Journalism with Creative Writing BA (Hons)

University of Leicester

The best journalism is creative. It makes people think, makes people laugh, makes people change their minds. Creative writing skills can improve your journalism – and journalism skills can improve your creative writing.Our Journalism with Creative Writing BA will teach you core journalistic techniques and help you develop writing skills to deliver effective content across multiple platforms, while also encouraging your creative side.Media and Communication at the University of Leicester, which includes Journalism, has been at the forefront of media research since 1966 and our teaching has always been informed by all the latest developments in the field. We are ranked as one of the top 15 places in the UK to study Communication and Media Studies.Creative writing modules will encourage, support and challenge you to write and experiment in all the major forms, including fiction, creative non-fiction, poetry, PR and scriptwriting. You'll develop your editing and research skills, and will also reflect on your work and processes.Our course emphasises five key areas:The development of your professional journalism skills across all platformsThe study of the concepts and controversies backgrounding and surrounding 21st century journalismWork placements in professional journalism during your studiesEntrepreneurial JournalismCreative writingJournalism in the 21st century needs journalists who are comfortable operating across all platforms. This course will allow you to develop skills in broadcasting and digital/multi-media platforms as well as traditional print journalism so you can work in any and all media.You will also receive a thorough grounding on key journalistic skills in core areas such as news-gathering and interviewing. You will be strongly encouraged to do industry placements with professional organisations, either as part of their degree or alongside it.Alongside developing skills, you will also investigate the context and controversies which make journalism so interesting, relevant and crucial to society and democracy.Our course is a strong blend of practical, academic and professional education, designed to produce students who can produce industry standard journalism, reflect on their practice and that of others and carry out useful and informative industrial placements. In short, you will learn to think like a journalist.Through the great academic and practical support we offer you in group, as well as individual teaching situations, you will learn to work both collaboratively and independently. The way we will assess you will foster skills in critical analysis, communication, research methods, group work and of course, practical journalism. We also place great emphasis on helping you to build your skills for the world of work.The Complete University Guide 2021