BA Journalism with a Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Journalism. Core topics include research methods, ethics and professional practice, social and cultural analysis, design and creative practice, and historical research. The four-year programme includes a foundation year for students who do not meet standard entry requirements. Students work on live briefs and produce content for Birmingham Eastside.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
80 UCAS Tariff points. Learn more about UCAS Tariff points . This course does not require evidence of GCSE qualifications. Please see A Level, BTEC and other level 3 requirements below. A Level / AS Level: A Level: 80 UCAS Tariff points / CDD (or equivalent) AS Level: Must be in a different subject to A Levels A maximum of four subjects will be considered Pearson BTEC (Diploma / Extended Diploma/ Extended Certificate): 80 UCAS Tariff points Diploma accepted with one A Level or equivalent level 3 qualifications Extended Certificate accepted with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications T Level: Pass overall (C or above on the core) All subjects accepted but Digital Production, Design and Development; Media, Broadcast and Production preferred Access to HE Diploma: Pass with 60 credits, 45 credits at level 3 Accepted subjects: Arts, Media and Publishing subjects preferred but other subjects also considered OCR Cambridge Technical qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points NCFE CACHE Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points WJEC Level 3 qualifications: 80 UCAS Tariff points Considered with two A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualification(s) Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers): Minimum of 80 UCAS Tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects Scottish Higher / Advanced Higher: 80 UCAS Tariff points from three Advanced Highers (DDD) or two Advanced Highers (DD) plus two Highers (DD) Welsh Baccalaureate: 80 UCAS Tariff points. Considered with three A Levels or equivalent level 3 qualifications UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma: Pass overall Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design and Media): Pass overall
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What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 82%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 88%
- Academic support: 87%
- Organisation and management: 73%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 40 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 15 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 90%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Further study: 5%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Media Professionals: 25%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 85%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 80%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 295 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 4%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 12%
- West Midlands: 49%
- East of England: 5%
- London: 15%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 3%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 97%
- Other HE qualification: 3%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Professional and Academic Skills
- Media Production Practice
- Collaborative Media Production
- Media Concepts and Investigation
- Media Project
- Investigating Media Texts, Industries and Audiences
- Telling Stories with Journalism
- Digital Reporting
- Journalism Techniques
- Community and Industry Collaboration
- Media Law in Practice
- Practical Reporting
- Live Project
- Collaborative Practice
- Comedy in the Media and Popular Culture
- Fandoms and Subcultures
- Photojournalism
- Television Studio
- Creating Compelling Content
- Digital Storytelling
- Radio Documentary and Podcast Production
- Commercial Photography
- Emotion, Media and Culture
- Climate Change, Media Work, and You
- Television From Small Screens to Smart Screens
- Graphic Design
- PR Campaign Planning
- Digital Creators Lab: Media and Journalism
- Exploring PR, social media and influencers
- Live Music and Media
- Live Radio Production
- Major Project Preparation
- Major Project - Hybrid
- Major Project - Production
- Understanding Social Media: Practices, Cultures and Debates
- Digital Futures
- Creative Camera
- Radio Station
- Audio Drama and Podcast Writing
- Audience and User Experience
- Gender, Sexuality and the Body
- Race, Media and Culture
- Popular Music Narratives
- Media Production Company
- Communication in Action
- Feature Writing for News Media
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Journalism with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £21,500 after 3 years, £27,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £21,500 and £33,000. The £27,000 median after five years is the same as the UK median for Journalism.
What do graduates of BA Journalism with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Journalism with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
82% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Journalism with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
The typical offer is CDD at A level. The average entrant had 113 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Journalism with a Foundation Year at Birmingham City University?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.