MA Sports Journalism

Study Mode Full-time
Year of Entry 2025/26
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MA

Sports Journalism

If you have a passion for sport and writing, this specialist course gives you a head start working in sports journalism and related careers.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £10,620 for the course
    International/EU: £17,725 for the course

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    1 Year

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2025


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Course summary

This course aims to provide you with the professional skills and knowledge required for a career in sports journalism and sports media.

You will learn how to research, write and present sports-based news, commentary and features to a high standard across print, online and broadcast platforms.

You will also develop an understanding of sports media and the ethical, legal and regulatory context in which sports journalists work.


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Find out more about the Media Arts and Communications department and view the work of some of our students.

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How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

You will be encouraged to develop your skills as a reflective practitioner in a supportive learning environment.

You learn through

  • Lectures
  • Seminars
  • Interactive workshops
  • Tutorials and academic advising
  • Formative and summative assessment
  • Independent study
  • Teamwork
  • Guest speakers from sports journalism and sports media

Applied learning

The course is delivered by a team of journalists and media practitioners with a strong commitment to practical sports journalism teaching. The teaching team includes journalists who have worked for BBC News, ITV News, Yorkshire Post and Sheffield Star and have freelance experience in journalism and public relations.

We develop connections with regional sports clubs to be able to offer opportunities for students to experience press conferences, player interviews and match-reporting.

Networking opportunities

The team draws on industry links including with alumni to provide guest speakers and visits as well as to support you in finding work experience. A recent initiative has seen former students working in sports media returning for question-and-answer sessions where they have given advice on work experience, job-hunting and career progression.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

  • newspaper sports journalism
  • broadcast sports journalism
  • magazine sports journalism
  • online sports journalism
  • club journalism and public relations
  • freelance sports journalism

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

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Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

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Learn more about your department

Media, Arts and Communications Facilities Tour

Take a look around the media, arts and communication facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Saskia Wilson.

Department page

Equipment and facilities

On this course you work with

  • a radio studio
  • green screen technology
  • an editing suite
  • industry standard broadcast studios (TV and radio)
  • green screen technology
  • editing suites with the latest hardware and software
  • exclusive access to three newsrooms

360 tour - City Campus

Entry requirements

All students

Normally an honours degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent in any subject.

Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.

You may also be considered if you do not hold a degree but can provide evidence of relevant professional experience.

We encourage applications from UK and international candidates who

• have a diversity of backgrounds

• are considering a career in journalism

• show the required aptitude and potential

We base our selection criteria on your relevant experience and potential for development. Previous experience of journalism is preferable, but not necessary.

If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Professional Practice And Media Law
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sports Journalism Content Creation
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sports Journalism In Context
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sports Journalism Project/Dissertation
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Sports Writing
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course.

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Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.

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Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Media, PR and journalism courses (PDF, 331.5KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

Apply for September 2025

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

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Why choose us?

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Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

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Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

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Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

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You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

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Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

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