Sports Journalism | BA (Hons) | University of Lincoln

An Introduction to Your Modules

† Some courses may offer optional modules. The availability of optional modules may vary from year to year and will be subject to minimum student numbers being achieved. This means that the availability of specific optional modules cannot be guaranteed. Optional module selection may also be affected by staff availability.

Essential Journalism 1 2023-24JOU1091MLevel 42023-24This module will be a blend of practice and theory and aims to create a progression through the key journalistic skills needed to tell stories on the most appropriate platform using traditional, digital and mobile media. This module aims to develop a rounded awareness of the media and to give students the skills and insight that equip them to develop further in levels two and three. The focus is on newsgathering and storytelling skills.CoreEssential Law 2023-24JOU1092MLevel 42023-24Journalism students are required to abide by the law, in terms of newsgathering and research methods, data collection and retention, use of communication networks, publishing and broadcasting material to audiences. This module aims to introduce students to the legal system, to the operation of the courts, and examines the impact of legislation and codes of practice on the work of journalists.CoreJournalism Production 1 2023-24JOU1094MLevel 42023-24This module aims to introduce students to the editorial and production skills required for web-based multiplatform news production with a focus on digital convergence and effective use of social media. From the basis of a digital core of content production, the focus is on newsgathering and output for broadcast and online. Students will have the opportunity to work in a newsroom environment under strict but appropriate time constraints.CorePolitics for Journalists 2023-24JOU1095MLevel 42023-24Journalists need to understand how legislation is drafted and enacted in the UK and how journalism the Fourth Estate effects a check on Government and Parliament(s). This involves a study of the political, democratic and administrative structure of the Monarch as head of state, Parliament, the Prime Minister, Central Government, local government, the judiciary and EU institutions. Topics explored include constitutional government (the unwritten constitution), ministerial roles and cabinet government, political parties and MPs, the civil service, local government structures, councillors, best value and ethics in local government, and the government information service.CoreSport and the Media 2023-24JOU1098MLevel 42023-24To many the Ancient Olympics in Greece are where the origins of organised sport began. This module takes students through the development of organised sport in Victorian Britain, the development of sport media, including the work of Hazlitt and Egan, through to the Sky Sport revolution in football broadcasting, looking at the major historic moments in sports history along the way. Students can learn about the relationship between sport and the media, the way in which we watch sport has developed and how sport has impacted everyday life.CoreSport Writing and Reporting 2023-24JOU1099MLevel 42023-24Sport Writing and Reporting introduces students to the essential skills of writing and reporting for sports. The work of a sports journalist is wide and varied, students could be reporting on the latest drug scandal in sport one day and covering a live sports event the next. A good sports reporter will be able to write news, ask the important questions, write creative live reports and produce imaginative features. This module aims to develop these skills and more.CoreShorthand 2023-24JOU1012MLevel 42023-24Shorthand is a key skill for journalists and enables fast, accurate note taking in any situation. Students have the opportunity to be taught the theory of the Teeline system and then work on building their speed with the aim of achieving the NCTJ 'gold standard' 100 words per minute qualification.OptionalEssential Journalism 2 2024-25JOU2284MLevel 52024-25This module aims to develop the basic skills studied in Journalism Skills at Level One. Students are expected to proactively gather news and feature stories employing the full range of research and interview techniques. Students will be encouraged to produce imaginative and original copy conforming to professional standards, with careful consideration of topic, angle, choice of interviewees, necessary attribution and corroboration of facts in a variety of writing styles suitable for a range of traditional, digital and mobile platforms.CoreJournalism Production 2: News Days 2024-25JOU2291MLevel 52024-25From a digital first perspective, this module aims to develop the key skills of journalism through regular practice, including newsgathering, writing and interviewing, and live output production with text and audio and video output as required. Online skills will be used throughout, including social media use to drive consumers to the content. The journalism and features produced will be outward facing, using techniques of electronic newsgathering, digital and non-linear editing, production/journalism for online and print, and an appropriate range of live news broadcasting techniques.CoreJournalism Production 2: Project 2024-25JOU2292MLevel 52024-25This module gives the students the opportunity to specialise in a medium of their choice. In consultation with tutors, students will be able to produce radio or television bulletins, features and magazine programmes, a web site with multimedia content or print magazines and newspapers. More advanced skills appropriate to each medium will be taught and workshops will be tutor led and supervised as required. Materials produced will be outward facing where appropriate.CoreLaw, Ethics and Regulation 2024-25JOU2287MLevel 52024-25This module aims to build on legal and administrative knowledge gleaned in Essential Law at Level One. It examines how criminal and civil legislation affecting print, online and broadcast journalists has developed; identifies areas of conflict and uncertainty; and requires students to apply knowledge of legislation and case law to given scenarios, including responses to actions in the civil courts.CoreResearch methods 2024-25JOU2289MLevel 52024-25This module is designed to equip students with the understanding of research design and methods for undertaking research. The module gives students the opportunity to develop their observational, analytical and writing skills. It has vocational relevance in enabling students to select a relevant research topic for in-depth analysis and evaluation in their final year.CoreSport and Society 2024-25JOU2096MLevel 52024-25Sport has impacted British society at every level for centuries, from the folk sport tradition in medieval Britain, through the Victorian health revolution and the mass spectator spectacle of the Olympic Games. This module will look at how sport has affected our lives and how it has been shaped by social attitudes including racism, sexism and gender equality.CoreJournalism International Exchange 2024-25JOU2011MLevel 52024-25Students who opt to take this module will have the opportunity to study for a term at one of the international institutions with which the School has a partnership arrangement. During the term abroad, students can share classes with local students. Not only will students have the chance to live and socialise in another culture, providing opportunities to study their respective countries, they will also have an opportunity to examine the international journalism industry practice. Please see the fees tab for further information relating to the costs incurred when studying abroad.OptionalJournalism Production A 2024-25JOU2010MLevel 52024-25OptionalShorthand 2024-25JOU2293MLevel 52024-25Shorthand is a key skill for journalists and enables fast, accurate note taking in any situation. Students have the opportunity to be taught the theory of the Teeline system and then work on building their speed with the aim of achieving the NCTJ 'gold standard' 100 words per minute qualification.OptionalJournalism Independent Study 2025-26JOU3016MLevel 62025-26Students undertake a dissertation topic of their choice within their chosen field of study and are expected to apply theoretical concepts to their research. They will be allocated an individual tutor to support their work but students are expected to demonstrate a high degree of personal commitment and to work on their own initiative.CoreJournalism Production 3: Major Project 2025-26JOU3143MLevel 62025-26Working in small production groups and independently, students will have the chance to build on the experience they have gained at Levels 1 and 2 and produce weekly and termly news and features outputs, in their choice of media, some of which will be for public consumption. Using the School's web-based multimedia news site, LSJ News, and the University's campus-based community radio station, Siren Radio, students will work in a professional environment for the full year. An advanced level of editorial and production skills will be expected, including story and idea origination, news and feature management and agenda setting, along with an awareness of the differing journalistic treatment demanded by each medium.CoreJournalism Production 3: Professional Practice 2025-26JOU3145MLevel 62025-26Work experience is seen as essential in today's competitive jobs market. This core module aims to give students the opportunity to experience the media and communication industries that can be linked to their studies, gain vital skills which may prepare them for the job market and also establish and maintain links with industry professionals who may help them in their chosen career. Previous students have completed placements at a variety of national and local media outlets.CoreProfessional Journalism Production 2025-26JOU3154MLevel 62025-26Working on an individual basis, students will have the opportunity to produce project work in either broadcast, news and magazine brands, online and sport. It is expected that the resulting work will be at industry-standard and suitable for public consumption. An advanced level of editorial and production skills will be expected, including story and idea origination, news and feature management and agenda setting, along with an awareness of the differing journalistic treatment demanded by each medium. Students will be expected to be work on their own initiative, making their own editorial decisions, with tutor supervision.CoreSport, PR and Communication 2025-26JOU3150MLevel 62025-26In the nineties the growth of the internet had a massive impact on the work of sports journalists as sports clubs, teams and associations began to create their own media outputs. This growth has continued into the social media and mobile age with most professional football, rugby and cricket clubs creating their own content. This has meant a new branch of work for sports journalists but has also meant that access to clubs for the media has become more restrictive. This module explores the relationship between journalists and PR practitioners and outlines an alternative career for the sports journalist. In addition to team sports the role of the sporting agency with respect to tennis, F1, athletics and the equine industry will also be addressed.CoreAdvanced Court Reporting 2025-26JOU3024MLevel 62025-26This is offered to students who wish to take the Court Reporting option for their NCTJ diploma and further develop their court reporting skills. Following on from law modules in the previous two years of study, this module aims to develop the skills required for a news reporter covering litigation in the courts and the process of writing news stories about the workings of the civil and criminal courts.OptionalIntro to PR for Journalists 2025-26JOU3153MLevel 62025-26This module offers students an introduction to key PR principles. By the end of this module, students should be able to write a basic PR campaign strategy and produce a news release suitable for distribution to a range of media platforms.OptionalSpecialist Journalism 2025-26JOU3142MLevel 62025-26Students have the opportunity to examine and analyse their chosen specialism across a wide range of publications, from general readership websites, magazines, and newspapers to specialist and niche publications aimed at the 'expert'. Students can study the particular attributes needed for specialist journalism including: authority, expertise, ability to access specialist information and format requirements. Throughout this module, students will select one particular strand to focus on in order to develop their specialism in the following indicative areas: sport, music, fashion, science, arts or business.OptionalThe Business of Sport 2025-26JOU3152MLevel 62025-26This module is designed to allow you to explore in greater depth the relationships between sport, the media, finance, public relations, marketing and business. Incorporating expertise in the field from visiting lecturers and existing staff, the module will explore the role of marketing and PR in sports organisations and international sports events. The module will also look at how sport combines with the world of finance and business in a world of multi-million pound transfers, foreign ownership and media franchising.Optional

An Introduction to Your Modules

Essential Journalism 1 2022-23JOU1091MLevel 42022-23This module will be a blend of practice and theory and aims to create a progression through the key journalistic skills needed to tell stories on the most appropriate platform using traditional, digital and mobile media. This module aims to develop a rounded awareness of the media and to give students the skills and insight that equip them to develop further in levels two and three. The focus is on newsgathering and storytelling skills. The way design influences different media is also analysed.CoreEssential Law 2022-23JOU1092MLevel 42022-23Journalism students are required to abide by the law, in terms of newsgathering and research methods, data collection and retention, use of communication networks, publishing and broadcasting material to audiences. This module aims to introduce students to the legal system, to the operation of the courts, and examines the impact of legislation and codes of practice on the work of journalists.CoreJournalism Production 1 2022-23JOU1094MLevel 42022-23This module aims to introduce students to the editorial and production skills required for web-based multiplatform news production with a focus on digital convergence and effective use of social media. From the basis of a digital core of content production, the focus is on newsgathering and output for broadcast and online. Students will have the opportunity to work in a newsroom environment under strict but appropriate time constraints.CorePolitics for Journalists 2022-23JOU1095MLevel 42022-23Journalists need to understand how legislation is drafted and enacted in the UK and how journalism the Fourth Estate effects a check on Government and Parliament(s). This involves a study of the political, democratic and administrative structure of the Monarch as head of state, Parliament, the Prime Minister, Central Government, local government, the judiciary and EU institutions. Topics explored include constitutional government (the unwritten constitution), ministerial roles and cabinet government, political parties and MPs, the civil service, local government structures, councillors, best value and ethics in local government, and the government information service.CoreSport and the Media 2022-23JOU1098MLevel 42022-23To many the Ancient Olympics in Greece are where the origins of organised sport began. This module takes students through the development of organised sport in Victorian Britain, the development of sport media, including the work of Hazlitt and Egan, through to the Sky Sport revolution in football broadcasting, looking at the major historic moments in sports history along the way. Students can learn about the relationship between sport and the media, the way in which we watch sport has developed and how sport has impacted everyday life.CoreSport Writing and Reporting 2022-23JOU1099MLevel 42022-23Sport Writing and Reporting introduces students to the essential skills of writing and reporting for sports. The work of a sports journalist is wide and varied, students could be reporting on the latest drug scandal in sport one day and covering a live sports event the next. A good sports reporter will be able to write news, ask the important questions, write creative live reports and produce imaginative features. This module aims to develop these skills and more.CoreShorthand 2022-23JOU1012MLevel 42022-23Shorthand is a key skill for journalists and enables fast, accurate note taking in any situation. Students have the opportunity to be taught the theory of the Teeline system and then work on building their speed with the aim of achieving the NCTJ 'gold standard' 100 words per minute qualification.OptionalEssential Journalism 2 2023-24JOU2284MLevel 52023-24This module aims to develop the basic skills studied in Journalism Skills at Level One. Students are expected to proactively gather news and feature stories employing the full range of research and interview techniques. Students will be encouraged to produce imaginative and original copy conforming to professional standards, with careful consideration of topic, angle, choice of interviewees, necessary attribution and corroboration of facts in a variety of writing styles suitable for a range of traditional, digital and mobile platforms.CoreJournalism Production 2: News Days 2023-24JOU2291MLevel 52023-24From a digital first perspective, this module aims to develop the key skills of journalism through regular practice, including newsgathering, writing and interviewing, and live output production with text and audio and video output as required. Online skills will be used throughout, including social media use to drive consumers to the content. The journalism and features produced will be outward facing, using techniques of electronic newsgathering, digital and non-linear editing, production/journalism for online and print, and an appropriate range of live news broadcasting techniques.CoreJournalism Production 2: Project 2023-24JOU2292MLevel 52023-24This module gives the students the opportunity to specialise in a medium of their choice. In consultation with tutors, students will be able to produce radio or television bulletins, features and magazine programmes, a web site with multimedia content or print magazines and newspapers. More advanced skills appropriate to each medium will be taught and workshops will be tutor led and supervised as required. Materials produced will be outward facing where appropriate.CoreLaw, Ethics and Regulation 2023-24JOU2287MLevel 52023-24This module aims to build on legal and administrative knowledge gleaned in Essential Law at Level One. It examines how criminal and civil legislation affecting print, online and broadcast journalists has developed; identifies areas of conflict and uncertainty; and requires students to apply knowledge of legislation and case law to given scenarios, including responses to actions in the civil courts.CoreResearch methods 2023-24JOU2289MLevel 52023-24This module is designed to equip students with the understanding of research design and methods for undertaking research. The module gives students the opportunity to develop their observational, analytical and writing skills. It has vocational relevance in enabling students to select a relevant research topic for in-depth analysis and evaluation in their final year.CoreSport and Society 2023-24JOU2096MLevel 52023-24Sport has impacted British society at every level for centuries, from the folk sport tradition in medieval Britain, through the Victorian health revolution and the mass spectator spectacle of the Olympic Games. This module will look at how sport has affected our lives and how it has been shaped by social attitudes including racism, sexism and gender equality.CoreJournalism International Exchange 2023-24JOU2011MLevel 52023-24Students who opt to take this module will have the opportunity to study for a term at one of the international institutions with which the School has a partnership arrangement. During the term abroad, students can share classes with local students. Not only will students have the chance to live and socialise in another culture, providing opportunities to study their respective countries, they will also have an opportunity to examine the international journalism industry practice. Please see the fees tab for further information relating to the costs incurred when studying abroad.OptionalJournalism Production A 2023-24JOU2010MLevel 52023-24OptionalShorthand 2023-24JOU2293MLevel 52023-24Shorthand is a key skill for journalists and enables fast, accurate note taking in any situation. Students have the opportunity to be taught the theory of the Teeline system and then work on building their speed with the aim of achieving the NCTJ 'gold standard' 100 words per minute qualification.OptionalJournalism Independent Study 2024-25JOU3016MLevel 62024-25Students undertake a dissertation topic of their choice within their chosen field of study and are expected to apply theoretical concepts to their research. They will be allocated an individual tutor to support their work but students are expected to demonstrate a high degree of personal commitment and to work on their own initiative.CoreJournalism Production 3: Major Project 2024-25JOU3143MLevel 62024-25Working in small production groups and independently, students will have the chance to build on the experience they have gained at Levels 1 and 2 and produce weekly and termly news and features outputs, in their choice of media, some of which will be for public consumption. Using the School's web-based multimedia news site, LSJ News, and the University's campus-based community radio station, Siren Radio, students will work in a professional environment for the full year. An advanced level of editorial and production skills will be expected, including story and idea origination, news and feature management and agenda setting, along with an awareness of the differing journalistic treatment demanded by each medium.CoreJournalism Production 3: Professional Practice 2024-25JOU3145MLevel 62024-25Work experience is seen as essential in today's competitive jobs market. This core module aims to give students the opportunity to experience the media and communication industries that can be linked to their studies, gain vital skills which may prepare them for the job market and also establish and maintain links with industry professionals who may help them in their chosen career. Previous students have completed placements at a variety of national and local media outlets.CoreProfessional Journalism Production 2024-25JOU3154MLevel 62024-25Working on an individual basis, students will have the opportunity to produce project work in either broadcast, news and magazine brands, online and sport. It is expected that the resulting work will be at industry-standard and suitable for public consumption. An advanced level of editorial and production skills will be expected, including story and idea origination, news and feature management and agenda setting, along with an awareness of the differing journalistic treatment demanded by each medium. Students will be expected to be work on their own initiative, making their own editorial decisions, with tutor supervision.CoreSport, PR and Communication 2024-25JOU3150MLevel 62024-25In the nineties the growth of the internet had a massive impact on the work of sports journalists as sports clubs, teams and associations began to create their own media outputs. This growth has continued into the social media and mobile age with most professional football, rugby and cricket clubs creating their own content. This has meant a new branch of work for sports journalists but has also meant that access to clubs for the media has become more restrictive. This module explores the relationship between journalists and PR practitioners and outlines an alternative career for the sports journalist. In addition to team sports the role of the sporting agency with respect to tennis, F1, athletics and the equine industry will also be addressed.CoreAdvanced Court Reporting 2024-25JOU3024MLevel 62024-25This is offered to students who wish to take the Court Reporting option for their NCTJ diploma and further develop their court reporting skills. Following on from law modules in the previous two years of study, this module aims to develop the skills required for a news reporter covering litigation in the courts and the process of writing news stories about the workings of the civil and criminal courts.OptionalIntro to PR for Journalists 2024-25JOU3153MLevel 62024-25This module offers students an introduction to key PR principles. By the end of this module, students should be able to write a basic PR campaign strategy and produce a news release suitable for distribution to a range of media platforms.OptionalSpecialist Journalism 2024-25JOU3142MLevel 62024-25Students have the opportunity to examine and analyse their chosen specialism across a wide range of publications, from general readership websites, magazines, and newspapers to specialist and niche publications aimed at the 'expert'. Students can study the particular attributes needed for specialist journalism including: authority, expertise, ability to access specialist information and format requirements. Throughout this module, students will select one particular strand to focus on in order to develop their specialism in the following indicative areas: sport, music, fashion, science, arts or business.OptionalThe Business of Sport 2024-25JOU3152MLevel 62024-25This module is designed to allow you to explore in greater depth the relationships between sport, the media, finance, public relations, marketing and business. Incorporating expertise in the field from visiting lecturers and existing staff, the module will explore the role of marketing and PR in sports organisations and international sports events. The module will also look at how sport combines with the world of finance and business in a world of multi-million pound transfers, foreign ownership and media franchising.Optional

Key Information

Key Information

BA (Hons) Sports Journalism BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Key Information

Key Information

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Welcome to BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

Welcome to BA (Hons) Sports Journalism

How You Study

What You Need to Know

How You Study

What You Need to Know

An Introduction to Your Modules

An Introduction to Your Modules

How you are assessed

Fees and Scholarships

Course-Specific Additional Costs

Course-Specific Additional Costs

Entry Requirements 2023-24

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Entry Requirements 2022-23

United Kingdom

International

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