Course details

Study options

Full-time: 3 years

UK fee

£9,250 per year (2025/26)

International fee

£16,900 per year (2025/26)

UCAS points

112 (September 2025 entry)

UCAS code

PLH3

Start date

September

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Top5for satisfaction with feedbackSociology and Social Policy - Guardian University Guide 2024

How are identities constructed through our engagement with media? How do disability, class, ethnicity, gender, religion, nationality, sexuality and other social divisions play key roles in both access to the media and modes of representation within the media? 

Study key themes such as political economy, representation, discourse and identity to understand human behaviour through the lens of media and society. 

Real-world learning 

Practical learning is built into your learning, you will learn how to write for different media platforms, such as journalism, promotional and PR writing, with an emphasis on digital media platforms such as web content writing, blogging and social media.

You’ll also develop your creativity through the planning, design and creation of media projects, learning essential skills in script or treatment writing, digital video and editing. You will bring Sociology to life through work placements, community engagement, an active student society, and fascinating guest speakers and relevant study visits to bring to life the many applications of the subject.

Bringing your subject to life 

What makes a Derby Sociologist? You’ll apply sociology to the world around you, visiting local religious centres, taking sociological walking tours of the city, and going on exciting field trips to bring sociology to life nationally or globally. You will not just study in Derby, you will study Derby City and the County as well as taking national and international perspectives. It is our classroom and our living laboratory!  

Our media modules have a strong focus on understanding the dynamics of the media and communication industries, and you will be encouraged to consider philosophical questions of identity, ethics and responsibility in the context of global citizenship. 

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Choose your pathway

Studying a Media and Sociology 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.

In this pathway, you study Media and Sociology equally.

In this combination, Media is the major subject and Sociology is the minor subject.

In this combination, Sociology is the major subject and Media is the minor subject.

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:

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Big spaces for big ideas

Kedleston Road offers it all: study in our largest library, relax at Basecamp, train in real-world healthcare settings, and stay active in our state-of-the-art Sports Centre.

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What you will study

The modules below indicate the range of modules you may study as part of this combination, however prescribed and optional modules will vary depending on whether you choose to study both subjects equally, or choose to major or minor in a subject. To find out exactly which modules you would study as part of your chosen combination please contact jhs@derby.ac.uk.

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.

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus entrance

Undergraduate Open Days

The best way to find out if studying at Derby is right for you is to experience an Open Day. Get a feel for the city and campus, tour our first-class facilities and see where you could be living.

Book your Undergraduate Open DayBook your Undergraduate Open Day

How you will learn

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

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

How you are assessed 

You’ll be assessed through a broad range of methods which allows you to demonstrate your individual strengths and abilities. These include: 

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Helping you reach your full potential

Our Personal Academic Tutoring programme supports your academic journey, helping you achieve your goals and unlock your potential.

Explore the programme

Who will teach you

Dr Gurvinder Aujla-Sidhu

Programme Leader

Gurvinder Aujla-Sidhu sitting at a desk

Dr Gurvinder Aujla-Sidhu

Gurvinder Aujla-Sidhu is an Associate Professor and Head of Discipline in Journalism at the University of Derby. Her research focuses on diversity, inclusion and race in journalism practice and representation, radio, diaspora, and ethn...

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Entry requirements

2025 entry

These are the typical qualification requirements for September 2025 entry.

Contextual offers may apply to students who meet certain criteria.

RequirementWhat we're looking for
UCAS points112
A LevelBBC
T LevelMerit
BTECDMM
GCSEGCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification
Access to HEPass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6

English language requirements

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

Fees and funding

2025/26

 Full-timePart-time
UK

£9,250 per year

N/A

International

£16,900 per year

N/A

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

How to apply

Please look at our application deadlines before you apply.


UK students

If you are in Year 13 and applying for a full-time undergraduate course (including our joint honours courses), we recommend that you apply through UCAS.

Apply through UCAS

If you are applying to study part-time, or already have your qualifications, or wish to join at Year 2 or 3, you should apply directly to the University.

Apply directly to the University

Careers

You will be well-suited to roles in:

In fact, the research and communication skills you'll graduate with, are transferable to a huge variety of graduate-level jobs.

Getting you career ready

Your degree is only part of your story.

We're here to help prepare you for life after university.

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96%
of UK graduates are in employment or further study.

Top 5
for employability.
Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2025.

87%
of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.

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.

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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.

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