Journalism

Journalism is the practice of finding, verifying, and communicating information that the public needs to know. It is a profession with deep democratic significance, and one that is changing rapidly as digital platforms have disrupted the economics of news production and expanded both the reach and the challenges of journalism. A journalism degree develops the skills, judgment, and professional instincts that make a journalist effective across formats and platforms, from breaking news and investigative reporting to feature writing, podcasting, and video journalism.

At the University of St Mark and St John this three-year, full-time programme takes a strongly practical approach, training you in the essential skills required by today's newsrooms and media providers. You will work closely with BBC South West journalists and producers alongside other industry guests from ITV West Country, The Guardian, the Plymouth Herald, and regional and national freelancers, filmmakers, and broadcasters. This direct engagement with working professionals gives the programme exceptional real-world relevance and builds the industry connections that are genuinely valuable in a career field where who you know matters as well as what you know.

Graduates of journalism work across a wide range of media organisations, from national broadcasters and newspapers to regional outlets, digital-only publishers, podcasters, and specialist trade publications. Many begin as reporters or producers and develop beats, platforms, and reputations over time. Others move into areas such as content strategy, public relations, communications, or digital media production.

The investigative, research, and communication skills a journalism degree develops are also valued in law, policy, the civil service, and any field where finding, verifying, and presenting information clearly is important. Plymouth's close relationship with BBC South West and the programme's practical orientation make it a particularly well-connected route into regional and national broadcast journalism.