BA (Hons) in Journalism and Digital Communications

Key Points

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Are you naturally curious, interested in conversations about events that are happening locally, nationally or globally? Do you want to learn how to ask the right questions and explain to an audience what is happening using multimedia platforms? If you want to be at the heart of telling stories that matter in society and want to make a difference, then journalism is the career for you. Your natural skills should be in writing, storytelling and communication.

Program Description

Journalism is an important, exciting and dynamic field. It tells us about ourselves. The platforms through which we tell our stories are evolving, and at UL we offer students the opportunity to interact and deliver stories across social media and digital platforms. We help develop real-world practical and critical thinking skills in students so that their journalism is informed by a balanced sense of fairness, accuracy and lived experience. Over the four years, our students:

They will produce their own radio reports and TV bulletins, in our state-of-the-art studios.
They will work on the award-winning Limerick Voice news website, social media platforms and the local newspaper (www.limerickvoice.com).
They will produce and design an online magazine.
They will work with the latest editing and digital editing software programs, including Adobe Audition, Final Cut Pro and Indesign.
They will use social networks to publish and promote the work.
Learn key fact-checking and online verification skills

Program Structure

YEAR 1

Semester 1

Introduction to journalism and news writing
Introduction to digital media
Government and Politics of Ireland

Elective:

Choose two from Economics, English Literature, History, Law, Politics, Sociology or Language Studies.

Semester 2

Subedition and design 1
Radio Journalism
Writing for new media

Elective:

Choose two from Economics, English Literature, History, Law, Politics, Sociology Language Studies

YEAR 2

Semester 3

Television and digital broadcasting
Interviews and reports
Magazine Journalism (core elective)
Media Law
Sociology of the media

Elective:

Choose from English, Economics, History, Law, Politics, Sociology or Language Studies.

Semester 4

Journalism and Writing 2: Breaking News and Reports
Sports Journalism (basic elective)
Social networks and society
Analyzing the media discourse

Elective:

Choose from English, Economics, History, Law, Politics, Sociology or Language Studies.

YEAR 3

Semester 5

External placement

Semester 6

External Academic Placement

YEARS 4

Semester 7

Investigative Journalism
Limerick Voice Digital News Project 1
Individual Journalism Project 1
New media, language and globalization

Elective:

Choose from English, Economics, History, Law, Politics, Sociology or Language Studies.

Semester 8

Limerick Voice Digital News Project 2
Individual Journalism Project 2
Media Challenges in the Digital Age
Transmission week

Elective:

Choose from English, Economics, History, Law, Politics, Sociology or Language Studies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants will require a baccalaureate degree officially translated into English.
IELTS 6.0 or higher (or internationally recognised equivalent).
TOEFL 580 (paper-based) or 90 (online).
UL has approved the use of the Duolingo English Test (DET) as a temporary measure for 2021/2 admission (due to test center closures). The minimum requirement will be a DET score of 110. An interview may be required along with this for certain programs.