The media are central to modern life, influencing how we work, relax, make sense of the world and relate to those around us. Media studies is about understanding how the various media can shape the way we live. It examines the character, content, wider context and influence of the media. Media studies investigates technologically mediated communication in order to understand its practices and explore its meanings and consequences for human experience.

Our well-established media programme, one of the first in Britain, combines state-of-the-art production facilities with teaching staff expertise across a broad range of media forms and perspectives, cultural theory and contemporary practice.

The programme explores the changing nature, reach and influence of the media and places emphasis on making sense of changes in media industries, work practices, media forms, cultures and technologies in a global and comparative context. The teaching team are all active researchers and/or producers of the media; we pride ourselves on our commitment to innovative teaching and strong student support and guidance.

Our programme equips students to understand media practices through academic investigation and production work. Students can pursue a broad range of interests in the practice and study of media. We are proud of our interdisciplinary theory-practice approach, our broad-ranging programme, and our specialisms in international cultural analysis and media industries research. All students make media, and those wishing to specialise are assisted in developing advanced skills in media production.

The BA (Hons) degree requires three years offull-time study, or may be studied for up to six years part-time.Level one modules lay the theoretical, historical and practical foundations for the study of media.Level two modules engage students further in the professional side of our field (including work experience) while enabling them to pursue a range of intellectual and practice-based studies. At level three students complete an independent project, either a written dissertation or a media production project, and select from a variety of advanced module options. The course enables students to pursue media production work across all levels of the degree, but production is only core for single honours students at level one. Amongst the modules students can choose are ones addressing television, film, music, print, the internet and digital media cultures, and modules on topics including youth cultures, music, media law, public relations, global media, and exploring how the media represent differences of identity, including gender, sexuality and race.

Lectures, seminars, workshops, personal tutorials,individual supervision of projects, web-based learning, study support groups, production space, technical support,external visits, guest speakers and events, networkingopportunities. We have state-of-the-art production and editing facilities in our Multimedia Production Centre and excellent resources and facilities in our newly built Library, at the Docklands campus, and also online.

The majority of modules on the programme are assessed through essays, presentations, or where applicable, production pieces.Assessment is undertaken individually and in groups in relation to both theoretical and more practice-based modules. Assessment is continuous throughout each semester. There are no examinations on any required modules inthe Media Studies programme. Students must complete andpass 12 modules in total at levels 2 and 3, including at least 4 at level 3.

All students will have the opportunity to undertake work-based learning in the media or related culture industries. Work placement opportunities are also supported on a dedicated employability module, Working in the Culture Industries. Recent work placements have included Pride magazine, Time Warner, The Voice, Financial Times, television, post-production and PR agencies. Preparing students for employment or further postgraduate training is an important theme throughout the programme. We have strong links with media and cultural industries in the capital and work experience opportunities and related activities are supported and promoted throughout the year.

Students have the opportunity to develop their own ideas and interests in project work on production modules and on non-production modules. Production projects will normally be based on collaborative small group work. Project work forms an important part of the programme and includes simulating work practices in media production, for instance making an audiovisual or radio programme, or meeting a client brief for an online or multimedia project. In public relations and promotion, students work on writing news releases and promotional strategies. Students undertake an individual research or production project at level three, enabling them to develop their own ideas and specialism. Project work is also designed to help students acquire specialist and graduate skills in organisation, team working, communication and problem solving. Great care is taken to ensure that assessment recognises individual achievement, especially in work that may count towards the final degree classification.

Our programme places emphasis on employability throughout. We have close links with creative media firms, artists and professionals in London, taking advantage of the concentration of media employment in the capital and the resources available for those seeking to establish careers. Our students have pursued successful careers across media industries, as well graduate careers in communications, education and related areas. Employer links include a successful training scheme for Black and minority ethnic students with Brunswick, a leading city PR firm.

• News, entertainment, popular culture, social networking, interactive media, the internet, global communications, promotional culture, politics, identities, programme-making, creative arts…
• Understanding media (mobile, online, television, film, radio, print media, photography, popular music and more)
• Making media (creating audiovisual, multimedia; working with text, image and sound)
• Learning through an innovative programme of flexible study and hands-on practice about media processes for a digital world

• Understanding how media products are made and used
• Exploring the social and cultural influence of media and communications
• Investigating how and why media industries and practices are changing rapidly across the world
• Gaining skills and experience in making media - acquiring technical know-how and understanding formats and languages of representation; working in groups, solving problems, trouble-shooting; realising project ideas from conception to completion
• Discussing the codes and conventions of media in forms such as popular entertainment, news journalism, documentary film-making, advertising and promotional media
• Examining recurrent attitudes and shifting coverage of issues in media such as portrayals of gendered, socio-economic and racialised identities
• Studying the aesthetic dimensions of representation
• Studying the historical, cultural, political-economic and technological aspects of media
• Practical and creative work-based learning

An exciting, broad-ranging and interdisciplinary programme of study that offers a wide range of topics, flexibility of choice and opportunities to specialise.

We support and encourage students to pursue their own media interests to an advanced level. The programme examines changes in media industries, the implications of digitalisation, internationalisation and media convergence, media texts, and contemporary media practices. It considers media audiences and how media are used and understood, and it helps students explore the cultural significance and social influence of the media. This academically rigorous degree enables successful graduates to demonstrate the academic qualities and graduate skills sought by most employers, as well as specialist knowledge and skills relevant for pursuing careers in various media industries.

Media Studies can be studied as a single honours subject or as part of a combined honours programme. Our combined students choose media in combination with closely related programmes such as film, journalism, communication, cultural studies, advertising, or in combination with other subjects such as business studies, education, international development, or law.

As well as supporting those seeking employment in the media and creative industries, this programme helps students demonstrate key graduate skills sought by a wide range of employers. Our graduates have gone on to careers in media and film production, multimedia, publishing, public relations, advertising and communications. Recent graduates have found jobs as business magazine editor, working for the BBC, The Guardian, PR for House of Fraser, and in entertainment PR. The skills derived from Media Studies have proven to be an appropriate base for progress into a great variety of careers including teaching, arts administration, event management, marketing communications, business, public services, the arts and ‘information economy’. Our programme enables students to develop skills and demonstrate abilities in communication, analysis and problem solving which are highly valued by employers across all sectors. Graduates also go on to postgraduate study and research, including UEL’s PhD and Masters programmes, or to further training in a wide range of fields including journalism, education, law, public relations, and management.

There is a structured introduction to the programme and to study skills, with guidance throughout. Each student has a personal tutor responsible for providing regular guidance and support in relevant areas of personal and academic life. In addition, students have ready access to academic tutors on each of their modules and technical support staff for production work. Academic support for study and research skills is also provided in themed workshops. There is support for a wide range of needs provided within the programme, School or University-wide. This includes a writing centre, study skills support, support for students with disabilities, welfare, advice and counselling services. The School's Student Support Office provides a full-time drop-in service for students in matters of programme management, administration and progression.

• Close proximity to London’s media and creative industries, specialist libraries, exhibitions and venues
• Opportunities for overseas exchange programmes of study
• A creative campus with students studying a range of related arts, social sciences and cultural industries subjects
• To be amongst an international, socially rich and culturally dynamic student population