How long is the BA in Journalism?

Three years full-time on-campus, or up to four years part-time through online and distance-learning routes with weekly publishing cycles for the BA in Journalism.

Can I take the BA in Journalism fully online?

Yes. The BA in Journalism is delivered on-campus in London with live newsdays, online with weekly publishing cycles, or by distance learning with structured deadlines.

Is the BA in Journalism recognised by UK newsrooms?

The BA in Journalism follows the NCTJ syllabus standard, is aligned with NUJ practice frameworks, and places students in regional, national and broadcast UK newsrooms each year.

What are the entry requirements for the BA in Journalism?

Three A-levels at BBC or equivalent (IB 28, BTEC DMM), GCSE English at grade 5, IELTS 6.5, and a piece of written work submitted with the BA in Journalism application.

How much does the BA in Journalism cost and are scholarships available?

BA in Journalism fees vary by study mode and domicile. Means-tested bursaries and merit scholarships are available — contact LSCT admissions for the current schedule.

BA in Journalism — UK Honours Degree (Online, London) | LSCT

Course Overview

The BA in Journalism at LSCT is a three-year honours degree within the Media, Journalism & Communication department, designed for students who want to enter the modern UK newsroom with a working portfolio, a critical voice, and the legal and ethical literacy the profession demands. Taught from our central London base and delivered through on-campus, online and distance-learning routes, the programme combines daily reporting practice, in-depth feature work, and grounding in media law, public affairs and the social forces shaping the news agenda from 2026.

You report, write, film, edit and publish from your first term. By the end of the degree you will have produced a body of work across print, digital, audio and video — covered live court hearings and council meetings, completed an industry placement with a UK newsroom or production company, and built the contact book that gets first-job applications read.

Industry Context for the BA in Journalism

UK newsrooms in 2026 hire from a tighter pool than they did a decade ago, but they hire for evidence — published copy, a clean shorthand record, a media-law exam passed, and the ability to cover a council meeting or magistrates' hearing without being talked into something inaccurate. The NCTJ syllabus remains the recruiter shorthand for that bar, and IPSO Editors' Code and the Editors' Codebook now drive day-to-day editorial conversation more than ever as platform reach contracts. The BA in Journalism is sequenced against this reality, with course content revised each year against current UK case law, regulator guidance and current professional-body practice from NCTJ and the NUJ.

Key Features

UK-accredited honours degree taught by working journalists from national titles, the BBC and independent newsrooms.
Three study modes — on-campus in London with live newsdays, fully online with weekly publishing cycles, or distance learning with structured deadlines.
Live newsroom modules from week one — you publish on a real LSCT-run digital title from your first term.
Industry placement in year two with a UK news organisation, magazine, podcast house or broadcaster.
NCTJ-aligned syllabus covering shorthand, media law, public affairs and ethics — the standard recruiters expect.
Final-year specialism — investigative reporting, broadcast and podcasting, data journalism, or international affairs.

What You Will Learn

The BA in Journalism is built around three pillars: craft, context and conscience. You will graduate able to write a clean 400-word news story to deadline, sit through a magistrates' hearing and report it accurately, interrogate a politician's claim with data, and defend your editorial choices against a hostile complainant.

News reporting and feature writing across print and digital formats.
Media law for journalists — defamation, contempt, privacy, data protection and the Editors' Code.
Public affairs — how Westminster, Whitehall, the courts, councils and devolved governments actually work.
Broadcast and podcast production — audio editing, studio interviewing, vision mixing and live presenting.
Data and computational journalism — spreadsheets, FOI requests, mapping and basic Python for reporters.
Editorial ethics and the role of the press in a democratic society.
Shorthand to 100 words per minute (NCTJ standard) for on-campus students.

Who This Course Is For

A-level leavers aiming for a graduate trainee scheme at a national or regional title.
International students who want a UK-recognised journalism qualification taught in English.
Career changers moving into journalism from teaching, law, the civil service or the third sector.
Bloggers, creators and freelance writers ready to formalise their craft.

Career Pathways

LSCT BA in Journalism graduates work across the UK and international media landscape, from regional dailies to digital-native outlets and specialist trade titles. Typical first roles include:

News Reporter (regional, national, online)
Broadcast Journalist or Podcast Producer
Sub-editor and Digital Production Journalist
Editorial Researcher (TV, film, longform podcast)
Press Officer or Communications Adviser (public sector, NGO, corporate)
Freelance Feature Writer and Content Strategist

The degree also serves as a strong foundation for postgraduate study in international journalism, political communication or media law.

Entry Requirements

Three A-levels at grades BBC or above (or equivalent international qualifications — IB 28 points, BTEC DMM).
GCSE English Language at grade 5 (or equivalent) — strong written English is essential for news work.
IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0) for non-native English speakers.
A personal statement and one piece of written work (a blog post, school paper article, substack or essay) submitted with your application. Mature applicants (21+) may apply with a portfolio and short interview.

Why Study at LSCT

The London School of Commerce and Technology (LSCT) is a specialist higher-education provider based in central London and part of Harold International College. We teach in small cohorts so every student is visible to their tutor, run a single intake schedule that students can rely on, and partner with UK professional bodies so qualifications carry weight with employers. London puts Whitehall, the City, Silicon Roundabout, the Royal Courts of Justice, the West End and the NHS estate within a short tube ride of every classroom — and our students use that proximity in their projects, placements and graduate job hunts. For journalism students that means covering Royal Courts of Justice hearings, council meetings in three London boroughs, and lobby briefings at Westminster.

Apply for BA in Journalism

The BA in Journalism is built to launch your career in the Media, Journalism & Communication sector. Click Enrol Now to submit your application; admissions reply within one working day with intake dates, writing-sample guidance and placement options.