Sports Media

This 2-year programme will equip students with the knowledge and skills for a career or further study in the ever-expanding industry of sports media. The course will cover core media production skills as well an introduction to journalism in the context of the sports media industry. This new two-year programme is the first of its kind in Northern Ireland and will include core modules in media production techniques such as camera operation, audio recording and video editing, as well as modules on Live Sports and eSports Broadcast Production, Photojournalism, Sports Journalism, the Sports Broadcast Industry, and more.

You will work on live projects and multi-camera productions with the college's Foundation Degree Journalism and Documentary students, including playing a key role in our Met News and Sport TV show. The course will also focus on emerging technologies in sports broadcasting, including virtual production techniques.

Led by lecturers with media and journalism experience, you will produce sports media content via field trips and our fully operational television studio where you will have an opportunity to work as a presenter, director, producer, floor manager, camera operator, sound assistants, or vision mixer. In the most recent academic year our Sports Journalism students have taken part in regular field trips to sporting events, including several visits to Irish League Football games, where they have recorded match coverage and interviewed players, coaches, and management from both the home and away teams.

This course will allow access to our state-of-the-art studio facilities and the use of professional lighting, camera and sound equipment including Canon XFs, Canon C300s, Sony FS7s, Blackmagic Ursa Minis and BMPCC4Ks, Aputure and Nanlite lighting, as well as Rode, Zoom and Seinnheiser sound equipment.

Please note, this programme of study is likely to include enrichment units which are an additional component to enhance your employability. We aim to include a range of methods of delivery that may include:

Lectures Seminars Workshops Tutorials Blended learning including online lectures and workshops Presentations and pitches Team working Independent learning Visiting industry professionals Live Events, Field Trips and Networking Opportunities

Key Areas of Study: Journalism Practices Emerging Technologies Camera Operation and Sound Recording Multi-Camera Studio Productions Video Editing Vision Mixing Writing and Delivering News Reports Podcasting Sports Reporting for Print Media The Sports Media Industry

The proposed course is designed to be applicable to a wide range of industry employers including traditional broadcasters, online and print media, social media, and streaming platforms as well as the increasing deployment of media content within sporting organisations and governing bodies.

Recent graduates of our existing media and journalism courses have been employed by both independent film companies and national broadcasters. Notable graduates of our courses include Eamon Holmes, Katie Andrews, Paul Reilly, and Shannon Hamill (all UTV), Claire Graham (BBC), Rebecca Black (Belfast Telegraph), Amanda Ferguson (Irish Times).

Graduates have also continued their education, by enrolling in top-up degrees offered by a range of universities in the UK. These allow students who graduate from a 2-year Higher Education course to go on to complete just one more year to gain a full undergraduate degree.

Ready to take your career to the next level in Sports Media? Explore the links below to learn more about our validated awards and regulations:

OU Handbooks and Regulations can be found under the Higher Education section of our public documents.

Please read our Terms and Conditions before applying for or enrolling on any of our courses.