JOURNALISM
MAKE YOUR MARK IN
JOURNALISM
How would you like to interview a Premier League manager? Or help crack a big murder case? Expose a political scandal ? Maybe cover a music festival? Or a fashion shoot? How about playing – then reviewing - the latest computer game for a magazine? Or how about telling your stories through pictures by pointing a camera on these events? As a journalist you can get to do all of these things - and more. And there’s no better place to learn how to do it than at Staffordshire University. We take journalism seriously here – by having fun. As a student you’re fully involved in our regular newsdays – covering news, sport, music, showbiz, fashion – and all the things we’re passionate about. And if there’s something else you’re passionate about – we want to hear from you. Pete Leydon Head of Journalism
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As for social media – we’re all over it. We even have our own journalism website – StaffsLive – where you can pursue that passion and see your work published with your own byline. Many of our graduates have gone on to achieve their dreams, working in some of the best jobs in the business. You’ll find Staffordshire graduates working at the BBC, ITV, Sky, BT Sport, newspapers, magazines, PR companies and countless football clubs. There’s a reason our students go on to achieve their dreams. Our tutors share those dreams. Seriously come and join the fun.
BA (Hons) BROADCAST JOURNALISM UCAS code: PL52
BA (Hons) ENGLISH LITERATURE AND JOURNALISM UCAS code: PQ53
BA (Hons) GAMES JOURNALISM AND PR UCAS code: 2T17
BA (Hons) JOURNALISM UCAS code: P500
BA (Hons) JOURNALISM (TWO-YEAR FAST-TRACK) UCAS code: P502
BA (Hons) JOURNALISM AND PR UCAS code: 2D16
BA (Hons) PHOTOJOURNALISM UCAS code: WP65
BA (Hons) SPORTS JOURNALISM UCAS code: P501
BA (Hons) SPORTS PR AND JOURNALISM UCAS code: PP25
BA (Hons) JOURNALISM AND PR UCAS code: 2D16
CONTENTS: 2 4 6 12 14 16 18 19
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
Introduction Key Facts Why Staffs? Our Brilliant People A Better Campus Choose More Open Days Application Process
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HERE ARE JUST A FEW REASONS WHY WE BELIEVE YOU SHOULD STUDY WITH US. TO REALLY FIND OUT IF WE’RE RIGHT FOR YOU, PLEASE COME ALONG TO ONE OF OUR OPEN DAYS. WE’D LOVE TO MEET YOU.
KEY FACTS WORK-READY WORLD-READY
SCOOP AN INDUSTRY PLACEMENT
INDUSTRY ACCREDITATIONS
TAUGHT BY INDUSTRY EXPERTS
REPORT REAL EVENTS
These industry accreditations and recognition mean that our courses take account of the latest professional practices, and are a signal to employers that you have all the key skills they are looking for. Staffordshire is also a member of the European Journalism Training Association (EJTA), with great links to journalism schools in cities across Europe.
Study with us and we’ll equip you to become ‘The Staffordshire Graduate’ – a world-ready professional, with the knowledge, attributes and expertise that employers look for. Our students have won regional and national awards for their journalism, including the Midlands Media Awards
Staffordshire University has more expertise in Journalism among its teaching staff than any comparable institution. Our team includes awardwinning professionals from right across the industry.
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Thanks to our enviable industry links, our students secure exciting work placements, typically in newspaper and broadcast newsrooms, picture desks, football press offices and music magazines. Our strong industry contacts can also help our graduates to find employment.
Join one of our courses and you could contribute to StaffsLive (www. staffslive.co.uk). Run by Journalism students, the website is regularly visited by tens of thousands of people looking for accurate reports of local events.
Our BA(Hons) Journalism and BA(Hons) Journalism Fast-track degrees are both accredited by the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists). Our BA(Hons) Broadcast Journalism has full accreditation from the BJTC (Broadcast Journalism Training Council), and BA(Hons) Sports PR and Journalism is also recognised by the CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations).
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
LAW AND ETHICS
INDUSTRY-STANDARD FACILITIES
ROCK SOLID REPUTATION
During your studies, you’ll also be able to take the NCTJ journalism exams –professional qualifications to demonstrate that you have all-round competence in a range of essential skills.
To help ensure you deliver top quality professional output, our modern newsrooms and state of the art photography studios are regularly upgraded with industry-standard equipment and software.
Knowledge of how the law affects journalism is vital to anyone entering the industry. Media Law is at the heart of our teaching, along with the ethical codes and regulatory framework within which journalists operate.
Our teaching team includes the authors of the leading Broadcast Journalism Handbook and the academic author of The British Press and political analyst for the BBC in the Midlands. We also have award winning network broadcasters, national and regional journalists and top PR practitioners.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
GRADUATE SUCCESS STORIES
You’ll find our graduates working at all levels of journalism and across the UK media. Recent examples include: BBC sports reporter, ITV News reporter, One Show researcher and producer, digital web editor for Heat magazine, Red Bull F1 digital editor, Sky Sports producer, manager at Almighty Records and SoGlos staff writer. Mail Online digital journalist - the largest online platform in the UK
MAKING YOU HIGHLY EMPLOYABLE
Our courses are all designed to make you employable in the modern media. We have an outstanding track record in preparing young journalists for the world of work. 5
WHY STAFFS? Study Journalism at Staffordshire University and our award-winning professionals will teach you the skills to work in any media. As one of the UK’s leading centres for Journalism degrees, we offer enviable opportunities for you to specialise. You can choose from courses in Broadcast Journalism, Photojournalism, Sports Journalism, Sports PR and Journalism or Games Journalism and PR. Then again, if you’re looking to become an indemand all-rounder, the BA (Hons) Journalism (Two-year Fast-track) could be for you. Whichever Staffordshire University Journalism degree you select, you will benefit from a solid grounding in journalistic skills and learn how to find and report stories for newspapers, magazines, TV, radio and online audiences.
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CHOOSE HOW YOU STUDY
LINKS WITH LEADING EMPLOYERS
We believe you should be able to decide how you study. That’s why the majority of our Journalism degrees can be completed over three years full-time, or up to eight years part-time. For students who want to graduate sooner, we offer the two-year Fast-track version of our BA(Hons) Journalism degree.
To give you the best possible learning experience, we have builtup extensive industry contacts. Study with us and you’ll complete at least three weeks’ work placement – most likely in a newspaper or broadcast newsroom, media press office, including football clubs, or magazine. At least half of our Broadcast Journalism students spend time with the BBC. Many also find work through successful placements – and all have the chance to take the NCTJ’s exams. Their Diploma is a key qualification when looking for a job in newspapers and news agencies.
LEARN FROM EXPERIENCED LECTURERS We want to make sure you graduate with the skills necessary for a successful future. That’s why you’ll be taught by experienced professionals. Our team includes: the BBC in the Midlands political analyst, a former BBC chief news correspondent who has also worked for ITV and Sky, a TV sports producer who works for Match of the Day, the ex-managing director of MUTV, a multi award-winning TV and radio producer; as well as award-winning regional and national newspaper and magazine journalists, and digital and hyperlocal journalism pioneers.
WORLD OF WORK FACILITIES As a Journalism student at Staffordshire University, you’ll work in modern newsrooms with industry-standard equipment and software. Our digital television and radio studios are regularly used by professional broadcasters, and students learn to use the latest portable video cameras and state-
of-the-art editing software. You can view examples of our students’ work on the StaffsLive website, www.staffslive.co.uk
INSPIRED WAYS OF TEACHING You will learn in workshop sessions in our newsrooms, and through traditional lectures and seminars. You will also have access to our Blackboard Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), where you can benefit from the latest online support exercises for the vital journalistic tool of shorthand. Most importantly, during the course, the majority of your course is practice-based journalism to help develop your vocational skills. You will learn how to use social media professionally, a key tool for today’s journalists, and you can join in our conversation now on Twitter @staffjournalism and on our Facebook page ‘Journalism at Staffordshire University’.
FIRST-CLASS SUPPORT Study with us and you’ll never go unsupported. Our friendly and helpful lecturers are there to help you reach your full potential. Lecture materials and discussion groups are available through the University website and social networking. Our lecturers have an open-door policy for tutorials and always aim to be available for advice and guidance.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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OUR BRILLIANT PEOPLE Having had offers from several Broadcast Journalism courses, choosing Staffordshire was the best choice I could have made. The practical nature of the course meant I was able to contribute immediately in a newsroom environment and make the most of work experience opportunities. I still frequently draw upon the skills and advice I was given at Staffs. The academic and social experience was second to none! Michael Sibert BA(Hons) Broadcast Journalism –now a reporter for ITV News, covering national and regional events The lecturers and staff at Staffordshire are outstanding, with such a diverse range of skills and experience. Taking advantage of their knowledge with one-to-one sessions is crucial for job applications and planning your career path. The course and working on StaffsLive were crucial in landing my internship. Laurence Mozafari, BA(Hons) Journalism – now Digital Web Editor for Heat magazine in London
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For me personally, using the camera, using editing software and interviewing has all improved. Doing it at a Premier League club is a great experience as you’re doing it at the top level of the industry. Jack Whitaker BA (Hons) Sports Journalism Now working with Reading FC as assistant press officer
Staffs is the best uni for the course. I came up on an Open Day, the facilities are fantastic and it really appealed to me. It opens your eyes to the fact that journalism is a multi-media business and that’s why I chose it. Dean spent his final year working with Stoke City FC as a community media officer, producing video packages for the club’s website and video wall. Dean Wootten BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
I don’t think of myself as a hard news kind of person, but I do enjoy getting my teeth into a story and seeing it through from start to finish, often up against tight deadlines. I learnt all of that on newsdays at Staffs, along with the tenacious attitude which led me to getting this job. Charlotte Denton BA(Hons) Broadcast Journalism – now a staff researcher and producer for BBC1’s the One Show. Charlotte sets up interviews and often directs the filming on location with the show’s celebrity presenters. Charlotte spent a week recently filming for Comic Relief with presenter Alex Jones.
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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A BETTER CAMPUS
AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE’RE COMMITTED TO INVESTING IN YOUR FUTURE – LITERALLY. OVER A PERIOD OF 18 MONTHS, WE’RE SPENDING MILLIONS OF POUNDS ON OUR UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES, SO WHEN YOU JOIN US, YOU’LL BE COMING TO A PLACE WITH EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO START OPENING DOORS AND BREAKING BOUNDARIES.
In recent years, our Stoke-on-Trent campus has undergone a massive transformation, with the students at the heart of our plans. From the amazing Science Centre to environmental improvements, we’re focused on building the best campus for our students. But whilst it’s all well and good a university saying they care what students think, we’re putting our money where our mouth is. This all stems from a decision to make Stoke-on-Trent the main campus of Staffordshire University. In 2016 the majority of students from our Stafford Computing and Technology courses will be
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moving to the Stoke-on-Trent campus. So we’re making sure that when you arrive, you enter a university that is fit for purpose. One with a great mix of study and social spaces. One that feels safe and thrives on the friendly reputation we’ve built. What we found was that a modern edge-of-city campus is ideal. Close enough to the city for the social life, but far enough away to focus on studying. Great transport links around the city, but also great spaces around the campus. The best of both worlds. So, starting in Summer 2015, we’ll be working on the College Road and Leek Road sites of our Stoke Campus. We’ll be creating great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, venues and teaching rooms. Bringing the best teaching facilities together with fantastic student areas – making it feel safe and easy to jump between your lectures and your life outside University. As well as that, we’re also investing £12m in a new Computing and Games facility. This project, called Digital Kiln, will merge beautiful learning space with state-of-theart technology to support all sorts of courses from Cyber Security to Games Design.
This investment is continuing the work we’ve already started to create great social spaces and easy access between the Students’ Union, halls of residence, and other facilities. We’ve committed to doubling the investment that’s already started to create enhanced facilities. Come 2016, it’s going to have the buzz and the feel of the edge-of-city campus that students want. Vice-Chancellor Professor Michael Gunn Healthcare Centres of Excellence This redevelopment work isn’t just happening in Stoke-on-Trent though. Healthcare and Midwifery students won’t miss out with significant further investment in our Centres of Excellence in Stafford and Shrewsbury – adding new student spaces and learning resources to make these campuses totally self-contained and right up to date. So, with all this to come, maybe it’s time you joined us at Staffordshire University?
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
KEY FACTS WORK STARTS: SUMMER 2015 ADDITIONAL £40M INVESTMENT IN STOKE-ON-TRENT CAMPUS MULTI-MILLION POUND INVESTMENT IN STAFFORD CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE AND SHREWSBURY CENTRE OF HEALTHCARE EXCELLENCE COMPLETION DATE: AUTUMN 2016.
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CHOOSE
MORE AT STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY, WE WANT TO GIVE YOU AN EDGE OVER THE COMPETITION. WE WANT YOU TO TAKE AWAY SOMETHING EXTRA. SO WE MAKE SURE YOU’LL GET SOMETHING EXTRA WHEN YOU’RE HERE. A LOT EXTRA ACTUALLY. To help you open doors as well as your mind, we’re spending millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus. When you’re here, you’ll be able to work with brilliant academics and access a whole load of cutting edge facilities; from animation studios to photography darkrooms to surface decoration workshops. Past students have gone on to exhibit at prestigious galleries, museums and festivals across the world.
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You can also get more back with grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study whilst enjoying a cost of living ranked the third lowest in the UK.
MAKE MORE OF YOUR TIME HERE • Improve your skills with online training platform Lynda.com and access over 3,000 online tutorial videos • Want to get fit while you study? Take advantage of our special student rate gym memberships • Don’t just learn while you’re with us, earn. Take a job at the Students’ Union, become a paid Student Ambassador with Unitemps or turn working while you study upside down with a seasonal role at Alton Towers Resort • Then spend. We’re a hop, skip and a short walk from shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars and clubs • Catch the latest musicals, opera, drama at the Regent Theatre and Stafford Gatehouse
MORE WAYS TO STUDY YOUR WAY • Grants, loans and bursaries to help fund your study • More hands-on, real world learning, fewer lectures • Hit the books whenever you want - access to our 24- hour library • Get all the software you need including access to the Adobe Creative Cloud Suite and download Microsoft Office 365 on up to five devices for free • Professional guest lecturers - previous presentations included Microsoft, Marvel Comics and Epic Games
At Staffordshire University, you’re in the best place to do more, with City Centre shops, boutiques, restaurants, theatres, bars and clubs all just a short stroll away. Plus, with student rate gym memberships and over 100 sports, clubs and societies to join – including skydiving, snow sports and our very own Beard Society – you can experience more too. So, if you’re looking for a place that gives you exactly what you need to succeed (and more), then open the door and your mind to Staffordshire University.
A CAMPUS WITH MORE TO OFFER • We’ve spent and continue to spend millions of pounds on our edge-of-city campus • We’re a place literally in the middle of things with easy access to Manchester, Birmingham, London • Get your film fix at our on-campus Film Theatre • Take advantage of our brilliant and friendly Student Support team • Stay fit and well with our NHS Healthcare centre with two doctors • Enjoy a cost of living ranked third lowest in the UK
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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There’s only one real way to experience Staffordshire University, and that’s to come and see it for yourself.
University is where you’re due to spend the next few years of your life, so before you decide on somewhere, it makes sense to have a good look around. That’s where an Open Day comes in. This is your opportunity to get to know the place. Test it out. Immerse yourself in every aspect of Staffordshire University and see if it’s right for you. We’ll give you the chance to see everything, from the Students’ Union and the library to the IT suites and our impressive sports facilities. We’ll also show you the halls of residence, so you can start planning exactly where to put your TV and laptop. You’ll then meet our expert lecturers, see live demonstrations of lab and studio sessions, and delve deeper into your chosen subject with an informative talk. Advice is available on managing your student finances and ways to fund your study, as well as tips on writing a strong personal statement to include in your application.
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Best of all, you’ll have time to speak with current students about their experiences of Staffordshire University – which means you can hear exactly what it’s like to be at the heart of things in the centre of the country. It’s the best way to get a real feel for life here. Our Open Days give you an idea of everything Staffordshire University has to offer, so you’ll be ready to make one of the most important – and most exciting – decisions of your life.
LEARN MORE OR BOOK YOUR PLACE AT
www.staffs.ac.uk/opendays GO ONLINE TO WATCH OUR VIRTUAL TOURS
APPLICATION PROCESS NOT RECEIVED THE OFFER YOU WANTED?
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ENROLMENT WELCOME TO STAFFORDSHIRE UNIVERSITY
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CLEARING
The UCAS clearing process gives students another opportunity to find a place.
MISSED THE UCAS DEADLINE?
Don’t worry, apply via UCAS until the end of June and if we have vacancies left on your course we’ll consider your application. We accept CLEARING applications from mid July. Visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/clearing
Discover more: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
t: 01782 294400
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For more detailed information on courses or studying at Staffordshire University, visit: www.staffs.ac.uk/undergraduate
www.staffs.ac.uk/socialmedia The information in this guide is correct at time of publication, but may be subject to change.
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