BA (Hons) Media and 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   

• Higher Secondary School Certificate at Standard XII from either CBSE, CISCE/ICSE and Metro state boards
• Diploma (2-4 years) from a Polytechnic/College of Technology/Professional Institute

International Tuition Fees:

£21900 per year

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.