Multimedia Journalism

I am a current, first-year student at Bournemouth University, on the BA (Hons) Multi-Media Journalism course. I felt that it was about time I told you about the university and the course, as I always have "Journalism student" in my about me section, and often mention the fact that I am studying it here.

So without further ado, I shall explain the course.

== Location of the programme ==

The Multi-Media ...
...Media School is based in Weymouth House.

In the last couple of years, an extension was built on the building, and it now looks very similar to the BBC Television Centre building in terms of style. It has been decorated with commissioned photographs of the local area, as well as clever, artistic images that make you think - for example there is a picture of a bowl of spaghetti letters, and if you look carefully, you can spot some of ... more

I am a current, first-year student at Bournemouth University, on the BA (Hons) Multi-Media Journalism course. I felt that it was about time I told you about the university and the course, as I always have "Journalism student" in my about me section, and often mention the fact that I am studying it here.

So without further ado, I shall explain the course.

Location of the programme

The Multi-Media Journalism course takes place on Bournemouth University's Talbot Campus. The Media School is based in Weymouth House.

In the last couple of years, an extension was built on the building, and it now looks very similar to the BBC Television Centre building in terms of style. It has been decorated with commissioned photographs of the local area, as well as clever, artistic images that make you think - for example there is a picture of a bowl of spaghetti letters, and if you look carefully, you can spot some of the names of the courses on offer in the school.

One of the most recent additions to the media school is a new TV studio, kitted out with industry standard equipment that supports the HD format.

Courses available in the Media School are:

• Interactive Media Production
• Media Production (Top-up)
• Multimedia
• Short Courses for Media Professionals
• Creative Media Practice (Online) (Part-time)
• Creative and Media Education (Online) (Part-time)
• Communication and Media
• Multi-Media Journalism
• Doctorate in Business Administration (Media)
• Television Production
• Media Technology
• Multimedia Business & Entrepreneurship
• Multimedia Communication Systems
• Writing for the Media

It also houses a cafe, a franchise of Costa I believe, that sells pastries, hot drinks, cold drinks, sandwiches, pastas and sushi.

Duration of the course

The course for under-graduates runs for three years. It is full-time, so you have to be prepared to either move to the region, or if you live in Bournemouth or Poole already, there will not be much time for employment - I only work six hours a week now, just to top up my student loan.

You are required to complete a two week placement, and a four week placement, although I believe you are allowed to mix this up a bit to get as much experience as possible (i.e. do one week at one company and one week at another in the first year, and so on for the second). These are obligatory, and you will not pass the course if you do not complete the necessary work experience. You must also make sure you do a reasonable amount of work experience at both print based news organisations, and broadcast news organisations.

Entry Requirements

When I applied in 2007 ( I took a gap year), I had to achieve 300 UCAs points, which I did (with some extra! :P) with three A Levels and 3 AS Levels.

For entry in 2009, you must achieve 300 UCAs points, and for entry in 2010, you must achieve 320 UCAs points - 220 points must come from two A Levels or equivalent qualifications. A Level 3 advanced diploma in Creative and Media will also be considered.

It is very VERY important to be able to show that you have previous involvement in journalism, or at least a great interest in it. I would recommend getting in touch with local newspapers, magazines, radio stations and TV stations, explaining that you are embarking on a journalism course and that you would like relevant work experience before you start. Many companies will give you a straight no, but if they see potential there, they may well give you a chance.

Preferred subjects are English Language and English Literature. The subjects I took for A Level were Media Studies, Pyschology and the infamous General Studies, and for AS Level I took Computing, English Language and English Literature.

Other subjects I suggest are A Level Law, and A Level Politics. If you have the opportunity to take a shorthand course in Teeline before you get to Bournemouth, I suggest you do, as it will give you a HUGE advantage!

For GCSEs, they like you to have a minimum of 5 passes at grade C or above, including Maths and English or appropriate Key Skills Level 2.

If English is not your first language, you will need to have an IELTS (Academic) 6.5 or equivalent.

UCAs Code

P500

What to do if you are invited for interview/activity day

When I applied to Bournemouth, I was invited to attend an activity day, but due to personal circumstances I was unable to attend.

Instead, I went for interview with the course administrator. I prepared a list of possible questions for myself that related to my personal statement (the document you need to send to your chosen universities along with your prospective grades). I also prepared a portfolio of work I had already done, including articles from the school magazine, and letters regarding work experience. I was asked a number of questions relating to my personal statement, and then I had to write a few hundred words about my favourite publication and why.

Since then I have written a number of articles and reviews for my local paper, The Bournemouth Daily Echo, and these are now in my portfolio too.

From speaking to friends at university who did attend the activity days, they were required to do a number of tasks, such as recording a radio broadcast, taking part in television workshops, and writing articles.

The Multi-Media Journalism course itself

With technology ever-changing, and at this time ever-faster, we need to familiarise ourselves with operating in a multi-media environment. The course aims to educate students as to how to become not only a brilliant print journalist, but also how to write for radio, create TV news broadcasts, and to write for on-line news outlets.

The Multi-Media Journalism course at Bournemouth University is the only course to be accredited by the three journalism training councils. These are: the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC), the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and the Periodicals Training Council (PTC).

As students on this course, we take NCTJ examinations in subjects such as Media Law, Shorthand and Public Affairs.

I will now break down the workload in terms of years.

Year 1 - Level C

Digital broadcasting - this includes TV and radio. We learn the basic concepts of writing and producing content for broadcasting. I haven't finished this part of the first year, but so far I have learnt how to conduct a telephone interview on the radio, and how a television camera is properly assembled.

Newspaper, Magazine and Online Journalism - we are taught how to research, interview, take good photos and write interesting news stories. We have written profiles, reviews and columns in features.
Our tutor for News is absolutely amazing - honestly he captivates his classes from the moment they start, and it's hard to find anyone that doesn't like him or his distinctive teaching style.

Journalism and Society - this is aimed to give us a better understanding of how the media has progressed, and the techniques it uses. We learn about regulation by the likes of OfCom, and discuss major turning points for journalism such as the 2003 Kelly Affair and the 2004 Hutton Report. We completed an essay on a set topic, and a presentation or viva for assessment of this area of the course.

Law and Ethics - we learn about things such as defamation, copyright, contempt and confidentiality, in order to prevent legal action being taken against us when we get out into the world of journalism. We also look at the Press Complaint Commisson's (PCC) code of conduct.

Public Affairs - the reason why I suggested an A Level in politics might be useful. We learn about the structure of Britain's government and economy. This is provided in order to help us pass NCTJ exams in Public Affairs.

Shorthand - we learn the basics of shorthand, and get up to speeds of 60 words per minute.

Professional Placement - at the end of the year we have to spend a minimum of two weeks at a newspaper, magazine, radio or television station. Places that people on the course have been to before are: the Press Association, ITN, BBC, Meridian, The Times, The Guardian and Glamour Magazine.

Year 2 - Level I

Digital broadcasting, Newspaper, Magazine and Online Journalism - we continue to build on skills and knowledge, smoothing out any bad habits, and learning tricks of the trade.

Reading the Media - we look at how to research and communicate through the media, developing a meaning of how an image can influence an audience.

Global Perspectives - this is basically understanding globalisation, how it has come about, and how it is expanding further.

News Theory - this is more about production, and again looks at the impact on the audience. It is also used to help us evaluate our own work.

Shorthand - we continue to to improve our skills, in order to reach a minimum of 80 words per minute.

Professional Placement - we spend a minimum of four weeks, in print, television or radio.

Year 3 - Level H

Production Projects - this unit is designed to test and apply the knowledge we have learnt during the course, including intellectual skills and technical skills. We have to produce a print production project, and a broadcast production project, and therefore creating a fantastic portfolio which can be used when going to job interviews. We also conduct several radio news days.

Guest Lectures - we have a number of lectures from major media figures such as Andrew Marr (BBC Political Editor), Conor McNicholas (Editor of NME) and investigative journalist Duncan Campbell.

Specialist Options - in the third year we can choose two subjects to develop our specialist expertise, and therefore are suited to our interests. These include: Sports Journalism, Special Interest Journalism, Arts & Media Journalism, and Political Journalism and Social Affairs.

Dissertation - like most other university subjects, we have to complete an in-depth study into a journalism-related subject, that demonstrates academic and professional skills.

Where do graduates end up working?

Graduates from the course have gone on to work for: BBC, Sky, ITN, The Guardian, 2CR FM, Meridian, Fire FM and many other highly regarded news organisations.

Why I chose this course

As I'm from this area anyway, my initial thoughts were that I should really be going further afield to experience living in a different place, and to make new friends.

I looked around at all the different journalism courses across the UK, and though they all had good and bad points, Bournemouth University's reputation and results excelled and really stood out to me as an individual.

Yes I do still live at home, and yes I do save money compared to my friends who are living in uni accomodation, but I still have the loan, responsibilities, and the work that comes with the course!

Conclusion: Reputation vs. Expectations

The course at Bournemouth is renowned within the news industry, as students leave with the ability to create multi-media news packages, and have a real in-depth knowledge of associated subjects. We also learn shorthand, which although is often replaced by recordings, is very important for things like court reporting, and also since the Kelly Affair in 2003, journalists are required to keep substantial shorthand or longhand notes.

From what I have achieved so far, the course has definitely met my expectations, if not exceeded them. The staff are highly qualified and have all been professional journalists before becoming lecturers, and the majority are very supportive, and want you to reach your full potential.

I have to admit there have been several times when I've sat and wondered whether the course is really for me - generally when deadlines are mounting and I have little or no social life for a week or so, but I realise that it is all going to be worth it eventually - particularly the deadlines aspect, as journalism is riddled with deadlines.

I feel as though I have had so many opportunities already on the course, and I haven't even finished the first year! In the second week I secured an interview with Conor McNicholas, editor of NME, all by myself, and I attended a talk by Andrew Marr, who I got to chat to, and he also signed my book (Andrew Marr - My Trade - A Short History of British Journalism). I know that I will have the opportunity to meet many more famous names in the future, which is all great for building contacts in the industry.

There are also other opportunities to build on my skills throughout university. The WIRE is a student newspaper run by members of my course, NERVE magazine, radio and television is run by the Student Union, and getting involved with these all look good on your CV.

I have been to work at my local newspaper, and also at the BBC South Today studios in Southampton, and the Graduate Employment service are always there to help you get into work placements with people like Sky and ITV.

So all in all I would highly recommend the course to anyone who wants to study journalism, and you will come out the other end a multi-skilled, well rounded individual, that news organisations will want to snap up when you graduate!

Contact details

To contact the course administrator, Kerry Allington:

Write to -
Course Administrator BAMMJ,
The Media School,
Bournemouth University,
Talbot Campus,
Poole,
Dorset,
BH15 2HQ.

Telephone - +44 (0)1202 965246

E-Mail - media@bournemouth.ac.uk

For more course information, go to - www.bournemouth.ac.uk/courses/bammj

For open days, visit www.bournemouth.ac.uk/opendays 

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