News
UWS LAUNCHING SCOTLAND’S FIRST SPORTS JOURNALISM DEGREE
8 Aug 2009.
University of the West of Scotland is set to score success with the launch of its new BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree this September.
The course, which is the first of its kind in the Scottish university sector and is being delivered at the University’s Hamilton Campus, has been designed to equip students with core, practical journalism skills coupled with a deep knowledge of sport, both from a journalistic and academic perspective. The degree will also provide a good understanding of the increasingly important role sport has culturally and economically.
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism students will be taught general reporting, interviewing and writing skills that will prepare them for the demands of a convergent news environment where sports journalists produce news in a variety of formats for print, broadcast and online audiences.
This course will provide a wide range of employment opportunities for graduates. In addition to entering the news media on graduation, it is anticipated that the 2014 Commonwealth Games and the 2011 Children’s Olympics in Lanarkshire will provide a wealth of opportunities for students to establish careers as press officers and public relations staff within sports organisations.
The creation of this course follows the Scottish Government’s decision to put the ongoing development of sporting excellence and sport participation at the heart of the country’s economic and cultural development. This change in focus is likely to increase demand for sports organisations to grow their activity and will also present a range of opportunities for the sports news media to grow alongside.
Sports Journalism Course Leader, Margaret Hughes said: “We have consulted closely with industry in developing this programme, ensuring that it will equip our students with the skills required for success in the exciting and growing field of sports journalism.
“The programme has a strong practical element and thanks to the University’s industry links students will undertake work placements with newspapers, magazines, broadcast and online news environments as part of the degree.”
Further information on the BA (Hons) Sports Journalism degree is available from University Direct, the University’s freephone information service, on 0800 027 1000 or email uni-direct@uws.ac.uk