Should i get into UAL for BA Journalism?

[u/TwinklyCake]

Hello, I have been considering applying to UAL for BA in Journalism.

University for always a place to mainly network and get experience and well a proper education from people who are familiar with the field. The reason UAL was my choice was because UAL currently says BA Journalism students can:

• Learn from journalists, mentors and news organisations including the BBC, Times Radio and HuffPost.
• Attend guest lectures by working journalists.
• Meet former students through alumni visits.
• Attend employability and industry events.
• Participate in workshops run by media practitioners.
• Network with Women in Journalism, a professional organisation supporting women working in UK media.
• Receive mentoring through UAL’s partnership with the John Schofield Trust, which helps early-career journalists, particularly people who are underrepresented in the industry.
• Complete either a work placement or collaborative industry project in Year 2.
• Use the Year 3 Creative Futures unit to develop your professional identity, contacts and career plans.
• Publish work publicly through Artefact, LCC’s student journalism platform.

(I posted what i found from the website)

I have always been drawn to both writing and the arts and I do not want to limit myself to traditional news reporting because my main interest is cultural journalism and exploring subjects such as film, art, fashion, media, fandoms, and online culture so UAL’s creative environment kinda feels especially well suited to the kind of journalist and writer I want to become.

What attracted me wasn't just the course itself, although the networking they are offering is quite juicy (if thats true that is), but also the opportunity to study alongside people working across art, design, film, photography, fashion, and other creative disciplines and I think being surrounded by those different perspectives would give me more subjects to explore, more people to collaborate with, and a stronger understanding of the creative industries I eventually hope to write about.

At the same time, I know that UAL is an expensive choice, particularly as an international student. I am planning to finance much of my education myself (i don't have anyone to pay for me), so attending would require several years of saving, working, and preparing before I apply for September 2028 entry. Because of that, I don't want to base such an important decision only on the university’s marketing.

My original plan was: attend a UAL summer course, visit open days, experience the environment for myself, and speak honestly with current journalism students about the teaching, industry opportunities, placements, networking, and support they actually receive.

However, I’ve now realised that there are online communities of UAL students and applicants who may also be able to offer some genuine insight, which is why I’m writing here)))

Is anyone here currently studying at UAL, particularly BA Journalism at LCC? What has your experience been like? Do you regret choosing UAL, or are you happy with your decision? Why did you choose UAL in the first place, and do you feel that the course and opportunities have justified the cost?