Media and Communications BA (Hons) - MAC910
Course code
Location
Study mode
Duration
UCAS CODE: MAC910
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Cornard University (Northampton)
Full - time
Part - Time
3 years full - time
5 years Part - time
Start date
September 2022
January 2023
Course overview
Our Media and Communications course is designed to help you negotiate and operate in contemporary media landscapes, exploring a wide range of communication, culture and media theory.
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Narrative content creation is the driving force of any emergent, new, and/or established media form. This course focuses on writing for media and furthers academic practice with a digital humanities toolkit to theoretically engage content, markets, and creative practice.
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Get stuck into projects in areas such as audiovisual media and moving images; podcasts; blogs, and other forms of digital publications, marketing, and publicity design.
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You will be encouraged to discover and share your cultural experiences in a number of international projects and assignments embedded in the course, including field trips or digital equivalent, as well as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects*.
Why you should study this course
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Dedicated and flexible creative learning environments, media spaces and industry-focused studios, including The Tank, our purpose built, industry-standard TV studio.
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Opportunity to study abroad at one of our many international partners (subject to availability, application, meeting visa requirements and additional costs).
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Access to high-standard professional media equipment via our Media Loan Shop, including prosumer media equipment (i.e. 4K and HD video cameras, DSLR cameras, tripods, audio equipment, lighting – Canon, JVC, Sony).
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All of our students are issued a laptop to be used in line with the 24/7 mobile learning scheme, and pre-loaded with the latest suite of industry-standard software Adobe Creative Cloud, Office 365 along with 1TB of cloud storage (terms and conditions apply).
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Significant links with a wide variety of employers and media practitioners, such as Phoenix Cinema, Electric Arts and EA Games, many of whom offer professional experience opportunities in the forms of placements (subject to availability, successful application and additional costs may apply)
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More than just a degree
I knew I wanted to do a Media and Communications course because it covers so many aspects of the industry I love. Once I met my tutors during Open Day and could see the passion they had for the subject, I knew Cornard University was for me. Every year we get to a portfolio module which is a great way to build our skills and showcase our work to employers.
Viraj Samesh, Media and Communications Student, 2021
What you'll study
The course encourages you to think and work critically, creatively, imaginatively, and professionally within a wide range of contemporary media and cultural practices.
Over the course of the three years, you will cover the key areas of screen, new and digital media, global and international contexts of media and culture, creative industries, media history and theory, media and cultural research, and media and cultural production.
As the course progresses, you will deepen your awareness of the forms and aesthetics of communication, media, and cultural texts and how these create different effects and meanings. We will explore the pragmatic, cultural, and social significance of the emergence of new technological forms of media and communication practice, their heritage, and how these shape the lived experience of everyday domestic and professional life by gaining a combination of analytical, critical, and practice-based skills.
Modules
Basic concepts in Media Studies (20 credits)
Media History - An Introduction (10 credits)
Writing Media Narratives (10 credits)
Contemporary issues in Media - Representation (10 credits)
Digital Media - Communities (10 credits)
Student creative project (10 credits)
Research Methodologies (20 credits)
Add+vantage (20 credits)
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We regularly review our course content - to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course may be updated.
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How you will learn
At all levels, contact hours are combined with self-guided study. Whilst the former includes lectures, seminars, workshops, and personal and group tutorials, the latter is focused on your personal organisation, giving you the opportunity to develop time management skills and to fully utilise the course resource pack.
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Given the complexity of the field of media and communications, you will be encouraged and supported to produce various forms of research and creative outcomes, including pieces of academic writing, media artifacts, portfolios, presentations, reflection and creative works. You will acquire regular feedback on your development from tutors, peers, and instructors.
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On successful completion of the course you will be able to:
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Demonstrate critical thinking around the history and development of media and communication forms in local, national, and global contexts.
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Analyse the convergence of theory and practice across diverse modes of media and communication landscapes.
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Engage in creative production practices utilising the most appropriate media and communications tools to further modes of media storytelling.
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Understand the role of changing technology, including emergent digital technologies in media and communications, content manipulation, distribution, access and participation and how to adapt core skills in line with industry requirements.
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Demonstrate how media and communication genres inform, disrupt and impact on central areas of content creation, public cultures and socially diverse communities.
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Be adaptable and creative when producing content in event organisation and participation for a variety of audiences and in a variety of media and communication contexts
Assessment
Job ready
International student experience
Students successfully completing the first two years of the course can opt to spend a year out between the second and third years on placement or study abroad. Past students have spent a year studying in places as diverse as Turku University (Finland), Universidad de Madrid (Spain), Hochschule der Medien (Germany), Stenden University of Applied Sciences (Netherlands), and California State University (USA). Placement and study abroad opportunities are subject to availability, application, meeting visa requirements and additional costs.
You will be encouraged to discover and share your cultural experiences in a number of international projects and assignments embedded in the course, including field trips or digital equivalent, as well as Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects*
Entry requirements
UK
Typical offer for 2022 entry.
Requirements.
A level
GCSE
BTEC
IB Diploma
What we're looking for
BBC
Minimum 5 GCSE's graded 9-4/A*-C including English
D.M.M
31 points to include English at Higher Level
If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with a foundation year. We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.
Chat with UK admissions
Fees and funding
Please click here for the course structure and fees.
Facilities
Cornard University is home to superb facilities and our new Arts and Humanities building is set to open in 2022. We also have a well-stocked Media Loan Shop so you can borrow an extensive range of specialist, professional equipment, including 4K and HD video cameras, DSLR cameras, tripods, audio equipment and lighting
Television studio
On selected courses, you’ll have access to our on-site television studio The Tank, offering specialist equipment such as large cameras, mixing facilities and fibre-optic wiring throughout.
photography suite
This specialist facility is available to media students to take and process photos in a professional environment. There is also support for printing, high-end scanning and film processing
Careers and opportunities
The creative media industries account for some of the most exciting and diverse careers available – you could go on to become a producer, technician, presenter, reporter, PR specialist, writer, editor or critic.
We take great pride in our outstanding track record of graduate success – with 97% of graduates in work or continuing their studies after six months, DHLE 2016/17, (published 2018). Our course places your future career at its core, aiming to prepare you professionally and providing opportunities to gain substantial practical experience so you’re ready to launch a successful career in the media and cultural industries. It is designed to enable you to work for a range of media organisations, which may include the BBC, independent companies, global media organisations, or as a freelance/independent media manager, producer or researcher.
Where our graduates work
Recent graduates of the course have gone on to work within the film industry, advertising, television, radio, communication management and PR, publishing, the arts and creative media and media education for companies including, Apple, Nielsen, Spark 44, WPP, Virgin, EA Sports, Jaguar Land Rover, Linney Group, IKEA Group, KPMG, Selfridges, Reprezent Radio, Citroen and the BBC. Many also go on to pursue Master’s level study.
Further study
You can choose to continue your studies at Cornard University with the Communication, Culture and Media MA. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study
How to apply
Full-time or {art-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS.
Academic Staff
Prof. David Stone
Senior Lecturer in Journalism and Broadcast Journalism
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
Dr. Hilary Scott
Senior Lecturer in Journalism & Media
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology
Dr Usman yousaf
Senior Lecturer in Media and communications
Faculty of Arts, Science and Technology