Writing and Communications - Solent University
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Writing and Communications
Writing
\ ˈrī-tiŋ \ noun
1 the act or process of one who writes: such as a the act
or art of forming visible letters or characters; specifically:
handwriting b the act or practice of literary or musical
composition 2 something written: such as a letters or
characters that serve as visible signs of ideas, words, or
symbols b a letter, note, or notice used to communicate
or record c a written composition d inscription 3 a style
or form of composition 4 the occupation of a writer;
especially : the profession of authorship
Communications
\ kə-ˌmyü-nə-ˈkā-shəns \ noun
1 the imparting or exchanging of information, signals,
or messages as by speaking, gestures, or writing
2 communications plural in form but singular or
plural in construction a a technique for expressing
ideas effectively (as in speech) b the technology of
the transmission of information (as by print, web, or
telecommunication) 3 an act or instance of transmitting
You can communicate and create.
Your writing is excellent and you have
a story to tell.
You’re itching to hone your craft, get out
there and make writing your career.
_
It’s a great move. There’s a plethora of You’ll develop a solid understanding of the
opportunities in writing and communications, way organisations build their brand and
and our industry-focused courses will communicate with the public, putting you
make you highly employable in this ahead in the multidisciplinary world of
stimulating sector. advertising, public relations and marketing.
And we’ll help you to sell your own work,
Nail your narrative, develop your critical so you can set yourself up as a freelancer.
awareness and build on your creative flair
through our hugely popular English with creative You’ll use industry-standard facilities in
writing degree – number 1 in the UK and scored a friendly, highly skilled and dynamic learning
100% overall satisfaction in the latest National environment. Our team is rich in academics
Student Survey. and industry experts. Our reputation and
networks draw guest speakers from the
We’ll add realism to your writing and top of their professions. Recent speakers
communications ambitions, ensuring your have included former Kerrang! editor
energies are channeled into unrivalled James McMahon, and professionals from
opportunities, keeping you focused on your Work-Club, Saatchi and Saatchi, and AKQA.
future. You’ll get to work on live briefs with You’ll get to work on live projects with the
real-world clients, blending business acumen UK’s top creative firms and agencies.
with industry-ready skills and your own We also offer international study trips
cool creativity. and opportunities to study abroad.
NORWICH
CARDIFF
2 BIRMINGHAM
LONDON
SOUTHAMPTON
Why
P LY M O U T H
_ Southampton
_
£1.6 billion
of new city
investment
committed
or under way
_
180+ pubs,
bars and
Southampton is a thriving nightclubs
dockland city with a rich
heritage, renowned for its
culture, music and sport.
_
Southampton has a thriving
The home of music scene, ranging from
world-famous emerging bands to live DJs,
Premier stadium acts and festivals.
League team Music journalists flock to
Southampton The Joiners, voted the UK’s
FC top small venue for live music
by the NME. Whatever you
like to listen to, there’s a home
for it in Southammpton.
It’s a great place for writers,
hosting an annual poetry
and spoken word festival and
enjoying the buzz of Premier
League football, international
cricket and world-class sailing.
_
International
_
cricket at
Over 46,000 Hampshire
students, with County Cricket
a population of Club’s home
over 250,000 ground
Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 3
_
_
Perfectly placed
Media companies thrive in Southampton for access to
our region. We have great is the cruise locations across
relationships with Ericcson, capital of the the south:
Arquiva and the BBC. Big name UK and home Bournemouth,
advertising, marketing and PR to one of the Portsmouth
firms based in the area include UK’s biggest and the New
Lawtons, Carswell Gould and boat shows. Forest
MediaQuest. B&Q, Carnival
and Old Mutual Wealth also
have specialist PR departments.
_
Less than two
hours from
London by train
_
Features one
of the UK’s
top shopping
centres
Southampton is the home of
NewsQuest, a prolific media
group with many newspaper
and magazine titles.
_
300+ acres
of managed
woodland and
_
open space at
Southampton Five city-centre
Common parks right
on Solent’s
doorstep
The city boasts top theatres
and cinemas, including the
luxurious new Showcase,
as well as a diverse and buzzy
Cultural Quarter for the arts.
4 Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk
Charlotte
Holmes
_
BA (Hons) Marketing
_
Student
Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 5
Briefly describe a typical Best and worst bits How is Solent helping you
day on your course. of the course? prepare for a career?
I live outside the city so My timetable allows me to When I applied for university,
commuting takes time – make time for extracurricular I was still uncertain what path
on a normal day I will arrive subjects and societies, I would choose, and even
to my first lecture/seminar alongside spending time in had my applications for
with breakfast in hand. I find the city with friends. The city apprenticeships all lined up
that using my laptop for boasts so many sights and – I am the type of person who
notes is helpful as I can follow activities to keep students busy. engages better in a practical
the lecturer’s presentation environment. Solent Creatives
notes online. Many of the lecturers that really helped me make the
teach on the course are decision – with the opportunity
Depending on the week’s industry professionals – it has to work on live client briefs
workload, I will often use free been great to hear about their I was able to test my own
periods for catching up on careers, and their guidance abilities and put theory into
assignments and meeting for has been invaluable for gaining practice. The units during
group projects – the University contacts and building up a the marketing course allow
has great resource centres platform for myself. me to be graded upon these
that remain open late into the experiences, providing me with
evening, so working up to the The workload in the final year the power to tailor the degree
deadline is not as stressful as is quite intimidating – the around my own learning style
it could be! first few weeks have been and preferences.
very intense. But already
my lecturers have been very Solent highlight so far?
reassuring. The highlight of my time at
Solent was being part of a
What has surprised you digital fundraising campaign
about the course? which was successful in raising
Keeping in contact with tutors £1,000. Our team created the
has been so easy – emails are campaign ‘Paws4Bagdad’ from
responded to very quickly scratch, forming a brand image
and one-to-one meetings are and concept, and reaching
accommodated, providing time an audience.
for feedback and support.
What is marketing?
Marketing is the study of
consumer needs and the
approach to business activity
that aids successful sales.
“This course is for you if you have
an interest in the relationship
between business and the consumer.
You will gain an understanding of
the influences that affect a sale and
a knowledge of how businesses adapt
to meet the needs of their market.”
Image courtesy of Une Herzer DOP @lighthackers.com
How did university prepare
you for your career?
This course provided me
with an excellent foundation
to build on at the start of
my journalism career by
helping me to make a confident
and impressive transition into
a real newsroom environment.
My current position at Sky
is one of the most diverse
in the newsroom: not only
do I produce, but I also report
and present. Being able
to combine all of these
roles is also thanks to the
excellent tuition I received
in these areas to prepare
me for my career.
Favourite Solent memory?
My favourite Solent memory
was in my final year of the
course. At this stage, all the
Angela
skills had come together
and we were all tasked with
producing and reporting
a piece of content under
Barnes
a deadline for a live evening
news bulletin.
I found a story I wanted
_
to cover with Stop The
War Coalition in London
and travelled to interview
protesters outside Downing
Street and film my story.
BA (Hons) Journalism I remember self-shooting
See MA Journalism and Multimedia my own piece-to-camera
and really enjoyed being
Communications
_ on a breaking news story
that other news outlets were
Graduated 2008 there covering. I returned
_ to university with all my
footage and really enjoyed
Sky News Reporter, the process of putting it
all together and getting it
Producer and Presenter ready for the news bulletin
with the rest of the team.
Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 7
Tell us a little about your I work with a cameraman What is journalism?
career story so far. on location, advising of the Journalism is delivering the
During my final year at footage we need – we work news fairly, succinctly and as
university, I started freelance together to capture the story. accessibly as one possibly can.
writing for the business section Afterwards, back at our main
of the Daily Echo, gaining studio in London, I then watch What tips would you give
weekly by-lines. In my third through the footage, write to someone wanting a career
year, I also gained freelance up my report and work with in your industry?
work at the Evening Standard an editor to get it ready for I would advise lots of work
newspaper, achieving my first broadcast. experience – this often leads
national front page by-line to your first job, as it did
on a mayoral election Most recently, I was in Paris, for me. Impress during your
campaign story. reporting on how it is trying to placements and always have
draw tech talent over from the ideas, be creative, be confident
Upon graduation, I was UK post-Brexit. and be proactive!
accepted onto Sky News’
internship programme, a very I love the freedom we get to be Make the most of the
competitive placement to get, creative and enjoy working on University’s facilities when you
which lasted three weeks. After something to fit all the different are there; film, shoot and edit
impressing them, I was offered platforms we consume now. original reports, and practise in
a full-time position at Channel Every day I work with a really the studio with the kit available;
5 News, which was then part encouraging, supportive team build a portfolio of work when
of Sky. I worked there for a and get to meet interesting you have the expertise and
year as an online producer and people with fascinating stories tools, to help set you on your
TV reporter. After that, I took to tell. path.
a staff position at Sky News
where I now work – and love What’s your career highlight Apply for placements and start
my job! so far? freelancing as soon as possible
Presenting a programme for the – find out who books freelance
Tell us about what you are first time on one of the best journalists at different media
doing now. international news channels organisations, send them your
Every day at work is different, was a career highlight for me. CV and links to your work,
thanks to the variety of skills I and persist.
have – I go between producing, I also really enjoyed working on
reporting and presenting. a special report from Iceland, Also, keep any public social
which I also implemented media accounts professional –
One of the programmes and executed – a 30-minute you never know who looks
I occasionally host and show where we explored the at them!
regularly report on is called impact of another ash cloud
Swipe, Sky News’ weekly crisis, working with a team
flagship technology show. I’m of scientists on one of the
tasked with coming up with country’s most active and “This course is for you
programme ideas, planning and dangerous volcanoes.
executing them. I often travel if you want an excellent
around Europe with the show, I delivered a piece-to-camera
reporting on interesting stories for TV standing in the crater up-to-date range of core
on TV and, to accompany my of the glacier covering Katla –
reports, writing an article for the volcano on the watch list! journalistic skills which
online or producing a version Definitely a career highlight!
for mobile, Snapchat, Facebook can be applied to the
and On Demand, catering to
the different platforms. different media.”
8 Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk
Jake
Briefly describe a typical day
on your course.
Lectures and seminar times
Tansley
vary from day to day but
usually come in blocks. Having
back-to-back contact hours
gives us the chance to discuss
_
in seminars (where there are
a lot of group discussions and
high amounts of guidance from
the lecturers) the topics that
were brought up in our lectures,
where the lecturer gives you
BA (Hons) Marketing with Sport all the information you need
_ to know about a given point
in the topic.
Student
If our contact hours run over
lunchtime, then we get an hour
off, which is great to go and get
some lunch at the cafe in the
Spark with your course mates,
or to get some work done in the
library as around 50 per cent
of the coursework is done in a
group. This means it is easier to
get to know everyone on your
course a lot quicker.Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 9
“This course is for you if you want a good understanding of business
and marketing in the sporting environment, before heading out
into the industry. If you want to progress further into education,
then Solent is a great place to start as well, offering lots of different
variations on the same study path.”
Best and worst bits of the What has surprised you How is Solent helping you
course? about the course? prepare for a career?
The best part about the course Honestly, what surprised me For the second year of the
is the content itself. It is clear the most was how much I love course I was able to choose an
that the course leaders really marketing! I have always been option for one of my modules.
thought about what we would into sports and focused on the Solent offers a Curriculum
need to know in real-world more practical side of it, not Plus module where you can
situations – and also what really knowing what marketing choose to learn a language.
we would find interesting – was even about. I took a With my ambition to do a
when they were designing this gamble with going into sport master’s degree in some
course. Having great lecturers marketing and it really paid off aspect of Chinese business/
delivering the course to us for me. The sport to marketing marketing, the language option
helps as well. It is not the same ratio is balanced brilliantly gave me the opportunity to
as school where the teachers and if you like both of those start to learn Mandarin in the
may not be taking a class that subjects, then I doubt you will coming year. The marketing
they really love. The lecturers find this course uninteresting. department also offers tuition
show a true passion for what for CIM qualification and, with
they are teaching. Solent highlight so far? the high price of education
Although the course is brilliant, these days, the University
You really have to be prepared Solent University is about more may be able to offer bursaries
to govern your own learning than just academics. Solent for certain modules as well
and come up with your own offers a wide range of clubs (I’m still working on it).
motivation. At school, if you and societies to join and I play
aren’t finishing your work then for the University rugby team. In one sentence, what is your
you get punished and made Having a different dimension area of study to you?
to finish it. At university, you to university life has allowed Sport marketing is fun,
can go out seven nights a week me to make some great friends. fascinating and a great area
and turn up to two lectures; And not only that, but playing to start a blossoming career.
your lecturer will have a word rugby week in and week out
with you, but ultimately if to win the league with them
you aren’t prepared to put the and be promoted is beyond
effort in then you will just fail description.
and not be able to continue
with the course.Hollie
Ward
_
BA (Hons) English
See BA (Hons) English
and Creative Writing
_
Graduated 2017
_
Marketing and
Communications
Assistant,
Radian Group
“This course is
for you if you love
reading! Also, if you
want lecturers who
are really passionate
about their subject.”Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 11
How did university prepare It’s a fantastic concept, and the writer in residence for
you for your career? really linked into my degree. Southampton Libraries. We
By giving me a whole range of I am supporting the festival had a great initial meeting,
opportunities to work and gain again this year, helping to where we brought together
skills. In my first two years, rebrand the event, as well our different experiences and
I acted as course representative, as creating its website, and areas of expertise to come up
which mostly meant going to marketing the different sessions with sessions themed to either
meetings and helping to make via social media. This also Wicked: The Musical or The
decisions about the future of linked closely with my work Wizard of Oz for learners aged
the course, as well as giving for ArtfulScribe, supporting 4-14, and then got the chance
feedback about how the with the delivery of events to travel all over Hampshire
students were feeling about life such as poetry slams, writing and Dorset delivering these
at Solent. In my second year, workshops and showcases in sessions. The students got to do
the English team came up with the local community. everything from storytelling to
the Quill Society, and I was drama, crafts and finally creative
elected as president. This was I decided to try out events writing. Their pieces were then
all about making contacts in management on a larger scale submitted to the Mayflower, and
industry and allowing students and did this by working at the best displayed in the theatre
to network. Solent as a graduate intern during performances of Wicked.
events assistant for one year.
Favourite Solent memory? This was a fantastic experience It was great to be so actively
I got tweeted by John Green! for me. I got to work with involved with this project, going
I wrote an article, applying people like Ed Miliband MP and into schools and working with
Roland Barthes’ ‘death of the the Princess Royal, organising children who had never been to
author’ theory to The Fault events like campus launches a theatre, or never heard of The
in Our Stars. This was part of and public lectures. I then Wizard of Oz, and seeing what
the publishing unit that you changed role and became a they could figure out about the
do in your second year of communications assistant story with the resources we
English at Solent. I was writing within the same team, gave them. When they were
for OntheScene, a student supporting with everything asked to explain what they
magazine in Southampton, from internal communications thought the plot of Wicked
and shared the article on to alumni events. The staff might be, they came up with
Twitter. Next thing I know, at Solent are amazing, and ideas that were better than
John Green had read it and incredibly supportive. I would the actual script! I really hope
responded! My article got over highly recommend the graduate that they get to come and see
1,000 views! It was wonderful internship programme for any the show, because it’s truly
and crazy. Solent graduates. inspiring.
Tell us a little about your My current role as a marketing What tips would you give to
career story so far and communications assistant someone wanting a career in
When I started at Solent, for Radian Group involves your industry?
teaching really interested everything from branding to You’ve picked a fantastic
me. So I decided to get more social media and stakeholder subject. It’s so versatile, and
classroom experience and engagement. It’s great to be valuable to any sector. Just take
started working as a student doing something completely advantage of the opportunities
ambassador. I have picked up different, as most of my work that people are giving you now
a lot of freelance work along experience relates to education. – make sure your voice gets
the way, including events heard and that people know
management, teaching and What’s your career highlight who you are/what you can do.
photography. so far? Pick up all of the experience
Working on the Wicked- that you can, listen to the
Immediately after graduating, themed outreach project feedback people give you and
I worked for Southampton with the Mayflower Theatre. don’t ever be afraid to ask
Festivals, writing all of the copy I co-facilitated the sessions questions!
for the SO: To Speak Festival. with Nazneen Ahmed,12 Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk
S olent students and We have a multi-
graduates have won million-pound media
awards from YCN, complex, including
D&AD and other a fully equipped
creative organisations. newsroom.
Why writing and
communications
_
Fourth in the sector for Sales of books and
number of graduate journals reached a record
start-ups – our fourth £4.8 billion in 2016, after
top-ten year in a row. a 7 per cent year-on-year
(HE-BCI 2018/19) increase – the biggest in
a decade. (The Publishers
Association 2017)
Many courses are
professionally accredited
or recognised.
There are real-world work Southampton is ranked
experience opportunities 12th out of 25 regional
at our in-house creative creative locations.
agency, video production (Southampton City Council
company and more. 2017 / 2018 The Facts
Campaign)Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 13
The creative industries Our advertising-based Publishing is estimated
continue to grow and courses also offer the to have accounted for
are estimated to employ chance to visit London- 193,000 jobs in the UK
over 1.8 million people based creative agencies creative economy in
in the UK, an increase of such as D&AD, Young 2016, almost 10 per cent
5.5 per cent since 2013. Creative Network (YCN) of UK creative industries
(Department for Culture, and the Institute employment. (Creative
Media & Sport, 2015) of Direct and Digital Industries 2016)
Marketing (IDM).
Thanks to our close BA (Hons) English and
links with industry, Creative Writing is ranked
many of our writing number 1 in the UK and
and communications scored 100% overall
courses also offer satisfaction (National
the opportunity to Student Survey 2020)
take part in live
briefs set by industry
professionals. This
enables you to solve real
problems and come up
with creative solutions.
Work experience is a core
element of all our writing
and communications Throughout your studies you
courses. During the will have the opportunity to
second and third years of benefit from guest lectures,
study you will have the learning valuable industry
opportunity to undertake insight. Recent speakers have
a work placement year. included James McMahon
You will also be supported (former editor of Kerrang!)
and encouraged to gain and representatives from
work experience during companies such as Work-
your summer break to Club, Saatchi and Saatchi,
develop your skills and AKQA and more.
knowledge further.
Our in-house agency, Solent Creatives, gives The Students’ Union
you the chance to work on one-off assignments Solent Sparks Society,
and briefs, making you more experienced, in partnership with the
connected and employable. National Association of
College and University
Entrepreneurs, offers
entrepreneurship-focused
activities, networking,
practical help, events
and guest speakers.Joshua Jones _ BA (Hons) English and Media See See BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing _ Graduated 2018
Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 15
Briefly describe a typical day on your course.
“This course is for you if you value independence and individuality.”
There was a lot of reading and discussion: you are encouraged to
share your views, no matter how outlandish or far-fetched you may
think they are. You are encouraged to push yourself and to learn
new ways of reading literature, and typically discuss topics such as
feminism, sexuality and existentialism, to name a few.
Best and worst bits of the course?
The level of freedom is a blessing and a curse, depending on
the kind of worker you are. For me, I thrive on the level of
independence, but I am also a very last-minute worker. It can be
difficult to motivate yourself, but there was a lot of time outside
of the classroom to dedicate to reading and research, and also to
pursue projects outside of university.
What has surprised you about the course?
I’ve always had a deep dislike of Shakespeare since secondary
school. I believe that schools don’t teach Shakespeare efficiently
enough, to say the least, and I wasn’t expecting anything different.
Now, I have an awakened appreciation of him as I never saw
myself enjoying Shakespeare’s work. I’ve since learned to read
and study literature outside of predisposed bias and prejudice.
On the media side of the course I learned that I love recording
and designing sound, and about various ways to practise and
experiment with that.
Solent highlight so far?
Putting together On The Water through Solent Creatives, an
anthology of poetry, prose and everything in between. I loved
the entire process and I discovered I had a passion for publishing.
How is Solent helping you prepare for a career?
My course helped me gain confidence and find my voice, think
differently and experiment in terms of creative writing and
expression. I’m a spoken-word poet and I like to perform and
publish poetry. The course encouraged me to do that.
On the media side of the course I learned how to use software
like InDesign (which I have used to create zines), and developed
my skills in Photoshop, Premiere Pro and Lightroom. Media courses
at Solent are very practical and hands-on. I believe the radio and
photography studios and all the equipment (which can also be hired
out for personal use) are really taken for granted: you won’t be able
to use the work spaces and equipment once you’ve graduated.
In one sentence, what is your area of study to you?
A platform for artistic and creative expression to gain confidence
and fluency in that expression, in whichever way one decides.Why did you pick Solent?
As a city Southampton intrigued
me; it had a big football club and
Max
I was hoping I could get involved
through the course! During
the open day at Solent I was
impressed with the radio and TV
Whittle
facilities, and this opened my
eyes to what I truly loved, which
was broadcast. Even if I didn’t
know it at the time!
_
What was the best thing
about your course?
All of the course lecturers
were immediately friendly,
welcoming and honest about
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism their own careers and how
_ they could help us. They had
all worked – or still did work
Graduated 2014 – in the industry, and their
_ willingness to answer questions
about their respective fields
Presenter, Major League Baseball was always appreciated.
They sent out weekly emails
with work experience
opportunities and potential jobs
from alumni or fellow industry
leaders. They organised regular
guest lectures with big-hitters
such as Matt Le Tissier, and
understood exactly how to
transfer the skills we were
learning into the ‘real world’.
What about the facilities?
The facilities were fantastic, and
from what I see when I go back
to Solent, they’re getting better
year on year. There are multiple
professional studios for radio
and TV – including industry-
standard television galleries
– it makes you feel like you
are already in the industry and
working towards your goals.Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 17
“Sports journalism is for you if you are passionate about sport,
and have goals to work with high-profile athletes and cover the
events you always followed as a fan.”
The university also has a radio I recall presenting a short video When you walk into the set
station, Radio Sonar, where you sports show in the newsroom in and you see everything that
can present your own shows. front of everyone. It was really you might have done on work
I co-hosted a Monday night exciting; now that I am working experience before, and thought
football show; writing a show in TV I always think back to ‘I really want to be in that seat’
format with my coursemate that moment as being the one – and now you are – it’s a great
Alex and having total control where I thought, ‘this is cool, feeling. It was an honour really,
over what we talked about was this is what I want to feel more and I’m super grateful for it.
about the coolest thing I had often’. And can’t wait to do more!
experienced at that point.
What opportunities were What tips would I provide for
If you want to become a DJ or a there to get practical people that want to get into
radio presenter, there is literally experience? this industry?
no better experience than to We were asked by Hampshire You never know who you’re
get into the studio, learn how Cricket Club to go down every impressing at any point in time!
it feels to sit behind a mic and week to training and create a If you’re in a room for a job
edit your own work. video segment for their website. interview, or you’re meeting
It was an honour to know that someone, or you’re going for a
Do you feel like your studies our trips to the club and the screen test… always be on your
helped you prepare for a relationship we had built with best game! Prepare as much as
career in the industry? How? the PR staff there - and our you can, because even if you
100%. Every core aspect was performances in this part of don’t get a role, you might have
covered - writing long-form the course - had earned us paid impressed someone in that
features, writing press releases work for a professional cricket room – and that will lead to
and news stories, filming and club while we still studied in jobs in the future.
editing both video and audio, our final year. It was invaluable
podcasting, reading bulletins; preparation, too - interviewing So be prepared, and be friendly!
you really felt like you had players, coaches and presenting Be open-minded, too. This
all the necessary skills upon links on the Ageas Bowl pitch. industry will not take you
graduating. Cricket was one of my first where you want to go directly.
loves, so that was extra special. if you want to be a presenter
In my third year we started on TV, you can go through
News Days, which are now a What’s your career highlight so many different steps –
regular portion of the course so far? producing, writing, working
for all years. We would put My career highlights so far in radio as I did… there are
together hourly radio packages absolutely has to be working for so many ways to get there.
or TV segments, write scripts, Sky Sports; first as a reporter Good luck!
book guests and film across the in January at the Paris game
day as if we were working in for the NBA, but then hosting
a professional newsroom. The a studio show on the first
pressure was high; the deadlines of March this year. It was a
and environments in which we six-hour show with two NBA
were recording (studios, filming games to cover and it was just
the general public etc) mirrored so much fun.
what you do in the industry.18 Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk
Livi
Wilkes
_ How did university prepare
BA (Hons) Public Relations you for your career?
The BA (Hons) PR and
and Communication Communication degree
provided me with such a wide
See MA Public Relations and variety of assignments, tasks
Multimedia Communications and opportunities to gain
_ real-life industry experience
that I felt fully prepared in my
Graduated 2016 PR role as soon as I graduated.
_ Through experience of writing
press releases and doing
Digital PR Executive, Aira presentations to my cohort,
I gained confidence, skills
and practical experience that
would come to be so valuable
in the real world. The work
placements between the first
and second years also gave me
the opportunity to work in both
an agency and an in-house
environment, and to build up
my CV.
Outside of my course, I was
also a PR blogger which
provided me with experience
that I fully believe helped me
get to where I am now. Because
of the success of my blog, I
was asked to do workshops
and presentations to various
students on multiple courses,
which sparked a major passion
in me for public speaking.Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 19
“This course is for you if you’re creative, like to
communicate through writing, speaking and on
digital platforms, and have a passion for seeing
your ideas brought to life. Basically, if you want
to kick-start a successful career in the PR industry,
this course is for you.”
Favourite Solent memory? Tell us about what you What’s your career highlight
Being awarded the title of are doing now and what so far?
Wessex CIPR Student of the it involves – a typical Some of my biggest
Year 2016 when I graduated. working day. achievements to date have
To see my hard work pay 8am – I get into the office, been landing coverage for
off and my passion for PR check the news and reply to my clients in the likes of
acknowledged, and to leave any emails from journalists Mail Online, Metro and The
university with this award, was and editors. Telegraph!
simply the icing on the cake
of an incredible three years. A 8.30am – Usually at this time As part of my job, I also get
close second favourite memory I’ll outreach to journalists to attend conferences and
was winning the title of Britain’s with new content. It’s best to events around the country
Best PR Student Blogger 2015. outreach in the morning so as to hear from some of the
to reach the journalists before biggest names in the digital
Tell us a little about your their daily pitch to their editors. PR industry about their
career story so far. experiences. Not only are
When I graduated I started 10.30am – I check the these events great networking
working as a communications #journorequest hashtag on opportunities (I bumped into
assistant at a local charity, Twitter, to see if there’s any a friend from my PR course
but I soon realised that the opportunities for my clients to at one in London earlier this
environment wasn’t fast-paced provide comment to the media. year!), but I’ve also been taught
enough for me, so I started practical tips and tactics that
looking for an agency role. 11am – I’ll do some research I’ve gone on to implement in
and ideation for new big my day-to-day tasks.
I soon landed a job at a digital content ideas.
marketing agency called In one sentence, what is your
Aira in Milton Keynes, just 12 noon – Lunch! area of study to you?
outside London, as a digital To me, the best part of PR is
PR executive – I’ve been here 1pm – I’ll work on creating being able to make a valuable
for nine months so far and media lists for upcoming difference to my clients and
I couldn’t be happier. I did a content, and find journalists their business.
digital PR module in my third who might be interested in
year which taught us all about the story. What tips would you give
the world of SEO and the to someone wanting a career
difference to traditional PR, 3pm – Write articles and in your industry?
and it stuck in my mind ever blog posts. Some days I’ll be Get experience, be confident,
since – now here I am! writing about recruitment, start up a blog, take an interest
some days I could be writing in the world and know the
about futuristic technology difference between traditional
– it’s always different! and digital.
4pm – Home time!20 Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk
Daniel
Sheldon
_
BA (Hons) Sport Journalism
_
Graduated 2018
_
Freelance Journalist
How did university prepare Tell us a little about your opportunity to spend my time
you for your career? career story so far. covering Bournemouth and
University helped me prepare My freelance career started at Southampton in the Premier
for my career by giving me the the beginning of my second League for the national
platform to go out and get year when I started covering newspapers. To be reporting on
real-life work experience. Swindon Town’s matches for Premier League games before
Not only that, the lecturers M & Y News Agency. That the start of my final year at
on the course have a plethora continued throughout the Solent is something that I am
of contacts who they are season and I remember seeing immensely proud of.
more than happy to let you the course leader at Fratton
use if you ask them. Because Park for one of Portsmouth’s
of these contacts, I managed fixtures and saying that
to get myself freelancing hopefully covering Swindon
opportunities at M & Y would lead to bigger and better
News Agency. things. After proving myself
at Swindon, I was given theWriting and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 21
“This course is for you if you have
a passion for sports news and
you want to be given the tools
to learn how to deliver that news
to an audience.”
Tell us about what you What is your area of study
are doing now and what to you?
it involves. Sport journalism isn’t just
A typical match day involves watching Premier League
me arriving at the stadium two football and writing about
hours before the game starts. it. It’s about being naturally
This gives me time to chat to inquisitive, having a natural
other journalists, eat some flair to your writing, having the
lunch and then do any final confidence to ask questions
preparation for the match if I and ultimately picking up a
need to. I then watch the match telephone to ring someone.
at the same time as writing my As a generation who spend a
report, which is normally sent lot of their time playing on their
once the referee blows the final phone, all too often we are too
whistle. After that, I sit down in scared to use it to call someone.
the press conference to speak
to the managers. I then rewrite What tips would you give
my match report but base it on to someone wanting a career
what the managers have said. in your industry?
From there, I go into the mixed If I were to give one tip for
zone to try and grab a player students looking for a career
to interview for a follow-up in this industry, it would be
piece which will appear in the to put yourself out there. Had
newspapers on Monday. I not volunteered at M & Y
News Agency in my first year,
What’s your career highlight I wouldn’t have been covering
so far? Premier League football in my
I have had many pinch-yourself final year. Don’t just expect
moments so far. Interviewing opportunities to fall into your
Pep Guardiola, Jose Mourinho lap – you have to make them
and Jürgen Klopp all stand out. happen for yourself.
But my current highlight is
having an article published in
The Times. It is my dream to
one day work there, so when
I saw my name written above
the story I had written, it was
a moment I won’t forget.22 Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk
How to
apply
_
1
3
Research universities
March – September
2
Apply online
via UCAS – by 15 January
Work on your
UCAS application
September – January
www.solent.ac.uk/coursesWriting and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 23
4
Check UCAS track
Solent University
Code name: SOLNT
This is where you’ll see if you have UCAS code: S30
an unconditional offer (the place
is yours) or a conditional offer www.ucas.com
(based on exam results or other
evidence), or if your application
has been unsuccessful.
6
Find out if you’ve got
your place
You’ll see in UCAS track if your
place is confirmed. BTEC results
are published from July onwards
and A-level results will be
published in mid-August.
5
Reply to your offers
• Select your firm choice.
• Select your insurance choice –
this is a back-up choice in case
you don’t meet the conditions
for your firm choice.
• Decline your other offers.24 Writing and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk
Extras
_
Our well-equipped student residences,
with fantastic study-bedrooms, are right
in the city centre and only a short walk
Our student
from the main campus.
residences
For more information, visit
www.solent.ac.uk/accommodation
Worried about the cost of going to
university? There’s plenty of support
on offer to ensure that financial
circumstances don’t stop you from
Fees and
gaining a higher education.
finance
For more information, visit
www.solent.ac.uk/finance
Prepare for university in less than
an hour each week with our tips,
guides and quizzes.
52 things
For more information, visit
www.solent.ac.uk/52-thingsWriting and Communications | www.solent.ac.uk 25
Writing and UCAS Work Foundation
tariff placement route
Communications points opportunity available
UNDERGR ADUATE COUR SES
BA (Hons) English and Creative Writing 104-120 Y Y
BA (Hons) Marketing 104-120 Y Y
BSc (Hons) Marketing (Top-up) * Y -
BA (Hons) Marketing with Advertising 104-120 Y Y
BA (Hons) Marketing with Sport 96-112 Y Y
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism 96-112 Y Y
*Refer to admissions for entry requirements
POSTGR ADUATE COUR SES
MA Advertising and Multimedia Communications
MA Creative Advertising
MA Journalism and Multimedia Communications
MA Luxury Brand Management
MSc Marketing
MA Public Relations and Multimedia Communications
MA Sports Broadcast JournalismSTARS
™
RATING SYSTEM
2019
Solent University solentuniversity
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