Do you have a passion for music that you want to share with the world? Solent University’s music journalism programme can help you to develop the writing, broadcasting and media skills you’ll need to succeed as a professional journalist working in the music business.
Solent University’s Journalism, Publishing and Public Relations subject area was ranked 17th in the Guardian University League Tables 2019.
Students will hone their skills and begin to build a portfolio of published work by writing for Audio Addict, the University’s in-house music magazine. The magazine is professionally printed and distributed, and is enjoyed by an audience of over 40,000 people. Students are also encouraged to set up their own publications. Past students have launched the hugely successful national platform Noise Canon as well as the punk and hardcore digi-mag New Roots.
Past music journalism students have taken a leading role in SMILEfest, interviewing guests, reviewing live shows and putting together event programmes and press releases for the attention of national music publications.
Popular music journalism students have also benefitted from a range of guest speakers including: live events assistant from BBC Radio 1 and 1xtra, Mel Lewis; NME features editor, Laura Snapes; Libertines drummer, Gary Powell; label manager, Wayne Clarke; Mute Records’ head of press, Zoe Miller; tour manager, Tre Stead; Independent columnist, Fiona Sturges; Monkeytown Records recording artist and producer, Alex Banks; Radio 1 DJ, Danny Howard; legendary drum & bass DJ, Fabio; and CEO of The Association for Electronic Music, Mark Lawrence.
What does this course lead to?
Course graduates have found positions in prominent music journalism magazines and websites, including DJ, Drowned in Sound, Art Rocker and Loaded.
Other graduates have found roles such as: junior music campaign officer, radio presenter, music producer or online marketing assistant and content creator at organisations like Sunday Best Records, Wilful Publicity, Reprezent Radio, Vanilla Underground and D&G Media.
Who is this course for?
This BA (Hons) Popular Music Journalism programme is tuned for those who want to pursue a career in journalism with a specific skew towards the music industry. Students study popular music theory as well as a range of essential journalistic skills that could be applied to any area of journalism.