English 
Deutsch Who is the Bachelor's Degree in Sports Journalism Suitable For?
The Sports Journalism (B.A.) programme at the University of Applied Management is aimed at you if you want to work journalistically and have a strong affinity for sports. The target group particularly includes school leavers with a general university entrance qualification (Abitur), persons with a technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife), as well as professionals with relevant experience who want to work in editorial offices, at TV and radio stations, or on digital content platforms. Career changers who want to turn their passion for sports and media into a profession are also specifically addressed. The practice-oriented approach and the high proportion of project work make the course attractive for performance-oriented team players who want to build a network in the media and sports industry.
What Formal Requirements Must You Meet for Admission?
The following admission criteria apply for enrolment in the Bachelor's Degree in Sports Journalism:
- General university entrance qualification (Abitur) or
- Nationwide recognised technical college entrance qualification (Fachhochschulreife) or
- Admission without Abitur upon proof of a completed at least two-year vocational training as well as usually several years of relevant professional experience.
Already completed academic achievements from other courses of study can be recognised upon application and shorten the study duration. The language of instruction is German.
You should have a pronounced interest in sports events and media. Communication skills, ability to accept criticism, and commitment are important personal prerequisites. You should be comfortable working both independently and in a team, taking on demanding research tasks, and engaging with new technologies such as artificial intelligence and digital media solutions. Practical experience in a sports club or initial editorial work is helpful but not mandatory. A high willingness to learn, quick comprehension, and reliability are advantageous, as is the willingness to develop your own content in various media formats (text, video, audio).
Study Content in Detail
In the Bachelor's degree programme in Sports Journalism at the Hochschule für angewandtes Management, you develop a comprehensive skill set that prepares you for the modern media world of sports. The focus is on the interlinked teaching of journalistic skills, media technologies, and specialised knowledge of the sports business. You will encounter both theoretical foundations and intensive practical phases with changing media formats.
- Fundamentals of Sports Journalism: You learn how sports reporting is structured and analyse the interplay between sport, society, and media.
- Storytelling in text, audio, image, and video: Creating captivating sports content for print, audio, video, and digital media is a central element. You work on your own projects, applying professional journalistic methods.
- Data Journalism and AI: You use data sources, evaluate statistics, and apply Artificial Intelligence to identify trends and prepare stories based on data.
- Investigative Journalism: You learn research techniques and develop an understanding of uncovering exclusive sports stories.
- Legal and Ethical Foundations: The focus is on media and press law as well as questions of journalistic quality and ethics.
- Interactive Formats and Live Communication: Training in moderation, interview techniques, live commentary as well as handling modern media studios and production technologies.
- Digital, Social Media & Content Management: Handling social networks, online platforms, and content strategies in sports journalism is part of the programme, as is developing your own podcasts or videos.
- Sports Knowledge: Modules on sports disciplines, sports structures, and sports policy sharpen your analytical perspective on the sports business.
- Project Work and Practical Semester: You independently implement projects and complete a 6-month practical semester at media companies or in the sports sector.
- Future Skills and Personal Development: Workshops and courses on global megatrends, problem solving, and self-management additionally prepare you for the demands of a digital working environment.
Special feature: Artificial Intelligence runs as a cross-cutting theme through the entire course (“AI inside”) and ensures you a technological advantage in digital sports journalism.
How Does the Sports Journalism Degree Work in Practice?
The programme is organised as a part-time, semi-virtual competence degree (Studium Plus). This allows you maximum flexibility and enables you to complete the course content alongside work or other commitments. The following organisational key points await you:
- Standard period of study: 7 semesters, degree as Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), 210 ECTS credits
- Blended learning model: You learn mostly digitally on a modern online platform and regularly take part in interactive face-to-face workshops.
- Personal support: In study groups of a maximum of 30 students, you receive continuous feedback and exchange with experienced practitioners from media and sport.
- Practical component: About 42% of the course achievements are accounted for by practical projects, case studies, and the practical semester. This means: You work on real tasks from everyday media life and establish early contacts in the industry.
- Face-to-face phases: Each semester, 10 interactive face-to-face workshops take place at selected study locations.
- Practical semester: A 6-month practical placement in the media environment or sports business, individually plannable over the first 6 semesters.
- Start of studies: Possible in both summer and winter semesters.
- Language of instruction: German
The examination performances are largely project-oriented; classic multiple-choice exams are not the focus. The degree concludes with a Bachelor's thesis that practically addresses a current issue in sports journalism.
With Which Degree Can You Start Your Professional Career?
As a graduate of the course, you open up diverse career opportunities in regional, national, and international sports journalism. You will be comprehensively prepared to professionally create, present, and manage journalistic content across all media channels. Typical fields of activity include:
- Sports presenter: Hosting programmes on television, radio, podcasts, or online media
- Live commentator: Commentaries on sporting events for TV, radio, or streaming platforms
- Investigative sports reporter: Research, uncovering, and background analyses (e.g. on doping, corruption, association structures)
- Sports editor: Planning, researching, and producing sports content for newspapers, magazines, news portals, or social media
- Multimedia producer: Development of digital formats (video, apps, podcasts) in multimedia studios or for external clients
- Press spokesperson, PR in the sports environment: Communication and public relations for clubs, associations, companies, or agencies
- Self-employment: Creation of your own formats, e.g. as an independent content creator, podcast producer, or media consultant in the sports business
The course not only imparts journalistic expertise but also, through targeted inclusion of future skills, artificial intelligence, and practical projects, a high level of digital and analytical competence that helps you stand out in the job market. In cooperation with leading companies and media, you also gain early access to a strong industry network.
Where Do You Study During Your Sports Journalism Degree?
You are mostly online and flexible, but regularly benefit from face-to-face workshops at various locations nationwide. The most important spatial aspects are:
- Online learning platform: The majority of teaching content is provided web-based and multimedia, allowing you to study independently of location.
- Face-to-face locations: Face-to-face workshops are regularly offered in Ismaning (near Munich), Berlin, Hamburg, Frankfurt, Cologne, and Leipzig. Additionally, there are other locations such as Dortmund/Unna, Düsseldorf, Hanover, Mannheim, Nuremberg, Stuttgart, and Vienna.
- Practical phases and projects: For projects, practical placements, and media productions, you often use external studios, companies, or agencies from the HAM network, e.g. during excursions or student trainee positions.
Thanks to the blended learning concept, you can organise your study routine flexibly and stay in contact with your lecturers and study group – online and during face-to-face sessions.
What Costs Should You Expect for the Sports Journalism Degree at HAM?
The programme costs €495 per month – over the standard period of study, this results in a total sum of €21,585. The pricing model is transparent and payable monthly. Several financing options are available to you:
- Self-financing via monthly instalments: The tuition fee is paid monthly and can be integrated into everyday life.
- Grants and scholarships: It is possible to apply for BAföG, educational funds, or a scholarship.
- Employment alongside studies: Thanks to the flexible study model, you can work alongside your studies.
- Practical and student trainee positions within the HAM network: Through partner companies, you often find paid practical positions that financially cushion your studies.
In the dual model (“Dual Plus”; not covered in this description), employers from the partner pool can cover your tuition fees and pay you a salary in addition.
Further individual financing options such as education loans can be utilised additionally.
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