Studying with us in 2021/22
It is possible that the 2021/22 academic year may be affected by the ongoing disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Any arrangements put in place by the University for the 2021/22 academic year will be in accordance with the latest government public health advice, pandemic-related/health and safety legislation, and the terms and conditions of the student contract.
Get practical, professional preparation for a career in music journalism with our BA (Hons) Music Journalism course. You’ll get the chance to develop the skills to cover a range of music stories for print, digital, TV and radio, including covering live events, interviewing key figures and running collaborative liveblogs. You’ll also explore the global impact of music journalism on audiences. You’ll be armed with mobile reporting kits to work as real reporters from day one.
We pride ourselves on teaching creative, contemporary journalism underpinned by traditional values and skills. That means learning the core media and communication skills that every working reporter needs before you specialise in an area that interests you.
You’ll be challenged academically – often by some of the industry’s leading names – and you’ll be expected to undertake meaningful work experience placements in media environments, and work on live stories, learning how to craft a story in a way that engages the audience.
By the time you graduate, you’ll be a thinking journalist with a specialism in music. You’ll also be adaptable to the changes that the industry faces. Our graduates have gone on to work for Sky, BBC, Trinity Mirror and the Express & Star. Others have scooped prestigious awards at the Midlands Media Awards while still studying.
BA (Hons) Music Journalism is delivered by industry experts from broadcast, print and digital and provides a strong foundation for a future professional career with a range of music-related outlets. You’ll be able to use your own mobile reporting kit when you arrive, allowing you to work as a real reporter from day one.
Our Live Newsroom modules will get you to the heart of the action, covering a range of stories, creating content for our award-winning Birmingham Eastside website and other partner outlets. You’ll get the chance to apply practical mobile reporting skills in a real-world environment for a variety of platforms. Our strong links with key journalism organisations means you’ll also get the chance to work on live briefs throughout the course.
Teaching is delivered in our industry-standard facilities, as well as on location, thanks to our focus on mobile reporting. Our newsroom media hub also allows for collaborative work as part of the wider University journalism community, while access to the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire will offer a whole host of story opportunities on your doorstep.
By tackling real stories, you will quickly develop a sense of the impact they can have. The focus on innovation and entrepreneurship will also encourage you to think critically about the journalism landscape. This will allow you to be one step ahead of the game to spot and exploit the next big move in the world of music journalism.
Our next Virtual Open Day is taking place on Saturday 20 March. It's the perfect opportunity to virtually tour our facilities, hear from some of our staff and get a feel of what it's like to study at BCU.
Visit our School site for more student work and extra information.
Our students have gone on to work with companies such as:
We accept a range of qualifications, the most popular of which are detailed below.
112 UCAS points |
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LEVEL 2 QUALIFICATIONS | ||
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GCSE |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Ordinary Level) | See level 3 entry under Irish Leaving Certificate for full details | |
Scottish National 5 |
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IELTS |
Minimum overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills. |
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Plus one of the following Level 3 (and above) Qualifications | ||
A Level and Advanced VCE |
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AS and AS VCE |
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Access to HE Diploma |
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DMM | |
Foundation Studies (Art and Design, and Art, Design & Media) |
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IBO Certificate in Higher Level |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma |
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Irish Leaving Certificate (Highers) | Pass the Irish Leaving Certificate with a minimum of 112 tariff points, achieved in five Higher level subjects. This must include English Language taken at either Ordinary Level (minimum grade O1-O4 (or A-C/A1-C3)) or Higher level minimum grade H1/H7 (or A-D / A1-D3 up to and including 2016 | |
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma | DMM | |
Scottish Advanced Higher |
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T-Levels | Merit overall | |
UAL Extended Diploma in Art & Design | Merit overall | |
UAL Extended Diploma in Creative Media Production & Technology | Merit overall | |
UAL Extended Diploma in Performing and Production Arts | Merit overall | |
Other qualifications | ||
If you have a qualification that is not listed in the table please refer to our full entry requirements on UCAS. Further guidance on tariff points can be found on the UCAS website. |
Essential | ||
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Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept. In addition to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table. |
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EU/Non-EU (International) Qualifications | Requirements | |
IELTS |
Minimum overall score of 6.0, with 6.0 in writing and no less than 5.5 in the remaining three skills. If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information. |
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International Baccalaureate Diploma (or equivalent, including internationally accredited Foundation courses). |
International students who cannot meet the direct entry requirements can begin their degree studies at Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC).
Applications from mature students (21+) with alternative qualifications and/or considerable work experience will be considered on their merits.
You could apply for a foundation course or a course at our International College. These routes have lower entry requirements and act as the bridge to a full degree. To find out more, please select your status:
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
Award: BA (Hons)
Starting: Sep 2021
If you're unable to use the online form for any reason, you can complete our PDF application form and equal opportunities PDF form instead. The University reserves the right to increase fees in line with inflation based on the Retail Prices Index or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament up to a maximum of five per cent.
UK students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
There are three ways to apply:
You will need to complete our International Application Form and Equal Opportunities Form, and submit them together with scan copies of your original academic transcripts and certificates.
Our in-country representatives can help you make your application and apply for a visa. They can also offer advice on travel, living in the UK and studying abroad.
If you are applying for an undergraduate degree or a Higher National Diploma (HND), you can apply through the UK’s Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
You can request a printed form from your school or nearest British Council office. You will be charged for applying through UCAS. Birmingham City University’s UCAS code is B25 BCITY.
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Get more information on writing personal statements.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Our courses include activities such as performance, exhibitions, field trips and production of works or artefacts which may require you to purchase specific equipment, instruments, books, materials, hire of venues and accommodation, or other items.
Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £50 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. All our students are provided with 100 free pages of printing each year to a maximum total value of £15.
The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
We offer further information on possible undergraduate financial support. This includes the type of loans, grants and scholarships available both from the government and from Birmingham City University.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 100 credits):
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete at least 20 credits from the following indicative list of OPTIONAL modules:
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 120 credits):
The course will see you study practical journalism elements alongside theoretical exploration of key issues and concepts.
In year one you’ll learn about the industry you’re entering in our Music Industry Landscapes module, as well as the core skills in Journalism Law and Ethics to create a solid foundation for your future studies and career. The first of the Live Newsroom modules that run throughout the three years of study will explore the structures of professional music journalism outlets and give you the core skills needed to operate as a journalist. You’ll then get the chance to put your knowledge into practice by taking part in our live production days.
The Global and Community Impact modules give you the chance to explore the power of music journalism, be it through giving a voice to an under-represented community or section of the music industry, or investigating an issue in depth on a local, national or international stage.
Our modules also explore theoretical concepts and key debates around your journalism learning, giving you the chance to cast a critical eye over the future of the music journalism industry and the platforms it is delivered on.
Year two continues the culture and community of experimentation and creativity as you develop and study alternative type of music journalism such as YouTube channels, Snapchat storytelling and podcasting in the Disruptive Publishing module, while Journalism Futures continues to give you the chance to explore the issues around where music reporting will go next by developing skills around data journalism and long-form reporting.
There’s also the chance to shape your own development through an optional module in an area of interest that could relate to music, sport, fashion, photography, radio or TV.
The third year of study will see you apply your interests and career progression plans in modules designed to help you step into the industry. Journalism Innovation and Entrepreneurship will look at ways alternative formats can co-exist to enhance music storytelling, while the Major Project is a chance to create a calling card to take forward to your professional music journalism career or further study.
Teaching is conducted across a range of environments, including a newsroom media hub, radio and TV studios, editing suites, computer classrooms, lecture theatres, seminar rooms and online learning environments. Thanks to the mobile reporting kits you’ll be armed with there’s also the chance to learn with classes held ‘on location’.
You will use a range of social and interactive media to support your work and self-development, while also producing real content with your mobile journalism pack.
All staff are established journalism professionals and academics who bring with them a range of expertise from across the industry. They are able to recognise and respond to the rapidly changing demands of the journalism landscape, ensuring that the course remains relevant.
The course maintains close contacts with a variety of media organisations including Sky, BBC, Future Publishing and Trinity Mirror. Visiting tutors and guest speakers regularly hold masterclass sessions to enhance and enrich learning.
There is a thriving and inclusive research culture that includes academic staff who are research active, as well as undergraduate and postgraduate students. The Birmingham Centre for Media and Cultural Research (BCMCR) in the School of Media, welcomes visiting researchers from across the world and holds regular research seminars which mix presentations from staff, PG students and speakers from a range of our collaborative partnerships. BCMCR welcomes all students to research seminars, which are free to attend.
We pride ourselves on giving students real journalism experience through practical activities. These have included reporting live on breaking news stories, as well as, planning and implementing coverage of major sporting, cultural and political events alongside professional outlets.
You will also get the chance to see your work published on the award-winning Birmingham Eastside website which is run by students on our journalism modules.
The mobile reporting kits allow students to explore journalism in real time, with some sessions delivered on location. This gives students a chance to experience as well as understand the opportunities for covering stories in alternative ways.
All modules encourage students to collaborate with their peers, lecturers and external organisations. Live briefs from the journalism industry allow students to explore real-world challenges.
The virtual newsroom lives alongside our physical space and allows students to access a wealth of support, advice and materials to ensure that learning continues beyond the class sessions.
Through collaboration with students, guest speakers and topics are identified to create additional talks and sessions.
A partnership with other local news organisations has seen students create and run live blogs on issues such as local and general elections.
Students are using virtual reality and 360 degrees technology to tell stories in innovative ways – work which has led to coverage on a leading industry website.
Multiplatform reporting is allowing our students to create unique and powerful ways of telling real stories using a range of skills and different types of media.
Previous visits have included BBC newsrooms in Salford, London and Birmingham, helping provide a first-hand glimpse of how professional journalists operate. You will also get the chance to visit places where the news happens, such as courtrooms and live events across Birmingham.
The Global and Community Impact modules also offer the opportunity for field trips abroad, where students will gain an insight into the working practices of journalists in alternative arenas.
Take a look at our blog to see the latest news and events from the School and get an insight into life as a student at Birmingham School of Media.
As a School, we invest significantly in our postgraduate provision as we recognise that more specialist and professional courses are required across the media industry. Our postgraduate courses include:
The course will equip you with first-hand practical expertise and provide you with the rigorous academic knowledge you’ll need to fulfil a career in your chosen communications and journalism field.
Our track record for graduate employment is excellent, with the majority of graduates going into a media-related role. The course opens up specific employability avenues related to the production route chosen. A number of journalism graduates from Birmingham City University have gone into roles such as social media editor, reporter, and trending video editor.
Regular guest speakers and visiting lecturers from newspapers, broadcast, magazines and online publications will provide you with an insight into the modern journalism industry. By working with specialists in their field you will be able to learn how to bring stories to life.
You’ll also get the chance to engage directly with industry through activities such as hack days and projects with the likes of the BBC, The Times and Trinity Mirror. We have excellent links with a number of national, regional and local outlets, with students regularly taking up placements with the likes of Sky and the BBC.
Students from the School of Media have been making headlines after landing journalism jobs before they’ve even graduated.
Thomas Lynch (pictured in his new workplace) and Lillian Keen have become trending video reporters with Trinity Mirror, while Elis Sandford is now a news reporter with the company. They join 2016 graduate Charlotte Smith who began working with the national newspaper group earlier this year.
Thomas said: “I handed in my production project on the first Friday of May and the following Monday, I was a trending video producer. If you work hard enough and take advantage of what your university offers you, there is success to be found. Who said it was difficult to find a graduate job?"
There has also been success for another soon-to-be graduate after Thomas Chapman began working as a news reporter with the Eastern Daily Press.
The School strongly believes in the practical application of learning and is fortunate to have very strong links with employers and the media industry. Students on placements have worked with a wide range of organisations including the BBC, Maverick Television and Trinity Mirror.
OpportUNIty: Student Jobs on Campus ensures that our students are given a first opportunity to fill many part-time temporary positions within the University. This allows you to work while you study with us, fitting the job around your course commitments. By taking part in the scheme, you will gain valuable experiences and employability skills, enhancing your prospects in the job market.
It will also allow you to become more involved in University life by delivering, leading and supporting many aspects of the learning experience, from administration to research and mentoring roles.
Through our courses we give you the skills and experience needed to get a head start when applying for jobs. But we offer something extra too – Graduate+.
Our unique programme gives you the chance to develop valuable skills outside of the more formal classroom learning. We award points for Graduate+ activities (including firewalking!) and these can be put towards a final Graduate+ award.
Our course is highly respected in the industry and will prepare you well for a career in your chosen media field. You’ll complement your studies by building contacts in the industry, and working on live, meaningful projects. It’s what makes our graduates highly sought after by employers. Our graduates have gone to pursue careers with respected organisations such as the BBC, Sky, Trinity Mirror, and the Midlands News Association.
Birmingham City University is a vibrant and multicultural university in the heart of a modern and diverse city. We welcome many international students every year – there are currently students from more than 80 countries among our student community.
The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.
Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:
The UK remains one of the world's leading study destinations for international students.
The first-class experience offered by universities are reflected in the world’s largest survey of international students. International students are more likely to recommend the UK than any other leading English-language study destination.
International students who have a serious interest in studying with us but who perhaps cannot meet the direct entry requirements, academic or English, or who have been out of education for some time, can enter Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC) and begin their degree studies.
BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to achieving a Bachelor’s degree from Birmingham City University.
Our students come from around the world but our media and communication course is most popular with international students from:
Birmingham School of Media is also particularly popular with students from as far as Brazil and Hong Kong. The diversity of our student group provides further dynamism to the course, with understanding of different journalism markets and broadening horizons.
When you join Birmingham City University, the first thing you will notice is the high standard of our campuses.
With an investment of £340 million across our buildings and facilities, we are committed to giving you the very best learning environment to help shape your experience.
You will learn in our state-of-the-art facilities - including the £62m fully-digital Media Centre - located on the City Centre Campus. You will enjoy access to extensive studio and workshop space including four TV studios, six radio studios and broadcast-standard edit suites, as well as cutting-edge equipment and software.
Facilities include the largest TV floor of any university in the UK, a ‘green screen’ and the MILO motion control camera - we are one of just two universities in Europe to offer MILO technology.
Our teaching staff comprises specialists in their respective fields, including academics and industry professionals, all of whom are perfectly placed to offer a wealth of experience and knowledge. Birmingham School of Media students also benefit from access to high-profile guest speakers from across the industry.
A dynamic community that is responsive to the changing face of the media industry, Birmingham School of Media is the perfect starting point to your media career.
As a News Anchor for world-renowned international rolling news channel, Sky News, Marverine handled countless major breaking news stories, broadcasting to an audience of millions worldwide, presenting its nightly 5-hour 'World News and Business Report' programme. She’s also been a Newsreader and Reporter for the BBC, ITV News, and 5 News.
Marverine is now the new Director of four BA (Hons) Journalism courses at the School of Media. A born-and-bred Brummie, and an alumna of Birmingham City University (having completed not one, but two postgraduate courses here) she has experienced both the excitement of student life and learning at the university, as well as its teaching excellence.
Marverine’s media career spans 30 years, the last 15 of those as a Journalist and Broadcaster, across local, national and international broadcasters, winning several awards for her work. She’s clocked up over 3,500 hours of presenting live on television - in studios and on location. She’s also produced documentaries for BBC 5 Live and BBC Radio 1Xtra, and continues to be involved in documentary-making for BBC Radio 4.
Marverine is also a high profile commentator, often appearing in the media discussing issues around diversity and inclusion in the journalism profession and media industry.
Ross leads the journalism pathway. He was previously a sports writer, sub-editor, page designer, news reporter, web editor, features writer and editor, before leading Trinity Mirror's digital programme in the Midlands. He also founded and currently runs award-winning hyperlocal website, LichfieldLive, which has been used an example of excellence in the hyperlocal scene.
Dave Harte is Associate Professor in Journalism and Media Studies. He researches the emerging trend of local community ‘hyperlocal’ news websites and has published widely on the subject. Within the School of Media he leads on teaching and learning initiatives and teaches modules on Journalism Studies, Social Media, and Alternative and Community Media. He supervises PhDs in the areas of journalism and community media.
Sarah Wood holds degrees from JMU, the University of Liverpool, and Birmingham City University, where she gained her PhD. Her research interests are in feminism and science fiction.
She has an article on Octavia Butler forthcoming in FEMSPEC and is working on further studies of Butler as well as of Nalo Hopkinson and slave narrative.