Journalism and Communications

Are you a natural communicator eager to develop and deploy your gifts and talents in the widest possible ways - as a journalist, broadcaster, web content manager or digital strategist for a company, public service or a cause you truly believe in - anywhere in the world?

Adopting a global perspective with a particular focus on public communications for the non-profit sector, this course prepares you for meaningful employment not just in the news media and magazines but in strategic communications for governments, health boards, law enforcement agencies, charities, NGOs, political parties and pressure groups. You will also have a chance to specialise in health, tourism, events or sport communications and can link up to the creative and technology start-ups on our Penryn campus.

We focus on the potential for global journalism and communications in a digital age.
We equip you with advanced multimedia and strategic social media skills.
We place journalism and communications in a critical context.
We have an international outlook, facilitating your development as a cosmopolitan communicator.

Benefits

• Guaranteed placements in newsrooms or public sector communications departments
• Regular guest speakers from a wide range of media companies
• Class trips to councils, courts and other news-making organisations
• Opportunity to spend a semester studying abroad

How the course is taught

A distinguishing feature of this degree is that it isn't only lectures and seminars. There is also an abundance of practical workshops plus lectures and seminars. You learn by doing - and critically reflecting on what you do. The modes of teaching, learning and assessment provide a flexible student-centred approach that will enable you to achieve success in your three years of study with us.

Year 1

The first year is foundational. You will be eased into what is recognised as a challenging transition to trainee journalist/communicator. You will be taught all the fundamentals of critical thinking in both these closely related spheres. Crucially, you will acquire a multimedia toolkit.

Note - the following modules are subject to approval

• Power & Persuasion
• Multimedia Methods
• Journalism & Communications in Context
• Writing to Inform & Influence
• Media & Communications Law
• Journalism & Communications Ethics

Year 2

Your second year allows you to start specialising in areas such as crime, culture, or the political sphere plus extend your multimedia skills into broadcasting. At this stage you will also have a lot of creative fun by focusing on the production of multimedia magazines and news sites. You will continue to engage with the contextual issues that affect journalists and communicators today.

Note - the following modules are subject to approval

• Crime & Communications
• Magazine Content & Creation
• Cultural Communications
• Strategic Communications in the Social Media Age
• Advanced Multimedia Methods
• Journalism & Communications Research

Year 3

Having been intensively trained in the previous two years, the final year allows you to refine your skills and specialise further. On the journalism front we finish with a flourish at Falmouth, giving you the opportunity to specialise in everything from crime to culture, fashion to foreign news. You can also go global by studying strategic communications for development and intercultural communications. Gaining real experience in newsrooms and public communications departments - at local, national and international levels - will prepare you to compete for employment and freelance commissions. Valuable industry insight and contacts can also be developed by completing a dissertation.

Note - the following modules are subject to approval

• Dissertation
• Multimedia Storytelling
• Communications for Development
• Travel & Tourism Communications
• Public Health Communications
• Specialist Correspondent
  (Students pick two specialisms from: Culture; Crime & Courts; Foreign; Fashion; Science & Technology; Environment; Heath & Social care)

Requirements

• The UCAS Tariff is changing. A typical offer will be between 104 and 120 UCAS points for entry to undergraduate courses, primarily from Level 3 equivalent qualifications such as A levels, a BTEC Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. You can check how many points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff Calculator
• Due to the creative nature of our courses, you will be considered on your own individual merit and potential to succeed. We encourage you to get in touch if you are predicted points below this range, thinking about transferring from another institution, or if you have other qualifications or professional experience as we may be able to consider you.
• You must have a minimum of Grade 4 (or C) or above in GCSE English Language, or equivalent, for entry to our undergraduate courses.
• If English is not your first language, we accept a range of recognised language qualifications that are equivalent to the IELTS Academic minimum score of 6.0 overall, with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. If you require a Tier 4 student visa to study in the UK, you must take an approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) to fulfil government visa requirements. 

Scholarships

Scholarships for International Students

Through the award of scholarships we aim to support academic enrichment by encouraging diversity and excellence at Falmouth. In 2016 Falmouth University awarded £70,000 worth of international scholarships.

International Scholarships for 2017 will be announced on this page in November 2016. 

Parental Contribution

For students whose household income is over £25,000 and are therefore receiving less than the maximum support from Student Finance, it is expected that they will also receive some support from parents or partners with whom they usually permanently reside. It is a good idea to chat this through when planning your finances before coming to University.

Part-time work

Some students work part time in jobs at local bars, hotels and restaurants, usually paid at the minimum wage. We recommend that you do no more than 15 hours part-time work each week during term time to ensure that you are able to concentrate on your studies. Some students find work with chain stores at home before coming to University and then ask for a transfer to branches in Falmouth at the start of term. There is also work available over the summer months if you choose to stay in the area. Please visit the Creative Futures page for further details.

University Bursaries and Other Awards

Falmouth University offers a programme of bursary support to students who are assessed by Student Finance as having a qualifying income, and others with specific needs. Different arrangements are in place for different cohorts - please see the information opposite that relates to you as either a 'Pre-2016 Starter' or 'New Entrant in September 2016'.