BA (Hons) Media & Communications

at Goldsmiths University of London

The degree consists of 50% media theory and 50% media practice. We aim to provide an inspirational learning experience in which theory and practice influence and enrich each other in the production of original creative and intellectual work.

 

Far more than just a media degree this programme incorporates philosophical perspectives on technology and human life as well as sociological approaches to media production.

 

We look at issues of identity through critical race studies, queer theory and critiques of post-feminism. We investigate global screen cultures and also the role of news in democracy. All of this, together with critical, creative practice in production equips our students to be the thinking media practitioners of the future.

 

Year 1

Media Theory

In the first year, the theory element introduces you to the study of verbal and visual languages and encourages you to assess changes in the media. You'll be acquainted with debates surrounding the term 'culture', and will look at how experiences of gender, age and race affect our understanding of the concept. You'll also examine various media texts, and take a module that will address theories of society and approaches to the modern state as they relate to media. 

 

You take the following compulsory modules.

 

Module title    

• Media History and Politics    
• Culture and Cultural Studies    
• Key Debates in Media Studies    
• Film and the Audiovisual: Theory and Analysis    
• Media Arts  

Media Practice

 

Module title    

• Media Production Option 1    

Year 2 (credit level 5)

Media Theory

In the second year you take theory modules covering a range of approaches to the study of communications and the media. You'll look at theories of postmodernity, identity and globalisation; be introduced to differing psychological perspectives on the analysis of culture and communications; consider cultural theory; and investigate concepts of audience. 

 

You take the following compulsory modules:

 

Module title    

• Psychology, Subjectivity and Power   
• Media, Modernity and Social Thought    

And a choice of two 15 credit option modules. Options offered recently have included:

 

Module title    

• Culture, Society and the Individual    
• Moving Image and Spectatorship
• Money, Society, and Culture    
• Media, Memory and Conflict    
• Television and After    

Media Practice

Practice modules introduce you to media production in a different area to the one you studied in year one.  You'll apply production skills in the creation of small-scale projects, and develop critical skills through the analysis of examples and of work produced in each area. You then choose a practice area in which to specialise.

 

Module title    

• Media Production Option 2   

Year 3 (credit level 6)

Media Theory

 

You can choose any combination of options to the value of 60 credits. Options offered recently have included:

 

Module title   

• Structure of Contemporary Political Communication   
• Race, Empire and Nation    
• The City and Consumer Culture    
• Music as Communication and Creative Practice    
• Embodiment and Experience   
• Strategies in World Cinema
• Media Law and Ethics    
• Media, Ritual and Contemporary Public Cultures   
• Promotional Culture    
• Politics of the Audiovisual    
• Social Media in Everyday Life: A global perspective   
• Media Geographies    
• Dissertation   

We accept the following qualifications:

• A-level: BBB
• BTEC: DDM
• International Baccalaureate: 33 points overall with Three HL subjects at 655
• Access: Pass with 45 Level 3 credits including 30 Distinctions and a number of merits/passes in subject-specific modules
• Scottish qualifications: BBBBC (Higher) or BBC (Advanced Higher)
• European Baccalaureate: 75%
• Irish Leaving Certificate: H2 H2 H2 H2

 

International qualifications
We also accept a wide range of international qualifications. Find out more about the qualifications we accept from around the world.

 

If English isn’t your first language, you will need an IELTS score (or equivalent English language qualification) of 6.0 with a 6.0 in writing and no element lower than 5.5 to study this programme. If you need assistance with your English language, we offer a range of courses that can help prepare you for degree-level study.

Annual tuition fees

These are the fees for students starting their programme in the 2022/2023 academic year.

 

From August 2021 EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will no longer be eligible for 'Home' fee status. EU/EEA/Swiss nationals will be classified as 'International' for fee purposes, more information can be found on our fees page.

 

• Home - full-time: £9250
• International - full-time: £18640

If your fees are not listed here, please check our undergraduate fees guidance or contact the Fees Office, who can also advise you about how to pay your fees.

 

It’s not currently possible for international students to study part-time if you require a Student Visa, however this is currently being reviewed and will be confirmed in the new year. Please read our visa guidance in the interim for more information. If you think you might be eligible to study part-time while being on another visa type, please contact our Admissions Team for more information.

Skills

Some of the skills you'll develop during a Media and Communications degree include:

• critical and analytical skills
• proficiency in assessing evidence and in expressing ideas clearly
• ability to bring together insights from a range of subjects
• IT skills
• communications skills
• journalistic and creative writing skills

Careers
Alumni from the Department have gone on to careers in television, radio, the press, publishing, film-making, advertising, marketing and public relations, web design, teaching and research, advertising, arts and administration, business and industry, European Union private sector management and personnel work, and many more both in the media industries and elsewhere. You can read more about possible career options after graduating on our Media and Communications careers page.