MA Sports Media and Journalism at Birmingham City University

Programme overview

Developed and delivered in partnership with the BBC, our MA Sports Media and Journalism course is designed to develop advanced sports journalism skills and accelerate your career in a competitive media industry. Aligned to the corporation's journalistic practices, the course combines specialist industry input, real-world production projects and self-directed practice.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Design and Media | Department: Media and Journalism | Duration: 1 year full-time; 18 months (including Professional Placement) full-time | Study mode: full-time (optional professional placement) | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

This practice-led Master's course explores the fast-moving world of sports journalism and media. You'll develop the skills to research, create and deliver compelling sports content across broadcast, digital and social platforms, while gaining insight into the forces shaping contemporary sports media. Working alongside BBC staff, academics and industry professionals, you'll gain experience of the full content production process, from story development and live reporting through to production, editing and distribution. Modules include Sports Journalism Practice, Live Sports Reporting, Sports Media and Industry, Professional Practice, Production Lab, Major Project.

Career pathways

This course is designed to help you graduate with the confidence, professional skills and industry experience needed to succeed in today's fast-moving sports media industry. Developed in partnership with the BBC and aligned with contemporary journalistic practice, it combines industry-informed learning with practical experience, helping you develop the expertise required to work across broadcast, digital and social media platforms.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in media studies, media production, media communication, film and television studies, radio and audio courses, performing arts or theatre, public relations, journalism, English, creative writing and screen writing. Prior experience of work in television, radio, online content production or other media related areas is useful, but not essential. Your achievements should clearly demonstrate a keen interest in the field of media production and you are advised to read around the subject of media and to explore examples. Your application should demonstrate your ability to generate and develop ideas, as judged by the MA team. We welcome non-traditional applications, particularly from applicants with substantial professional or production experience. IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band, or equivalent.

Domestic applicants: GBP 10,710 a year (2027/28). full-time, 1 year; annual tuition for the first year of study Source

International applicants: GBP 19,630 a year (2027/28). full-time, 1 year; annual tuition for the first year of study Source

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time; 18 months (including Professional Placement) full-time

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