BA Sports Journalism and Communications
About this course
BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism and Communications is a journalism degree centred on sports reporting, media production, and digital communication strategies. Core topics include Data Analysis, Research Methods, and Marketing. Students can choose to complete an optional placement year or study abroad. The first year covers event reporting, video skills, media law, and social media practice through compulsory modules such as Event Reporting, Introduction to Video Skills, Journalism in Society, Media Law, Newswriting in Football and Sport, and Social Media Practice in Sports. The second year expands into sports club communications and newsroom production via compulsory modules like Sports Club Communications and The Sports Newsroom, alongside optional choices such as Videography, Contemporary Issues in Sport, E-Sports, Fashion Journalism, Feature Writing, Future Trends in Journalism, Print Design and Production, Applied Sport Business Management, and Multi-platform Journalism News Days. The final year involves an independent project and advanced digital platforms, featuring compulsory modules like Utilising Social Media In Sport and Journalism Project. Optional modules in the final year include Data Science and Data Journalism, Digital Journalism: Advanced Tech & Tactics, Commentary and Punditry, Podcasting and Live Radio, Minority Sport, Professional Development, Start Up Journalism, and Video Newsdays.
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
UCAS tariff: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 7.0 (with at least 6.5 in each skills area)
See the highest paying Media & Journalism degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 7 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 77%
- Learning opportunities: 80%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 64%
- Organisation and management: 59%
- Learning resources: 91%
- Student voice: 64%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 20 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 43 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 7%
- Further study: 1%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Media Professionals: 25%
- Business and public service associate professionals: 19%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 9%
- Administrative occupations: 8%
- Sales occupations: 6%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 45%
- West Midlands: 24%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 3%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 90%
- Access course: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Event Reporting
- Introduction to Video Skills
- Journalism in Society
- Media Law
- Newswriting in Football and Sport
- Social Media Practice in Sports
- Sports Club Communications
- The Sports Newsroom
- Videography
- 5JN506
- 5JN507
- 5JN508
- Contemporary Issues in Sport
- E-Sports
- Fashion Journalism
- Feature Writing
- Future Trends in Journalism
- Print Design and Production
- Applied Sport Business Management
- Multi-platform Journalism News Days
- Utilising Social Media In Sport
- Journalism Project
- Data Science and Data Journalism
- Digital Journalism: Advanced Tech & Tactics
- Commentary and Punditry
- Podcasting and Live Radio
- Minority Sport
- Professional Development
- Start Up Journalism
- Video Newsdays
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Sports Journalism and Communications at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,500 and £30,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £3,500 less than the UK median for Journalism.
What do graduates of BA Sports Journalism and Communications at University of Derby do next?
88% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Sports Journalism and Communications at University of Derby?
77% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Sports Journalism and Communications at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 91 UCAS points.
Does BA Sports Journalism and Communications at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Sports Journalism and Communications at University of Derby?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.