There are now many specialist sports journalism courses in the UK. The SJA cannot vouch or otherwise for any listed below.
There are several options, from a three-year BA (Hons) course to a Masters or more workplace based fast-track course, accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). The other accrediting body is the Broadcast Journalism Training Council.
NCTJ accreditation is widely viewed in the industry as the benchmark of excellence for journalists. Recent research into the job destinations of NCTJ diploma trainees shows 90% of alumni with a ‘gold-standard diploma’ are working in journalism six months after graduating.
The NCTJ publish their leagues tables for most successful ‘gold-standard’ courses annually and you can view them here.
INDEPENDENT FAST-TRACK COURSES
News Associates (NCTJ accredited)
NCTJ Diploma in Multimedia Sports Journalism
Post-graduate fast-track course delivered in conjunction with press agency Sportsbeat. Ranked number one NCTJ accredited course in the UK since 2015. London and Manchester
0203 026 3781 | 0161 710 3910 | training@newsassociates.co.uk
www.newsassociates.co.uk
Press Association (NCTJ accredited)
NCTJ Diploma in Sports Journalism
Fast-track sports journalism course, based in London with intakes in August and January.
www.becomeajournalist.co.uk
0207 963 7920
BA DEGREE
The School of Journalism (NCTJ accredited)
BA (Hons) Multimedia Journalism
Based in London and Manchester, The School of Journalism is a unique collaboration between News Associates and Marjon University. Work place opportunities with national sports agency Sportsbeat.
Course code: MUJO, Institution code: P63, Campus: Manchester (M) or London (L)
www.schoolofjournalism.co.uk
training@newsassociates.co.uk
Falmouth University (NCTJ and BJTC accredited)
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Three years. UCAS code F33 46G1. Points 104-120
Final year specialise in personal sporting interests and opportunity to gain work experience with the internationally circulated surfing magazine Wavelength.
01326 254350
www.falmouth.ac.uk
Teesside University (NCTJ accredited)
BA (Hons) Journalism (sport)
Three years* UCAS code P505 BA/SJ. Points 96-112
Opportunity to report on live football at Middlesbrough FC. Final year take leading editorial role in multi-media platform Tside
01642 342639
There is also a part-time course over six years
http://www.tees.ac.uk/
scma-applications@tees.ac.uk
University of Brighton (NCTJ accredited)
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Three years. UCAS code P500. Points 96-112 or BTEC extended diploma DMM-MMM
Facilities include a 40-station newsroom, a multimedia suite, and live satellite news and sports feeds
Based at Eastbourne Campus
01273 644644
https://www.brighton.ac.uk/index.aspx
eastbourneadmissions@brighton.ac.uk
University of Sunderland (NCTJ accredited)
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Three years. UCAS code P505. Points 112-120
https://www.sunderland.ac.uk/
Increase practical experience by taking on reporting, editing and/or managerial roles on Sportbyte; our student-run website covering sport
There is also a four-year course with integrated foundation year
Minimum of three level 2 qualifications, 40 UCAS points from level 3 qualifications OR evidence of appropriate knowledge and skills required from at least three years of post-school work experience.
Neil.farrington@sunderland.ac.uk
Plymouth Marjon University (member of EJTA)
BA (Hons) Journalism (Sport)
Three years. UCAS code P314. Points 96
New broadcasting hub opens in 2019 next to BBC in Plymouth
Admissions@marjon.ac.uk
Birmingham City University (Member of EJTA)
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Three years. UCAS code P501. Points 112
Graduates have gone on to work for Sky, BBC, Trinity Mirror and Express and Star
0121 331 6295
admissions@bcu.ac.uk
University of Bedfordshire
Sport Journalism BA (Hons)
Three years. Based Luton. UCAS code P590. Points 112
Also offer:
Sport journalism with professional practice year – four years – UK or EU only
Sport Journalism with foundation year – 4 years (There is also a £500 foundation year bursary available to UK students starting September 2019)
admission@beds.ac.uk
Staffordshire University (BJTC accredited)
Sports Journalism BA (Hons)
Three years. Based Stoke on Trent. UCAS code P501. Points 112 (A levels BBC, BTEC DMM)
01782 294000
m.j.pryce@staffs.ac.uk
University of Central Lancashire (BJTC accredited)
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Three years. UCAS code P501. Points 104 (BTEC MMM)
Based Preston. Opportunity to study abroad
There is also a four-year foundation course available
UCAS code J834
01772 892400
cenquiries@uclan.ac.uk
University of Northampton (BJTC accredited)
BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism
Three years. HP Laptop and software included
0300 3032772
study@northampton.ac.uk
University of Gloucester (BJTC accredited)
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Three years. Based Cheltenham. UCAS code CP65. Points 120
01242 714700
enquiries@glos.ac.uk
University of Lincoln (EJTA)
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Full-time 3 years
Part-time 6 years
UCAS code P503 (112 points from minimum of three A Levels or equivalent
jcafferkey@lincoln.ac.uk
Bucks New University
BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism
Three years
UCAS code MSJ1 112 points
Etihad Campus, Manchester Sports Village or Wembley
Available to UK, EU and EEA only
Available with a foundation year
ucfb.ac.uk.
University of Chester
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Three years
UCAS code P590 104 points from A Levels or equivalent
Contact: David Randles d.randles@chester.ac.uk
enquiries@chester.ac.uk
01244 511000
University of Derby
Football Journalism BA (Hons)
Also available with foundation year
UCAS code P510, 112 points
Choose to study part of your degree in America
Contact Keith Perch, head of journalism, k.perch@derby.ac.uk
01332 592019
University of Derby
Specialist Sports Journalism BA (Hons)
Also available with foundation year
UCAS code P503, 112 points
Contact Keith Perch, head of journalism, k.perch@derby.ac.uk
01332 592019
University of East London
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
Also available with foundation year
UCAS code P502, 112, points
study@uel.ac.uk
University of Huddersfield
Sports Journalism (BA Hons)
Three years full-time or four years including placement year
UCAS code P503,
0330 123 2277
journalism@hud.ac.uk
Leeds Trinity University
Sports Journalism (BA Hons)
admissions@leedstrinity.ac.uk
0113 283 7100
Liverpool John Moores University
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
UCAS code PP55, points 112
International opportunity
0151 231 5090
apsadmissions@lhmu.ac.uk
MASTERS DEGREE
St Mary’s University Twickenham (NCTJ accredited)
MA/PgDip Sports Journalism
One year. Guarantee every student a work placement
mastersadmit@stmarys.ac.uk
daragh.minogue@stmarys.ac.uk
University of Sunderland (NCTJ accredited)
MA Sports Journalism
One year. Code: CID1075
Students on this course can apply for the Journalism Diversity Fund
Students can choose, at additional cost, to gain the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism
Neil.farrington@sunderland.ac.uk
University of Winchester
MA Sport Journalism
One year full-time, two years part-time
01962 827234
Staffordshire University (BJTC accredited)
MA Sports Broadcast Journalism
15 months. Based Stoke. Guaranteed 120 hours of work placement
Learn how to self-shoot and edit a TV package
01782 294000
m.j.pryce@staffs.ac.uk
Southampton Solent (BJTC)
MA Sports Broadcast Journalism
One year (also available on a part-time basis)
Entry requirements: 2.2 in related degree or international equivalent of extensive professional practice
ask@solent.ac.uk
023 82013000
University of Lincoln (EJTA ‘recognised for excellence’)
MA Journalism (Sports)
Full-time one year
Part-time two years
jcafferkey@lincoln.ac.uk
Liverpool John Moores Univerity
MA Journalism (Sports) NCTJ Accredited
P.W.Leydon@ljmu.ac.uk