BA (Hons) Media Studies
Why choose this course?
- We're an accredited centre for Digidesign Pro Tools, the industry standard recording and editing software that's used worldwide, so you'll get relevant practical experience that will give you a real advantage when you're looking for a job.
- All our courses are taught by active researchers and practitioners, who will inspire and challenge you and help you to get the most out of your studies. The staff who teach the theoretical courses and modules have all published, and those who deliver the practical components have first hand experience of working in the media industries.
- You'll have the opportunity to gain valuable experience on a work placement during stages two and three. We have established contacts with a number of independent film companies, local radio stations and newspapers, which could help you to gain work experience and further your media career.
Fact file
UCAS code: P300
Start date: September
Course length: full time: three years, part time: four-six years.
Campus: Kedleston Road site, Derby Campus
This course is available to international students
About this course
This course will introduce you to the study and practice of a range of media forms and institutions. It focuses on how media engages with society, with practice based modules encouraging your creativity and understanding of the shaping of media products.
You'll develop a high level of media literacy and an understanding of forms of media power and manipulation.
During stage one you will be introduced to a range of theoretical and methodological approaches in the study of the media, including theories of language and meaning, audience based research and the historical contextualisation of media forms and institutions. You will also study practice based modules covering television, radio and print and digital production.
You will also be able to choose optional modules that explore a range of media and texts that suit your interests. As well as optional modules covering topics such as documentary, American cinema, television production and digital publishing, you'll also complete the Independent Study, a research project on a topic of your choice, during stage three. You also have the option to take further work experience.
What you will cover
You'll study a total of 120 credits per year. This will be made up of single or double modules.
Stage one
You'll study modules such as:
- Mass Media: Text and Context (PDP)*
- Introduction to American Cultural Studies
- Digital Publishing 1
- TV Production 1
- Representation, Race and Gender
- Audiences and Audience Research
Stage two
You'll study modules such as:
- American Popular Music
- Conflicting Images: News and the Media
- European Cultural Studies: Media, Culture and Power
- Media Research Project (PDP)*
- Print Production
- Digital Publishing 2: Media Convergence
- TV Production 2
- American TV in the 50s and 60s
- American Youth Cinema
- Media Ethics
- Media Law
- Work Based Learning in the Creative and Cultural Industries
Stage three
You'll study modules such as:
- Independent Studies in Media Studies (double module)
- Digital Publishing 3: Professional Digital Portfolio (double module)
- TV Production 3: TV Drama (double module)
- Contesting Cultures: American Popular Culture in the Contemporary World
- Contemporary American Cinema
- Cultures of the War on Terror
- Cyberbodies
- Documentary and Factual Production: Poetics and Praxis
- Management Experience in the Creative and Cultural Industries
- Schedules and Margins
* Personal Development Planning
Entry requirements
Our entry requirements are usually 260 UCAS points, of which at least 220 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.
We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.
We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.
We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.
Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.
The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.
How to apply
UK/EU students
- Full time students should apply for this course through UCAS.
- Part time students should apply directly to the University.
International students
- If you want to start in September, you usually need to apply online through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
Information for international applicants
Fees and finance
Fees for 2013/14
This is a resource intensive course.
UK/EU students
- Full time: £8,250 (each year)
We'll be announcing our part time and international fees for 2013/14 later in the year.
*These fees apply if you're starting this course between September 2013 and August 2014. We recommend you check fee details with us though, as they can change. Costs can increase each year.
How you will learn
Fieldtrips
Trips have been arranged to the London Film Festival; the National Museum for Photography, Film and Television, Bradford; the Alexandra Palace Television Society; the Derby Telegraph and the Derby Magistrates' Courts.
Students have also been taken to The Tate Britain and The Southbank Centre as part of a module titled Art and Artists on Screen. In the module they study media representations of art and artists and the two case studies included Francis Bacon and Andy Warhol to coincide with exhibitions in London.
Careers and employability
Careers talks are arranged each year and former students have gone on to work in TV researching, film and TV production, public relations, marketing, film archiving, radio presenting or production and newspapers. Others used their degree for higher level entry into, for example, the civil service, public relations, charity management, customer services, further education or teaching.