BA (Hons) Media and Communication (with Foundation year)
Course overview
Start date
September 2021
Subject area
Media and Journalism
Attendance
Full-time, 4 years
Part-time, 6 years
Learning
On campus, dual delivery
Course summary
This extended course is perfect if you want a degree in Media and Communications, but don’t meet the standard entry requirements.
The BA course looks at the media’s increasing reach and influence, providing you with the knowledge and skills to make sense of this dramatically and swiftly changing sector. Thanks to our close industry links, you’ll have the chance to undertake valuable work-based learning while on placement.
We're proud that, based on recent research carried out by The Times, we're in the top seven courses in the country for media and communication. We like to think we're getting even better.
As one of our students, Shaheen Abdouramane, says, “The course is extremely broad and is adaptable to suit the path you wish to take, whether it's media production, cultural studies, gender, race, journalism, advertising or a mixture of all of them.
“The great thing is that the lecturers are enthusiastic about what they teach and the support is there if you need it.”
Return to campus: dual delivery
In a Covid-secure environment, enjoy learning on our state-of-the-art campuses and flex between online delivery
Find out morePlacement
Optional placement year available
80%
We were rated the best media studies course in London in the 2014 National Student Survey, and statistics show that in 2017 80% of our students went on to work or further study within six months after finishing their degree.
Practical experience
You’ll receive invaluable learning opportunities in the media industry. Our students have recently undertaken work placements at top media organisations such as Time Warner and the Financial Times.
Career prospects
You’ll have the chance to pursue the widest range of interests in the practice and study of media, including TV, radio, film, music, publishing, marketing communications and social and digital media.
Karolina Chojnacka
BA (Hons) Communication and Cultural Studies
During my Foundation year, I learned study skills, step by step, in an engaging way, so when I started the full course, I was better able to focus on the theoretical content, rather than worrying about how to write essays. It was also a great chance to learn with students from different courses and backgrounds.
Fees and funding
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Maintenance Loan
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation. How much you can borrow depends on where you live and study, and whether you are currently on welfare benefits. The maximum loan you can apply for is £12,729.
To apply visit gov.uk/student-finance
Supplementary Grants
The government also offer the following additional support:
- Parents' Learning Allowance
- Adult Dependants' Grant
- Childcare Grant
- Disabled Students’ Allowance
- All nursing and many allied health students on courses from September 2020 will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year from the government.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance or contact Student Finance England.
All students will receive:
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
- Care Leaver and Foyer Bursary - up to £1,500
- Progression Bursary - up to £2,000
- Engagement Bursary - up to £2,000
- Hardship Bursary - up to £2,000
- Helena Kennedy Foundation - £1,500
- Going Global – awards range from £300 - £700
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
- Vice Chancellor Scholarship - up to £27,750 over three years
- Dean Scholarship - up to £13,500 over three years
- Civic Engagement Scholarship - £1,000
- EU Scholarship (EU Only) - £1,000
- ELSEF Scholarship - £1,000
- UTC Scholarship - £1,500
- Sports Scholarships - up to £6,000
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
You don't need to pay this up front.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
Tuition Fee Loan
You can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees, which will be paid directly to UEL. There are no up-front fees required. Repayment only starts after you finish your course and are earning over £25,000. If you haven’t finished repaying your loan after 30 years it will be automatically cancelled.
Maintenance Loan
Part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
From academic year 2018/19, part-time students can access maintenance loans from Student Finance England.
You can apply for a loan to help with living costs such as food, travel and accommodation.
Part-time students need to study their courses at a rate of at least
25% of an equivalent full-time course in each academic year.
For further information visit gov.uk/student-finance
We appreciate that finance is one of the key considerations when you are applying to university. That's why alongside your Government loan, you can apply for scholarships to help towards your finances. We have invested over £2 million worth of scholarships to financially assist new students, starting in September 2019. If you are awarded a scholarship you don't need to pay it back.
All students will receive:
Ebooks
Bursaries Schemes for which you can apply
Scholarships Schemes for which you can apply
There are a number of external organisations that offer financial help to
students. Please see the list below list to view additional support options.
Alternatively, you can visit the Scholarship Search website.
Please note that the University of East London is not responsible for
the content of these external sites and is not associated in any way
with the funding schemes and their application processes.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) are here to help you navigate your finances while you are a student at the University of East London.
We can give you advice, information and guidance on government and university funds so that you receive your full funding entitlement.
Email: study@uel.ac.uk
Phone: 020 8223 4444
Price per 30 credit module.
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
At UEL, we understand that studying in another country is a big financial commitment. If you apply early for an undergraduate, you may be entitled to a scholarship of up to £3,000.You can find out more about the international scholarships here.
The Student Money Advice and Rights Team (SMART) also run an Emergency International Fund to assist international students in hardship.
You can contact our SMART team on 02082233333 or study@uel.ac.uk
As part of the Tier 4 student visa requirements, UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) estimate that you will need £1,265* per month to cover your living costs. It includes expenses for accommodation, food and drink, travel within London, text books, entertainment, clothing, toiletries and laundry. Most Tier 4 students are required to show they have sufficient funds to cover the first nine months of the course before they start- a total of £11,385- in addition to the tuition fees. You can find more information about the specific requirements of the Tier 4 student visa here. The amount that you will spend can vary depending on your lifestyle. The UKCISA International Student Calculator can help you plan and manage your money. Please make sure you also factor in the fees for the visa application and immigration health surcharge when budgeting.
* Please note the Immigration Rules are subject to change and this figure is likely to be increased by UKVI year on year. Please therefore check our ISA pages for more information at the time of preparing your visa application.
Deposits and paying by instalments
International students are required to pay a deposit prior to being issued a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS).
Your remaining balance will be paid in five monthly instalments over your first term. The first of these instalments must be paid when completing your enrolment on arrival at UEL. Please follow the payment instructions here.
After the required payment has been made, you will be asked to complete the online International Student Reply Form to confirm your acceptance of our offer and of our terms of admittance and fees policy.
Our International team at UEL are available for advice and guidance on studying in London, fees, scholarships and visa requirements.
Email: international@uel.ac.uk
EU, EEA and Swiss Nationals starting a course in September 2021, will no longer be eligible for Home fees. However, such nationals benefitting from Settled Status or Citizens' Rights may become eligible for Home fees as and when the UK Government confirms any new fees regulations. Further information can be found at UKCISA.
Tuition fees are subject to annual change. Fees for future years will be published in due course.
Entry requirements
- September 2021
-
Degree with Foundation Year
64
New UCAS Points
Access to HE Diploma (QAA approved) with 60 credits overall and 45 credits at Level 3
We will also consider the UEL New Beginnings pre-entry course
Overall IELTS score of 5.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Listening and Speaking (or recognised equivalent).
If you do not meet the academic English language requirements for your course, you may be eligible to enrol onto a pre-sessional English programme. The length of the course will depend on your current level of English and the requirements for your degree programme. We offer a 5-week and an 11-week pre-sessional course. Find out more here.
Level 2 equivalences such as Level 2 Functional Skills in English / Maths, Level 2 Key Skills in Communication / Application of Number and Level 2 Adult Literacy / Adult Numeracy
Please note that some courses require applicants to meet the entry requirements outlined on the course page. Our pre-entry Information Advice and Guidance Team are able to provide further advice on entry requirements and suitability for study.
What you'll learn
This is a course that’s strong on both theory and practice. As you undertake a wide-ranging exploration of all areas of 21st century media and communication, you’ll be encouraged both to think and to create.
You’ll engage with media production work across all levels of the degree, producing content in various forms, from computer-based photography to music and sound.
Our modules also offer specialist areas of study in TV, radio, film, music, publishing, marketing communications and social and digital media.
In your second year, you’ll have the chance to work in a group, studying London through a media lens and producing work such as our students’ innovative online blog this year. Then, in your final year, you’ll complete either a written dissertation or a production project.
Throughout the course, you’ll have a chance to broaden your knowledge through a variety of talks by industry professionals and you’ll have the chance to attend special events as well as visits to exhibitions and galleries.
There’s no better place in the country to study media and communication than London and we make every effort to ensure you get the full benefit from studying in this dynamic city.
Who will teach on this course:
- Valentina Signorelli
- Alexander Thomas
- Andrew Branch
- Sylvie Prasad
- Julia Dane
- Mark Tintner
- Tony Sampson
What you'll study and when
We consistently review our courses to ensure we are up-to-date with industry changes and requirements from our graduates. As a result, our modules are subject to change.
- Academic Development (Core)
- Social Media Project (Core)
- Ways of Looking (Core)
- Narrative and Creativity (Core)
- Group Film Project (Core)
- Professional Development: Mental Wealth (Core)
- Documentary 1: Documentary and representation (Core)
- Aesthetics and Technologies 1: Practice as research (Core)
- Media Cultures (Core)
- Mental Wealth – Professional Life: Agency 1 (Core)
- Narrative 1: Narrative fiction (Core)
- Convergent Media Industries (Core)
- Documentary 2 (Core)
- Employment and Enterprise (Core)
- Narrative 2: Advanced Narrative (Core)
- Mental Wealth – Professional Life: Agency 2 (Core)
- Digital Research Methods (Optional)
- Photographing the City (Optional)
- European Cinema (Optional)
- Celebrity and Influencer Marketing (Optional)
This course offers the opportunity of year-long placement between years two and three. If you choose to take this option, you’ll spend your third year on a placement with a relevant company or organisation, adding valuable practical experience to your growing academic knowledge.
The extra placement year means it will take four years to complete your studies, instead of three.
- Final Project Development (Core)
- Final Project Completion (Core)
- Aesthetics and Technologies 2: Professional Practice (Core)
- Mental Wealth – Professional Life: Freelancing at UEL (Core)
- PR, Promotion and Publicity (Optional)
- Content Design and Execution (Optional)
- Understanding Digital Cultures (Optional)
- Transmedia and Digital Futures (Optional)
How you'll be assessed
Coursework will include practical outcomes, e.g.
individual or group-based films, artefacts, presentations, written assignments,
podcasts or research-based assignments.
The approximate percentages for this course are: 100%
coursework
Feedback
summary, eg. We aim to provide feedback
on assessments within 15 working days.
You’ll always receive written or audio feedback, outlining
your strengths and how you can improve. We aim to provide feedback on
assessments within 15 working days
How you'll learn
You'll be taught by a range of staff, many of whom are practitioners in the area they teach. Some of the assessments focus on practical skills and are presented as ‘live or simulated briefs’. This ensures that the practice-led teaching is relevant to industry and the world of work. Our staff are well placed to take advantage of a range of professional networks and industry contacts. Each module is designed with practical components and a reflective component, with the intention that students develop an ability to comment on and justify their creative process
Guided independent study
When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.
Academic support
Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas – including learning and disability support
Dedicated personal tutor
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.
Workload
Each year you will spend around 280 hours of timetabled learning and
teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and
individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each
module.
The approximate workload hours for
this course per year are:
Scheduled
teaching – 284 hours;
Guided
independent study – 916 hours.
Your timetable
Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Class sizes
To give you an indication of class sizes,
this course normally attracts 25 new students per year. Lecture sizes are
normally maximum 40 students.
In the classroom you will be taught in
groups of 18–20 students. However, this can vary by academic year.
Your future career
Our Media and Communication graduates are in high demand from employers. Why? Because this course equips you with an attractive combination of academic rigour, versatility and practical skills.
Added to this, you’ll gain the specialist knowledge you need to work in a variety of media careers. Our students have gone on to jobs in television, film, journalism, publishing companies, advertising and public relations as well as careers in teaching and education.
Our course is also an excellent stepping stone to postgraduate study and research, including UEL’s PhD and master’s programmes, or to further training in other areas such as communications management, marketing, marketing communications, education and law.
As one of our graduates says, “My course at UEL gave me just the varied academic background I needed for my MA in Communications Management.”
Official government statistics underline our success when it comes to preparing you for the world of work. According to Unistats, 85 per cent of our students are either in employment or undertak-ing further study within six months of competing their degree.
Explore the different career options you can pursue with this degree and see the median salaries of the sector on our Career Coach portal
