Course information
Typical offer BBB
UCAS code P5L2
Institute code L34
Taught by Arts, Media, and Communication
Ranked 1st in the UK for Academic Support in subjects aligned to Journalism in the National Student Survey 2026 (according to the Times Higher Education NSS 2025 methodology applied to the NSS 2026 data)
12th in the UK for Communication and Media Studies (The Times UK University Rankings 2026)
7th in the UK for student experience in Politics and International Relations (The Times UK University Rankings 2026)
Course description
Course description
BA Journalism and Politics offers an exciting and intellectually engaging route into two of the most influential forces shaping contemporary society. In a world characterised by rapid information exchange, competing narratives and constant political change, the ability to analyse events critically and communicate them clearly has never been more important.
This innovative degree brings together the analytical rigour of political study with the creativity, practical skills and ethical responsibility at the heart of modern journalism. You will develop as both a critical thinker and a confident storyteller, equipped to navigate and interpret a complex global landscape. Whether you aim to pursue a career in journalism, media, politics or beyond, BA Journalism and Politics offers a fascinating and relevant foundation for your future.
Throughout the course, you will gain a strong grounding in the core skills of journalism, including researching, writing, interviewing and reporting across a range of platforms. Alongside this, you will explore political systems, ideologies and institutions, enabling you not only to report events accurately but also to understand and explain their wider significance.
Central to the programme is an exploration of the vital relationship between journalism and politics in democratic societies. You will examine how journalists hold power to account, how political agendas influence news production and how the media shapes public opinion. In doing so, you will engage with key contemporary issues such as bias, truth, responsibility and the impact of social media and misinformation.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
- A/AS-levels: BBB. All subjects accepted. Two AS-levels considered in place of one A-level
- EPQ with A-levels: BBC + EPQ at grade B
- GCSE: English Language Grade 4/C.
- Access to HE Diploma: Pass diploma with 45 credits at Level 3, including 24 credits at Distinction
- International Baccalaureate: Pass Diploma with 28 points overall. Must include a minimum of grade 4 in English A or 5 in English B if minimum of grade 4/C not held at GCSE.
- BTEC Nationals: Full Diploma with DDM
- T-Levels: Merit or above, Humanities subjects preferred.
English Language Requirements
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. If you do not yet meet our requirements, our English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU) offers a range of courses to help you to improve your English to the necessary standard.
International Qualifications
Find your country in this list to check equivalent qualifications, scholarships and additional requirements.
Countries listFees and funding
Fees and funding
UK Students
Starting in 2026
- £9,790 in your first year.
- For the 2027/28 academic year, the Home UK tuition fee is expected to be £10,050. Further increases are anticipated to be implemented automatically through government legislation, therefore it is likely that your tuition fees will rise for each subsequent year of your studies.
Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.
International Students
Starting in 2026
- £20,200 per year
If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.
Find out more about tuition fees, including year abroad, placement years, scholarships and funding.
Careers and employability
Careers and employability
Journalism and Politics graduates are ideally placed to understand, interpret and communicate the events shaping our world. By combining practical journalism training with a deep understanding of political ideas, institutions, public policy and public debate, you will graduate with a distinctive blend of professional, analytical and communication skills that are highly valued by employers.
Employability is built into your degree. Every undergraduate completes 100 hours of employer-informed work-related learning as part of their course. Our first-year journalism modules are designed and taught by lecturers with professional journalism experience, ensuring your learning is grounded in contemporary industry practice. From identifying and gathering news to interviewing, writing news copy, producing features and understanding the legal and ethical frameworks of journalism, you will develop the skills required for professional practice. You will also engage with leading industry professionals, gaining firsthand insight into the realities of modern journalism.
Throughout the course, you will develop expertise in research, writing, interviewing, digital storytelling and multimedia production, alongside transferable skills in critical thinking, problem-solving, project management, teamwork and persuasive communication. Practical journalism modules and opportunities to engage with student media will help you build a professional portfolio while gaining valuable hands-on experience across a range of platforms.
You can also choose to undertake a Year in Industry, enabling you to gain workplace experience, expand your professional network and enhance your career prospects before graduation. You can also choose to spend a year studying oversees - studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society.
Graduates are well prepared for careers in journalism, broadcasting, political reporting, public affairs, political communications, campaigning, policy research, media relations, public relations and digital content creation. The skills developed throughout the degree are also highly valued in the Civil Service, local and national government, charities, think tanks, international organisations and a wide range of commercial sectors.
By the time you graduate, you will have the confidence, adaptability and professional expertise to make sense of an increasingly complex world, inform public debate, hold power to account and shape conversations that matter.
Our graduates go on to a variety of roles with a range of employers, including:
- BBC
- British Red Cross
- Media
- Civil Service
- DMG Media
- Edelman
- HM Home Office
- Metropolitan Police
- United Nations
(Graduate Outcomes Survey)
Careers and Employability Service
At Leicester, our award-winning Careers and Employability Service works closely with the Media and Communications team and your personal tutor to help you identify your strengths and explore career pathways. Our specialist advisers support you with CVs, interviews, placements and volunteering opportunities, guiding you every step of the way. You can also tailor your final research project to your own work experience, making your degree more relevant to your goals. Our lifetime support continues after graduation to help you achieve your professional ambitions.
Integrated AI
Integrated AI
At Leicester, you will study with full access to Microsoft 365 Copilot through our collaboration with global tech leader, Microsoft. As one of the first Microsoft Frontier Universities in the UK, we are helping to shape how AI is used in higher education and the workplace.
You will build practical, transferable skills that employers value. From analysing information and solving problems to communicating ideas and working collaboratively, you will learn to apply your knowledge in a digital world.
When you graduate, you will leave with more than a degree. You will have the skills and confidence to work with the technologies shaping your future.
100 hours work-related learning
100 hours work-related learning
Your future career starts right here, whilst you study. On all of our undergraduate courses you are guaranteed 100 hours of real, employer‑informed work‑related learning, built directly into your course.
You will gain a range of skills and grow in confidence through a mixture of activities, aligned closely to your subject. This could range from placements, clinics, laboratory work, field work and “real-world” projects such as live briefs, consultancy challenges, simulations, and virtual internships (discipline aligned and interdisciplinary).
By the time you graduate you'll be able to articulate and demonstrate to future employers you have the skills they are looking for as well as the understanding of your subject.
Course structure
Year 1
Year 1
Core modules
- News Basics
- Journalism Ethics and Regulation
- How to change the world
- Introduction to Comparative Politics: Europe and the USA
- Features Journalism
- Podcasting and Radio Journalism
- Key Concepts in Politics
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year 2 (Journalism Dissertation)
Year 2 (Journalism Dissertation)
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Political Ideas
- Political Parties in Contemporary Britain
- The Curious Feminist: Gender in Global Politics
- Political Communication
Then choose three option modules from:
- Magazine Journalism
- Data Journalism
- Sports Journalism 1
- Journalism Studies
- Arts Journalism
- European Union Politics
- Governing Societies in Conflict
- Contemporary Political Philosophy: Theories of Justice
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year 2 (Politics Dissertation)
Year 2 (Politics Dissertation)
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Political Ideas
- Political Parties in Contemporary Britain
- The Curious Feminist: Gender in Global Politics
- Political Communication
Then choose two option modules from:
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Year Abroad or in Industry (optional)
Year Abroad or in Industry (optional)
Year Abroad
We’ll make sure you have everything you need for your future career: not just by awarding you a high quality degree, but also by helping you to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence you need to make your mark in the world as a Citizen of Change. One way you can do this is by opting to take a Year Abroad between Years 2 and 3 of your degree.
Studying abroad is not just for people who are interested in travelling and meeting new people. It is about acquiring life skills that are becoming increasingly significant for a wide range of jobs in our modern globalised society. Whether you go on to a career in the private, public or third sector - or plough your own furrow as an entrepreneur – you will find the experience invaluable.
For more information, including a list of destinations, please visit our Study Abroad website.
Please note
- A year spent abroad still incurs a tuition fee, but this is much lower than for a normal year at Leicester. See the Fees and Funding tab of this page for details.
- You may be eligible for a travel grant from Student Finance England.
- Places are offered on a competitive basis, and eligibility is dependent on your academic performance in Years 1 and 2.
- Language courses, at beginners or advanced level, are available through our Languages at Leicester scheme.
Year in industry
A year in industry gives you the opportunity to gain professional experience of working in a sector related to your course, whilst developing workplace skills and building a network with people in industry. It is normally a paid position and can take place in the UK.
Employers are increasingly looking for graduates with industry experience. By taking up this option, you will benefit from real-world experience in a workplace setting, enabling you to make an easier transition from studying to working after you finish your degree. It will also strengthen your CV significantly in preparation for entering the graduate market.
Benefits of a year in industry
- Develops the key skills required for the graduate market
- Expands your professional networks
- Enables you to turn classroom theory into real-world practice
- You will receive your degree with 'a Year in Industry'
What does the year in industry involve?
You will be introduced to the year in industry programme in your second year. You will find your own placement with support from the central Placements Team you in searching for suitable placement opportunities, and undertaking the recruitment and selection process.
Whilst on your year in industry you will continue to be supported by the School. This will include communication with you and your manager, and a meeting in your place of work. You will undertake written work to capture your learning from your industry experience.
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Final Year (Journalism Dissertation)
Final Year (Journalism Dissertation)
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Feminism
- The American Presidency
- The Conservatives: Crisis and Recovery
- Political Legacies of Conflict in Northern Ireland
- Comparative Public Opinion
- Animals and the Environment
- Political Journalism
- Parliamentary Studies
Then choose two option modules from:
- Brexit and British Politics
- American Political Development
- The Politics of Slavery
- The Politics of Contemporary British Foreign Policy
- Grenfell: Violence and the Possibility of Non-Violence
- The Political Theory of Disobedience and Protests
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Final Year (Politics Dissertation)
Final Year (Politics Dissertation)
Core modules
Option modules
Choose two option modules from:
- Journalism Placement
- Political Journalism
- Investigative Journalism
- Crime Journalism
- Space Journalism
- Reporting Panics
- Media, Rights and Responsibilities
- Feminism
- The American Presidency
- The Conservatives: Crisis and Recovery
- Political Legacies of Conflict in Northern Ireland
- Comparative Public Opinion
- Animals and the Environment
Then choose one option module from:
- TV News Production
- Environmental Journalism
- Advanced Sports Journalism
- AI Journalism
- Content and Podcast Creation
- Writing for PR
The modules listed reflect those currently available to students starting in the next intake and may differ from the modules available to current students. Every year, we review our modules and their content to ensure that our courses maintain the best academic and student experience possible. Whilst this does mean elements of your course may change in future academic years, it ensures your course is giving you a research-inspired education and preparing you for your future.
Why Leicester?
We’ve been at the forefront of media and communication teaching and research for over 60 years – with the Centre for Mass Communication Research established in 1966.
We place a strong emphasis on employability, with 100 hours of employer‑informed, work‑related learning embedded directly into your course.
Tailor your degree with a wide range of modules, including AI Journalism, Space Journalism, The Politics of Slavery and The American Presidency.
Learn from expert lecturers whose research brings cutting‑edge insights into your teaching.
Teaching and learning
Throughout your degree, you will learn through a variety of teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials and practical classes. These interactive learning experiences encourage discussion, debate and collaboration, helping you develop as both a political analyst and a confident communicator.
From your first year, you will gain practical experience in news writing, features journalism, podcasting and radio production, while exploring political systems, ideas and institutions. As you progress, you can specialise through modules such as Political Communication, Sports Journalism, Political Journalism, Investigative Reporting and Parliamentary Studies, allowing you to tailor your studies to your interests and career ambitions.
Assessment reflects the wide range of skills required by employers and may include news and multimedia portfolios, podcasts, presentations, group projects, policy analysis, essays, research proposals, dissertations and examinations. This varied approach helps you build a professional portfolio while developing the critical-thinking, research and communication skills valued across journalism, media and political professions.
Our journalism lecturers have worked within the industry, meaning you will be taught by staff with valuable real-world experience. You will also learn from academics whose research shapes national and international understanding of politics and international relations. 100% of our research in Politics and International Relations was judged either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021).
You will engage with contemporary issues, analyse real-world events and learn how to conduct independent research, culminating in a final-year dissertation in either Journalism or Politics.
Apply now
| Course | Qualification | Duration | UCAS Code | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Course Journalism and Politics | Qualification BA | Duration 3 years full-time | UCAS Code P5L2 | Availability Apply through Clearing |
| Course Journalism and Politics with Year Abroad | Qualification BA | Duration 4 years full-time | UCAS Code | Availability Apply through Clearing |
| Course Journalism and Politics with Year in Industry | Qualification BA | Duration 4 years full-time | UCAS Code | Availability Apply through Clearing |
The course challenges your beliefs, forces you to think critically, and makes you more open-minded.