BA in Journalism
Overview
The BA in Journalism at the University of Kurdistan Hewlêr (UKH) equips students with the knowledge, practical skills, and professional competencies required to succeed in today’s rapidly changing media landscape. The programme combines the study of journalism, media, communication, and public affairs with extensive practical training in reporting, multimedia production, digital storytelling, and investigative journalism.
Students develop expertise in gathering, verifying, analysing, and presenting information across a range of media platforms while gaining a strong understanding of media ethics, law, and professional standards. Through newsroom-based learning, industry engagement, and a compulsory internship, students acquire valuable workplace experience and build a professional portfolio that demonstrates their readiness for employment.
Graduates of the programme are well prepared for careers in journalism, broadcasting, digital media, strategic communication, public relations, content creation, and other communication-related professions in the Kurdistan Region, Iraq, and beyond.
Admission Requirements
- High School Diploma: High school certificate with a general high school score of 60% or above.
- English Language Proficiency: Minimum English Language requirement is 45 in PTE, 5.5 in IELTS, 64 in ibt-TOEFL or 95 in Duolingo.
- School Interview.
- Equalised transcript for Public universities is required for students who have graduated from international institutions.
- Application Form: Online application is required.
- Official transcripts: Provide a copy of your official transcript (for applicants who graduated from international institutions, an equalized transcript is required).
- Certification Letter from High School: Provide an official letter from your High School Confirming your High School Average.
- A copy of your Passport/ID
Curriculum
| Module Code | Level (FHEQ) | Module Title | Credits |
| UG1 | 4 | Introduction to Journalism | 15 |
| 4 | News Writing and Reporting I | 15 | |
| 4 | Media, Society and Communication | 15 | |
| 4 | Digital Literacy for Journalists | 15 | |
| 4 | Academic Writing and Research Skills | 15 | |
| 4 | Introduction to Politics and Public Affairs | 15 | |
| 4 | Media Ethics Fundamentals | 15 | |
| 4 | Visual Communication Basics | 15 | |
| UG2 | 5 | News Reporting and Writing II | 15 |
| 5 | Multimedia Journalism | 15 | |
| 5 | Broadcast Journalism (Radio & TV) | 15 | |
| 5 | Media Law and Ethics | 15 | |
| 5 | Feature Writing | 15 | |
| 5 | Data Journalism Introduction | 15 | |
| 5 | Journalism Research Methods | 15 | |
| 5 | Photojournalism | 15 | |
| UG3 | 6 | Investigative Journalism | 15 |
| 6 | Digital Media Production | 15 | |
| 6 | Mobile Journalism | 15 | |
| 6 | Global Media Systems
|
15 | |
| 6 | Journalism Entrepreneurship | 15 | |
| 6 | Audience Engagement & Social Media Strategy | 15 | |
| 6 | Internship / Industry Placement | 15 | |
| 6 | Elective Modules (e.g. Sports Journalism, Political Journalism, Documentary Production) | 15 | |
| UG4 | 6 | Advanced Investigative Reporting | 15 |
| 6 | Media Leadership & Editorial Management | 15 | |
| 6 | Journalism Innovation & AI in Media | 15 | |
| 6 | Media Ethics and Public Responsibility | 15 | |
| 6 | Final Year Project / Dissertation | 15 | |
| 6 | Capstone Multimedia Journalism Project | 15 | |
| 6 | Media Entrepreneurship Lab | 15 | |
| 6 | Professional portfolio ready for employment | 15 | |
International Schools Requirements
American System
GPA: 2.0 and SAT I: 800
British System
5 IGCSE Literary Subjects; 2 A-Level / Full A Level or 1 A-Level + 1 AS-Level (Pass all modules)
International Baccalaureate (IB)
1 High Level (HL) + 1 Standard Level (SL) Both HL and SL must be literary subjects
Skills Development
The BA Journalism programme prepares graduates to work in a rapidly evolving media ecosystem characterised by digital transformation, multimedia storytelling, data journalism, and ethical challenges in information dissemination.
The programme responds to:
- Growing demand for professional journalism education in the Kurdistan Region and Iraq
- Expansion of digital media industries
- Need for ethical, independent, and socially responsible journalism
- Regional capacity building in media literacy and public communication
Special features of the programme include:
- Strong Industry Engagement: The programme is developed and delivered in collaboration with media industry partners, ensuring that curriculum content reflects contemporary journalism practice, emerging technologies, and employer expectations.
- Integration of Theory and Practice: Students combine academic study of journalism, media, communication, ethics, and public affairs with extensive practical training in reporting, multimedia production, and storytelling.
- Built-in Industry Internship: A compulsory internship provides students with direct experience in professional media environments, enabling them to apply their learning, develop workplace skills, and build professional networks.
- International Mobility Opportunities: Students may participate in international exchange and mobility programmes, gaining exposure to global journalism practices and diverse media environments.
- Authentic Assessment: Assessment is based on real-world journalistic tasks, including news reports, multimedia projects, investigations, broadcasts, presentations, and professional portfolios, rather than relying primarily on traditional examinations.
- Professional Portfolio Ready for Employment: Students graduate with a professional portfolio demonstrating their journalistic competencies, practical skills, industry experience, professional performance, and readiness for employment in the media and communications sectors.