Overview
The fast-moving journalism industry offers exciting career opportunities around the world. From news websites and podcasts to social media platforms, video production, sports media and digital publishing, journalism graduates have more ways than ever to make their mark.
A degree from the University of Stirling is the perfect preparation for this ever-evolving sector. You’ll study at one of the UK’s leading universities for journalism and graduate with cross-platform, practical skills that employers need.
The UK media industry generated an estimated £100 billion in revenue in 2024, and this figure is expected to rise to £121 billion by 2028 (Global Entertainment & Media Outlook 2024–2028). Many Stirling graduates have already built successful careers across news, sport, digital media and broadcasting - and the BA (Hons) Journalism Studies programme is designed to help you join them.
What You'll Learn
Your Journalism Studies course will cover:
- Why journalism matters in a world of misinformation and AI generated content;
- How to identify and craft compelling stories, communicate clearly and work to tight deadlines;
- Hands-on experience that reflects real newsroom practice;
- Cross-platform journalism skills, including print, digital, data-journalism, open-source research, photojournalism, investigative journalism, audio and video production;
- Writing across a wide range of genres, including news reporting, magazine features, commentary, interviews and long-form journalism;
- Creating multimedia journalism for online, social media and broadcast environments;
- Journalism ethics, editorial decision-making and public affairs knowledge;
- An introduction to key areas of media law – from defamation and copyright to contempt of court and confidentiality.
Throughout the course, you’ll build a strong professional portfolio showcasing your journalism skills across multiple formats and genres - from news reporting and long-form features to podcasts, video packages and social media content.
Explore your interests and specialise
You can develop your interests in a range of key areas including sport, film, music, culture, politics, or the arts. The course allows you to pursue these interests through practical modules where you can shape your own story ideas, develop specialist knowledge and build a portfolio in areas that matter to you.
Stirling’s strong sporting culture provides a natural environment for developing sports-related stories and features. Politics and international relations are also popular areas for students developing their journalism portfolio and many students pursue their interest in arts and culture through journalism.
Your final-year project provides the greatest opportunity to specialise. This major portfolio project allows you to produce a substantial body of journalism focused on your chosen area - whether that’s sport, culture, politics, investigative reporting, multimedia storytelling or another specialist field. For your final year dissertation or project, you can choose between:
- an original piece of supervised research;
- a short video documentary as part of a group;
- or a 10,000-word series of longform features that might also include podcasting and photojournalism.
This flexibility reflects the highly practical, career-focused nature of journalism at Stirling and prepares you for the multimedia nature of modern journalism.
Learn from Industry Experts
As a journalism student, you’ll benefit from guest lectures and masterclasses from leading professionals across the industry. Recent contributors have included journalists and editors from:
- Channel 4 News
- BBC Scotland
- BBC Verify
- The New York Times
- National and regional Scottish media organisations
These insights help you understand how journalism operates in practice - from breaking news and public affairs reporting to digital storytelling and verification journalism.
Strong Links with Industry
The course benefits from strong links with BBC Scotland and other major broadcasters, as well as national and regional media organisations. These connections help ensure teaching reflects current newsroom practices and emerging industry trends, including digital-first publishing, multimedia storytelling and audience-focused journalism.
You’ll graduate with practical skills, professional contacts and the confidence needed to succeed in the modern media industry.
Top reasons to study with us
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
Highers
AABB
A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
28
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 entry
Entry into Year 2 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore University of Stirling International Study Centre to see the routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- TOEFL exams taken before 21 January 2026: 80 overall with 18 in reading, 17 in writing, 17 in listening, 20 in speaking.
- TOEFL exams taken from 21 January 2026: 4 overall with no less than 4 in any band.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
Take a detailed look at what you'll study on this course.
Modules
Course details
Teaching
Lectures, seminars, workshops and presentations are the main teaching methods on the course, and you’ll take part in live reporting assignments whenever possible. Journalists and editors from a range of newspapers and broadcasting organisations also contribute guest lectures and seminars.
The Hetherington Memorial Lectures have featured distinguished journalists such as James Naughtie, John Lloyd, Jon Snow, Roy Greenslade, Jonathan Freedland, Sheena MacDonald, Elinor Goodman, Allan Little, Lindsay Hilsum, and former editors of The Guardian, Peter Preston and Alan Rusbridger.
Fieldwork
Students on the Work Experience module get the opportunity to visit political and media organisations. We encourage students to secure work placements, and many of the practical assignments involve engagement with people in public life and ordinary women and men with stories to tell.
Assessment
The degree is assessed by means of essays, examinations, individual and group practical assignments and an academic dissertation on a topic related to journalism or a 10,000 word journalistic investigation.
Classroom hours
Each year you are expected to devote in the region of 1,200 hours to your course, if you are studying full time. About a quarter of this time is spent in lectures and workshops, the rest of the time is for self-directed learning, reading, researching and writing assignments.
Work placement opportunities
Your Journalism Studies degree includes opportunities to build a portfolio and to gain relevant work experience. You’ll get practical experience in workshops throughout your studies, and you can add to your portfolio by working on a student newspaper, magazine, TV or radio station.
There’s a work placement module on the course that allows you to gain valuable experience and make contacts within the industry. Students have undertaken placements with:
- The Daily Record
- The Sunday Mail
- The Times
- The Herald
- The Scotsman
- Edinburgh Evening News
- The Press and Journal
- Central FM radio
- The Oban Times
- The Alloa Advertiser
- BBC
- Channel Four
- Sky
Study abroad
As a University of Stirling student, you’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr Steven Harkins, Course Director
Fees and funding
| Scottish students | ||
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This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change. Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf. |
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| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | ||
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This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government. You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,535 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS). We also offer additional funding for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information. | ||
| International students (including EU) | ||
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Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000–£20,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students. |
Fee information
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will receive our Stirling Success Scholarship which is worth £5,000.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £10,000-£20,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods—including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
Graduates from BA (Hons) Journalism Studies at Stirling have gone on to careers in:
- News reporting
- Sports journalism and sports media
- Social media and digital content creation
- Broadcast journalism
- Podcast production
- Multimedia storytelling
- Communications and media production
You’ll graduate with practical skills, professional contacts and the confidence needed to succeed in the modern media industry. Graduates who have been most prominent in shaping the world of journalism include John McLellan, former editor-in-chief of the Scotsman, a former member of the Press Complaints Commission, and currently Director of the Scottish Newspaper Society; and BAFTA-award winning investigative BBC journalist Mark Daly.
Award-Winning Students
Stirling journalism students have earned national recognition for their work, reflecting the quality of teaching and professional standards across the course. Students have won and been shortlisted for major journalism awards, demonstrating their ability to compete with peers across the UK and launch successful careers in the industry.
Be the One: Donald Matheson
Hear from Donald Matheson, our BA (Hons) Journalism Studies graduate on how studying at Stirling helped him turn his passion into a career.
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