as work placements and internships. You could work with a local newspaper or pitch your ideas to an online publication and get your stories in the path of professionals.
You’ll also be able to practise your skills with Be Media, our Students' Union's student-led media project. They provide support and industry links for budding writers, designers, presenters, producers, editors and photographers.
Why study Digital Journalism at Leeds Beckett University...
- 100% of students from BSc (Hons) Digital Journalism in work or further study 15 months after graduating*
- Meet journalists, publishers and Disney animator Aaron Blaise from industry through guest lectures and workshops
- Course taught by tutors who have had their work published globally in print and online
- Opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience
- Study within Leeds School of Arts - one of the largest university arts communities in the north, with 3000 students spread across over 40 courses
*Graduate Outcomes 2020
Everything you need to know
Discover all there is to know about the course, from entry requirements and fees to exploring the school you’ll be joining - we’ve got it covered.
Entry requirements
112
points required
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
We have now welcomed students from over 140 countries across the globe. If you are interested in studying with us you can find your country and get all the information you'll need about entry requirements and how to apply.
Entry requirements
112
points required
UCAS Tariff Points: 112 points required.
(Minimum 72 from two A Levels or equivalent, excluding General Studies).
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
GCSEs:
GCSE English Language and Maths at Grade C or above (Grade 4 for those sitting their GCSE from 2017 onwards) or equivalent. Key Skills Level 2, Functional Skills Level 2 and the Certificate in Adult Literacy/Numeracy are accepted in place of GCSEs.Access to HE Diploma:
Pass overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points.Scottish Awards:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade B at Higher Level.Irish Leaving Certificate:
Minimum of 5 subjects at Grade C1 or above at Higher Level of which at least 3 must be at B2.Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Our commitment to help every student succeed:
Leeds Beckett University is committed to ensuring that every student with the potential to succeed at our University is able to do so regardless of their background. For this reason we operate a contextual admissions policy, which means we take into account a range of additional factors when we assess a student’s application. Applicants who meet at least one of our contextual admissions criteria will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points than our published tariff (above).
Our contextual admissions criteria are:
- Home postcode is in an area where few people go to University (POLAR4 quintile 1 or 2 area. This can be checked on the Office for Students website)
- Declared disability on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants)
- Over the age of 21 on the 1st of September before the course starts
- Declared as a care leaver on the UCAS application form (or direct application for part time applicants)
Our place as an Anchor Institution:
Leeds Beckett University is in the top 10 universities nationwide for being representative of our local community. To further strengthen our position as a key provider of education and training for West Yorkshire we apply an Anchor Institution Policy in our admissions process. Students who apply to us from any of the five Local Authority areas in West Yorkshire (BD, HD, HX, LS, WF) will be offered a place on this course with lower (predicted or achieved) UCAS Tariff Points.
Mature applicants:
Our university welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. All students will be considered through the contextual admissions policy described above. If you do not meet the requirements through the contextual admissions policy, we may still be able to make you an offer if you have recent relevant work experience through our ‘Recognition of Prior Learning’ policy. Please ensure that you list both your qualifications and any relevant work experience in your application so that we can consider you under both schemes where applicable..
All applicants should meet our standard entry requirements of GCSE grade C in English language and, where specified, Maths. Alternative qualifications such as functional skills are accepted in lieu of GCSEs for most courses.
We have now welcomed students from over 140 countries across the globe. If you are interested in studying with us you can find your country and get all the information you'll need about entry requirements and how to apply.
If you're applying via UCAS, find out more about how your qualifications fit into the UCAS tariff.
Selection Criteria
We may use selection criteria based on your personal attributes; experience and/or commitment to the area of study. This information will be derived from your personal statement and reference and will only be used if you have met the general entry requirements.
International baccalaureate
25 Points
IELTS
IELTS 6.0 with no skills below 5.5, or an equivalent qualification. The University provides excellent support for any applicant who may be required to undertake additional English language courses.
Additional entry requirements:
Verify your qualifications
If you are an international student, we can help you to compare and verify your qualifications. Please contact our International Office on +44 (0)113 812 1111 09.00 to 17.00 Mon-Thurs / 09.00 to 16.30 Fri GMT or email internationaloffice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.Need to improve your English Language skills?
Don't worry if you don't have the level of English required for your chosen course. We offer a wide range of courses which have been designed to help you to improve your qualifications and English language ability, most of which are accredited by the British Council. Check your English and find out more about our English courses.More questions?
No matter what your questions, we are here to answer them, visit our International website to get more information and find out about our online open days.Independent study is a crucial part of learning at university and you will be required to undertake many hours of self-directed research and reading, and preparation and writing of assessments. Your course is delivered through a number of modules, which will help you to plan your time and establish a study routine. Outside of your lectures, workshops and tutorials, a range of support is available to assist with your independent study. Our subject-specific librarians will be on hand to direct you to the specialist learning and study-skill resources. You’ll also be assigned an academic advisor to give you tailored feedback and support.
Our silver status in the latest Teaching Excellence Framework, reflects our commitment to deliver high-quality teaching, learning and outcomes for our students.
Teaching & Learning
Be prepared for a career in digital journalism and related areas in the rapidly changing digital creative industries. With equal emphasis on the technical and aesthetic aspects of Digital journalism, the course takes you through the process of capturing, processing and publishing digital imagery. We look at advanced digital manipulation techniques of moving and still images, the theory behind the meaning of images and the way that new technologies are changing and challenging journalism. Taught using practical workshops and theoretical lectures, you will develop a large portfolio of visual imagery including sound and video, showing a broad but targeted range of technical and creative skills.
The tabs below detail what and how you will study in each year of your course. The balance of assessments and overall workload will be informed by your core modules and the option modules you choose to study – the information provided is an indication of what you can expect and may be subject to change. The option modules listed are also an indication of what will be available to you. Their availability is subject to demand and you will be advised which option modules you can choose at the beginning of each year of study.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic we are currently unable to advise on the mode of teaching for September 2021, however we will keep you updated and provide more information as soon as we can. We continue to follow government guidance and your teaching and learning will reflect the restrictions in place at the time of delivery. We currently anticipate that you may experience a blended approach – this is a mix of face-to-face, on campus and online teaching and learning. You can keep up to date with teaching and learning at Leeds Beckett via our Covid-19 website. Updated course specifications will be available in August 2021. In the meantime, our existing course specifications are available.
What you'll learn
Develop your understanding of the essential skills needed for journalism and content production.
Gain an understanding of how to polish and edit content ready for publishing using complex image processing tools.
You'll be introduced to the key technical principles of visual communication and creative practice.
Build confidence in creating concepts in relation to aspects of digital journalism. You'll identify potential stories suitable for editorial markets and journalism.
Explore the techniques required for recording and manipulation of sound and moving images.
Design and create a digital presence suitable for publishing original editorial content produced in Digital Journalism Practice 1.
Learn industry standard approaches for the creation and optimisation of journalism content for online and digital outputs.
What you'll learn
Improve your practical photography skills and refine your creative approach to making engaging visual content.
Examine ethical, legal and professional codes of practice in journalism, and develop awareness of how journalism can drive change in society.
Engage with industry standards and further your practical knowledge of journalism production workflows. You'll work alongside fellow students to devise a new journalistic brand, before creating and publishing original content for a student-led multiplatform publication.
Enhance your knowledge of new and emerging techniques in the journalism industry. You'll experiment with alternative approaches to traditional practice and relate this to your own development as a journalist and content creator.
Option modules may include
Research the work of journalists, photographers and filmmakers involved in the field of social documentary. You'll then apply your knowledge to devise and deliver a creative project that has social impact.
Build understanding of how data is used to support storytelling in journalism. You'll then apply your knowledge to research, plan, build and publish an original data-driven feature.
Gain understanding of the content structures and forms common in journalistic writing, with an emphasis on presentation for digital contexts.
This course offers the opportunity to take a ‘sandwich’ year – a year of paid employment in industry which will build your skills and experience. This is usually taken between the second and third year of your degree, typically making your course four years in total.
Students who choose the sandwich route find it helps with both their studies and getting a job after graduation. It can build your confidence, contacts, and of course your CV. Leeds Beckett advertise lots of placement opportunities and provide support in helping you find the right placement for you.
What you'll learn
Use the knowledge you've gained throughout your course to research, plan, design, create, publish and evaluate a substantial journalism-based product to a professional standard.
Find and work with a client to produce a portfolio of creative digital work to a negotiated brief.
Apply your skills and knowledge to design, produce, publish and promote your work to industry and the wider public.
Option modules may include
Explore the tools, techniques and methodologies involved in creating effective data visualisations for communication of information.
Research, identify and critically evaluate broadcast media production workflow and practice.
Develop familiarity with commercial photography workflows from concept to completion, with an emphasis on built environment and/or fashion photography.
Build your knowledge and understanding of the history of photographic portraits. You'll undertake a series of studio and location shoots to create a portfolio of original images.
Grow your technical skills and confidence in working with audio. You'll produce a live/as-live audio broadcast that uses ideas, concepts and pre-recorded and edited audio prepared during the module.
Use creative thinking to explore video techniques, for both hardware and software, in the development of visual content.
Enhance your understanding of an area/areas of teaching and learning in higher education and use creative technologies to develop and create a package of learning materials.
Fees & Funding
£9,250
Home / EU 2021
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2021/22 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.
£13,000
International 2021
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2021/22 is £13000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1950.Fees & Funding
£9,250
For students entering in 2021
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2021/22 is £9250. The amount you will pay may increase each year to take into account the effects of inflation.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1385.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Compulsory year one residential. Costs covered by the school.
Optional Costs
- Course educational visits. Costs will vary.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
£13,000
For students entering in 2021
The tuition fee for the year for students entering in 2021/22 is £13000. The amount you will pay is fixed at this level for each year of your course.
Sandwich Year
You will normally spend a whole year in placement. For this year you will be charged a reduced fee of £1950.Additional course costs
Tuition Fees
Your tuition fees cover the cost of registration, tuition, academic supervision, assessments and examinations.
The following are also included in the cost of your course:
- 24/7 Library and student IT support
- Free wifi via eduroam
- Skills workshops and resources
- Library membership, giving access to more than 500,000 printed, multimedia and digital resources
- Access to software, including five free copies of Microsoft Office 365 to install on your PC,laptop and MAC, and access to free high-end software via the Leeds Beckett remote app
- Loan of high-end media equipment to support your studies
In many cases, costs associated with your course will be included in your course fee. However, in some cases there are ‘essential’ additional costs (those that you will be required to meet in addition to your course fee), and/or ‘optional’ additional costs (costs that are not required, but that you might choose to pay). We have included those essential or optional additional costs that relate to your course, below.
Access to course resources, equipment and facilities, including:
- Compulsory year one residential. Costs covered by the school.
Optional Costs
- Course educational visits. Costs will vary.
Other study-related expenses to consider: materials that you will need to complete your course such as books (whilst the library provides access to readings recommended for your modules, you may wish to purchase your own copies of some books); you can also make suggestions for books to be added to Library stock; placement costs (these may include travel expenses and living costs); student visas (international students only); printing, photocopying and stationery (you may need to pay for multiple copies of your dissertation or final project to be printed and bound); events associated with your course such as field trips; study abroad opportunities (travel costs and accommodation, visas and immunisations). Other costs could include academic conferences (travel costs) and professional-body membership (where applicable). The costs you will need to cover for graduation will include gown hire and guest tickets, and optional extras such as professional photography.
As well as your mobile phone, you will also need access to a desktop computer and/or laptop to complete assignments and access university online services such as MyBeckett, your virtual learning environment. You can book and borrow AV equipment through the media equipment service accessed online via the student hub and located in the library at each campus. Equipment includes: 360 Cameras, iPads, GoPros, MacBooks, portable data projectors, portable projection screens, flipchart stands, remote presenters, digital cameras and camcorders, SLR cameras, speakers, microphones, headphones, headsets, tripods, digital audio recorders and PC/laptops (a laptop loans service is provided on campus in the library on both campuses). Student laptops are also available from the laptop lockers located in the libraries.
This list is not exhaustive, costs are approximate and will vary depending on the choices you make during your course. Any rental, travel or living costs are also in addition to your course fees. If you choose to study via distance learning, you may not be able to access all of the facilities listed if you are not able to visit us on campus.
Additional information
For further information on financing your studies or information about whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships, follow the links below:
Your future in our hands
There’s a lot to consider when choosing a course. Take a look at the team you’ll be working with, employability statistics and career prospects to help make up your mind.
100%
of students from BSc (Hons) Digital Journalism in work or further study 15 months after graduating.
The expertise and passion of my tutors made my time at university a pleasure. I'm still in touch with them and I've been asked to return to Leeds Beckett to talk to current students. I've even taken on placement students from the course to work with me here at Accent Clothing, so I'm able to share with them my experiences and pass on the skills I learned on my course.
Ajay Kumar
Studio Manager Accent Clothing
Career Prospects
Your portfolio of work will demonstrate a range of abilities across the technical and creative aspects of digital journalism. You could work for magazines or newspapers in a production role or as a creator of content. You could be a reporter, sub-editor, picture editor or photographer. Your knowledge of writing for the web will also make a job in marketing a good option. Digital journalism has a global reach – you can send stories from your laptop around the world in seconds – so you could end up working in any number of exciting locations.
- Multimedia Journalist
- Editorial Writer
- Picture Editor
Scholarships and bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that the opportunity to experience an education here at Leeds Beckett University is open to all. If you're thinking of joining us to study for your undergraduate degree, you may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary.
Bursaries are usually awarded depending on household income, whilst scholarships are available for a number of areas, and are based on sporting or academic excellence. For more information visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
Beckett Careers Team
Our Beckett Careers Team will support you with all aspects of your career planning, throughout university and beyond. Whether you’re looking for a part-time job or want to gain experience alongside your studies, need help preparing an application or exploring graduate job options, we can provide expert support every step of the way!
Throughout your university journey and up to five years after you graduate you'll have access to a broad range of support and tools to help you with:
- Getting ready to apply for jobs
- Working on your CV
- Preparing for an interview
- Applying for a graduate vacancies or placements
- Connecting with employers and organisations
Your Beckett experience
At Leeds Beckett your experience is important to us, find out more about what to expect from your time on this course and life at uni.
Leeds School of Arts Leeds School of Arts encourages individuality, inspires creativity, and creates impact.
Leeds School of Arts Festival 2020 Graduates from Architecture, Art and Design, Creative Technologies, Film, Music and Sound and Performing Arts present work that responds to an evolving world and challenges our preconceptions about the future.
Experience Leeds Beckett
Explore our specialist teaching facilities and premium accommodation that you’ll be proud to call your second home.
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