University of Gloucestershire

Journalism and Communications (Top-Up) (Hons) is a practical BA honours degree designed for students who already hold a foundation degree, HND or Diploma of Higher Education and want to build to full honours level.

You’ll develop reporting, content creation and PR/communications skills through studio-based learning, industry-style projects and a placement (or placements) with media and communications organisations.

• Award: BA (Hons) Journalism and Communications (Top-Up)
• Entry route: Top-up for students with a foundation degree, HND or Diploma of Higher Education
• Delivery: Lectures, seminars, workshops and one-to-one tutorials
• Assessment: Practical projects, written coursework, essays and a portfolio
• Industry experience: Work placement (or series of placements)
• Learning environment: Studio and teaching spaces using current digital tools for multi-platform content
• Language of instruction: English
• Start dates / application deadlines: Check the programme website for the latest intake information

Programme Structure

The top-up year builds on your existing higher education study and develops honours-level skills in journalism, communications and content production.

• Ethics, Censorship and Regulation

  Apply ethical frameworks and understand the legal and regulatory context for journalism and communications.

• Media Communications and PR

  Develop communications planning, messaging and PR practice for real-world campaigns.

• Journalism Trends and Innovation

  Explore emerging formats, digital storytelling approaches and innovation in news and content industries.

• Creating Content: Major Journalism Project

  Produce a substantial journalism-led project, demonstrating research, production and editorial decision-making.

• Creating Content: Becoming a Specialist

  Focus on developing a specialist skill set and producing content aligned to a chosen professional direction.

Placement: You will complete a work placement (or series of placements) in an industry setting to connect your learning to professional practice.

Portfolio: Your assessed work culminates in a portfolio that demonstrates your skills across journalism and communications.

Work Permits

Check for any work restrictions

After completing your studies, you may be eligible to apply for a post-study work route, depending on the country you study in and the type of visa you hold during your course.

Important: Work rights and eligibility rules can change. Always confirm the latest requirements with the relevant immigration authority and your university’s international student team.

• Eligibility: Typically requires that you have successfully completed your programme and hold the correct student visa status during your studies.

• Duration: Post-study work permissions are usually granted for a limited period and may depend on your qualification level and the length of your course.

• Conditions: You may need to apply within a set timeframe after graduation and meet any ongoing residence/immigration conditions.

• Country-specific rules: If you are studying in the UK, for example, post-study work options are governed by UK immigration rules and may depend on your course level and completion status.

For the most accurate guidance for your situation, review the programme website and speak to the university’s international advice service.