Media – BA (Honours)

At a glance

Gain the technical and creative skills required to work in industries such as PR, journalism and the media. You learn about traditional and newer forms of media and how to research and write for different audiences.

Key points
• Develop your skills and knowledge of print, broadcast and media.• Study the cultural, political and economic role of the media.
• Learn from experienced media industry professionals and academics with strong research backgrounds.
• Choose practical and theoretical modules that reflect your career aims and interests.

What is media?
Media is the term given to several large industries involved in producing and distributing forms of communication – TV, cinema, audio, print and digital. Studying media helps to understand how communication, politics and industry works in different societies.

This course

Develop the knowledge and skills you need to find employment in industries such as the media, PR and journalism. You build your understanding of the cultural, political and economic role of the media in contemporary society. You also learn to research, write for different audiences and work individually as well as in teams.

As a student, you develop an awareness of various types of media and the similarities and differences between them. As well as learning about traditional media, such as print and broadcast, you also study newer, convergent forms.

You are taught by a team of media industry professionals with experience of BBC Radio, local newspapers, and freelance journalism and film-making, and academics with a strong research background.

Under the guidance of these experts, you develop important skills using equipment in our specialist facilities. These include newsrooms, media stores, a radio studio and a photography studio.

You analyse and study the workings of core media institutions and learn about key approaches for analysing media texts. You also examine the general characteristics of media industries, such as the trend towards conglomeration and convergence. These industries include• broadcast – TV and audio
• internet
• print and publishing
• video
• international media

You also get opportunities to apply what you’ve learnt in a professional setting. This is a great chance to develop practical skills in media communication and journalism and enhance your career prospects in the sector. Past work experience opportunities have included • the BBC • regional newspapers • PR and advertising agencies • the voluntary sector.

In addition to core media production skills, you improve your academic, social and interpersonal skills. Also, you increase your ability to learn independently and to evaluate your own learning and performance. These transferable skills will help you start begin a successful career.

Key areas of study
Key areas include analysing media texts • gender and sexuality in the media • global news and information media • electronic publishing • feature writing • web design • postcolonial media • broadcast media • photography