Media and Communication

The highlights

• Study a course created to keep up with the fast-paced media industry.
• Develop your practical communications skills on the programme, meaning you'll quickly become an effective communicator across various multimedia channels.
• Exciting new modules allowing you to study both theory and practice of media and communications, to prepare you for roles in the media sector.
• Develop your multimedia skills through coursework and placements, you’ll gain direct experience of producing content for online and broadcast formats.
• Learn from tutors that are highly experienced in the communications industry and well connected, having worked in online and broadcast roles for organisations like the BBC, ITV News, and other media outlets.
• Hear the latest insights, get advice from the best in industry and build contacts. We recently visited the BBC’s flagship political programme, Sunday, and took part in a Q&A with Laura Kuenssberg.

Bringing industry to the classroom

The first year of your degree offers an introductory overview of key media and communications knowledge and skills - such as writing, podcasting and basic video production skills. In your second year, you'll choose to focus on PR skills, script writing or develop your audio skills further. In your final year, you'll have the opportunity to work on a long term project for a media organisation.

The PR modules offer the opportunity for you to join our student-run communications agency, where you'll get real-life experience of working for real clients and help them solve their media and communication issues.

Outstanding facilities

You will be based at our Markeaton Street Campus, studying in classrooms, computer labs, radio studios and our TV studio. The facilities include three radio studios, a fully equipped television studio, video editing suites, Mac suites and access to Adobe Creative Suite. All of this means you’ll be confident using industry-standard technology, giving you an advantage when you're looking for a job.

Please note, this course is not currently open to applications for September 2024. We expect to open for applications in September 2024 for students to start in September 2025. If you are interested in joining us in September 2024, please see our BA (Hons) Film and High End TV course or our Media Joint Honours courses which are open for applications.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

Our tutors use a varied approach to teaching which engaging and interactive. You'll get to hear the latest insights and get advice from industry guest speakers and start to build your contacts.

You will learn in a variety of ways, including through:

• Workshops
• News days
• Work experience/real projects for employers
• Lectures and seminars, including guest lectures from key industry figures
• Fieldtrips.

2024 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2024 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

English language requirements

IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)

2024/25

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

This course is not currently accepting applications, please check back at later date to make an application for September 2025. 

This course develops the broad range of knowledge and skills you need to become a multimedia communications professional, adept in the production of content for multiple platforms and skills which can take you anywhere in the world. 

You will also be well-suited to roles in politics, content creation, marketing, communications/PR, social media, the wider creative industries, as well as law and public administration. In fact, the research and media communication skills you'll graduate with, are transferable to a huge variety of graduate level jobs.

Ensuring you’re ‘work-ready’

Our Careers and Employment Service will provide you with support from day one of your course to ensure you leave Derby as a ‘work-ready’ graduate - industry aware, motivated and enterprising. Throughout your studies, you’ll also benefit from our Personal Development Planning (PDP) scheme which enables you to reflect on your learning and develop your career ambitions. The support continues once you’ve completed your course too: you are entitled to further help and guidance from the Careers and Employment Service for up to three years after leaving the University.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Course updates

The information provided on this page is correct at the time of publication but course content, costs and other individual course details do change from time to time and are updated as often as possible, so please do check these pages again when making your final decision to apply for a course. Any updated course details will also be confirmed to you at application, enrolment and in your offer letter.

If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.