This programme will equip you with a specialist education in media studies that will firstly enable you to build an impressive portfolio of skills in media production, and secondly help to launch your career in this field. It examines the ‘mass media’, which in the past used to only mean newspapers, films, TV and radio, but now also incorporates the Internet and digital broadcasting as well. You will be studying the media in an academic way, looking at its history, how it influences people and society, and the different methods of interpreting it.

The skills acquired on this course, together with the communications and IT training provided will give graduates opportunities to consider careers in areas such as; Radio and TV Production, Journalism, Teaching, Publishing, New media and Corporate Production.

Apart from preparing you for a range of communication professions, it will also teach you about the changing role of media and journalism within society and its relationship to consumer culture, democracy, and everyday life in a globalised world. You will explore the media as a source of information, entertainment and identity, by studying the content, rise and power of global media companies.

The degrees courses are flexible enough to allow students to focus on those areas that interest them the most, whether it’s making video news reports, online journalism, designing advertising or public relations campaigns.

Media studies degree course overview

Curriculums are responsive to current issues and developments, meaning you will be introduced to modern theories and techniques in media practice. Students will also have considerable intellectual freedom and choice when choosing their modules, with specialist options built into programmes to enable a greater degree of personal exploration. These choices will become even broader as your studies develop. Many media studies degree courses offer crossovers with other subjects such as communication studies, English and politics, with some universities offering joint honours degrees that combine media studies with other subjects.

Classes are taught in seminars and workshops, with students taking part in research activities and a range of projects that can include film production, animation, online enquiry-based learning, virtual world studies and web design.

Assessment is typically done by a mixture of practical coursework, essays and presentations. Depending on the course, you can be assessed via essays, video documentaries, television scripts or even group presentations. Overall, these assessments will have been developed to comprehensively test your skills, knowledge and talent in this subject.

Typical course modules and areas of study on a media studies degree 

  • Introduction to Media Studies
  • Visual Culture and Design
  • The Media Business
  • Professional Writing
  • Digital Media Platforms and Practices
  • Advertising Communication
  • Media Theory and Practice
  • Electronic Media
  • Media Law
  • Media Production Project
  • Introduction to Media Law
  • Media Production
  • Broadcast Journalism
  • Public Relations
  • New Media and Culture
  • Media Literacy
  • Media Psychology
  • Critical Feature Writing and Editing
  • Interactive Technologies
  • Gaming
  • Popular Culture
  • Introduction to Film Studies
  • Television Studies
  • Culture, Media and Identity
  • Web journalism
  • Crime and the Media

Students will learn about

  • Digital production technologies
  • Mobile media
  • Media production
  • Online communication
  • Mass communication
  • Mass influence
  • News gathering and distribution
  • Brand campaigns
  • Celebrity culture
  • Video production
  • Students will learn how to
  • Film an interview.
  • Record dialogue.
  • Write for different audiences.
  • Put together a written feature.
  • Use new and social media.
  • Build up a following using blogs and twitter etc.
  • Write features, news stories, reviews and editorials.

 

Media studies personal statement

Below is a media studies personal statement written by one of our writers. You can use this example to gain an idea of how to structure and put together your own one. You are strongly advised not to copy or plagiarise it, instead use it as a resource to inspire your own creative writing.

Media studies personal statement example 

“There is a revolution in media which has been sweeping the advanced countries of the world in highly significant ways. To me it’s a really exciting time that I want to be involved in, and through this statement I wish to show my personal drive, commitment and suitability to study this subject at a high academic level.

I believe it is an incredibly exciting and empowering subject where there will always be something new to learn. I’m attracted by its dynamic environment in which new ideas, technologies and techniques are being developed all the time. As a hand’s on person who has a creative streak and good judgement, I am driven to work in an industry where I will be able to come up with my very own ideas and then be involved in developing, nurturing and executing them. For me personally there is a lot of satisfaction to be gained from challenging yourself and then achieving.

Another reason that I want to study this subject is that finding a job in the media industry is tough and competitive. To me this is my first real step towards a career in the communication and media industries. By having a degree qualification that has educated you about the latest technological and cultural advances in the media world, you can have a edge over others and really stand out.

As a flexible, creative and independent individual, I have superb interpersonal skills that allow me to communicate effectively in written, oral and visual forms. All of these are personal traits which are essential to study and also have a career in this fast moving sector.

At college I studied Media Studies at A level, and am pleased to say that I passed with high grades. College taught me how to think in an all-encompassing way, and gave me the mental resources to do what I do well by thinking progressively.

I understand that to get a job in the media, you need to have practical experience just as much as a qualification. This is why I have put a lot of effort into doing plenty of relevant extracurricular activities and trying to gain as much work experience as possible. To this effect I recently took a temporary job as a Media Assistant with a publishing company. I was involved in media planning and buying, as well as using social media to publicise the company and build its brand. Other duties included researching and developing ways to improve target audience engagement and expand product knowledge through social media platforms.

Right now my ambition is work in media and to this end I have chosen your highly regarded institution to achieve my goal. All my work experience and academic achievements to date now make me feel fully prepared to start degree program. I believe that I can easily fit into your course as I already possess substantial knowledge of the subject, am able to handle an intensive amount of coursework and can manage my study time effectively.

I have chosen to study at your university because you have a growing reputation in media studies, and I believe that I can benefit from the contacts that you have developed in all areas of journalism and media. I feel your institution has the right mixture of academic professionalism, welcoming atmosphere and vibrant social scene that can help me to grow professionally and emotionally. I would be very grateful indeed if you would consider my application to enrol on your media studies degree course, as I feel that I have the required ambition, personal commitment, knowledge and experience that are needed to be a successful student at your institution.”

 

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