Cultural and Media Studies BA

This interdisciplinary course explores cultural and media productions, practices and institutions in national, transnational and global contexts and across multiple subject areas, including philosophy, literature, sociology, (art) history, film and communication studies.

Delivered by two distinctive University of Leeds departments, the course offers a great choice of modules and access to internationally renowned academics who are passionate about the subjects they teach. 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. You are hosted by the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies, which has a long-standing tradition of innovative approaches to studying, making, and displaying culture and the arts. In the School of Media and Communication, you gain skills such as critically examining how people share knowledge, values and beliefs through television, journalism, film, online media and beyond.

As a student on this course, you examine issues such as conflict and its cultural mediation, migration and multicultural societies as well as utopian thinking and social activism.

You also study gender and sexual difference, the impact of past and future technologies on bodies and minds, ecology and our relation to other life forms, digital cultures and the social effects of global communication networks.

Using the skills and methods taught in the course, you become a flexible and constructive reader of a wide range of cultural materials and practices. You develop a critical perspective on the complexities and challenges facing us in the world today and are enabled to understand as well as actively engage with their cultural dimensions.

Resources

The University has many resources to support your learning and research.

The University Library offers print and online books, journals, and databases. It has a wealth of archive material in its Special Collections, including photographic, sound and audio-visual items. It provides attractive spaces for individual study or group work.

You also benefit from access to Box of Broadcasts, an archive of over 2 million TV and radio broadcasts, and subscriptions to other digital platforms and repositories.

Additionally, you can join various media production societies on campus and learn to use production/post-production equipment, software and facilities.

A wide range of video-based professional courses are available to you to complement your academic portfolio.

Year 1

You gain fundamental research, reading and writing skills for analysing and interpreting cultural and media objects and practices.

Compulsory modules introduce essential theories and critical approaches and examine some of the significant factors that have shaped modernity and the contemporary world, such as:

• Industrialisation
• Revolution
• War
• Colonisation
• Globalisation
• Cultural and political movements
• (Media) technology

A choice of optional modules allows you to study a variety of exciting topics.

Year 2

Compulsory modules deepen your understanding of key theoretical concepts in the study of culture, media and society. You also engage with methods and central questions in communications, broadcasting, journalism and digital media studies.

A range of optional modules give you the chance to focus on topics that interest you, including, but not limited to:

• Visual culture in Asia
• Cinema and culture
• The politics of utopia
• Issues of the (augmented) body
• Semiotics
• Gender
• Power and social justice
• Journalism
• Videogames

You may also choose a module dedicated to employability and careers preparation.

Optional: Study Year Abroad (Year 3)

Due to the course's interdisciplinary nature, you can apply for a place at a wide variety of international partner institutions. When you choose a study abroad option in your second year, you will have identified your own specific interests. You are supported through individual advice and access to resources.

Studying abroad will extend your degree to four years.

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Optional: Work Placement Year (Year 3)

You have the option to apply for a work placement year with companies and organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK and overseas. This is a great way to gain valuable workplace and industry experience before you graduate.

Final Year (Year 3 or 4)

During your last year of study, you apply your analytical and critical skills to an independently researched dissertation on a topic of your choice. You can view a selection of previous dissertation titles here.

You complement and support this research with one optional core and further optional modules. These may cover but are not limted to:

• Cultural and postcolonial theory
• Sexual difference and feminism
• Posthumanism
• Representation of migration and diaspora
• Documentary
• War and media
• Audience studies

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

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, allowing you to build different skills. Usually, these include essays, exams, tests and (group) presentations, as well as small-scale research projects and your dissertation.

Depending on your module choices, you may also be asked to submit reflective logs, short answers, a portfolio, photography, a personal digital story or other forms of digitally curated content.

For each year of study, the University’s Skills@Library team offers training sessions and resources on topics such as exam technique, public speaking, literature search and academic writing.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB - ABB

• Access to HE Diploma

  Pass diploma with 60 credits overall, including at least 45 credits at level 3, of which 30 credits must be at Distinction and 15 credits at Merit or higher.

• BTEC

  DDM – DDD.

• Cambridge Pre-U

  M1, M1, M2 to D3, M1, M2.

• International Baccalaureate

  34-35 points overall including 16 at Higher Level with 4 in English

• Irish Leaving Certificate (higher Level)

  H2, H2, H2, H3, H3, H3 to H2, H2, H2, H2, H3, H3.

• Scottish Highers / Advanced Highers

  BB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR B in Advanced Highers and AAABB in Highers OR AABBBB in Highers to AB in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR A in Advanced Highers and AABBB in Highers OR AAAABB in Highers.

• Welsh Baccalaureate

  The Welsh Baccalaureate is not typically included in the academic conditions of an offer made to you for this course.

• Other Qualifications

  European Baccalaureate: 75-80%

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s 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.

Typical Access to Leeds offer: BBC at A Level and pass Access to Leeds.

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

If you would like to study arts, humanities, and cultures at university, but don't currently meet the typical entry requirements for direct entry to a degree, you might be eligible to apply for the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year course.

International

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications. Contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office for more information.

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.

Read our guidance about applying.

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.

Next steps

Qualified applicants are invited to an interview afternoon. You will have the opportunity to meet students, explore the School and attend a group ‘seminar style’ interview. This will give you the opportunity to find out more about the course and discuss with staff your interests in Cultural and Media Studies.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2024

Fees

UK: £9,250

International: £22,250 (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.

This course equips you with essential skills in research, analysis, presentation and communication, as well as in critical audio-visual and cultural awareness.

All these qualities are valuable in diverse careers across a wide range of industries and roles such as the media, journalism, cultural and creative industries, education, politics, NGOs and the public sector.

A good number of our graduates go on to postgraduate study at Leeds or another institution.

Graduate destinations on the job market include: positions in research, secondary and higher education; (digital) communication, PR and marketing roles in businesses, media, arts and cultural organisations; management and policy development in local government and the public/third sector more broadly. Among our graduates we also have radio presenters, curators, writers, singer-songwriters, solicitors and consultants.

The School is committed to helping you achieve your career ambitions. You work closely with staff in the School and careers advisers to source opportunities to gain experience, develop your skills and build networks. Our students are among the top 5 most targeted by top employers according to The Graduate Market 2022, High Fliers Research.

Careers support

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

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.

Taking a work placement year will extend your degree to four years and is a great way to gain valuable experience before you graduate.