BA (Hons) English and Multimedia Journalism

English and journalism have long been a strong partnership. Today, with the multimedia element, our Joint Honours Degree puts a modern spin on the most enduring of partnerships.

This exciting course offers the chance to bring the former together with an up-to-the-minute, multimedia version of the latter, reflecting the demands of the modern media environment. 

Today’s journalists are expected to operate across broadcast, print and online networks. With a broad range of units, we’ll give you all the skills you need to compete in this fast-moving world. You’ll learn from accomplished reporters and editors, drawing on extensive newsroom experience to give you industry-relevant understanding and insights. 

You’ll also build a set of complementary skills through our range of English units, including critical and cultural theories, and textual analysis. Then when you get to your final year, you’ll have the chance to put those skills into practice – by tackling a substantial piece of work, whether a portfolio of journalism or an extended piece of critical writing. 

Along the way, you will have opportunities to study abroad and, if you wish, to do your third year as a placement - in Britain or abroad. You will be based in a lively department that is staffed by internationally renowned writers and critics, and there's a strong research culture, creating a learning environment that is both supportive and intellectually challenging.

Manchester has one of the biggest digital and creative sectors in the UK. With MediaCityUK, home to the BBC and ITV, it’s an ideal place for an ambitious journalist to build a network, gain experience and boost your career prospects.

Teaching on the Multimedia Journalism units is delivered by experienced journalists with many years of practical experience and excellent links to major media players including newspapers, TV companies, radio stations and digital publishers in Manchester and beyond. This ensures that what is learned on the course is informed by the very latest trends and developments in the media. Students will also hear about the experiences and insights of working journalists, digital publishers and broadcasters who will give regular talks and run workshops.

The English units take a comparative and contemporary approach to the study of literature and focus on the major genres of drama, prose, fiction and poetry. In historical terms our curriculum covers the seventeenth century to the present, with strong emphasis on the literature of the last two centuries. You will also have the opportunity to take modules in creative writing, film, television, and cultural studies. We also offer modules covering literature from the United States, Africa, the Indian subcontinent and the Caribbean. You will learn strategies for reading and interpreting, not only books, but other forms of text and the world around you. We pride ourselves on our excellent teaching, highly positive student feedback and strong research culture.

What is the length of the course?

• 3 years full-time
• 4 years with placement
• 4 years with study abroad