Sports Journalism
Full-time
Part-time
Three year
Six year
September 2025
In a nutshell
If you want to turn your passion for sport into a career, Sports Journalism could be the course for you. Training from our expert tutors using industry-standard technical facilities will help you swap your sofa for the press box.
You’ll learn right at the heart of Salford’s MediaCity, home to BBC Sport, ITV and dock10 Studios, and close to dozens of professional clubs from football, both codes of rugby and more.
Our studios, cameras and software are not for show – they are yours to help you create social, video, audio and written content, as you learn to tell sports stories for a variety of platforms.
You’ll soon be out covering press conferences and matchdays across Greater Manchester and beyond, as part of our regular industry-style newsdays. These will give you a real taste of what the job is all about.
There’s also specialist training in live match reporting, sports commentary and working in digital content roles for clubs and governing bodies, so you get the experience you need to get the job you want.
Read our 'Staff in the Spotlight' interview with Dr. Taylor Umland, Programme Lead
To find out more about what it’s like to study journalism at Salford, follow us on X/Twitter and Instagram, and read real news created by our students.
You will:
- Learn from leading sports journalists working at the top of their game
- Be part of the thriving MediaCity community – home to BBC Sport and ITV
- Report live on location from matches
- Get specialist voice coaching plus training in how to be a commentator
- Gain the knowledge you need to become an ethical sports journalist, from media law to how sport is run
- It’s not just football – you’ll cover a range of sports to help broaden your career options
options available
students accepted
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This is for you if...
You want to develop your creative and technical skills as a sports journalist.
You love sports media and want to get hands-on experience of the industry.
You want to learn at one of the biggest centres for journalism training in the UK.
All about the course
At Salford, our Sports Journalism modules are designed to help you develop creative, technical and analytical skills. You’ll create content for a range of different video, audio, social and online platforms – while learning vital knowledge of the media and sports industries to help put your abilities into context.
As part of this course, you’ll learn how to use cameras, audio recorders and specialist kits for mobile journalism, as well as how to edit video and audio and operate our TV and radio studios. You’ll get the chance to gain hands-on experience both in our MediaCity newsroom and on location at live matches and find out what it’s like to cover a busy day of sport as it happens.
You’ll complete at least 10 days of work experience as part of the course, to help put your training into practice in a real-world environment. As your studies progress, you’ll also have the opportunity to further specialise in areas of sports media that interest you most, from podcasting to working in house for clubs.
Read our course breakdown below to learn what you’ll be exploring in each module.
Asian Media Awards
The University of Salford is tremendously proud to have been the premier partner for the Asian Media Awards over the last ten years and is determined to play its part in inspiring the next generation of Asian talent to consider and pursue a career in the creative industries.
Introduction to Sports Journalism
Here’s where you’ll begin to learn about sport, the media and the huge role that both play in society. You will analyse and discuss the history, development and future of sport and sports journalism in lectures, workshops and seminars. You will be introduced to key models and theories that will help you understand the world of sports media, as well as how to research and write academic work.
Social Media for Sport
Sports journalists must work across social and online platforms. This module helps you develop your content creation skills so you can write and use a range of multimedia tools to tell stories. You will develop your own online portfolio of your best work so you can start to make your mark within the industry.
Essential Reporting
This module will help you identify the distinctive qualities of sports journalism. You will learn how to source and produce stories, providing you with fundamental editorial and technical skills such as news judgment, interviewing, accuracy, verification, writing and structuring news stories and working to deadlines.
Audio and Video Journalism: Storytelling
Seasoned broadcast professionals will teach you how to produce audio and video sports journalism content. You will be learn techniques of mobile journalism as well as basic broadcast editing and studio use.
Law and Ethics
Understanding media law, regulations and ethical boundaries is essential learning for any sports journalist. This module provides you with a basic understanding of the legal, regulatory and ethical frameworks in which all journalists work. As part of this, you will visit local courts to learn how to report on cases.
Audio and Video Journalism: Production
Building on the audio and video skills you’ll have learned already, this module gives you the technical abilities needed to produce broadcast quality sports news. In addition to gaining a strong understanding of camerawork, video and audio capture and editing, you will also learn how to write and structure packages for a variety of video and audio formats.
Sports Journalism
Sports Journalism covers everything from football matches and rugby games to global Olympic events. You will learn essential skills for writing clear and concise sports news articles, interviewing players and officials, and producing match reports for online and print sports publications.
Broadcast Journalism
This module introduces you to more advanced techniques in editing and camerawork, live reporting and studio skills across radio, TV and online platforms. You will develop your editorial and creative skills in producing radio and TV feature packages by working in our industry-standard studios.
Sports Newsroom
Take your first steps into a real sports newsroom with this industry-focused module. You’ll work individually and in a production team to plan and create sports journalism content across online, social, video and audio platforms. In a series of 15 newsdays, you will get your chance to do live match reporting from grounds as well as presenting and producing outputs from our studios.
Sports Broadcasting and Commentary
Here’s where you get behind the mic and in front of the camera to further develop your on-air skills as a sports journalist. You will work in our studios and at sports fixtures on techniques of live reporting, presenting and voice skills, as well as in preparing and delivering match commentaries.
Sport History, Culture and Governance
This module explores the intertwined evolution of sport and journalism in the UK, charting the journey from its medieval origins to the modern, global phenomenon. You will analyse the role of media in shaping sport as a cultural and economic force, focusing on sport development and its social and cultural impacts. Key topics will include the history of football, the rise of governing bodies, fan culture, and pivotal moments in sports history that have been defined by both athleticism and media coverage.
A number of options from the below list will run each year:
Podcasting
From streaming platforms to radio, listening to audio is one of our favourite activities. This module explores podcasts as a form of journalistic storytelling. You will learn how to pitch, research, structure and produce podcasts for target audiences.
Future Journalism
Journalism is always changing. This module tracks emerging trends in journalism, especially the ways in which technological developments can be harnessed by journalists to create content and engage audiences. You will analyse and experiment with cutting-edge tools and techniques of storytelling, to develop the practical skills involved in using new technologies and formats for making journalism.
Sport in the Digital World
This module will evaluate the relationship between sport and the media and allows you to critically evaluate the cultural, economic and pollical importance of sport to the global media landscape. You will examine and evaluate the role of sport and its relationship with conceptual issues in both sport and the media.
Sports Journalism Practice
Move towards your chosen career in sports journalism in this demanding module, both in our multimedia newsroom and by doing work experience in the sports media industry. By working alongside professional journalists during multiplatform newsdays, you will sharpen your skills and further prepare yourself for the demands of working in the modern sports media. You must also complete a work placement at a recognised sports journalism outlet or media team, such as a broadcaster, sports website or at a sports club.
Major Journalism Project or Dissertation
You will produce an in-depth piece of written, audio or video journalism with professional tutorial supervision. This allows you to create top quality work you can be proud of and use as a vital stepping stone into a graduate media job. Alternatively, you can choose to undertake a dissertation by researching a journalism-related area with academic support.
Advanced Sports Journalism
This module allows you to further develop your sports journalism skills to make you industry ready, including the strategic PR and digital communication skills required to work in club media. Leading guests will help expand your understanding of the role of journalists within sport, of issues such as racism and gender within sport, and of the audiences for sport across delivery platforms.
A number of options from the below list will run each year:
Globalisation of Sport
The Globalisation of Sport will allow you to develop a deep understanding of how the sports industry has become a truly global phenomenon. The academic body of knowledge in this field will be backed up with examples of practices and processes which the sport industry currently utilises. You will learn key skills and understanding of the historical, geopolitical, economic, digital and media drivers in sport, as well as the importance of emerging markets and the significance they play in the development of global strategies.
Magazine Journalism
This module will develop your understanding of the entire process of creating a magazine publication in print and/or online. You will learn how to originate, write, assess and develop ideas and have the necessary organisational and practical skills to see them through to completion.
Photojournalism
You will gain an in-depth understanding of photojournalism by critically evaluating this specialised craft from a wide range of perspectives - technical, practical, aesthetic, ethical, legal, sociological and psychological. You will have the opportunity to enhance your experience as a photojournalist by developing your own portfolio and engaging in a range of live briefs.
Political and Campaigning Journalism
You will examine how journalists approach the reporting of political issues, gaining a broad understanding of techniques and practices used in regional, national and international contexts. You will also analyse the use of social media in political reporting as well as consider relevant ethical dilemmas around editorial control, spin and the Parliamentary lobby system.
Sports Club Media
This module prepares you for a career in sports club media and public relations. It explores the distinctions and overlaps between traditional sports journalism and PR roles within sports organisations. You will gain practical skills in creating content for a targeted fanbase and will examine the strategic role of branding and audience engagement in the context of club media operations. Through practical work, guest lectures, and workshops, you will learn how to build a sports club’s brand, connect with players, and produce engaging and effective multimedia content.
Please note that it may not be possible to deliver the full list of options every year as this will depend on factors such as how many students choose a particular option. Exact modules may also vary in order to keep content current. When accepting your offer of a place to study on this programme, you should be aware that not all optional modules will be running each year. Your tutor will be able to advise you as to the available options on or before the start of the programme. Whilst the University tries to ensure that you are able to undertake your preferred options, it cannot guarantee this.
Be a part of a creative, supportive community
All our Journalism courses are delivered by the Salford School of Arts, Media, and Creative Technology. We are a creative community with a focus on creating a collaborative environment where you can thrive and gain the skills needed to pursue your dreams.
Our Engagement Team coordinates school-wide events such as the Create Student Awards, academic conferences, networking and volunteering opportunities, welcoming and wellbeing fairs and exhibitions like our annual Degree Show.
For non-course matters, you will have access to our university-wide support service askUS, who will support and guide you to be successful in all aspects of your life.
Throughout your time at Salford, you’ll be mentored and supported by experts. And once you graduate, it won’t end there. You’ll join a thriving alumni network across Greater Manchester and beyond, meaning you’ll be supported professionally and personally whenever you need it.
Journalism facilities
Our MediaCity facilities are industry-standard, so much so that they are used by our industry partners themselves.
When you study with us, you’ll learn from our experienced tutors and demonstrators, who’ll teach you how to use our facilities.
These include:
TV News studio - a state-of-the-art news set, including three HD cameras with autocue. This studio also can link up to the other two TV studios in the building based on the ground floor, enabling live feeds.
TV studios - our TV studios have been used by the BBC for a variety of broadcasts, such as the Olympics and Christmas music concerts, and they’re equipped with the same audio-visual systems used by ITV and Sky too. The studios have green screen facilities as well as basic props so you can design and build sets for a range of projects.
Newsroom - you’ll use this space as a hub to simulate a full working day in a newsroom, covering breaking stories. Software available includes Avid iNews, Avid NewsCutter, Adobe Audition and Premiere, all of which are used by the industry.
Radio studios - we can offer you three cutting-edge studios which have been used for live contributions to shows on talkSPORT and Capital.
Equipment stores - cameras, tripods, mics and mobile-journalism kits – they’re all essential to media production. But don’t worry, you won’t need to spend thousands of pounds to get the set-up you need, we have a fully equipped equipment store available for you to use and take out industry-standard kit. You’ll be able to shoot and record on location in the high quality you need to bring your vision to life
What about after uni?
Employment
You may be asking yourself, ‘what can you do with a Sport Journalism degree?’ Well, here’s the inside track.
Throughout this course, you’ll gain both theoretical knowledge and invaluable real-world experience, helping you to clinch your first role in sports journalism. You will become comfortable working behind, or in front of, a camera or microphone, and reporting live from matches and press conferences. You will understand the technical elements of sports news production, as well as critical journalistic disciplines, such as how to investigate stories, interview people and format video and audio reports.
A degree in Sports Journalism prepares you for a career in the media, communications or information sector, as well as a variety of roles in related fields. You will be in a great position to pursue roles with broadcasters and online news organisations. However, more broadly, you will have transferable skills that can be applied to related fields such as PR, content creation and video production.
Read Victoria Jane’s story about how she went from studying a Journalism degree at Salford to BBC Radio 1.
Alumna Pien Meulensteen was named 'one to watch - on air' at the SJA British Sports Journalism Awards, and went on to join the Sky Sports on-air commentary team for the Women's Super League season.
Further study
Graduates showing strong academic and research skills can pursue a further postgraduate path through our Postgraduate programmes on a full-time or part-time basis subject to a satisfactory proposal.
Career Links
Our Sports Journalism degree builds on the success of our existing programmes in Journalism.
In recent years, graduates from Journalism at Salford have gone on to exciting media careers. This includes working for employers such as BBC Sport, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Breakfast, BBC Newsround and ITV News, all based next to us at MediaCityUK. Others have joined Sky Sports, Sky News, 5 News, GB News and a wide range of radio stations including BBC Radio 4, LBC, Capital, Hits and Times Radio.
Yet more work for websites, magazines and newspapers, ranging from The Athletic and SPORTBible to The Sunday Times, Daily Mirror, Daily Mail, Daily Telegraph and Manchester Evening News.
A huge growth area is working directly for sports clubs and governing bodies, producing media content. Our recent graduates have been employed by Manchester United, Manchester City, Everton, Salford City, Red Bull Racing F1 team, Salford Red Devils rugby league, Lancashire County Cricket Club, UK Sport and many more.
What you need to know
Applicant profile
To gain a place on this sports journalism degree, you’ll have to submit a personal statement (up to 4,000 characters) and meet our entry requirements when you apply.
To get a place on this course, we’d like to see you demonstrate qualities including:
- A deep knowledge of and enthusiasm for sport
- An understanding of major sports media broadcasters and news outlets
- Knowledge of how sports content is shared across platforms
- Experience of creating your own sports media, anything from an article in a school newspaper to your own YouTube channel
- An interest in key off-the-field issues affecting sport
After you apply, you’ll be invited to our MediaCity campus for an interview with one of our tutors. This is an ideal opportunity for us to find out more about you, and for you to tell us why you’d be a great fit for the course. Don’t worry if you live far away from Salford including around the world – your interview can also be done using a video call.
GCSE
English Language at grade C/level 4 or above (or equivalent). Maths at grade C/4 or above (or equivalent) is preferred but not essential.
You must fulfil our GCSE entry requirements as well as one of the requirements listed below.
UCAS tariff points
112 points.
A level
112 points.
T level
Merit
BTEC National Diploma
DMM
Access to HE
112 points including Media or Humanities subject area
Scottish Highers
112 points
Irish Leaving Certificate
112 points
International Baccalaureate
29 points including Media or Humanities
European Baccalaureate
Pass in Diploma with 74% overall including Media or Humanities
International students
We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.
If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.5 in all elements of reading, writing, speaking and listening.
We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take the Pre-Sessional English course to gain entry onto this degree.
Salford Alternative Entry Scheme (SAES)
We welcome applications from students who may not meet the stated entry criteria but who can demonstrate their ability to pursue the course successfully. Once we have received your application we will assess it and recommend it for SAES if you are an eligible candidate.
There are two different routes through the Salford Alternative Entry Scheme and applicants will be directed to the one appropriate for their course. Assessment will either be through a review of prior learning or through a formal test.
How much?
Your tuition fees are regulated by the UK government who has proposed changes to tuition fees for UK students studying in England from 1 August 2025. The fee stated reflects this proposed change, but remains subject to parliamentary approval. Your tuition fees may increase in your first and each subsequent year of your programme to the maximum amount permitted by UK law or regulation for that academic year.
| Type of study | Year | Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time home | 2025/26 | £9,535 per year |
| Full-time international | 2025/26 | £17,650 per year |
Additional costs
You should consider additional costs which might include stationery, books and printing. You will also sometimes need to attend live matches, press conferences, interviews and other similar events in the local area, which may involve small amounts of general spending on travel and subsistence.
Scholarships for international students
If you are a high-achieving international student, you may be eligible for one of our scholarships. Explore our international scholarships.