BA (Hons) Media Studies
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Bachelor of Arts
- UCAS Course Code
- P300
- Entry Requirements
- ABB
- Course Length
- 3 years
- Course Start Date
- September 2023
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Why you should choose us
Of graduates go on to work and/or study within 15 months after the course
Course Overview
Our everyday lives are mediated. Everything from connecting with friends and following trends to accessing information and consuming entertainment are increasingly done through media. By studying the professional practices, industry processes and creative opportunities implicated in contemporary media, you can both better understand your place and intervene in this increasingly digitised and global space.
On this course, you’ll be equipped with a wide range of skills, knowledge and theory relevant to media and encouraged to examine their relationship to power. This course has flexibility, so that you also get the chance to use media creatively and for your own empowerment.
Our BA Media Studies is ranked in the top 20 for Media and Film Studies by 'The Guardian University Guide 2023'.
In this degree, you’ll work with leading scholars and creative practitioners to explore a range of media sectors, products and texts alongside relevant concepts, theories and approaches. You’ll gain a firm grasp of current debates within the discipline, whilst developing and enhancing the skills involved in producing your own media content.
You’ll explore histories and theories of media, covering a diverse range of audio-visual, print and digital communications, as well as examining their wider social and cultural significance. Meanwhile, in creative practice work you’ll have the opportunity to gain skills in filmmaking, publishing, radio, podcast and digital media production as well as creating promotional materials. You’ll also have access to BLOC, UEA’s Television Studio and Media Suite, which hosts state-of-the-art media technologies (editing suites, cameras and sound equipment, a sound studio and digitisation suite). You’ll also have the chance to gain real-world experience and build industry contacts with an internship. Past students have undertaken placements at local radio stations, television production companies, and the East Anglian Film Archive.
At the beginning of the degree, you’ll become familiar with the key debates in the discipline, gaining a grounding in core media studies approaches and debates. In subsequent years you’ll choose from a wide array of modules, enabling you to specialise in the areas that interest you the most. These range from industry-oriented topics such as creative media work or the business of film and TV to videogames, digital media, popular music, journalism, film genres, publishing, scriptwriting and much more besides. You could even choose to study a foreign language or apply to spend a semester studying abroad.
You’ll develop many transferable skills on this degree course, including high-level research and communication skills, team working, leadership, and self-management, all of which are desirable transferable skills that open up a wide variety of careers.
Study and Modules
Structure
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
In your first year, you’ll acquire skills vital to independent learning and develop the analytical skills which you will need throughout your course. You will have access to dedicated sessions designed to help you make the most of UEA’s state-of-the-art library facilities. Through these sessions and your academic modules, you’ll develop skills in finding resources and critically assessing sources. You will be given opportunities to practice essay writing and presentation skills as well as working in groups to develop the skills necessary for effective collaboration.
Assessment
Structure
Compulsory Modules
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 40)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)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
Assessment
Structure
Optional A Modules
(Credits: 60)Optional B Modules
(Credits: 60)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
Assessment
Entry Requirements
- A Levels
- ABB
- T Levels
- Not accepted
- BTEC
- DDM excluding BTEC Public Services, Uniformed Services and Business Administration
- Scottish Highers
- AAABB
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- BCC
- Irish Leaving Certificate
- 3 subjects at H2, 3 subjects at H3
- Access to HE Diploma
- Access to Humanities & Social Sciences pathway. Pass the Access to HE Diploma with Distinction in 30 credits at Level 3 and Merit in 15 credits at Level 3
- International Baccalaureate
- 32 points
- GCSE
- You are required to have Mathematics and English Language at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4 or above at GCSE.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 6.0 overall (minimum 5.5 in all components) for year 1 entry
-
IELTS: 6.5 overall (minimum 6.0 in all components) for year 2 entry
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
If you do not yet meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
-
- Interviews
Most applicants will not be called for an interview and a decision will be made via UCAS. However, for some applicants an interview will be requested. Where an interview is required the Admissions Service will contact you directly to arrange a time.
- Deferred Entry
- We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. You are advised to indicate your reason for wishing to defer entry on your UCAS application.
- Intakes
- This course is open to UK and International applicants. The annual intake is in September each year.
Additional Information or Requirements
UEA are committed to ensuring that Higher Education is accessible to all, regardless of their background or experiences. One of the ways we do this is through our contextual admissions schemes.
We welcome and value a wide range of alternative qualifications. If you have a qualification which is not listed here, please contact us via Admissions Enquiries.
If you do not meet the academic requirements for direct entry, you may be interested in one of our Foundation Year Programmes
Important note
Once enroled onto your course at UEA, your progression and continuation (which may include your eligibility for study abroad, overseas experience, placement or year in industry opportunities) is contingent on meeting the assessment requirements which are relevant to the course on which you are enroled.
International Requirements
We accept many international qualifications for entry to this course. View our International Students pages for specific information about your country.
INTO University of East Anglia
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme. Depending on your interests, and your qualifications you can take a variety of routes to this degree:
International Foundation in Business, Economics, Society and Culture (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
International Foundation in Humanities and Law (for Year 1 entry to UEA)
Fees and Funding
Tuition Fees
View our information for Tuition Fees.
Scholarships and Bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds. View our range of Scholarships for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
How to Apply
Apply for this course through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Services (UCAS), using UCAS Hub.
UCAS Hub is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom.
Your application does not have to be completed all at once. Register or sign in to UCAS to get started.
Once you submit your completed application, UCAS will process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
View our guide to applying through UCAS for useful tips, key dates and further information:
Employability
After the Course
You’ll graduate with the skills required to find work in the creative industries, both in the UK and elsewhere in the world. You could enter broadcasting, social media, public relations or a content agency. Alternatively, you could continue your academic passion with postgraduate study at UEA.
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.
Examples of careers you could enter include:
- Social media
- Publicity officers
- Radio
- Television production
- Journalism
- Publishing (books, magazines, newspapers)