Department of Journalism, City, University of London

Department of Journalism, City, University of London
Name	Department of Journalism, City, University of London
Established	1976
Type	Department
Parent	City, University of London
City	London
Country	England

Department of Journalism, City, University of London is an academic department within City, University of London offering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in reporting, multimedia, and investigative journalism. The department has been associated with professional accreditation from bodies such as the National Council for the Training of Journalists, collaborations with media organisations including the BBC, Reuters, and The Guardian, and research links to institutions like the Economic and Social Research Council and the Arts and Humanities Research Council. Its alumni and staff have held positions at outlets such as The Times, Financial Times, Channel 4, ITN, and Sky News.

History

The department traces roots to vocational training initiatives in the 1970s at City, University of London and expanded through the 1980s amid changes influenced by the Leveson Inquiry era debates and the rise of digital platforms including YouTube and Twitter. During the 1990s and 2000s it developed vocational links with organisations such as Thomson Reuters, Associated Press, and BBC News while engaging with policy debates involving the Office of Communications and the Press Complaints Commission. The department's curriculum evolved alongside landmark media events like the Hillsborough disaster, the Iraq War, and the coverage of the 2012 London Olympics, responding to shifts initiated by regulatory changes such as the Communications Act 2003.

Academic programmes

The department offers undergraduate degrees comparable to programmes at University of Westminster and Goldsmiths, University of London, alongside postgraduate courses similar to those at Columbia University's Graduate School of Journalism, City University of New York, and University of Southern California's Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism. Programmes include practical modules reflecting professional standards from the National Council for the Training of Journalists and placements with organisations like The Independent, Daily Mail, and Daily Telegraph. Short courses and executive education attract professionals from Ofcom, Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism, and broadcasters including BBC World Service and Al Jazeera English.

Research and centres

Research clusters align with comparative units such as the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism and the Centre for Media Pluralism and Media Freedom, examining topics linked to institutions like the European Commission, UNESCO, and the Council of Europe. Faculty have published alongside scholars from Oxford University, Cambridge University, King's College London, and London School of Economics on subjects including media ethics after the Phone hacking scandal, misinformation tied to events like the 2016 United Kingdom European Union membership referendum, and investigative reporting exemplified by collaborations similar to International Consortium of Investigative Journalists. Research centres within the department collaborate with external partners such as the Joseph Rowntree Foundation and the Open Society Foundations.

Facilities and resources

Teaching facilities include newsrooms and multimedia labs equipped for broadcast practice comparable to those at BBC Broadcasting House and techniques used by organisations such as Sky plc and ITV plc. Students access industry-standard hardware and software used by teams at Reuters, Associated Press, and Bloomberg L.P., and make use of archives and databases maintained in partnership with institutions like the British Library, National Archives, and Press Association. Guest lectures and masterclasses feature professionals from outlets including Channel 4 News, The Economist, New Statesman, and Time magazine.

Industry links and student media

Strong placement and internship links mirror partnerships formed between Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism fellows and newsrooms such as The Guardian, Financial Times, Daily Mirror, and global broadcasters including CNN, Al Jazeera, and Deutsche Welle. Student-run outlets and societies produce journalism in formats inspired by publications like Metro (British newspaper), podcasts in the style of Serial (podcast), and multimedia investigations comparable to collaborations of the Bureau of Investigative Journalism. Careers support connects students with employers such as PR Newswire, Edelman (agency), and Deloitte media teams.

Notable staff and alumni

Staff and visiting fellows have included former professionals from organisations such as BBC Newsnight, Channel 4 Dispatches, ITN, Sky News, and the Press Association, and academics formerly affiliated with King's College London and the University of Westminster. Alumni have gone on to roles at outlets including The Guardian, Daily Telegraph, The Times, Financial Times, The Independent, Channel 4, ITV, Sky News, Reuters, Bloomberg L.P., BBC, Al Jazeera, and CNN, and have won awards such as the Pulitzer Prize, British Journalism Awards, and Royal Television Society Awards.

Category:City, University of London Category:Journalism schools in the United Kingdom