Bachelor of Arts (Journalism)

Course Overview

If you are a budding reporter or are curious about the world around you and like to write, or have a passion for radio, television or social media, then this is an ideal programme for you. The BA Journalism is an exciting programme for University of Galway (reformed for 2019) which offers you an opportunity to gain highly coveted communication and media production skills while undertaking an Arts degree.

This four-year degree programme combines academic study with practically-focused modules that give you real world experience of what it is like to work as a journalist. Youll be introduced to news and feature writing, reporting a ‘beat; reading the news on radio and video editing to tight deadlines. Youll have the opportunity to study abroad and undertake a work placement in a media company. Youll also get an opportunity to expand your understanding of the media through challenging modules in critical media studies and communication.

The joint honours degree lets you choose a second Arts subject that interests you from a range of options, giving you a breath of knowledge and experience.

Watch our introductory video from our May 2021 Virtual Open Day

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Course Outline

The BA Journalism degree is designed to give you high-level digital skills in media production and editorial practice, and introduce you to key debates and ideas from the world of media and communication. You will gain skills across four years in news writing and reporting, writing for features and magazines, radio reporting, multimedia, social media and television. There are optional modules in data journalism and sports reporting. Youll also be guided through modules in media and communication that examine key issues and debates in the media such as ethics, regulation, ownership, bias, privacy, and the role of the media in democratic society.

In your first year, youll take four modules in journalism, media and communication and you can choose to take two Arts subjects from English, History, Economics, Philosophy, Law, Politics and Sociology, Modern European languages (French, Italian or Spanish), Gaeilge or IT. At the end of first year you can choose to continue with one Arts subject along with journalism in a joint honours format to degree level.

In your third year you have the option to undertake an international study exchange and/or a work placement in a media company. Students taking a language will spend at least part of their year studying their language in a European country.

By the end of the four-year degree programme youll have an excellent understanding of the media and leave with in-demand communications skills that will set you up for careers in media production, journalism and the wider field of communication. Youll also have strong interpersonal, critical thinking, judgement and decision making, and teamworking attributes, as well as understanding of innovation, making you ideally suited for employment. Youll have the opportunity to pursue specialist training via Masters programmes on offer at University of Galway. 

Curriculum Information

Glossary of Terms

Year 1 (60 Credits)

Year 2 (60 Credits)

Course Overview

If you are a budding reporter or are curious about the world around you and like to write, or have a passion for radio, television or social media, then this is an ideal programme for you. The BA Journalism is an exciting programme for University of Galway (reformed for 2019) which offers you an opportunity to gain highly coveted communication and media production skills while undertaking an Arts degree.

This four-year degree programme combines academic study with practically-focused modules that give you real world experience of what it is like to work as a journalist. Youll be introduced to news and feature writing, reporting a ‘beat; reading the news on radio and video editing to tight deadlines. Youll have the opportunity to study abroad and undertake a work placement in a media company. Youll also get an opportunity to expand your understanding of the media through challenging modules in critical media studies and communication.

The joint honours degree lets you choose a second Arts subject that interests you from a range of options, giving you a breath of knowledge and experience.

Watch our introductory video from our May 2021 Virtual Open Day

Key Facts

Entry Requirements

Additional Requirements

Course Outline

The BA Journalism degree is designed to give you high-level digital skills in media production and editorial practice, and introduce you to key debates and ideas from the world of media and communication. You will gain skills across four years in news writing and reporting, writing for features and magazines, radio reporting, multimedia, social media and television. There are optional modules in data journalism and sports reporting. Youll also be guided through modules in media and communication that examine key issues and debates in the media such as ethics, regulation, ownership, bias, privacy, and the role of the media in democratic society.

In your first year, youll take four modules in journalism, media and communication and you can choose to take two Arts subjects from English, History, Economics, Philosophy, Law, Politics and Sociology, Modern European languages (French, Italian or Spanish), Gaeilge or IT. At the end of first year you can choose to continue with one Arts subject along with journalism in a joint honours format to degree level.

In your third year you have the option to undertake an international study exchange and/or a work placement in a media company. Students taking a language will spend at least part of their year studying their language in a European country.

By the end of the four-year degree programme youll have an excellent understanding of the media and leave with in-demand communications skills that will set you up for careers in media production, journalism and the wider field of communication. Youll also have strong interpersonal, critical thinking, judgement and decision making, and teamworking attributes, as well as understanding of innovation, making you ideally suited for employment. Youll have the opportunity to pursue specialist training via Masters programmes on offer at University of Galway. 

Curriculum Information

Irish, UK and EU Undergraduate Applications

For full details on the undergraduate admission procedure and entry requirements please refer to the Undergraduate Admissions Office webpage.

How do I apply for an Undergraduate Course?

• You can apply online to the Central Applications Office (CAO) on the CAO Web site
• You can submit a paper application which you can download from the CAO Web site

Where do I submit my paper application?

You can send your paper application to the following postal address:

The Central Applications Office 
Tower House, Eglinton Street, Galway 
T: 353 91 509800 
E: www.cao.ie

Important CAO dates to remember:

There are three closing dates for applications.

• Normal application: 1 February.
• Late applications: 1 May (Late applications may NOT be made by those applying on 1 or for entry to Medicine).
• Change of mind: 1 July.

If you are submitting a non-standard application (an entry on page three of the application form), you should submit it to the CAO Office  by the 1 February.

Further information on Undergraduate Admission is available from the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

Further information on Undergraduate entrance Scholarships:www.nuigalway.ie/admissions/scholarships/index.html.

Learn More

• Download CAO application form and handbook