Course

Journalism and Sociology BA

3-4 years

How is the power of the media changing our society? Investigate the context and controversies which make journalism so interesting, relevant and crucial to society.

Journalism and Sociology BA, 3-4 years

How is the power of the media changing our society? Investigate the context and controversies which make journalism so interesting, relevant and crucial to society.

Start date:

2025

Course information

Typical offer BBB

UCAS code P5L3

International fee £19,700

Institute code L34

Taught by Media and Communication

Complete University Guide

Top 15 in the UK for Communication and Media Studies (Complete University Guide 2025)

National Student Survey logo

Ranked in the top 20 for subjects aligned to Media and Communication for ‘overall positivity’ in the NSS 2024 (according to Times Higher Education NSS 2023 methodology applied to the NSS 2024 data).

Course description

Course description

In a world where demand for news has never been higher, you'll develop your practical journalism skills whilst your sociology modules will help you understand pressing questions raised by studying the media. How does the media shape life, politics and identity? With a range of optional modules, you'll develop an understanding of why the media and society have such a complex relationship.

Journalism in the 21st century needs journalists who are comfortable operating across all platforms. This course will allow you to develop skills in broadcasting and digital/multi-media platforms as well as traditional print journalism so you can work in any and all media. You will also receive a thorough grounding on key journalistic skills in core areas such as news-gathering and interviewing. 

Media and Communication at the University of Leicester, which includes Journalism, has been at the forefront of media research since 1966 and our teaching has always been informed by all the latest developments in the field. We are ranked as one of the top 15 places in the UK to study Communication and Media Studies*.

You will be strongly encouraged to do industry placements with professional organisations, either as part of their degree or alongside it.

*The Complete University Guide 2021

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.

Other official national and international qualifications considered from across the world. You can review some of the qualifications we accept on our countries page and English Language equivalencies.

If your qualification or country is not listed, please contact us for more information, including the name and result of the qualification you have studied.

Contextual offers

The University of Leicester is committed to providing equitable opportunities for all applicants from all backgrounds. We make contextual offers to support students who may be impacted by the area they live in, their personal circumstances or who have completed one of our progression programmes. These offers are usually one or two grades lower than the standard entry requirements. To qualify for a contextual offer, you must apply for an eligible course and meet specific criteria – check if you’re eligible.

Selection Process

When considering your application, we will look for evidence that you will be able to fulfil the objectives of the course and achieve the standards required. We will take into account a range of factors including previous exam results.

Applicants are not normally interviewed. If you receive an offer you will be invited to visit the School.

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 List

Fees and funding

Fees and funding

UK Students

Starting in 2025

Tuition fees for 2025/26 are yet to be confirmed. As an indication of what you might pay, the fees for students who started in 2024/25 were:

  • £9,250 in your first year. Tuition fees are subject to government regulations and may change in future years
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £1,385 for that year

If you are resident outside the UK and the Republic of Ireland, you will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

International Students

Starting in 2025

  • £19,700 per year
  • Year Abroad: your fee will be £4,925 for that year, which is 25% of the full-time tuition fee

You will need to pay a deposit of £3,000 to secure your place. This will be subtracted from your total tuition fee.

If you are an EU national with settled or pre-settled status under the EU settlement scheme, you may qualify for the UK fee (subject to criteria).

Find out more about scholarships and funding.

Careers and employability

Careers and employability

We run employability and media production modules as part of our curriculum – e.g. Journalism Employability, Broadcast Journalism, Multi-platform and Entrepreneurial Journalism, Journalism Placement, Community Radio in Practice.

Our students are encouraged to get involved in the student-run media on campus, including Galaxy - our student magazine, LUST - our student TV station, and LUSH Radio - our student radio station.

We organise external speaker events, industry visit days, career development training and other initiatives in collaboration with local and national media organisations, giving you valuable insights into the professional media world.

In addition, our departmental Careers Tutor can support and advise you on careers matters throughout your time with us.

Graduate destinations

Recent graduates have gone on to work for companies such as:

  • American Express
  • Artavia Advertising
  • BBC
  • City Index
  • E.ON Energy
  • Gogglebox Entertainment
  • HMRC
  • Lloyds Bank
  • Sky Media
  • Transport for London

Careers and Employability Service


Get career-ready at Leicester with guidance from our award-winning Careers and Employability Service. We're here to give you a lifetime offer of support, even after graduation. Our team of specialist careers advisers and mentors will help you every step of the way. From supporting you with CVs and interviews, to volunteering opportunities and placements, we're here to help you reach your professional goals.

Related courses

Related courses

Journalism

BA, 3-4 years

Journalism with Creative Writing

BA, 3 years

Media and Communication

BA, 3-4 years

Media and Society

BA, 3-4 years

Browse all courses

View list

Course structure

Year One

Year One

Core modules: 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year Two

Year Two

Core modules: 

Option modules

Choose two option modules from: 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Year Abroad (optional)

Year Abroad (optional)

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.

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Final Year

Final Year

Core modules: 

Two optional modules from: 

One optional module from: 

Plus your 

Modules shown represent choices available to current students. The range of modules available and the content of any individual module may change in future years.

Teaching and learning

In each year there are six modules, each of which involves approximately 30 hours of contact time and around 120 hours of private study.

Teaching methods include practical workshops, lectures, seminars, various practical activities and assessments, and one-to-one supervision. All teaching is by subject specialists and teaching methods are adapted to suit the aims and objectives of each module.

In your first year you will have additional workshops around study skills, essay writing and preparing for exams. A variety of teaching approaches are employed in the second and third year depending on the modules you take. One-to-one teaching is an important feature of the programme. In your third year your investigation work will be supervised by a subject-specialist. You will be allocated a personal tutor whose job is to provide you with pastoral and academic support throughout the programme.

Modules are assessed by a combination of portfolios, essays, exams and presentations. You will complete a 6,000-word investigation project in your third year.

You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor to discuss progress in your studies. Your personal tutor will also provide a sympathetic ear for all matters of personal concern, whether they be academic, financial, housing, career or social issues.

Academic support

Our Centre for Academic Achievement provides help in the following areas:

  • study and exam skills
  • academic writing
  • presentations
  • dissertations
  • numerical data skills
  • referencing sources

Our AccessAbility Centre offers support and practical help for students with dyslexia or other specific learning difficulties, including physical, mental health or mobility difficulties, deafness, or visual impairment.

Teaching staff

You will be taught by an experienced teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. PhD research students who have undertaken teacher training may also contribute to the teaching of seminars under the supervision of the module leader. Our teaching is informed by the research we do. You can learn more about our staff by visiting our staff profiles.

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Course Qualification Duration Attendance UCAS Code Availability
Course Journalism and Sociology Qualification BA Duration 3 years, full-time Attendance Full-time UCAS Code P5L3 Availability Apply Now
Course Journalism and Sociology with Year Abroad Qualification BA Duration 4 years, full-time Attendance Full-time UCAS Code P5L3 Availability Apply Now

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