Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Bachelor of Arts with Honours Journalism, Level 5, 2023/24 - Course Handbook
Welcome to the Course
This handbook provides you with information that you will need on your course. You should find it helpful when you're starting out, when you're preparing for assessment and at any time you need help or advice in connection with your studies here. You will have access to a Module Handbook for each module you study. The course team is looking forward to working with you this year and we hope that your time studying with us at Leeds Beckett University is both enjoyable and successful. You have chosen to study journalism - which means you have chosen to make a difference in the world. You have chosen to uncover stories, to enrich lives and to inform people about what is going on. Journalism is all about giving a voice to others. In that sense, it is selfless. This does make the course sound serious - and it will be hard work. The course is very practical, and you need to treat it like the full-time experience that it is.
It will also be fun.
We hope that the best of you will embrace that. On behalf of our university and the whole course team I would like to wish you well in your studies.
Karl Hodge
Welcome to Leeds Business School! You are joining a diverse, inclusive and vibrant community dedicated to student experience, to education, to impactful research and to developing all of its members to their utmost potential.
On behalf of all our staff I would like to say how proud we are to have you with us, and how excited we are to engage with you throughout every stage of your learning journey.
Leeds Business School is an active choice, a choice to participate, to experience, to grow and to contribute - in an inspiring and digitally connected environment.
Our mission is to bring you closer to business, to industry and to the professions - through the way we teach, the flexibility of our offer, the courses we champion and the business leaders we showcase. It's about being work-ready and life-ready, with the enthusiasm, the competitive edge and the practical tools to thrive.
We are an International Business School with a significant number of international students and staff with drive towards sustainability and a mission to make a difference. The Leeds Business School plays an effective role in supporting small businesses, local economies and student entrepreneurship; we work closely with our suppliers and other anchor institutions to maximise our impact in the region; our focus is on creating an educational environment that supports and enables inclusive learning and creates opportunities for progression.
Welcome to business co-creation, not just business education. Welcome to Leeds Business School.
Professor George Lodorfos, Dean of School
Leeds Beckett Students' Union (LBSU) is led by students for students! Their mission is to make your uni life better! Your Student Officer Team is elected by you to lead the Students' Union into the academic year. They represent all Leeds Beckett students and campaign for the changes you want to see in the university and beyond. They do this by representing your interests, giving you the chance to socialise and meet new people, hosting CV-boosting opportunities, and providing advice and support when you need it most. Shape your own experience by submitting your thoughts through your Course Rep, or if you'd like to influence the Students' Union's policy stance on particular issues or share ideas for improving the student experience across the University, submit your ideas on the Have Your Say platform, which is designed to make change happen! Below you'll find information on a few of their services but if you've any questions, please feel free to get in touch.
Silas Ozoya, your Academic Experience Officer, also wanted to say a few words to introduce himself: "Hey There! I'm Silas, your Academic Experience Officer. It's my job to ensure your academic experience at Leeds Beckett is the best it can be! We're a friendly and open-minded bunch at LBSU, so don't hesitate to get in touch with us! I'm looking forward to meeting you very soon!"
Contact LBSU at:
Email: lbsu-welcome@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Phone: 0113 812 8400
Website: www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk
- Following the lifting of all pandemic restrictions and advice from the Department for Education, we currently anticipate that no social distancing measures will be in place on campus during the 2023/24 academic year, enabling a normal on-campus experience. Our aim is to ensure that our students experience Leeds Beckett University, our courses, campuses, facilities and services to the fullest extent possible, while maintaining an environment where students and staff feel safe.
- In all cases, the health and safety of students and staff is our priority and we will continue to follow guidance from the UK Health Security Agency, the Department for Education and all other recognised government agencies (such as the Office for Students) in full and keep matters under close review at all times. The advice and restrictions may change before and/or during the academic year, either nationally or in response to local conditions and rates of infection and include the need for social distancing measures and other restrictions. Our flexible delivery model allows us to revert to a blended and/or remote delivery model if this becomes necessary. In a worst case scenario it is possible our campuses may need to close.
- In the event that delivery is restricted as a consequence of pandemic restrictions, we will keep you informed of planned changes as they arise, to ensure you are provided with accurate information.
Key Contacts & Keeping in Touch
Level 4 - Karl Hodge - k.r.hodge@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Level 5 - Chian Gatewood - C.Gatewood@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Level 6 - Carmen Bruegmann - c.bruegmann@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Details of Course Reps will be published in course announcements on MyBeckett.
Students in the Business School are supported by a team of Academic Librarians.
Please contact them using the email address: lbslibrary@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
The contact details of other key services, such as Student Advice, Disability Advice, Student Wellbeing, the Library, Student Money, Careers, Students' Union Advice Service and Students' Union Student Voice Team can be found on the Students web page.
Academic and administrative staff at our University use your student email address to contact you. It is important that you check this account regularly. You can forward emails from your student email address to a preferred personal email address, however, quarantine and spam filters needed by our University mean that emails sent from external email addresses may be delayed, blocked or deleted. It is therefore important that your student email address is the only email address that you use to contact University staff. Information on how to access your student email address can be found on the Library Student IT Support page (http://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/it_support/office365/outlook)
Please make sure that you inform your Course Administration team whenever you change your address and contact details. It is important that you also update your records yourself. You can do this via the My Account/Update my Data tab on MyBeckett. This will ensure we can always contact you in an emergency, and that you receive any important University communications that we may need to send you.
We will inform you of class activities and course notifications, including any cancellations. You will have a Facebook group for your year which we will use to reinforce official communications and communicate with you less formally.
For each module, the Module Handbook will include the preferred method of communicating general information about that module to you.
MS Teams is part of the Office 365 suite used by staff and students for communication and collaboration:
- Access via MyBeckett on University devices as well as on personal mobiles via a free downloadable app.
- Participate in online meetings and video conferencing in groups or one-to-one.
- Work on shared content, ideas, projects and online learning.
- Utilise breakout rooms to create more dynamic sessions
Further information is available on the Library's MS Teams FAQ web page.
Timetable Information
The University’s standard term dates are available on our Academic Calendars web page.
Taught sessions, both mandatory and optional, will be scheduled and included in your online timetable. Depending on your course, this may also include scheduled online teaching and learning sessions where student engagement is required at a specified time or tutor pre-recorded lectures.
Normally, timetables will be made available to continuing students on 31st July and during induction week for new students via:
- The Student Portal (MyBeckett)
- The Leeds Beckett app
You should discuss any difficulties relating to your engagement with timetabled sessions with your Course Administrator.
Course Overview
BA (Hons) Journalism at Leeds Beckett University helps students develop a comprehensive understanding of traditional and contemporary journalism practice. Students also develop the academic skills and critical awareness associated with degree level study.
The programme enables students to develop as critically active and reflexive individuals through practical and professional tasks.
The course has four strands that run vertically through the programme; key techniques, theory, practice and journalism skills. Horizontally, each level represents a different stage in student learning; foundation or "boot camp", consolidation and independence. These stages also incorporate appropriate extra-curricular delivery; core skills at level 4, presentation skills at level 5 and employability at level 6.
Our dedicated newsroom has PC computers EditShare connectivity to the TV studio and Avid Media Composer for video editing. The newsroom also has iNews for TV bulletin scripting and Burli for radio.
The current course is aware of journalism's rich history, but it is future-focused. With full-time jobs in traditional media in decline, but work in online, digital and freelance markets expanding, we deliver traditional training alongside mobile, online and social media production skills.
Our journalism graduates may have the core competencies, but they also have the multi-media production skills and entrepreneurial spirit that make them desirable employees and potential employers in the marketplace.
What's more, they will emerge with a strong sense of what makes journalism, journalism. They will learn how to critically challenge and rationalise the attacks that journalism faces from social media sub-cultures and established institutions. In short, they will learn to create real journalism, not fake news.
As a course team we have worked to bring greater creativity, cohesion and focus to an already successful course. As a multiplatform degree, the course reflects the dynamic and changing nature of contemporary journalism and it is highly responsive to that change.
At the end of the course, students will:
- Have undertaken an intellectually challenging study of the practice and principles of contemporary journalism, including fairness, accuracy and key ethical, regulatory and legal concerns.
- Be prepared for a career in the dynamic and challenging world of journalism across multiple platforms of news gathering, dissemination and production, to tight deadlines.
- Undertaken an intellectually challenging and stimulating study of journalism and its methods, contexts and concepts from a theoretical perspective.
- Have produced real journalism from the start, on a course that ensures they are introduced to a range of core skills that they will have the opportunity to improve. These will include the ability to use primary and secondary sources correctly, digital literacy, presentation skills, problems solving, story spotting and an awareness of news values.
- Have developed the ability to work on more than one project at a time and to manage those projects effectively whether in groups or as individuals.
- Have been encouraged students to apply critical thinking and reflection to their own practice as aspiring journalists and to their own learning and personal development.
At Level 5, students will be able to:
1.Work in simulated or live news environments, source and produce original content for multi-media channels.
2.Demonstrate increasing proficiency in producing journalism whether in groups or individually.
3.Be competent in the application of legal and ethical regulations in the production of local and national journalism.
4.Have a critical awareness of the increasingly global and technologically enabled nature of news and journalism. Understand the social expectations and challenges this poses to traditional concepts of journalism and the impact this may have on democratic processes globally.
5.Have confidence in gathering news from primary sources, supported by secondary research, and identifying original stories through that practice.
6.Critically reflect on their own academic and practical performance and use that reflection to develop and improve their own learning.
Assessment & Feedback
The assessment balance and overall workload associated with this course are calculated from core modules and typical option module choices undertaken by students on the course. They have been reviewed and confirmed as representative by the Course Director but applicants should note that the specific option choices students make may influence both assessment and workload balance.
A standard module equates to 200 notional learning hours, which may be comprised of teaching, learning and assessment, any embedded placement activities and independent study. Modules may have more than one component of assessment.
Level 4 is assessed by coursework predominately, with some timed coursework, tests and practical assessments.
Leve 5 is assessed by coursework predominately, with some timed coursework, tests and practical assessments.
Level 6 is assessed by coursework predominately, with some practical assessments.
There are no formal exams but all in-class tests are compulsory.
Please note the exam/assessment periods in the academic calendar and make sure that you are available during those periods. Further details of your schedule of examinations can be found on your timetable once the examination schedule is released. Coursework submission deadlines can normally be found on MyBeckett, on course noticeboards or in individual Module Handbooks/other module guides.
Disabled students requiring adjustments to assessments/examinations should contact Disability Advice as soon as possible. We can only guarantee that adjustments can be put in place if students have contacted us by the following deadlines:
Semester 1 - 10th November 2023
Semester 2 - 8th March 2024
Contact us:
Email: disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Tel: 0113 812 5831
Website: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/
It is important for your progression and achievement that you submit all work for all assignments in a timely manner. It is also important that you keep copies of all work submitted until after you have graduated. You should also keep any receipts confirming the submission of assignments. In the event of your submitted work being lost you may be required to produce a copy of the work and submission receipt. If you are unable to do so, your work will not be marked.
It is important to note that submitting all assignments is a requirement of your course. Should you experience extenuating circumstances which prevent you from submitting on time please make yourself aware of the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances process. Without any form of extenuating circumstances, standard penalties apply for late submission of assessed work. Full details of the penalties for late submission of course work are available in section 3 of the Academic Regulations at https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/our-university/public-information/academic-regulations/. Please check the penalties that apply to this course as some Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body requirements may mean that different penalties apply.
If you have been recommended 'flexibility around deadlines' as a reasonable adjustment in a Reasonable Adjustment Plan, your Course Administrator will be able to advise you of the process.
You may be required to submit your written work via Turnitin; further information on Turnitin is available here: https://libguides.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/it_support/mybeckett/turnitin
Assessed work will normally be returned with appropriate feedback within four weeks of your submission. Each Module Handbook will provide you with specific guidelines on how and when you will receive feedback on your assessments.
Because the BA in Journalism is very practical - you will also receive summative feedback as you go along in workshops and on newsdays.
Results from module assessments and decisions on progression to the next level of study (e.g., from Level 4 to Level 5 of an undergraduate degree) or awards (if you are in the final level) are available on the Results Online system: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/results-online/.
Results will appear in Results Online within five working days of the date of the Progression and Award Board meeting (the meeting where your end of level outcome will be decided) or the Module Board meeting (the meeting where modular outcomes are decided).
If you are unsure about when you might receive your results or have queries relating to your results, you should contact your Course Administrator.
The University recognises that, from time to time, students may encounter issues which may prevent them from being able to submit or take assessment. Where this is the case, students may be able to submit their 'extenuating circumstances' for consideration. Please see the Mitigation and Extenuating Circumstances web page for further information.
If you have not passed a module at the first attempt you will be eligible for re-assessment. See your Module Handbook for details of the relevant re-assessment process (e.g., whether it is coursework, an examination, a presentation or other form of assessment/when it will take place/what the deadline is). You will be advised via Results Online of your options for re-assessment. You are advised to contact your Course Director, Course Administrator or Academic Advisor for any necessary clarification.
Details about our Appeals process can be found on the appeals web page.
Academic integrity means intellectual honesty and is part of good academic practice. Further information can be found on our academic integrity web page.
Teaching & Learning
The course incorporates a variety of learning and teaching strategies that put the student at the centre of the experience. They are encouraged to learn in action, applying critical thinking and evaluation to practical and academic.
BA (Hons) Journalism has been developed to incorporate self-managed learning and prepare students for complex, dynamic, globally-relevant news communication environments. It is a powerful approach dealing with problem solving in a realistic way, empowering students with skills that will help them in industry.
The design of BA (Hons) Journalism integrates learning vertically and horizontally - with themes feeding across modules and forwards to future learning. We emphasise to students that modules are part of a whole course and that learning is holistic. There is a clear progression of learning outcomes through all three levels can be clearly traced in our level outcomes and module specifications.
Students will be encouraged to value the contributions of their peers, for example during tutorial discussions and student presentations to the group.
A newsletter is published each year where we highlight student activities and try to build cohesion across the course. Students have their own Facebook groups at each level.
In addition, induction at all levels prepares students for a new level of study. At level 4, students are set a writing task that not only works as an icebreaker, but also allows tutors to assess writing skills and identify areas where students need support. At levels 5 and 6, emphasis at induction will be on consolidation of skills both academic and practical, and the development of a professional portfolio.
Level 4 |
|
|
|
Semester 1 | Core (Y/N) | Semester 2 | Core (Y/N) |
Introduction to Journalism | Y | Journalism Practice and Principles (20 credits) | Y |
Digital Publishing (20 credits) | Y | Introduction to Media Law | Y |
Reporting (15 credits) | Y | Broadcast Journalism (15 credits) | Y |
Journalism Skills 1 (10 credits) |
|
| Y |
Level 5 |
|
|
|
Semester 1 | Core (Y/N) | Semester 2 | Core (Y/N) |
Media Law in Context (20 credits) | Y | Futures: Reading the Media | Y |
Writing Features (20 credits) | Y | Government and Political Context in the UK (20 credits) | Y |
Digital Newsdays (15 credits) | Y | Broadcast Newsdays (15 credits) | Y |
Journalism Skills 2 (10 credits) |
|
| Y |
Level 6 |
|
|
|
Semester 1 | Core (Y/N) | Semester 2 | Core (Y/N) |
Magazine Production (20 credits) | Y | [Elective - choose from list below] (20 credits) | N |
Multiplatform Newsdays | Y | Magazine Newsdays (15 credits) | Y |
Journalism Skills 3 (10 credits) |
|
| Y |
Journalism Project (40 credits) |
|
| Y |
Indicative option modules
Fashion Communications
Games Journalism
Photojournalism
Sports Journalism
Overall Workload | Level 4 | Level 5 | Level 6 |
Teaching, Learning and Assessment | 262 hours | 324 hours | 297 hours |
Independent Study | 1038 hours | 876 hours | 827 hours |
Placement |
|
| 76 hours |
Details of School academic staff can be found on the Leeds Business School Website.
Attendance & Absence
The University expects you to attend and contribute fully to all mandatory sessions on your timetable as set out in your student contract. Engagement in your lectures, seminars and practicals is an important part of your learning - contributing both to the University community and the learning experience of your fellow students on the course. This includes engagement in scheduled virtual learning and activities and meetings in online environments related to your studies.
We monitor your engagement at the University as regular attendance and academic achievement are closely linked. Moreover, by monitoring your engagement and attendance we can identify students who may need our guidance or support at an early stage to help them progress in their studies. This is part of our commitment to ensuring an excellent education and experience and supporting your success at Leeds Beckett.
The University does understand that from time to time there is good reason why you cannot attend a class, and in this instance you must contact your School office to let them know. This may then be recorded as an 'authorised absence'.
Please note that any attendance reports can be shared with you and your Course team. You might be asked to contact your School office so that appropriate academic or pastoral support can be offered, should your attendance record give cause for concern.
Our most important aim is to support your studies, but we are also required to report attendance to various external bodies such as the Student Loan Company and the Home Office. There are measures in place for students who seek to falsely register either their own or fellow students' attendance.
Our Academic Engagement Policy is available under 'Student Contract' on the Student Regulations web page.
Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific attendance requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.
You must notify your Course Administrator if you are absent (for example for an interview, emergency unforeseen circumstances, or for compassionate leave). If you are going to apply for mitigation you will need to provide written evidence of the reason for your absence.
Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific absence reporting requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.
If you are unable to study due to Covid-19 (coronavirus) symptoms, please see the guidance available on our Covid-19 web page.
If you are unable to study because of another illness for more than 14 consecutive days (including weekends), you must provide us with a Fit Note.
You can send a digital copy of your Fit Note to your Course Administrator, and then send the original by post.
If you are absent through illness on the day of an examination or assignment deadline and you intend to apply for mitigation, you must also provide us with details as possible. Your submission for mitigation may be made online and the circumstances surrounding it may be self-certified unless your period of absence is prolonged. Generally, all absences of 2 weeks or more will require the submission of verifiable documentary evidence.
For more information on 'fit to sit' and mitigation please visit our Mitigation web page.
Please note that if your course carries professional accreditation or recognition, there may be additional course-specific absence reporting requirements detailed elsewhere in this handbook.
Any Leeds Beckett student who suspects they may have, or have been diagnosed as having a serious infectious disease such as coronavirus, Mumps, TB, measles, meningitis or chicken pox should not attend campus. For notifiable diseases, students should notify their Course Director or Course Administrator as soon as possible giving information regarding which groups of students (and/or colleagues and clients on placements) you have been in contact with and when. For some diseases, such as TB and meningitis, your doctor and our Student Wellbeing Team have a responsibility to notify the West Yorkshire Public Health Protection Team who may also wish to speak to you (or your family) to determine if others require screening or medication. You should follow advice given by the hospital or your GP about when it is safe to return to University. Further information is available on the Student Wellbeing web page.
For guidance on what to do if you have symptoms of Covid-19 (coronavirus), please visit our Covid-19 web page.
If you are thinking about changing course or withdrawing from your course, further information can be found on our Student web pages.
International Students
Please be aware that our University fully complies with United Kingdom Visas and Immigration (UKVI) policy at all times. There are legal reporting requirements for all students in the UK on a Student visa, and full attendance is mandatory for all students who have a Student visa. Failure to meet UKVI attendance and engagement requirements could lead to your academic sponsorship being withdrawn and your visa being revoked.Students who hold a Student visa need to be aware of their responsibilities whilst in the UK, please see www.ukcisa.org.uk or our Student Immigration Advice and Compliance web page for full information.
For up-to-date information about visas, immigration issues and other matters relating to international students, please visit the International Students' web pages on the Students website or email the Student Immigration Advice and Compliance Team on siac@leedsbeckett.ac.uk.
You should have been enrolled on the International Student's Academic Introduction module in MyBeckett when you began your studies - if you missed this you can self-enrol and explore the content which introduces you to making the academic transition to a UK university. Please refer to Library page supporting international students
Professional Accreditation or Recognition Associated with the Course
Our course is accredited by the BJTC and receives accreditation from the PPA.
The BJTC is the largest journalism training accreditation body in the UK, recognised by the BBC, ITN, Reuters, Associated Press, Channel 4, the National Union of Journalists and others. BJTC accredited courses enjoy enhanced industry contact, access to prestigious awards and guaranteed work experience placements. Students on a BJTC accredited course follow a rigorous programme that includes industry simulated newsdays, work experience in the media industries, study of media law and local governance and hands on, practical and vocational training.
The PPA represents over 250 publishing brands in the UK. Courses with PPA membership have access to networking events, forums and working groups that help to support the progression of their courses and the prospects of their students.
- Participation in 15 newsdays at levels 5 and 6
- Study of Media Law and Public Affairs
- Requirement to pass all Media Law modules
- Participate in 15 days industry work experience
- Produce work using industry standard workflows
'In Year' Work Placement Information
Students must complete work experience in a setting appropriate to their studies in journalism.
This is so that students:
-Have an opportunity to see how media workplaces function in practice
-Can be mentored by colleagues with experience of the media industry
-Are able to see how the skills and workflows they've learned on the course fit into real world practices.
As part of the accreditation of BA (Hons) Journalism, all students are expected to undertake 15 or more days of work experience by level 6.
Various locations.
The work experience must take place within an established workplace, studio or office - remotely or in-person - where the professional creation of media content is a primary goal.
Undertaking work experience is a requirement of accreditation by the BJTC.
Skills, Employability & Graduate Opportunities
Students acquire a range of technical, professional and academic skills including:
Technical
Use of professional software and hardware
Workflows for software use
Professional
Use of ethics, law and regulation
Structures and formats for journalism
Creating content for different audiences
Recognising what journalism is and how it is conducted effectively
Seeing research and central to the process
Academic
Essay writing and academic research skills
Critical thinking and evidence-based discussion
Further, students acquire skills in global outlook (seeing beyond their culture, interest and selves), digital literacy and become more enterprising.
You will have opportunities to gain recognition during your time at Leeds Beckett University for the extra activities you do in addition to your studies, including volunteering, student societies, playing in our University sports teams and being a Course Representative.
By joining a society with Leeds Beckett Students' Union, you can make new friends, have fun, try something new and enhance your CV - societies provide a great opportunity to learn new skills and improve your existing ones. It can be difficult to get to know new people at university but don't worry, everyone is in the same boat! Our Leeds Beckett Students' Union believe that joining a student-led society is the best way to meet new people and make lifelong friends. There are so many societies out there - from course-based to hobby-based to religious to political and campaigning. Whether you're just starting out at Leeds Beckett or working on your last year of study, it is never too late to find the right society for you - or start one yourself!
Course-based societies are a great way to meet people on your course, expand your networks and celebrate your achievements together such as end of year Society Balls. If you have a great idea for a society, we can help you get it up and running. There are resources and support available for all societies - including funding to help make your society goals a reality. For more information on starting your own society, visit: leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/societies/create.
There are three Graduate Attributes for Leeds Beckett University and these are tailored to suit your course. The three attributes you should achieve by the end of the course are for you to be digitally literate, have a global outlook and for you to be enterprising. Learning about these attributes and being assessed on them as part of your modules will provide you with capabilities which are essential for your future career and wider life as you move on from your studies here. You will be formally assessed on all the attributes in some of your modules at each academic level in each year of your course. For more information on graduate attributes please visit https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/graduate-attributes/
Information on your assessment is included in your Module Handbooks.
Students must complete 15 days of relevant and appropriate work experience as part of their studies. This requirement is assessed as a component in the third year module Level 6 Journalism Skills 3, but students may undertake the work experience at any time during their studies.
The course focuses on vocationally training students who wish to acquire skills as journalists in broadcast, print or digital contexts.
Ours is a unique qualification - we are the only journalism course in England to be taught from within a Business School - and students benefit from our contacts within the city of Leeds.
It's an opportunity to meet, research and report on companies, industry and new developments. This sets us apart from other journalism courses, and our graduates have benefited from this unique selling point in the past; covering events in the city in Newsdays and other practical output areas within the degree.
Students from our course have gone on to further study at post-graduate level, or have gone into work in journalism, PR, marketing and other media production contexts.
Learning Support
If you have a question or a problem relating to your course, your Course Administrator is there to help you. Course Administrators work closely with academic staff and can make referrals to teaching staff or to specialist professional services as appropriate. They can give you a confirmation of attendance letter, and a transcript. You may also like to contact your Course Rep or the Students' Union Advice team for additional support with course-related questions.
Your Academic Advisor will be an academic member of staff who teaches you on your course. Your Course Director will make sure that you are given the contact details of your Academic Advisor at the beginning of each year, usually in your course induction. Further details on the role of your Academic Advisor are available on the Academic Advisor web page.
If you need support, but you're not sure where to go, your Student Advice Team are here to help. The team are an essential part of your Student Support Network and are dedicated to ensuring you can access the advice and support you need, when you need it most.
Student Advice can also help in the practical elements of university. The team will produce your first campus card and assist you in replacing your campus card if needed throughout your time at Leeds Beckett. They can provide Confirmation of Enrolment and Bank Letters for our current students and full or partial transcripts for our graduates and fully enrolled students.
If you need help with more complex queries or concerns, our trained Student Life Advisers offer 1-1 appointments, providing a safe, confidential, and non-judgemental space to talk about your circumstances and identify support that you can access both within and outside of the university.
To contact the team, or to arrange an appointment, visit The Student Advice webpage for full details.
The Student Voice & Insight team at LBSU works alongside the elected Academic Experience Officer to effectively represent students' academic interests.
We provide support, training and ongoing development to over 1,000 Course Representatives, Postgraduate Research Reps, Student Community Leaders and Global Majority Student Ambassadors who represent you whilst you study at Leeds Beckett; and facilitate the collection of student feedback on your academic experience.
Unsure who your Course Rep is? Maybe you're interested in becoming a Course Rep or have feedback about your academic experience? Get in touch at:
- Email: studentvoice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
- Telephone: 0113 812 8400
- Website: leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/your-voice
You can find information and resources online through the Support and Opportunities tabs in MyBeckett. In the Support tab, you can find details of a range of services that provide academic and personal support. These include Student Advice, Library Services, the Students' Union, Student Money, Disability Advice, Student Wellbeing, Student Immigration Advice and Compliance and Accommodation. There is also an A-Z of Support Services, and access to online appointments/registration.
In the Opportunities tab, you can explore the options you have for jobs, work placements, volunteering, and a wide range of other opportunities. For example, you can find out here how to get help with your CV, prepare for an interview, get a part-time job or a voluntary role, take part in an international project, or join societies closer to home.
If you have a disability, long-term physical or mental health condition, or a specific learning difference, we believe this should never be a barrier to studying at our University.
Please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can ensure everything is in place before your course starts.
What should I do next?
- We will ask you to provide evidence of your disability, usually from a health professional or educational psychologist. Don't worry if you haven't got any, we can support you with this.
- Usually, we will arrange an appointment with your Disability Adviser to discuss any adjustments you might need and support you in applying for Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA).
- We will work with you to ensure any adjustments you need are available so you can fully participate on your course.
Please watch this short video about how the Disability Advice Team can work with you.
Disabled students can also access the Disability Resource Areas in each library and the support provided by the Library Learning Support Officer. More information is available on the Library website.
What is Disabled Students' Allowance (DSA)?
DSA is government funding to help with the cost of any additional support you might need while studying, such as: one-to-one support, specialist equipment (including useful software) and travel. For more information visit our website.
Contact Us:
Email: disabilityadvice@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Tel: 0113 812 5831
Website: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/student-information/disability-advice/
The Library
The Library offers 24/7 support for your studies. You can access thousands of resources via MyBeckett or the Library website which also provides full details of all our services.
Library Academic Support
The Library Academic Support Team can help you develop your academic skills such as critical thinking, academic writing and analysing data, and research skills such as how to find, use and evaluate information for your studies. The team liaises with your lecturers to provide the information resources you need for your subject and to arrange academic skills sessions to support you in your studies.
The team maintains a number of websites and modules to support your learning:
- In your Subject guide, you'll find a variety of information resources which have been selected as a good starting point for research in that area. These are available on the Skills and Subject Support web page or via My Beckett.
- On the Skills for Learning website, you'll find online resources covering topics such as essay writing, research and time management, English Language and academic English plus information to help you reference and avoid plagiarism, alongside details of workshops that are designed to help you succeed in your assessments. The Skills for Learning website can be found on the Library website or via My Beckett.
- LBU Study Smart is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to the key skills and services you'll need to study successfully at Leeds Beckett. There are also additional modules you can take as you move through your course to help you transition between study levels. The Academic Integrity Tutorial is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to academic integrity at LBU and will help you develop the skills you need to attain good academic practice, including avoiding plagiarism and academic referencing.
- The Academic Integrity Tutorial is a module in MyBeckett which introduces you to academic integrity at LBU and will help you develop the skills you need to attain good academic practice, including avoiding plagiarism and academic referencing.
Library and Student IT Advice Service
The Library and Student IT Advice Service team can answer your queries on borrowing, finding information, passwords, multi-factor authentication (MFA) ,Office 365, online meetings, saving your work, MyBeckett and more:
- online (including 24/7 chat) via the Contact Us web page
- by phone - 0113 812 1000 (24/7 IT support)
- face-to-face in either of our Libraries, check Library opening times for details of when staff are available
They also have a wide range of short tutorials available on the Library's YouTube channel.
Wi-Fi
Wi-Fi on the University campus is provided by eduroam, a secure wireless network, which also allows you Wi-Fi access if you visit other universities. To connect:
- Select eduroam from available Wi-Fi
- Your login details are:
Username followed by @leedsbeckett: e.g. c1234567@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Password: your normal university password
*Android Users: Select under Phase 2 Authentication - MS-CHAPv2
Help is available on the Library's Wi-Fi web page.
Microsoft Office 365
You are provided with free access to Office 365 and the latest version of Office can be downloaded from the IT tab in MyBeckett or from office.com. All students who are registered for a qualification at Leeds Beckett University are eligible and you can use the subscription for the duration of your course. For instructions and more information, please see the Office 365 support page.
OneDrive
OneDrive Leeds Beckett is your individual file storage with 1TB of storage space. With OneDrive you can access and share your files across your devices. This is accessible on University PCs and off-campus through Office 365 portal. See the Saving your Work pages on the Library website for more information.
Leeds Beckett RemoteApp
The Leeds Beckett RemoteApp gives you access to a range of specialist software for your course on your personal devices. See the RemoteApp page on the Library website for more information.
Media Equipment - free loans
You can borrow high-end Media Equipment for free. Browse, reserve and collect equipment ranging from GoPros to Remote Presenters from the ground floor of the Shelia Silver and Headingley Libraries. Further information is available on the Media Equipment web page.
University life can have its ups and downs, and occasionally you may find yourself in need of advice. That's where we come in. Here at the SU we have a free advice service that is here just for you, the students at Leeds Beckett University.
The Advice Service at LBSU is a confidential, non-judgmental service run by professional advisers.
The service is independent from the University, so if you are having any problems with your course you can talk confidentially with us - although we do work with the University to find the best solutions, we would only contact them with your permission. We can advise on a range of topics including all aspects of the University Regulations and Procedures, housing issues and finance issues. We can guide you through any processes or procedures.
We're here to help you with any questions or problems you might have while you are studying at Leeds Beckett.
Get more information at www.leedsbeckettsu.co.uk/advice.
Resources
MyBeckett, the portal and virtual learning environment provides:
- access to your modules and timetables;
- your reading lists and email account;
- your personal storage area on our University IT servers;
- information on where to look for academic or personal support (Support tab);
- information on opportunities such as jobs, careers, part-time work, placements and volunteering (Opportunities tab)
- access to Library and student IT advice
Further information and support for using MyBeckett can be found on the MyBeckett Support Pages.
BA (Hons) Journalism students are currently based at the Rose Bowl in the centre of Leeds which is part of the University's City Campus. There are seven lecture theatres, numerous seminar rooms, tutor and administrative staff offices, and a café. In addition to the primary teaching facilities the provision of small breakout and social learning spaces with IT facilities give students flexible space to work independently or in groups.
There is a Media Suite and Newsroom which is used exclusively by Journalism students for taught and supported open learning activities and is open 8.30am-9pm during the week.
The Newsroom in RB316 has PCs which have industry standard specialist software installed, including iNews, Burli, Adobe CC and Avid Media Composer. Students are based there for newsdays module activities.
Further licenses for specialist software have been used to install audio and video editing tools on PCs in a shared IT area at the end of the same corridor.
The Media Suite next door in RB 315 is divided into three rooms.
It has both static and portable cameras; a functioning TV studio; gallery with editing suite. There is also a Radio Studio with fixed mic facilities and a separate production booth.
This studio suite was built within the business school for BA Journalism in 2015, in response to criteria set by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) as a condition for accreditation of the course.
The university has 24-hour ICT suites with Adobe CC installed.
Student Voice
We are committed to working in partnership with you and the Students' Union to provide you with an inclusive, safe and engaging learning environment which is conducive to study for all our students and our staff. An important element of your time studying with us is your engagement in developing your learning. Your engagement and attendance on your course enables you to further your learning and supports your achievement, course completion and aspirations for the future. There is an expectation that students will attend, engage in their learning and submit on time for assessment. We provide support for you to maximise your time studying with us and to develop your learning, skills and abilities to support you in your chosen career path.
We seek active participation by all our students in the continuous enhancement of our courses and through our monitoring, annual review and enhancement processes. These are formal processes used by our University for assuring the academic standards and quality of your course and its continuous improvement. These processes utilise your feedback, External Examiners' reports, feedback from staff and others, data relating to student outcomes on the course and student surveys to reflect on areas of good practice and areas for further enhancement. We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys such as the Student Barometer, National Student Survey and Graduate Outcomes Survey. We utilise the outcomes of these surveys to benchmark our courses nationally and to inform annual course enhancements.
Informal feedback is also welcome at any time either via your Academic Advisor or module tutor or via your Course Representative. Our partnership with you enables us together to make the most of your learning experience with us and to enhance the quality and reputation of your course. You can find out what actions have been taken in response to your feedback through your Course Representative, the Students' Union, your tutors or through the Library.
Course Representatives (Reps) at undergraduate and postgraduate taught levels are student volunteers who represent you in formal and informal meetings with the University, and follow up on actions that have occurred because of student feedback. You can become a Course Rep, volunteering to represent the views of your peers in order to improve students' academic experience.
In the first few weeks of your time at Leeds Beckett, your Course Director will facilitate an opportunity to appoint Course Reps on your course.
LBSU provides support, training and ongoing development for Course Reps and supports their engagement in enhancement activities throughout the academic year.
Being a Course Rep provides you with an opportunity to enhance your own learning and the development of relevant professional and employability skills alongside your studies. As a Course Rep you would play an important role in:
- Acting as a point of contact and advocate for students on your course and in supporting their active engagement.
- Gathering feedback from students on your course to inform enhancements to the quality of your course and the student experience.
- Facilitating good communication between students and staff on the course.
- Working with the Course Director, members of the course team and the Students' Union to enhance your course.
- Facilitating and engaging in meetings about your course; and
- Being an ambassador for your course.
Further information about being a Course Representative is available at:
We invite all students to participate in a range of opportunities to provide us with feedback on your course and modules. This may include discussions with staff, focus groups, and meetings (e.g. with Course Representatives or with staff) and formalised student surveys e.g. mid module reviews, end of module evaluations and specific course or other surveys such as the Student Barometer, National Student Survey and the Graduate Outcomes Survey.
We are committed to providing a high quality experience for all our students. We welcome comments and compliments from students, and find them valuable for on-going improvements to our provision. Comments and compliments about your course can be raised with your Course Representative or directly with your Course Director or Academic Advisor.
If you have a specific complaint about an act or omission of our University, you may be able to make a complaint under the Student Complaints Procedure. In the first instance, you should raise the matter as soon as possible with the member of staff most directly concerned, or with the person who can best resolve it. If this does not resolve the matter, or if the complaint is too serious to be addressed in this way, then you should make a formal complaint in writing. Information about how to make a complaint, including the student complaints procedure and a complaints form, is available on the Students web pages.
General Information
BA Journalism
Diploma of Higher Education Journalism
Certificate of Higher Education Journalism
Leeds Beckett University
Some examinations may take place at Headingley Campus.
Course fees and additional course costs are confirmed in your offer letter. Course fees are presented to you annually through the online enrolment process. Please visit our Course and Tuition Fees Payment web pages for further information. Ongoing queries relating to additional course costs may be discussed with your Course Administrator.
Alternatively, you can contact any of the following teams:
For Student Finance related fee queries: studentfunding@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Other fee related queries: fees@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Payments: incomes@leedsbeckett.ac.uk
Policies, Standards & Regulations
Key University regulations and policies can be accessed on the following web pages:
- Academic Regulations (including assessment regulations) are available on our Academic Regulations web page
- The Student Contract is available on our Student Regulations web page
- The Student Charter is available on our Academic Regulations web page (Section 20)
Other Student regulations and University policies, including Safety, Health and Wellbeing policies, are available on our Student Regulations web page
You should also familiarise yourself with Support Report Respect where students and colleagues who are victims of any form of bullying, harassment or sexual misconduct, can access support, advice and guidance.
For advice on University regulations and policies, students should contact the Students' Union Advice Service.
There are no additional or non-standard regulations which relate to your course.
Our course is accredited by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) and receives accreditation from the Professional Publishers Association (PPA). Our BJTC accreditation requires that all students must pass Media Law modules at 40% or more to proceed to the next level, take part in 15 newsdays at each level, and complete 15 days of work experience.
The External Examiner assures that you are assessed fairly in relation to other students on the same course and also that the standard of your own award is comparable to similar courses taken by students in other higher education institutions within the UK. The External Examiner(s) provide an annual report for your course. External Examiner reports are available on our External Examiner Reports web page, which is accessible via the Course Information link on the Students home page.
The details of the External Examiner for this course are as follows:
Roger Domenghetti, PhD
Assistant Professor
Northumbria University
Mike Baker
Senior Lecturer
Plymouth Marjon University
Sarah Drummond
Lecturer
Newcastle University
Appendices
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