BA (Hons) Media and International Development with International Year One
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Course Overview
Immerse yourself in the worlds of media, communication, and international development, and study the complex relationship between them.
Discover the ways charities and other development organisations communicate about poverty, inequality, conflict and migration. Explore why some humanitarian crises and disasters make it onto our TV screens and others don’t and what effect this has on public attitudes and government policy.
You’ll also ask: how important is press freedom in promoting democracy and tackling poverty? What is the impact of digital media in developing countries? Do Facebook and Twitter encourage political participation, or do they undermine citizens' genuine engagement with politics?
These are just some of the important questions and issues you’ll explore on this fascinating course.
This course is designed for international students with an academic background from outside of the UK. The first year based at INTO UEA is designed to improve your English language skills, increase your knowledge of academic theories, and develop key study and research skills for undergraduate study, before you transition to the School of International Development for your second and third years.
You’ll study both media and international development on this innovative course, and the complex relationship between them. The media are important to all aspects of international development, from raising public awareness about defining social and political issues such as global poverty or climate change to facilitating the flows of information in our increasingly globalised world.
At the same time, the media are central to promoting citizens’ political participation, encouraging charitable donations, promoting human rights and delivering public health messages during humanitarian crises.
This course will enable you to bring an international outlook to a career in media and communications. You’ll also be able to bring an in depth understanding of media to a career in the field of international development. You’ll graduate well prepared for careers in NGO communications, development journalism, humanitarian communication and media development.
This degree is unique in the UK in combining media and international development studies side by side. In both fields you’ll be taught by leading academic experts. We’re actively involved in research around the world, working with many national and international development agencies, media organisations, charities, and civil society actors.
Study and Modules
Structure
The first year is taught by both INTO and the School of International Development, and consists of three terms/two semesters focusing on academic knowledge and study skills. The programme ensures that international students are fully prepared to progress to the second year of their undergraduate degree at UEA. Alongside your academic study, an additional English & Study Skills course includes classes that closely support the academic programme.
Through this programme, you’ll gain a thorough understanding of contemporary issues in media and international development. You’ll study several media-specialist modules where you will develop a foundation for critically engaging with and analysing media in development and will develop your media production skills in areas such as film-making and online journalism. Other modules have a primary international development focus and will explore the complex inter-relations between environment, society, and economy, including historical and geographical perspectives.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll critically reflect on key issues in a variety of settings: Lectures, workshops, seminars and film screenings. At all times, you’ll benefit from cutting-edge academic materials.
The teaching for your INTO modules takes the form of lectures, seminars and workshops which may be student- or teacher-led. Lecture content is supported visually by live and recorded presentations, multimedia content and lecture notes which will be available to you via the virtual learning environment (VLE). All modules have a blended learning component (combining online and face-to-face input) incorporating elements such as: interactive resources, online reading lists, embedded video/recorded content, lecture slides and independent study materials. We will encourage you to interact critically with the learning materials to develop a deeper understanding of the key concepts and to develop critical thinking skills and higher-level thinking.
You will be well supported through your learning at INTO. Each student is assigned a personal tutor who will meet with you regularly and provide individualised study guidance. You’ll be allocated a new Personal Academic Advisor when you progress to UEA. Your English and Study Skills teacher will prepare you for the language and communication demands of study at an undergraduate level such as: listening and speaking in seminars, research skills and academic writing. We will also help with your transition to UEA through opportunities to meet lecturers, and to participate in a range of social events and activities and to meet the UEA undergraduate students you will join in year 2.
Assessment
Throughout your course, you’ll be assessed across a combination of coursework and written exams.
For your INTO modules, a diverse range of summative assessment methods are used to assess learning outcomes and help develop skills. The most common methods are essays, portfolios, course tests or exams, and seminar presentations. Assessment tasks and associated guidelines are co-ordinated across modules to enable you to feed forward to improve on and develop your skills and knowledge.
Formative assessment with feedback plays an important role in the programme. All students receive some form of formative feedback for every module they take. A wide range of different types of formative feedback are available including: written submissions with written feedback, mock exams/tests (perhaps with peer feedback), seminar presentations of essay plans/outlines/drafts (with oral feedback from seminar leader), and one-to-one discussions with lecturers during tutorial hours.
Progress reports are issued regularly through the course. You will be issued with an arrival report in the middle of Semester 1, and a mid-year report in Semester 2, detailing progress across the programme. Full results transcripts are issued after each term with detailed performance feedback given by each tutor.
Structure
At this stage of your degree, you’ll have the opportunity to develop further skills in research methods and choose modules about specific regions of the world. You’ll be able to choose further international development and optional modules relating to media. These cover issues such as globalisation and culture, the role of digital technologies, politics and media, gender, identity and the media, and journalism writing.
You’ll also have the option of studying a range of foreign languages including Arabic, Chinese, French, German and Spanish.
You’ll explore the role of media and communications within the field of development. How can media - both 'old' and 'new' - mobilise citizens, change government policies, modify behaviours, promote democracy and help tackle poverty and inequality? Key themes that you will explore include press freedom, disinformation, behaviour change communication, participatory communication, community media, and the role of digital communication technologies.
Please see the main course page for information on the Year 2 modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll critically reflect on key issues in a variety of settings: lectures, workshops, seminars, and film screenings. At all times, you’ll benefit from cutting-edge academic materials.
Through group work in seminars and presentations, you’ll be able to develop a range of transferable skills. These will include articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting your ideas in a lucid and cogent manner.
The learning activities will depend on your module choices but will include a combination of lectures, group-based seminars, tutorials, and independent learning. As the degree progresses, there will be more emphasis on independent study, enabling you to pursue areas of learning tailored specifically to your interests. You’ll once again be supported by a personal academic advisor and have access to a senior advisor.
Assessment
In your second year, you’ll again be assessed by a combination of coursework such as essays, presentations, and written exams. You will have the opportunity to prepare for these assessments through various formative assignments. You will also receive personal feedback on each piece of coursework you submit to help you improve your future submissions.
BEGINNERS' LANGUAGE MODULES
You can select from a wide range of language modules. For more information, and for a full list of available module options, please visit our Language Options page.
Structure
In your third year, you’ll continue to specialise, choosing from a range of optional modules, covering topics such as wars and humanitarian crises, migration and development, development in practice and activist campaigning. You will also have the option of writing a dissertation on a subject of your choosing under the close supervision of a relevant member of staff.
You'll be introduced to important techniques for storytelling relevant to the field of international development and help you in developing your practical skills required to make a short film/documentary.
Please see the main course page for information on the Year 3 modules.
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
You’ll critically reflect on key issues in a variety of settings: lectures, workshops, seminars, and film screenings. At all times, you’ll benefit from cutting-edge academic materials.
Through group work in seminars and presentations, you’ll be able to develop transferable skills. These will include articulating an argument both orally and in writing and presenting your ideas in a lucid and cogent manner.
Assessment
Throughout your course, you’ll be assessed across a combination of coursework and written exams.
The precise balance of coursework and exams will once again depend on your module choices. You will develop key practical skills by producing a short film/documentary in small groups. You will also have the option to write a dissertation which will offer an important opportunity for you to further develop and demonstrate your skills in interdisciplinary analysis in a self-motivated study. Throughout the year, you will receive detailed feedback on all of your coursework.
BEGINNERS' LANGUAGE MODULES
You can select from a wide range of language modules. For more information, and for a full list of available module options, please visit our Language Options page.
Entry Requirements
- English Foreign Language
- IELTS of 5.5 overall and in each component.
Additional Information or Requirements
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
Year 1: from £19,470
View our information for Tuition Fees for subsequent years.
Scholarships and Bursaries
With a range of generous scholarships on offer for the highest-achieving students, you could be eligible to receive up to £5,000 towards your tuition fees. INTO Regional Offices will contact any students eligible for scholarships.
Course Related Costs
Please see Additional Course Fees for details of additional course-related costs.
How to Apply
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with knowledge and skills valued by a range of organisations related to international development. These include government agencies, the United Nations, private sector companies, consultancy firms, and the many hundreds of large and small non-government organisations that focus on development and humanitarian work.
Some of our alumni are working for organisations such as Stonewall, Women’s Aid and Public Media Alliance. Many of our alumni have also gone to work in the media. Recent graduates have become freelance film-makers, photographers and travel writers and even set up their own production companies.
You could pursue numerous career paths combining both media and international development such as NGO communications, development journalism, public relations, marketing and media development.
Or you could use the academic and transferable skills gained from our degrees for careers in the private sector, the voluntary and public sector, education, and academia.
You will also be perfectly equipped to continue your studies with a Master's degree across a wide range of fields such as international development, international politics, media and communication, journalism studies, and beyond.
Careers
A degree at UEA will prepare you for a wide variety of careers. We've been ranked 1st for Job Prospects by StudentCrowd in 2022.
Career destinations related to your degree include:
- Charities and NGOs
- Development journalism
- International organisations
- Media organisations
- Marketing and Communications
- Travel writer