Media and Communications - BA (Hons) Degree

This BA (Hons) Media and Communications degree offers a module framework, which provides the fundamental underpinning knowledge, skills and understanding to be able to gain employment in a creative media industry. 

You will develop strong communication and media writing skills while focusing on specific industries, and gain confidence in writing various forms of journalism, PR and marketing for different media industries, such as film, sport, fashion and music. These skills are combined with multimedia production, allowing you to design, film and edit your own creative work. There is a strong focus on creativity, journalism, marketing, entrepreneurship and strategic thinking that offers the potential for you to define and develop your own ideas for media content. 

Year one: introduces key theoretical and practice-based approaches to the study and creation of media at degree level. The year aims to promote critical reading of media texts while developing knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches taken towards media in terms of textual meaning, production and audience consumption. You are encouraged to engage with and examine a variety of audio-visual texts to develop understanding of the important relationship culture and society has with mass media. A foundation in media and journalistic writing also introduces students to key industry skills and techniques. We look at news writing, covering the journalistic basics of researching a story, interviewing sources, writing clearly and concisely, and structuring your story so that the essential information is highlighted. We then move onto feature writing, examining how this less structured form of journalism can bring in more descriptive and narrative qualities in writing, while still requiring the fundamentals set out in news writing. The basics of writing for PR and other communications based media are also covered this year. 

Year two: develops subjects in more depth with specific modules targeting journalism, media industries, and continued analyses of film, TV and digital media. Our attention to research methods prepares you for the third-year independent project and you have the option of a work placement and other collaborative projects throughout the year. Through work-based learning you will gain practical, real-world experience, developing key communication skills relevant to employment in professional and enterprising contexts. 

Year in industry: The option of spending a year in industry between the 2nd and final years allow you the option to complete the degree with a level of practical experience. In consultation with the Programme Director, it may be possible to undertake this option in the three-year degree course, undertaking practical work in industry during term time or in holiday breaks during the course.

Year three/Year four: continues to specialise in the study - and creation - of media content, but will also carry out an independent project, as agreed with a project supervisor. By the end of this year, you will have a keen sense of your academic and career trajectory and will be equipped with a variety of transferable and vocational skills to help you on your journey beyond your degree.

Effective learning, teaching and assessment methods underpin the educational aims and the learning outcomes of all of our programmes and modules. Learning and teaching methods may include lectures, seminars, workshops, tutorials, guest speakers and industrial visits. Our Virtual Learning Environment is also an integral aspect of the learning package that supports the needs of our students.

Lead lectures introduce key topics and concepts, while seminars, tutorials, workshops and practical sessions focus on the application of key concepts with the aim of enhancing the student experience and engagement. You will also meet tutors on a one to one basis. As a school, we work hard to provide student-centred learning opportunities that deliver a high quality and flexible learning environment. 

Learning and teaching methods emphasise and facilitate the development of your critical reasoning, and encourage the integration of practice and theory. Throughout your programme, you will experience both tutor-led learning and self-directed methods of learning, increasing independence and reflection and encouraging you to develop a positive attitude toward lifelong learning. 

Our teaching and learning methods embed the Cardiff Met 'EDGE' (Ethical, Global, Digital and Entrepreneurial) skills and you will be well equipped to demonstrate graduate attributes expected of you in an increasingly competitive world of work. We aim to help you to develop into reflective professionals and critical scholars. 

At Cardiff Met you will encounter a learning experience from induction to graduation that is coherent and develops your identity within your programme of study. Specific features of the learning experience on BA (Hons) Media and Communications include:
• Renowned researchers and industry experienced tutors that are integral to the learning package offered to our students.
• On-campus media facilities which are utilised in order to enhance the student learning experience and apply the theoretical knowledge in a real-world setting.
• Industry partnerships which are used to underpin and enhance the delivery of the programme.
• A degree programme that meets employer needs.

Facilities
Excellent on-site media facilities and thriving media industries in Cardiff and the surrounding region combine with a network of media industry partners to provide a comprehensive work-related and work-based learning programme. This is designed to enable you to apply the knowledge gained from the degree curriculum in real-world settings and gain valuable experience to use as a foundation for further study or future employment.

We’re committed to innovative assessment practices that match identified learning outcomes for your module and degree. This means assessment, wherever possible, is linked to enhancing not only your subject knowledge but skills vital in developing your employment opportunities. Examples of assessment include research portfolios, group work, practical portfolios, critical and reflective practice, reviews, poster presentations and essays. 

 We have a variety of approaches to assessment across the degree depending upon the module. Practical modules are assessed through portfolios and accompanying critical essays in which you are required to reflect upon and contextualise your work. These modules also include class-based formative peer-assessment in the form of practical workshops. These do not count towards your final grade but the sessions do help you grow and reflect as a media practitioner. 

Modules also make use of Virtual Learning Environments for assessments and you may be asked to view material online and then to respond to it. 

You will receive tutor support in class and through our VLE in order to prepare you for each assessment point. We also have library facilities online and at campus.

The Cardiff Met EDGE supports you to thrive in the modern world. Throughout your degree you will experience a range of opportunities to develop your Ethical, Digital, Global and Entrepreneurial competencies through problem-based learning and work-based learning placements. We will ensure that you get a range of opportunities to develop transferable skills such as communication, team work and leadership. 

We will also support you to seek opportunities to work or study abroad. Work placements can give you a critical EDGE in gaining professional employment on graduation. Students who have graduated from the BA (Hons) Media and Communications programme will be expected to go on to work in careers both within and beyond the Media, Journalism, PR, Marketing, Communications and Digital Media. 

Many students also pursue their own opportunities and set up businesses based on ideas that they have generated during their studies. There is on-going enterprise support available from the Centre for Entrepreneurship designed to help provide the best chance to create a successful enterprise. This includes business mentoring, funding advice, free office space and networking opportunities. 

Other students might choose to continue onto further study through our MA Specialist Journalism programme and might progress to doctoral level studies. Graduates from our MA Specialist Journalism programme are now working in the professional media industry with Future Fusion New York, Cardiff City FC, Dead Press and GTFM Radio. 

Typical Offers

• Tariff points: 104
  
• Contextual offer: See our contextual offers page.
  
• GCSE: Preferably five GCSEs at Grade C / 4 or above to include English Language / Welsh First Language, Mathematics / Mathematics – Numeracy.
  
• English Language Requirement: Academic IELTS 6.0 overall with at least 5.5 in all elements, or equivalent.
  
• A level subjects: Minimum three A levels to include grades CCC. No specific subjects required. Welsh Baccalaureate – Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate considered as a third subject.
  
• BTEC National / Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma: MMM
  
• T Level: Merit.
  
• Access to Higher Education Diploma: No specific subjects required.
  
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma: No specific subjects required.
  
• Irish Leaving Certificate: 2 x H2. No specific subjects required. Higher level subjects only considered with a minimum grade H4.
  
• Scottish Advanced Highers: Grade DD. No specific subjects required. Scottish Highers are also considered, either on their own or in combination with Advanced Highers.
  

Combinations of the above qualifications are accepted if they meet our minimum requirements. If your qualifications aren’t listed, please contact Admissions or refer to the UCAS Course Search.

Further information on Overseas qualifications can be found here.

If you are a mature applicant, have relevant experience or RPL that you would like us to consider, please contact Admissions.

How to Apply

Further information on how to apply can be found here.

For general enquiries please contact the Admissions Team on 029 2041 6044 or email askadmissions@cardiffmet.ac.uk. 

For course specific enquiries, please contact Rob Taffurelli:
Email: rtaffurelli@cardiffmet.ac.uk ​