Media and Sports in London | Global Education Oregon

Media and Sports in London

Language Requirement: None

Academic Standing by Program Start: Sophomore or above

Location: Europe, United Kingdom, England

GPA: 2.75

Program Overview

This four-week study program at the GEO London Centre offers students an immersive exploration into the dynamic worlds of Media and Sports. Through two complementary courses—The Culture of Sport and Sports Journalism in the UK and Social Media for Journalists—students will engage with the evolving relationship between sports, media, and society. Participants will analyze major sporting events, attend live matches, and gain firsthand experience in sports reporting and broadcasting. At the same time, students will dive into the world of digital journalism, learning how to navigate and leverage social media platforms to find, verify, and share news effectively.

With expert guest lectures, media site visits, and attendance at events held throughout the summer, this program provides a unique opportunity to develop real-world journalism skills in London. Ideal for students pursuing careers in media, communication, or sports journalism, this experience blends theory with practice in one of the world’s most exciting media capitals.

Check out what Bethany had to say about her experience!

Dates and Deadlines


Term	Year	Final Deadline	Arrival Date	Departure Date
Summer	2026	3/15/26	6/21/26	7/18/26

This program has a rolling admission application process: GEO staff (and the program faculty leader, if applicable) will complete a review of the application materials of complete applications in the order that they are submitted (“first come, first serve”). Decisions about acceptance will be made shortly after you submit a complete application. There are some programs that fill fast, some even before the deadline. Students are encouraged to complete applications and commit to programs early.

Acceptance is based on a holistic review of your application. This includes a review of your GPA, transcripts (including courses taken and in-progress), any additional requirements or prerequisites (see section "Additional Requirements"), and the short statement.

Hear from Our Students

Brighton, Wimbledon, and a Summer to Remember

A person smiling in front of the London Eye and the River Thames on a partly cloudy day.

I had a wonderful time studying abroad in London this summer! After graduation this spring, I was excited that I earned my bachelor’s, yet also hopeful for the opportunity to travel to London before… read more

Faculty-Led Scholarship Opportunity

Applicants to this program are eligible for program-specific scholarship funds. Award recipients are chosen based on academic merit, financial need, and overall quality of their essay. Individual awards range from $500-$1,500. To be considered, apply to the GEO General Scholarship by the advertised deadline for the term you will be abroad. Students who apply will automatically be considered for all available funding within the General Scholarship, including this program's scholarship funds.

Academic Details

Courses will meet 3-4 times per week along with possible excursions during the weekday/evening. The courses are all taught by British faculty who have extensive practical experience in the fields related to their courses, as well as experience teaching US students. Many classes will also be supplemented with guest lectures from British journalists and media coordinators, with additional mandatory excursions where London will be your classroom! We encourage students to be active in researching current events related to their courses prior to arriving in London.

JCOM 388: The Culture of Sport and Sports Journalism in the UK (4 credits)

Britain is one of the world’s major sporting powerhouses. In the past years we have seen the London Olympics in 2012, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in 2014, the Rugby World Cup in 2015, the 2017 London World Athletics and Para-athletics Championships, the Cricket World Cup in 2019 and the 2022 Women’s soccer European Championships. It is the home of the Premier League, the most lucrative and popular soccer league in the world, as well as the Wimbledon tennis championships and the Open golf championship. During this course we will analyse the perceived benefits of hosting major sporting events and look into the culture of sport. Why does sport matter so much to so many people?

JCOM 488: Social Media for Journalists (4 credits)

Social Media has changed the way that both journalists - and audiences - find and share the news. How are these changes affecting journalistic practice? And what are the social media skills that journalists need today? This class will explore the social media strategies of major news media outlets and journalists, exploring different social platforms and how to use them effectively. It will also teach you how to use social media to verify and manage content from different sources, as well as explore best practice in develop relationships with communities through online channels.

Course Equivalencies

UO students: please refer to the UO Course Equivalency Process and the UO Office of the Registrar Course Equivalency Database.

Non-UO students: Actual credit awarded is determined by the relevant department at your university in consultation with the study abroad office. Check with your study abroad advisor for more information.

Faculty and Staff

Adrian Warner instructs the Culture of Sport and Sports Journalism in the UK. He is a specialist in TV and radio broadcasting as well as in digital and newspaper writing. A fluent French and German speaker, Adrian has worked as a senior sports correspondent for the international news agency Reuters, including 10 years as a foreign correspondent in Germany, and was an award-winning writer for London’s Evening Standard and Olympics correspondent for BBC TV and radio. He has reported from 25 countries, including 14 summer and winter Olympic Games, and has covered 5 football World Cup finals.

Laura Oliver instructs Social Media for Journalists. She is a freelance journalist based in the UK. She has written for the Guardian, BBC, The Week and more. She is a visiting lecturer in online journalism at City, University of London, and works as an audience strategy consultant for newsrooms.

Housing Description

You will join a community of residents from many different ethnic and cultural backgrounds, as part of life in one of the University of London residence halls. The hall is located in central London, close to the GEO Centre, the British Museum and the London Tube.

You will have your own single study bedroom and share bathrooms with other residents. All single rooms have a hand basin, fitted furniture consisting of bed (including linens), desk, chair, and storage for clothes and books. Rooms are fitted with a telephone, Wi-Fi, and data socket.

The residence hall has study rooms, lounges, computer lab, and laundry facilities available to students. Daily breakfast is included in the program fee and is taken in the hall's cafeteria. Shared refrigerators, microwaves, and kettles are also available in the hall common areas and there are grocery stores and restaurants within walking distance.