Beauty Marketing and Journalism

The global beauty industry is growing fast, with the current value estimated at more than £300 billion. Shoppers are spending more than ever on these products, and as such retailers are investing in ways to make sure their products are chosen. This also means that shoppers want be sure they’re buying the best products, and are seeking out articles and product information before committing to a purchase. This unique course will equip you with both the marketing and the journalism skills needed to meet the needs of retailers and consumers. Keep up-to-date with the latest news from our journalism staff, students and alumni by following their Instagram and Tumblr pages (Instagram handle: londonmetjournalismofficial), you can also follow their Twitter page.

You’ll gain insight into the global beauty industry and will follow the story of products from concept to retail. You'll learn about beauty through the ages and the psychology of industry as well as studying broader fashion-focused modules. This will give you an understanding of how products are created and the influence they have on businesses and people around the world.

At the same time you’ll develop key journalistic skills such as research, writing, broadcasting, communication and multimedia. You’ll study the historical and theoretical backgrounds of journalism and will gain a grounding in media law. Taught by practising journalists and skilled marketing professionals, the course includes news days where you will work under the same pressures as media professionals and a wealth of work placement opportunities. These give you valuable professional experience as well as helping you to network within the industry.

You'll leave the course with the relevant knowledge and skills for a successful career within the beauty industry, whether you choose to pursue marketing, beauty journalism or even set up your own business. Assessment modes include reports, essays, exams, group work and individual portfolio work.

Entry requirements

In addition to the University's standard entry requirements, you should have:

• A minimum of grades BBC in three A levels in academic or business subjects (or a minimum of 112 UCAS points from an equivalent Level 3 qualification, eg BTEC National, OCR Diploma or Advanced Diploma)
• English Language and Mathematics GCSE at grade C (grade 4 from 2017) or above (or equivalent)

If you do not have traditional qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements for this undergraduate degree, you may still be able to gain entry by completing the Media and Communications Extended Degree. All applicants must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. Applicants who require a Tier 4 student visa may need to provide a Secure English Language Test (SELT) such as Academic IELTS. For more information about English qualifications please see our English language requirements.

Modular structure

The modules listed below are for the academic year 2018/19 and represent the course modules at this time. Modules and module details (including, but not limited to, location and time) are subject to change over time.

Year 1 modules include

• Fashion History and Concepts (core, 30 credits)
• Journalism: History and Ideas (core, 30 credits)
• Practical Journalism (core, 30 credits)
• Principles and Practice in Marketing (core, 30 credits)

Year 2 modules include

• Fashion Branding and Journalism (core, 30 credits)
• Journalism Work Placement (core, 15 credits)
• Media Law and Ethics; Public Administration (core, 30 credits)
• Newsroom Production (core, 30 credits)
• Beauty Through the Ages: A Critical History of Beauty (option, 15 credits)
• Social Media and Data Journalism (option, 15 credits)
• Styling and Journalism (option, 15 credits)

Year 3 modules include

• Broadcast Journalism (core, 30 credits)
• Creating Packages (core, 30 credits)
• Fashion Journalism Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
• Journalism Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
• The Fashion Project (alternative core, 30 credits)
• Fashion Writing and Reporting (option, 15 credits)
• Global Fashion Strategy (option, 15 credits)
• Psychology in the Beauty Industry (option, 15 credits)
• Science, Technology, Environment and Health Journalism (option, 15 credits)

After the course
There are many exciting creative roles this course could help you reach for. You could pursue a career as a writer, as a fashion and beauty industry critic or as a beauty reporter. You’ll also be equipped to start a career in the wider beauty industry, whether within marketing and communications or in an alternative field of interest such as advertising or merchandising. This is a new course, but graduates of our related Fashion Marketing and Journalism BA have found employment working as a production assistant and within communications and PR.