ABOUT THE COURSE

Think you’ve got what it takes to bring news to sports fans from around the world? This Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) accredited sport journalism degree aims to get you into the thick of the action straight away, reporting on local and national sports for both online and traditional media platforms.

Solent University’s Journalism, Publishing and Public Relations subject area was ranked 17th in the Guardian University League Tables 2019.

You’ll work like a professional journalist from the first day, taking residence in Solent’s state-of-the-art media academy newsroom. Supported by an experienced teaching team, you will learn to source and produce editorial content to a deadline.

Students are guided by an experienced teaching team throughout their degree. Members of the team have previously covered major events including Olympic Games; cricket World Cups; football World Cups and European championships; athletic championships, Premier League football and other major events. All lecturers still work in the industry for organisations such as Sky Sports, BBC Sport, ITV Sport and national newspapers, helping students and staff to stay up-to-date with the latest media trends.

This team will support you as you build your professional network and look for work experience positions. Past students have taken placements at national magazines and newspapers, major broadcasters (including the BBC and Sky), public relations agencies, independent radio stations and news websites.

You’ll also be able to get involved in Tibsnews.com, a sports news website created and run by Solent students – to which all students are encouraged to contribute material, across all media platforms.

The South is a fantastic location for sporting activity. Solent University is located near the Ageas Bowl, home of Hampshire Cricket; St Mary’s Stadium, home of Southampton FC; and Solent waters, which hosts major sailing events including the America’s Cup.

Students completing the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism course are equipped with both the skills to work in any area and across all platforms within the sports media, from local newspapers to national broadcasters such as BBC Sport and Associated Press, and the practical experience in 'as real' locations such as newsrooms, commercial communications departments and TV and radio studios.

Suitable roles for graduates include:

• News reporter
• Radio and broadcast news reporter or editor
• Feature writer
• PR and communications
• Journalist
• Presenter.

As part of your studies, you’ll complete a minimum of 120 hours’ work placement in industry, drawing on the course team’s contacts to gain positions at national magazines and newspapers, major broadcasters including the BBC and Sky, the trade press, public relations agencies, independent radio stations and news websites. The course also has a number of work experience agreements with organisations such as Hampshire Cricket, Shoot! magazine, Winchester City FC, Gosport Borough FC, M&Y News, Crawley Town FC and LaLiga News.

Previous students have also used the skills learned on the course to obtain their own work placements/experience at BBC local radio, Associated Press, Absolute Talk Radio, Watford FC, and national and regional newspapers.

All lecturers still work in the industry for organisations such as Sky Sports, BBC Sport, ITV Sport and national newspapers, helping students to stay up-to-date with media trends.

We also offer a regular programme of guest speakers from industry, providing you with first-hand advice and experience.