Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Football Journalism

The BA (Hons) Football Journalism programme features a newly updated curriculum designed to reflect the fast-moving nature of the sports media industry. The course includes modules in areas such as e-sports, commentary and punditry, data analysis, and other contemporary fields relevant to modern football journalism. From the second year onwards, students select from a wide range of optional modules, enabling specialisation in areas including writing, podcasting, radio, television, social media, and communications. Teaching is delivered by experienced and well-connected tutors who have worked with organisations such as the Premier League, West Bromwich Albion, Wembley Stadium, the BBC, and The Guardian. Students have opportunities to build professional experience through work with football clubs and other organisations within the sport during their studies, supported by the university’s extensive industry contacts. A high proportion of graduates secure employment within the industry shortly after completing the programme.

This future-focused degree responds to the growing global demand for football content, driven by major television broadcast deals, widespread smartphone use, and the rapid expansion of social media platforms. The continually evolving curriculum has recently been enhanced with new and expanded modules in e-sports, video journalism, social media, feature writing, commentary and punditry, data analysis and visualisation, and the societal impact of journalism, ensuring that teaching remains aligned with current professional practice.

These developments reflect changes across the industry, as football clubs increasingly manage their own communications and seek skilled media professionals capable of building audiences and engaging directly with fans. Journalists are also developing independent brands and producing original content across multiple platforms. While traditional media remains an integral part of the industry, delivery formats have adapted to meet changing audience expectations, and the programme mirrors this evolution in its approach.

The course is designed to develop the professional skills sought by employers while also preparing students to manage personal content creation and brand development. This emphasis supports access to a broad range of career pathways within football journalism and the wider media sector.

Reflecting the expanding definition of journalism, the degree offers substantial variety and flexibility, with multiple optional modules available in the second and third years to allow students to tailor their studies to individual interests and strengths. Core learning covers traditional journalistic skills such as interviewing, news writing, and media law, alongside contemporary techniques including video production, social media management, podcasting, and data analysis. In addition to producing original content, students critically evaluate the work of current journalists to understand best professional practice and develop broader knowledge of communication, media, and the social issues shaping journalism today.