Media and English

English at Derby is an exciting, diverse and challenging course that not only incorporates the close analysis of literature but also considers the situations in which literature is produced and read. This means your studies will include the intellectual and cultural history of art, film, philosophy, linguistics and sociology, as well as contemporary cultural politics. You will be introduced to a range of cultural expression from across the globe and from diverse historical periods.  

There is the opportunity to broaden your experience with work-based learning projects, study visits to cultural and heritage institutions, as well as lectures and seminars delivered by guest speakers. You’ll 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.

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 give you the chance to join our student-run communications agency where you'll get real-life experience of working for real clients to help them solve their media and communication issues. 

Inspirational teaching 

You will be taught by an enthusiastic team with research expertise covering a broad range of areas in both literature and language. We place emphasis on discussion and active engagement with the material. We aim to challenge you to achieve your best and offer substantial tutorial support in addition to scheduled classes. 

Choose your pathway

Studying a Media and English Joint Honours degree allows you to choose whether you major in one subject or study them both equally.  

You begin this degree by studying both subjects equally in your first year. By the end of your first year, you will then decide whether you would like to major or minor in a chosen subject or continue to study them both equally. 

Boost your employability with a placement year

Take an optional placement year to put your skills into practice in a real-world setting. We’ll support you in finding a placement and throughout your time in industry. It’s a great way to gain valuable experience for your CV, build contacts, and explore career options before you graduate.

What is a Joint Honours degree?

A Joint Honours degree offers students the opportunity to study two subjects.

A Joint Honours degree is a great option if:

• You want to study two subjects you’re passionate about
• You’ve got a specific career in mind and want to create a tailored degree to prepare you for the future
• You want to study a new subject alongside one you’re already familiar with

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

With your English modules you’ll learn through a mixture of:  

• Lectures, seminars and tutorials 
• Project work 
• Technology-enhanced learning 
• Peer reviews and presentations 

We also arrange visits to literary festivals, local and national museums, cultural heritage sites and other areas of interest. 

How you are assessed 

Our assessment strategy is designed to produce confident, articulate graduates with a broad set of skills. There are no exams and forms of assessment include seminar debates, group presentations, practice-based video work and conference papers alongside essays and longer research projects. We place great emphasis on developing your research skills with independent projects playing a key part in the second and third year of the course.  

Who will teach you

You will be taught by our team of engaging, passionate and inspiring subject experts.

Media: Gurvinder Aujla-Sidhu

English: Dr Robin Sims

We will provide you with the skills to critically engage with the world in which you live as well as developing your understanding of cultural difference and of the capacity of language to produce unintended effects and meanings. This awareness is hugely valuable to employers. 

You’ll 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. 

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

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

Additional costs and optional extras

Additional information about your studies

You will typically study your two subjects equally at stage one, before choosing whether you want to major in one subject at stages two and three.

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.