Frequently asked questions

Do you recommend any subjects for A-level, A/S level or Highers?

No. Our advice is to study what interests you, the subjects you find the most compelling. We want students with the ability to dig deep into a wide range of topics, but we do not need you to have begun already to explore journalism. Media Studies is not an advantage.

Do I need any other qualifications?

Spell accurately and use grammar correctly. Otherwise, no. The most important section of your application is the personal statement. It should state clearly why you want to study journalism and it should explain that you know something about the work of the central figure in journalism – the reporter. Try to gain some work experience in a newsroom. Often the best experience is gained in small weekly newspaper offices, but local radio, free newspapers and hospital radio can all give you some idea of the reporter's job.

What if my mock results are better than the prediction of my grades?

Tell us. We wait until after the UCAS deadline before making decisions. Even if we have rejected you, we may change the decision and make you an offer in the light of new evidence, like your mock results.

Does the course include work placements?

Yes. We arrange placements for you during the second year. You will not be assessed on the time you spend on placement, but it is an important part of the course. We encourage and help you arrange subsequent placements.

What is the balance on the course between the different modules?

About half and half between professional journalism skills and academic subjects that give you a perspective on the media and its influences.

How is the course taught?

We use a wide range of teaching methods – lectures, seminars, skills workshops, individual copy clinics (tutorials). You will be assessed by an equally wide range of criteria – essays, examinations, seminar contributions, news stories, newspaper pages, feature writing, radio reporting, television news and documentary. Journalism skills are taught in simulated newsroom conditions, and we believe the intensity and quality of teaching we offer is of the highest standard. The harder you work at being a journalist, the more we will teach you.

Will my degree give me a vocational qualification?

No, although the Sheffield journalism degree is rapidly gaining recognition in the media as a rigorous and demanding qualification. Many students add vocational qualifications to their degree by sitting the examinations of the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). We regularly hold NCTJ exams here, and the course teaches all you need to pass in shorthand, law and public administration.

Is the course hard work?

Very. We think it is harder than other social science or arts degrees because students must go out and find stories, travelling far beyond the library or bookshop. For example, you will be assigned to neighbourhoods in the city where you will be responsible for unearthing stories and features. You will be sent to find court cases and council meetings to cover. In other words, you will need initiative, persistence and imagination – qualities that make good reporters.

Is it true that the course concentrates on newspaper reporting?

Yes. We believe the aspiring journalist must first learn to write. You will be writing for newspapers from the first week of the first year to the last week of the final year. By then, you will be reading widely from fiction and non-fiction to develop writing styles for features, interviews, investigations, sport and in-depth reports. But there is no conflict between newspaper and broadcast journalism. We believe newspaper skills adapt easily to radio and television, and you will have rich opportunities to become fluent in broadcast journalism.

Is there anything I can do to enhance my application?

You can apply only through UCAS. But the UCAS form does not have to be your only application. For example, you may have stories published in your local newspaper. Send them. If you complete work experience, ask your supervisor to write a reference – and tell them you are applying to a course accredited by the NCTJ. Persistence is a journalistic virtue we welcome in applications for admission.

What if my application is rejected?

Ask for an explanation. We're happy to explain the decision and give advice. And you can ask for us to reconsider the decision, especially if you believe an important aspect of your application has been overlooked. Every year we make offers to students who had originally been rejected.

What if I still have questions?

Ask. Keep asking until you understand, even if you want general career information. You can email us at jnladmissions@sheffield.ac.uk, call 0114 222 2500, or fax 0114 222 2530.