(Full time) 2020 start
Communication and Media BA
Overview
From political campaigns to celebrity scandals and the ways we communicate with each other, media is at the centre of our daily experiences. This course will equip you with the skills to analyse the media and think critically about its social and political impacts.
You’ll study theory and research in communication and media alongside the broader economic, political and social context of the communication and media industries. While this course is theoretical rather than practice-based, you can explore aspects of media production through optional modules, enabling you to build skills in screenwriting, camera and editing techniques and new media practices.
Taught by expert researchers, you can choose to focus on digital media, film studies, news journalism, communication skills, promotional communication, and a range of other topics. You could even undertake a four-week work placement to gain hands-on experience in the communication and media industries.
Specialist facilities
To support your academic study, you'll have access to breakout rooms within the School. We also have a student common room, especially for students studying in the School of Media and Communication.
If you choose practical modules, we have specialist resources to support media production work. As well as our extensive loans service for equipment such as digital recorders, video cameras, stills cameras and more, you’ll benefit from access to our 40 editing suites equipped with the latest Avid video editing software and Photoshop.
We also have a dedicated digital media lab with specialist software, a Burli-equipped radio studio and a TV studio and gallery complete with a large green screen area. The 58-seat Phil Taylor Cinema screens films twice a week during term time, and is equipped with HD video projection facilities, 16mm and 35mm film projectors and Dolby Digital surround sound.
Course content
You’ll be introduced to key areas of communications and media studies in year 1, exploring theories and research that address vital questions such as:
- How can we understand the roles of media in society?
- What roles do media play in political processes?
- How do changes in the media relate to our understandings of gender, race, religion and sexuality?
- What factors influence the work of communications professionals?
Year 2 builds on this foundation when you study communications theories in more depth and develop your research skills. You’ll place your knowledge of the media industries into the context of media policy-making and select optional modules on diverse topics such as the concept of genre in cinema, journalism ethics and digital media.
By your final year, you’ll have the specialist knowledge and research skills to complete a dissertation on a specific communication or media topic of your choice, supervised by an academic specialist in the School. You’ll complement this with your choice of optional modules in a wide range of areas, from citizen media to audience research, political journalism to documentaries. You could also undertake a four-week work placement to gain hands-on experience in the industry.
Have a look at some student work produced on this course.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Discovery modules
Throughout your degree you will benefit from a range of opportunities to expand your intellectual horizons outside or within your subject area.
This course gives you the opportunity to choose from a range of discovery modules. They’re a great way to tailor your study around your interests or career aspirations and help you stand out from the crowd when you graduate. Find out more about discovery modules on our Broadening webpages.
Learning and teaching
You’ll study among leading academics, using a wide range of teaching and learning methods to give you the knowledge and skills that you need for a career in this challenging industry. These methods will include practical classes as well as lectures, seminars and tutorials.
In addition, you’ll have a reading list for each module and independent study is a crucial part of the degree, allowing you to develop your own ideas and understanding. Your tutors are available during their office hours to discuss any issues or questions that arise.
On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
We use a variety of assessment methods so you can demonstrate different skills. These will include practical exercises as well as group presentations, reports, case studies, essays and exams.
Entry requirements, fees and applying
Entry requirements
A-level: AAB
Other course specific tests:If you’re taking the EPQ (Extended Project Qualification) you may receive an alternative offer alongside a standard offer. In this case, the typical offer would be ABB plus grade A in the EPQ.
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Access to HE Diploma
Offers are made on an individual basis- typically a Pass with 60 credits overall including 45 credits at Level 3, of which 30 should be at Distinction and 15 at Merit level. -
BTEC
DDD.
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Cambridge Pre-U
Offers will be based upon three principal subjects or a combination of principal subjects and A levels.
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International Baccalaureate
35 overall (16 at higher level, with 5 at higher level or 6 at standard level in English).
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Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)
AAAABB.
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Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers
3 Advanced Highers or a combination of 2 Highers and 2 Advanced Highers at grades A or B. -
Welsh Baccalaureate
Please note that we don’t currently accept the Welsh Baccalaureate.
Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the Schools Undergraduate Admissions Team.
Alternative entry
We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.
Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.
Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.
Successful applicants who are eligible for the Access to Leeds scheme will receive our standard offer, plus an alternative offer which is two grades lower.
International Foundation Year
International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
How to apply
Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.
As part of your application, you'll need to submit a personal statement. Read our guidance on writing your personal statement.
International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024
Fees
UK/EU: See fees section below
International: £19,500 (per year)
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2024/25
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students are set by the UK Government and will be £9,250 for students starting in 2024/25.
The fee may increase in future years of your course in line with inflation only, as a consequence of future changes in Government legislation and as permitted by law.
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2025/26
Tuition fees for UK full-time undergraduate students starting in 2025/26 have not yet been confirmed by the UK government. When the fee is available we will update individual course pages.
Tuition fees for international undergraduate students starting in 2024/25 and 2025/26
Tuition fees for international students for 2024/25 are available on individual course pages. Fees for students starting in 2025/26 will be available from September 2024.
Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.
Read more about paying fees and charges.
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Financial support
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.
Career opportunities
This degree will give you broad and in-depth subject knowledge as well as key analytical and teamwork skills that are highly valuable in the media and creative industries. Our graduates work in a variety of media sectors including TV production, film, PR, events organisation, digital media, magazine publishing, media and cultural policy and research among others.
Because this degree maintains an academic grounding in social sciences and humanities approaches, it’s also a strong foundation for a range of different careers in the public, private and third sectors.
In 2017, 92% of our students were in full-time employment or further study within six months of graduating (Destination of Leavers from Higher Education 2016/17).
Careers support
Within the School, we offer opportunities for you to attend talks and workshops led by industry professionals to help you gain insight into a career in the media and communication industries.
You can take part in our career mentoring scheme, where you'll be matched with someone working in industry who can give you one-to-one careers advice. Our annual Careers Day also allows you to meet and learn from professionals across the media and communications industries.
Find out more about careers and employability at the School of Media and Communication.
We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.
Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.
The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.
Study abroad and work placements
Study abroad
On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.
Find out more at the Study Abroad website.
Work placements
Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.
Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.
If you don’t want to spend a full year on a placement, you can still choose to take the optional placement module, which gives you the chance to spend around four weeks working at a company or organisation within the media or a related industry. We have excellent links with the local, regional and national creative industries, ensuring that you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that complements your learning.