London newsrooms give JMU Journalism students a taste of the real thing

Written by JMU Journalism Liverpool Life
March 10, 2025
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JMU Journalism students visited newsrooms at the BBC

Undergraduate and Masters students enjoyed a priceless behind-the-scenes look at busy professionals during a trip to London, including visits to Sky News and Sky Sports, BBC, ITN, News UK, Parliament and Bauer Media.

After newsroom and studio tours, the students gained tips regarding newsgathering and production, as well as advice about how to get into the industry and some of the key skills employers are looking for.

At ITN, fresh from a successful night at the RTS Awards, Julie Etchingham and Paul Brand told students how they climbed the career ladder and each spoke about some of the stories they have been most privileged to work on. At Sky News the group got to watch the news being produced live from the studio gallery.

The group who went to News UK was treated to a talk by the editor of The Times newspaper, Tony Gallagher. Chief Sports Correspondent, Matt Lawton, and F1 reporter, Molly Hudson, were also in conversation before the students got the chance to look around the Talk Sport newsroom.

JMU Journalism students visited newsrooms at the BBC
JMU Journalism students visited newsrooms at the BBC

At Bauer Media, their state-of-the-art offices and studios were the main attraction before a chat with Head of News and Sport for England and Wales, Jim Foulger.

The MA Journalism students enjoyed a trip to the House of Commons and a meeting with Liverpool MP Kim Johnson before a visit to the BBC’s Westminster office and a chat with their parliamentary correspondent, Sean Curran.

Head of the Journalism department, Fran Yeoman, said: “These visits to so many major national newsrooms have been an amazing opportunity for our LJMU Journalism students and it is testament to the hard work and brilliant industry connections of the team.

“The student reaction has definitely been that the trip has inspired them and given them confidence in the skills they are learning, and we are really grateful to so many busy senior journalists for letting us into their newsrooms and giving their time.”

Journalism Student, Daisy Garland Ridding, said: “The trip was a great opportunity to meet some fantastic journalists and get their insight on how to get into the industry. Seeing the studios and newsrooms was incredible and I loved looking around at all their tech and getting to see how they produce bulletins.

“The trip highlighted for me the importance of uni news days, as it’s not too dissimilar to what the likes of Sky, BBC, and Bauer do. Getting to speak with people who I one day hope to be working for was invaluable, and the trip has given me more determination than ever to work hard as we’re approaching the end of final year.”

Journalism Student, Safia Nawaz, said: “The London trip was an amazing opportunity. Being able to see the newsrooms in action and meet influential figures in the industry was invaluable – especially at this point in the course. It’s offered a lot of clarity for where I want my career to go.”

David Randles, course leader of the BA Sports Journalism programme, said: “It was excellent for students to hear from a range of experienced journalists and editors working in the sports news industry and seeing newsrooms, TV studios and radio stations in full swing.

“Seeing and hearing about the skills we deliver to students being used by those working at the highest levels of sports journalism also validates the way our courses are designed. It helps reassure students to know they are well equipped to take the next step into industry.”

Sports Journalism student, Tom Murphy said: “It was a really insightful and enjoyable experience over the two days. It was very well organised and the talks with professionals were extremely helpful.”

 

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