A university is set to launch Wales’s first sport journalism degree.

The University of South Wales, which is based in Cardiff, has announced it will welcome its first intake of students on the course in September.

The programme has been set up by Julie Kissick, left, who began her career at the Swansea-based South Wales Evening Post before becoming the first female producer of ITV’s Soccer Sunday show.

Modules on the course will include digital marketing & PR in sport, mobile sports journalism and photography and video for sport.

Said Julie: “The sports media sector in Wales is more ready for a Sports Journalism course than ever and the location, partnerships and staff expertise we have at University of South Wales affords us a real opportunity to become the first university in Wales to capitalise on this and fill a gap in the academic market.

“Studying in Wales, given the increased profile of our sports and sportsmen in recent years, is an attractive prospect, both for Welsh students, those from other parts of the United Kingdom, and international students who are familiar with the growth in the sector and keen to study in a location and environment which offers access to such a diverse sporting landscape.”

During their time at the university, each student will be given a sporting patch to be responsible for and will be able to demonstrate their reporting skills through regular online video podcasts.

Julie added: “This course will appeal both to those who see themselves working in traditional sports journalism jobs like football reporters or cricket commentators as well as communications or social media officers and marketers for sports brands or personalities.

“By offering a more varied mix of learning both in terms of skills and understanding of the sports sector, we will produce graduates with more options when it comes to developing a professional pathway.”