Media Studies (Joint Honours)

UCAS code: Y002

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years, part time: four-six years.

Campus: Kedleston Road and Markeaton Street, Derby

This course is available to international students

A joint honours degree is perfect for you if you want to study more than one subject. You can combine Media Studies with one or two other joint honours courses that are offered at our Derby Campus to create your own joint honours degree. You will be taught with students studying BA (Hons) Media Studies, but the modules you'll study will depend on how you decide to combine the subjects you choose.

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.

At stage two you will study modules covering cultural studies approaches to the media and have the option to take modules in American cinema and television, as well as media ethics and media law. You will also be able to carry out a guided research project in an area of your choice in which students have studied topics such as sport and the media, television and representation and video games.

In stage three you will have the option to take an Independent Study where you will have the chance to study a research topic of your choice. There will also be the opportunity to take work experience based study.

• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Educational Studies
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and English
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Film & TV Studies
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Geography
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and History
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Human Resource Management
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and International Relations & Global Development
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Law
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Marketing
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Popular Music Production
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Psychology
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Sociology
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Sport & Exercise Studies
• BA (Hons) in Media Studies and Theatre Studies
• BA (Hons) in Professional Writing and Media Studies

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:

• American Cultural Studies: An Introduction
• Audiences and Audience Research
• Introduction to American TV
• Mass Media: Text and Context (Personal Development Planning)
• Representation Race and Gender

Stage two

You'll study modules such as:

• American Popular Music
• American TV in the 50s and 60s
• American Youth Cinema
• Conflicting Images
• Media Ethics
• Media Law
• Media Research Project (Personal Development Planning)
• Media, Culture and Power: European Cultural Studies
• Work Based Learning in the Creative and Cultural Industries
• Youth TV

Stage three

You'll study modules such as:

• Contemporary American Cinema 
• Contesting Cultures: American Popular Culture in the Contemporary World
• Cultures of the War on Terror
• Cyberbodies
• Documentary and Factual Production: Poetics and Praxis
• Independent Studies in Media Studies (double module) (Personal Development Planning)
• Management Experience in the Creative and Cultural Industries
• Schedules and Margins
• TV and Tourism

Our entry requirements are usually 220-300 UCAS points, of which at least 200-240 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 60 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.

General undergraduate entry requirements

Fees for 2013/14

This is a classroom based course.

UK/EU students

• Full time: £7,700 (each year)
• £965 per module (you usually take 18 of these modules in total)

International students

• Full time: £9,945 (per 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'll learn

You will normally attend 12 hours, ie four modules of three hours length, per week. Theory modules include formal lectures, seminars, tutorials, group exercises, debates, screenings. Production modules (three hours per week) include hands-on practice with audio and video equipment, research, editing, etc.

How you're assessed

No exams. All theory assignments are assessed in terms of written coursework, and/or presentations.

You will have the opportunity to gain work experience during stage two and three of the course. We have established contacts with a number of independent film companies, local radio stations and newspapers and could help you gain work experience and help further your media career.

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.