Media and Communication with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

You’ll learn how to undertake research across creative domains, and how to use various referencing formats. You’ll sharpen skills for accurately representing information and learn how to overcome nerves to deliver engaging presentations.

Through writing to academic standards, you'll articulate concepts clearly and convincingly. Demonstrating knowledge of academic sources, you’ll elevate your work with credible support. This module cultivates core transferable skills to communicate with impact as a creative professional.

Through visual storytelling you will develop creative concepts and executing professional productions in teams. Develop a short narrative monologue to shoot, and gain first-hand experience in key roles like directing and cinematography.

Supplement practical work with case study analysis to evaluate techniques, as you work collaboratively amongs your peers to produce your short film.

You'll build the essential skills needed for video and film production as you pitch your own music video concept, then shoot and edit it within a tight timescale.

Collaborate in creative teams to experience various roles first-hand. Covering techniques from pre-production planning to seamless post-production. By the end, you'll have produced a project showcasing your work, and you'll be fully prepared to take on more advanced projects.

Engaging with critical perspectives, you’ll gain deeper insight into creative media. By exploring production processes and methodologies, you’ll strengthen practical abilities while considering ethical implications. Analysing media outputs and audience engagement, you’ll hone your evaluation skills.

From research methodologies to creative evaluations, you’ll stretch your analytical muscles to advance critical thinking.

Grow your fundamental writing skills and gain hands-on experience writing work including fiction, screenwriting, and opinion pieces. With guidance from expert tutors, you'll research and craft an original piece to stretch your skills. You'll develop essential literacy, communication, and research abilities for your future media careers.

Gain first-hand experience researching, writing, and editing news stories, articles and other publications. You'll explore core reporting methods, from sharpening your investigative eye to conducting interviews, and be introduced to tools of the trade like shorthand and podcasting. You'll produce your own compelling journalism piece, and finish the module ready to find and tell stories that engage audiences.

Understanding your own skills, interests and motivations, you'll explore your future career decisions.

Insights from academics and professionals will inform your knowledge of required skills and qualities in creative tech. And you'll critically assess technological, ethical and commercial challenges and opportunities in contemporary film and TV.

Examine concepts such as transnationalism, globalisation and resistance in meida. You'll discuss the changes of national identity and national media industries throughout the 20th and 21st centuries with a focus on key social, political and cultural events.

You'll explore influential schools of thought for understanding mass media, from the past to the present. Learn how to analyse media texts and understand our media-filled world through case studies and exercises. Guided by experienced lecturers, you’ll sharpen your critical thinking, research, and independent enquiry skills.

By the end, you'll have the essential knowledge and tools to start your journey as a media scholar, ready to explore deeper questions. Let this module set your curiosity ablaze as you explore the power and possibilities of media.

You’ll learn about different editing platforms and asset management methods. This will help you gain needed skills to follow professional workflows.

In this focused setting, you’ll work on complex projects. You’ll use innovative editing techniques while maintaining a clear creative vision.

By the end of the module, you’ll be able to refine edits to a high standard, preparing them for festival debuts or TV broadcasting.

You will learn the fundamental concepts and skills required for using a camera, editing, sound, and storytelling.

Collaborating with others on creative projects will help you develop teamwork skills. You will learn to create compelling scenes and stories while considering how to put them together.

Throughout the course, you will be encouraged to reflect on what you have learned and how it can be applied to your future work. Additionally, you will learn how to work safely and effectively on a film set.

By the end of the module, you will have gained valuable knowledge about the filmmaking process and acquired skills that can be useful for future studies or a career in the industry.

The course will cover traditional storytelling techniques through different writing projects. As you progress, you will learn how to create proposals and scripts that meet the industry standards. This will enable you to become a better storyteller.

Additionally, you will learn how to deliver your ideas in an impressive and captivating manner. This will help you manage your time more effectively. By exploring the creative methods used in major films and TV shows, you will gain a profound understanding of the storytelling process.

Upon completing this module, you will be well-equipped to begin your career as a writer in the film and TV industry.

You'll learn about the creation and production of films for the global market by developing scripts and pitching ideas. Additionally, you'll also gain a business perspective by understanding scheduling, budgeting, and funding.

During the module, you'll discover the various roles on set to understand the production process better. Furthermore, you'll learn about safety procedures and paperwork to ensure that best practices are followed.

This module is a comprehensive guide, covering both the creative and business sides of the international film industry.

You will get the opportunity to study classic and modern stories from different genres, including crime and flash fiction, which will help you learn about literary styles. Moreover, you will practice writing for different age groups, such as adults, young adults, and children, and adapt your writing style accordingly.

Throughout the module, you will turn your ideas into complete stories and develop a portfolio of your work. You will also get the chance to improve your creative process through discussions and self-assessment. In addition, you will experience the publishing world by pitching a story to a magazine.

By the end of the module, you will have discovered your unique storytelling voice and created captivating short fiction.

You’ll explore emerging technologies to understand how the internet, social media, and ambient media shape—and are shaped by—human behaviour. Consider expert opinions to spark discussions about online communities and the idea of an ‘information society.’ We’ll show you how to find trustworthy sources online, helping you delve into the participation culture across platforms.

By making your own digital content, you’ll learn about the impact of what people create and share in our always-connected world. Crucially, by taking part, you’ll improve your ability to use different media platforms and develop your creativity, preparing you for jobs in today’s digital-first workplace.

You'll grasp the history of broadcasting and the current institutional landscape in the UK and globally.

Analysing pressing issues for production, you'll develop your critical thinking. And understanding the legal, ethical and regulatory environment shaping production and broadcasting will inform your own practice.

Using a rich skillset, you'll produce an actual radio or podcast project.

You'll be taken through the steps that are followed by the TV industry to transform an idea into a finished 'taster tape', which is a short sample of a TV show idea.

Working in a team, you'll create high-quality content, which will improve your research and storytelling abilities. You'll also attend workshops and lectures conducted by professionals who work in the media. Here, you'll learn how to generate ideas, select the right people to appear on screen, and get TV executives interested in your show.

By analyzing actual TV shows, you'll gain insight into what makes good factual media. You'll also use your technical skills to create your own film, showcasing your editorial talent.

This module is an excellent opportunity to enter the exciting field of creating TV programs based on real-life events and stories.

Discussing film festivals' cultural contribution, you'll develop your critical eye. Learning the practices of curating film events will empower you to plan screenings and programmes.

You'll reflect on questions of power, ethics and representation in your own curatorial process, and gain professional growth.

You’ll use industry-standard equipment to capture clear sound recordings on location. Hone your ears creating rich soundscapes and effects in post-production, using Pro Tools. Explore how sound influences cinematic storytelling. 

Working in teams, you’ll get a feel for on-set roles and workflows, all while meeting the specific needs of a production. 

You’ll also be able to experiment with audio to make your stories more engaging. Plus, you’ll put together an impressive sound reel that shows your technical skills and artistic flair.

Finish this module with the mastery for a career in recording and mixing audio for the screen. 

Your talents will truly resonate in every project you touch.

You will have access to advanced cameras and editing software to create your own projects, collaborate with your peers and review each other's work.

Furthermore, you will learn about industry safety procedures, the relationship between ideas and techniques, and explore your creativity by participating in this filmmaking experience.

You’ll trace the development of film, TV, and digital media, grasping historical impacts and the concept of spectatorship. Look into expert analyses to explore how interactive technologies shape audiences and people. You’ll contextually analyse screen entertainment as an industry, considering economic factors and passive vs active engagement. Through a mix of practical and theoretical work, your projects will showcase your in-depth understanding of the subject. You’ll also evaluate online materials to support your findings.

By the end, you’ll have a well-rounded understanding of screen culture. You can use this to pursue many careers, from media programming to content creation.

Through a study exchange overseas, you will manage tasks and projects relevant to your course, working independently or collaboratively as part of a team.

The experience enables you to showcase your talents on a global stage while reflecting on your personal growth. With enhanced employability prospects, you return home with a new perspective to inform your practice.

This module provides an opportunity to put media theory into practice as you develop and shoot your own narrative project.

You will learn how to manage your time effectively, progress from concept to final edit, and analyse your creative decisions and cinematic storytelling.

This experience is invaluable for anyone looking to plan and produce a film from start to finish.

You’ll look at how some media stories use more than one platform, like books, films, games, and more. Discover how transmedia has changed over time and how to make your own stories more immersive and interactive. You’ll work with others to create and present your own transmedia project.

This module will help you become a skilled transmedia storyteller, ready for the industry. You’ll also improve your teamwork and research skills by collaborating with others. Most of all, your creativity will bloom as you immerse yourself in the future of interactive storytelling.

Join a team of creative students and do a project together. Try new things and see how they can help you.

You’ll also grasp how to use your skills with others. Sometimes you’ll be a leader, sometimes a helper. Talk about your ideas and learn from them. You’ll make something to show what you learned and share it with others.

This module helps you gain new skills and understand other fields. You’ll be a smart and creative person, ready to solve real-world problems.

In this module, you’ll study how film has evolved and look at today’s challenges. These will help you think about creativity from a justice-focused perspective.

This broad approach will give you a clearer view of the ethical guidelines that professionals follow in different fields.

With greater critical understanding and ethical duties, you’ll be equipped to make wise career choices, leading with empathy.

You’ll choose learning tasks that add up to 60 hours, like internships, volunteering, research, or remote study that match your career plans. Workshops will help you make meaningful goals and think about what you’ve accomplished. Through this, you’ll grow the knowledge, skills, and qualities you need to thrive in the workplace.

By looking at your growth through active participation and reading, you’ll become a perceptive, eager job-seeker who stands out.

As a team, you will embark on a journey of entrepreneurship, starting with ideation and ending with the launch of your product or service. You will analyse complex factors influencing a successful launch, conduct thorough research to assess feasibility and gain valuable insights into marketing, manufacturing, and sales strategies.

Working together on pitch presentations, you will discover your strengths as an entrepreneur or team member. This module provides transferable skills essential to thrive in creative industries, whether you plan to launch your own company or seek employment with top organisations. You will develop the mindset and abilities to spot opportunities and act on them, which will benefit your career.

You'll identify transferable skills for roles from production to post-production.

Learning from professionals, you'll analyse practices, build networks, and understand different pathways into the industry.

Creating materials to showcase your abilities, you'll address development needs.

Staying up-to-date with emerging tech, you'll be ready to bring fresh ideas to studios.

This module helps you focus your talents and experiences toward your dream job.

You'll initiate, manage and deliver your own production, aligning it to your programme's creative focus.

Showcasing your technical and creative prowess, you'll skilfully utilise media tools to realise your vision. Supported by research, you'll make savvy choices, elevating impact. Mindful of ethics, you'll produce responsibly whilst modelling professional practice.

Through sharp communication, coordination and time management, you'll cap off your degree by successfully completing a production that excites. And evaluating your production and creative growth against industry benchmarks, you’ll gain invaluable insight for future undertakings.

Work in groups to plan and use resources well while refining your technical skills. You’ll take on specific roles, such as directing, cinematography, or editing. Use your production knowledge to operate equipment safely to industry standards. The project you finish will show how well you can apply theory to practice. 

This real-world experience will be a standout addition to your portfolio and prepare you for a successful career in film and media. You’ll be better prepared for jobs in commercial production.

You’ll look at how new technologies are changing political communication and giving more people a voice. Discuss the good and bad points: is social media bringing people together or dividing them?

Look into social movements and how people are using the internet to push for change. Study real-life examples of how political parties and leaders use (or don’t use) online tools. Get a solid understanding to judge what people say about the digital era. Learn to use critical theories to figure out technology’s role in running a country. Improve your ability to explain what digital media means for democracy to many people.

By the end of this module, you’ll be ready to join in on the conversation about how the internet is changing democracy.

Immerse yourself in in-depth research of a real person from the past, then weave fact with fiction as you plot their untold tales.

Or reinvent fictional narratives from books, TV and film by becoming an imaginative fan fiction author.

Share your original re-tellings at our lively Character Conference.

By the end, you'll have produced compelling stories in historical and fan fiction genres, and developed key skills in experimenting with language, structure and canon.

You’ll consider how the news presents important events such as wars, disasters, and emergencies, and reflect on the impact of reporting. Dig into how news is made and think deeply about the forces that shape reporting on human rights. By studying real examples and doing your own research, you’ll learn to apply complex ideas to your analyses.

You’ll come to see the important role journalism has in society and learn how to cover world issues responsibly. Be a part of important talks on how the media deals with human rights — discussions that could lead to real change.

You'll explore the promotional tactics behind Hollywood blockbusters, foreign cinema and indie releases.

Learning about distribution deals and licensing, you'll see how posters, trailers and social media hook viewers.

Analysing box office data, you'll understand movie programming and performance, and with research skills, you'll evaluate real marketing campaigns.

This module reveals the commercial power of the movie industry.

You will learn about key concepts and approaches to create compelling and authentic stories. You will also learn how to show reality while being critically aware of ethical practices. Additionally, you will get hands-on experience filming on location by finding stories, interviewing people involved, and collaborating with others to shape your ideas.

Throughout the module, you will gain knowledge on every aspect of creating a documentary, from start to finish. By studying different documentary styles and storytelling contexts, you will be able to make a powerful documentary that showcases your skills.

At the end of the module, you will have honed your skills and gained a deep understanding of the genre, allowing you to pursue creative documentary projects with confidence.

You’ll create a unique magazine for a specific niche and study the media environment. This will help you gain a competitive edge in everything—from branding to circulation.

Working as part of an editorial team, you’ll take on real industry roles, crafting engaging issues that perfectly blend concept, content, and visual excellence.

This practical experience is a solid base for coming up with ideas and producing magazines that truly stand out in the market.

Explore popular texts that have sparked dedicated fan bases. You’ll learn theories to grasp why audiences get so engaged. Study the roots of subcultures united by favourite movies, TV shows, and merchandise. Look at research on how fans interact, create communities, and set themselves apart. You’ll also get hands-on experience by joining fan groups online to study and support ideas about our strong connections with media.

With a mix of critical analysis, real-world examples, and practical research, you’ll uncover the social dynamics of fandom.

This module will deepen your understanding of why people become fans and how these communities operate, enriching your knowledge through both study and direct experience.

You'll create professional materials like a CV, cover letters, and online portfolio to showcase your skills to employers. With 40 hours of work in the film and TV industry, you’ll get important experience and meet people who can help you in your career.

This module is a great chance to create your own personal brand. You’ll analyse what film studios and production companies are looking for, so you can customise your skills and stand out from the crowd.

By the end, you’ll have a collection of work and materials that fit your goals in the film and screen world. Use your creativity to take control of where your career is headed.

During this module, you'll spend 6 months working on your own business venture, then 3 months gaining industry experience. This opportunity allows you to apply what you've learned in a practical setting while exploring different career options. You'll also have the chance to develop professional relationships and expand your network.

Assess your personal strengths and weaknesses to set goals for the future. Throughout the module, you'll demonstrate increasing independence while still valuing the support of others. Gain a broader understanding of the world through real-world experiences and insights. Additionally, you'll earn valuable credits for your CV and enhance your skill set.

By the end of this module, you'll graduate with the practical experience that employers are seeking.

This experience lets you learn firsthand how to set up and run a small business. You’ll absorb professional practices and business situations that matter to your entrepreneurial goals. Make important connections while working independently within set rules. Think deeply about your strengths, weaknesses, criteria for success, and future plans.

This opportunity is useful for your career. It lets you use what you’ve learnt in your degree in the real world and helps you understand your capabilities.

After finishing this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get more credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable step in developing an entrepreneurial way of thinking.

You’ll spend 24–48 weeks at a chosen company, learning from professionals and helping out with actual projects. Gain confidence, knowledge, and skills by taking on more responsibility with gradually less help. As you progress, you’ll make professional connections and think about how you’re doing. Take in what you learn about how industries and businesses work.

This placement is an ideal chance to grow in your career. By using what you’ve learnt in a workplace, you’ll understand more about your own strengths, what you need to work on, and your plans after you graduate.

After this placement and the related assessments, you’ll get extra credits for your sandwich degree. This practical experience is a valuable part of your education.

Undertake specialised assignments to demonstrate your abilities. Reflect on how global creative culture has expanded your perspective. Identify new transferable skills to empower your continued educational and professional journey.

Examining international contexts, you'll critically assess activities relevant to your field, gaining fresh insights into communication theory and practice worldwide.

In an overseas environment, you'll complete assignments independently, sharpening skills transferable to future studies and careers. Upon returning, thoughtful reflection will reveal your personal growth, as you process new worldviews and cross-cultural competencies.