[British Media Studies] Journalism, Media Studies: How to "Transmit" the "New" in the Digital Age?

Media plays an important role in the social system as a means of conveying information. From ancient times when smoke signals and beacon fires were used, to the use of paper, text, sound, images, the internet, and social media by humans, the emergence of media combined with technological advancements has increased the speed of transmitting and receiving information. This has also given rise to industries such as journalists and news professionals responsible for collecting and reporting information for the media. From this brief overview of the development of media, it is not difficult to imagine that some students may mistakenly consider "Media and Communication" as "Journalism" and even interpret it as "graduating to become paparazzi".


However, in the clear classification of British universities, Media and Communication and Journalism can be considered "close siblings". Within the "Media and Communication" family, these two disciplines can be defined as either independent disciplines or sub-disciplines under the Department of Media and Communication in some British universities. Nevertheless, for students aspiring to become journalists and news professionals, the focus will be on whether they should study Media and Communication with elective units in Journalism or directly study Journalism.

Media and Communication vs. Journalism: Pay Attention to the Focus of Electives

Students generally believe that studying Media and Communication is the most direct discipline for becoming a journalist, and this statement is not entirely wrong. However, based on the content of the disciplines, it is easy to see the difference between Media and Communication and Journalism. The former focuses on "media," while "news" is considered one of the expressions of "media." The latter, on the other hand, places "news" at the centre and most of the compulsory and elective subjects revolve around topics related to "news," such as different news reporting methods, journalism ethics, media law, etc. It is evident that a student's choice of subjects and future career direction will be an important consideration when choosing between these two disciplines.

However, although the two disciplines have clear distinctions in their content, there are commonalities in their elective units, which revolve around topics related to sociology, politics, culture, digital media, and other related fields. Some of these topics are very practical, such as feminism, international politics and media, media policy, music/film and media, digital media culture, etc. As progressive disciplines, universities will incorporate new topics related to digital technology and the internet into elective units to keep up with industry trends, such as digital/online journalism, analysis of human values in the digital age, and more.

The Media and Communication World is More Than Just Theoretical

The course outline of Communication Studies has always given people the feeling of "having to study a lot of theories"; in comparison, Journalism sounds more "interesting and practical." However, this illusion stems from the positioning of the course content, which varies in presentation depending on the teaching approach of the university itself. In the UK, universities are mainly divided into two types: "research universities" and "applied universities." As the name suggests, research universities focus on theoretical research in a particular discipline, including the renowned Russell Group universities known for their academic research. Their courses tend to lean towards researching various relevant theories, which is suitable for students interested in exploring different topics and interdisciplinary studies, which also means they have relatively higher requirements for students' English proficiency.


Compared to research universities that emphasise theory, most applied universities consist of colleges of science and engineering, and therefore place more emphasis on the application and execution of a discipline. In terms of course units, they pay relatively more attention to students' understanding of technological applications in the industry to meet the practical needs of media transformation in the new era. This includes teaching techniques for communication, language usage, reporting skills, and different media platforms. It is suitable for students who enjoy hands-on creation and flexible learning. Applied universities, which prioritise theoretical research, regularly review the relevance of their course content to the industry's needs. As a result, the skills that students acquire upon graduation often align with the latest developments in the industry.

Dual Major in Communication Studies and Journalism: Balancing Theory and Practical Skills

Among the 30 universities in the UK that offer both Communication Studies and Journalism as independent disciplines, not every university provides a "dual major degree" programme like Media and Journalism that allows students to engage in media and socio-cultural research while learning relevant reporting and interviewing techniques. The content of these two subjects' teaching may sometimes be overly focused on the research aspect of Communication Studies, inevitably creating a sense of neglecting Journalism.

In terms of the proportion of courses offered, the Journalism and Media Programme at the University of Hertfordshire stands out. As a university that values practical and industry-oriented technological applications, its curriculum covers core topics in Communication Studies such as Media Ethics, Global Media and Society, and Media Law. However, its core units place more emphasis on practical and modern topics highlighted in Journalism, including Journalism Skills, Sound and Image Storytelling, Radio/Online Journalism, and other topics that are more applicable and closely aligned with contemporary developments.

The university campus is located in Hatfield, a residential town on the outskirts of London, approximately a 25-minute train ride from King's Cross station in the city centre. The town provides all the necessary living facilities while being away from the hustle and bustle of the capital. Moreover, the department collaborates with the education group Navitas to offer specialised Media and Journalism bridging courses on the university campus. This makes it one of the very few UK universities that offer both a Foundation course and an International Year One course in Journalism.

University of Hertfordshire Admission Requirements

BA Journalism and Media

• Academic requirements: DSE 433/A-Level BCC
• English requirements: IELTS overall score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all subtests; or DSE English Language Level 3.

※Hertfordshire University also offers single disciplines such as Journalism, Media, Creative Writing, and "dual major degree" programmes.

As an institution that values students' career prospects, the Journalism program offered by the University of Hertfordshire not only receives professional accreditation from the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) but also provides dedicated work placement opportunities. This allows students to engage with media and PR organisations, including the BBC, National Geographic, The Guardian, Marie Claire, and gain insights into the current developments and daily operations of the industry.
Furthermore, the Journalism department has established a Media Hub and hosts the Media Matters Guest Lecture series, where graduates currently working at prominent media organisations such as the BBC, The Guardian, and The Telegraph return to share their experiences as journalists and news presenters with students. This enhances their impression and understanding of the journalism industry, showcasing the "applied university's" tradition of focusing on students' employability skills.