The information on this page is accurate for students entering the programme in 2023/2024 or before. For students entering the programme from September 2024 or after, you can find the details of your programme:
BA Communication and Media (For students entering from September 2024 onwards)
This section will be published on the programme catalogue and is intended to provide an outward facing overview of the programme for a student audience, it should therefore be written with this in mind.
BA Communication and Media offers students a critical, research-led approach to the field. The programme focuses on 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 practical, students can choose from a small number of practice-based modules, enabling you to build skills in media production and practice.
At Level 1 of the programme, students will be provided with a structured induction to the academic study of Media and Communication and to study at HE level. These modules will offer concise introductions to academic research skills, communications history, communications theory, and political communication.
Level 2 expands upon this, offering compulsory units in research methods, visual communication and media policy. Students will also be offered a wide range of options, enabling them to embark upon specialist pathways and pursue their individual interests in the field.
Level 3 is focused on the development of specialist knowledge. Students are given the opportunity to specialise in one or two linked streams of expertise, including film studies, political communication, cultural industries and communications theory. An important centrepiece of this final year is the Communication dissertation: a substantial piece of individually developed research or extended commentary produced under individual supervision from a relevant specialist within the School of Media and Communication.
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM1210 | The History of Communication | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM1230 | Introduction to Media and Communication Research | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | PFP |
| COMM1950 | Power, Politics and the Media | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM1961 | Studying Media | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM1971 | Introduction to Media and Communication Theory | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules, or can choose a 20 credit discovery module if timetabling allows.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM1626 | Camera and Editing | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM1770 | Animation and Interactivity | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM1830 | Introduction to Cinema | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| ENGL1250 | Prose: Reading and Interpretation | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| ENGL1855 | Race, Writing and Decolonization | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory modules
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM2125 | Visual Communication | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2780 | Media Policy | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2910 | Communication Research Methods | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study 20 credits from the following optional modules, or can choose a 20 credit Discovery module if timetabling allows.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM2042 | Media Industries and Professional Pathways | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2044 | Advertising and Consumer Culture | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2250 | Podcasting | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2375 | Issues in Journalism | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2615 | Documentary Production | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2715 | Digital Storytelling | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| COMM2950 | Media, Power and Social Justice | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| FILM2230 | Questioning Genre in World Cinemas | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| FOAH2020 | Towards the Future: Skills in Context | 20 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | |
| MODL2250 | Digital Communications Across Cultures | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following optional modules, or can choose a 20 credit Discovery module if timetabling allows.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM2300 | Journalism Ethics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM2725 | Digital Cultures | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM2777 | Working in Digital Media Teams | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM2850 | Cinematic Themes | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM2960 | Videogames: Identities in Play | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| CSER2206 | Developing Your Professional Identity: Preparing for a Career in Within The Arts, Heritage and Creative Industries | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| MODL2250 | Digital Communications Across Cultures | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
[Learning Outcomes, Transferable (Key) Skills, Assessment]
View Timetable
Candidates will be required to study the following compulsory module:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM3910 | Communication Dissertation | 40 | Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) | PFP |
Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following optional modules, or can choose a 20 credit Discovery module if timetabling allows.
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| COMM3130 | The Documentary and Reality | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3173 | Television Narrative | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3214 | Placement | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3220 | Environment, Media and Culture | 20 | Not running in 202627 | |
| COMM3260 | Understanding the Audience | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3781 | Mobile Media | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3790 | Citizen Media | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| COMM3866 | Global migration, ‘race’ and media | 20 | Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) | |
| FILM3027 | Post-War European Cinema: History, Politics and Aesthetics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Candidates will be required to study 20-40 credits from the following optional modules, or can choose a 20 credit Discovery module if timetabling allows:
| Code | Title | Credits | Semester | Pass for Progression |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ARTF3211 | The Cultural Politics of Artificial Intelligence | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3112 | Content Creation for Social Media | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3113 | Digital Nationalism: Understanding the role of digital media in the resurgence of nationalism and right-wing populism | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3250 | Feminism, Identity and Media | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3340 | The Reporting of Politics | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3550 | Popular Music and Society | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3795 | Climate Communication | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3925 | War and Media | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3950 | Promotional Culture | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| COMM3960 | Creative Work in the Cultural Industries | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) | |
| THEO3000 | Religion and Media | 20 | Semester 2 (Jan to Jun) |
Students may choose 0 - 20 credits of Discovery modules. 20 credits of Level 2 Discovery modules can be taken. However, to comply with programme rules, all finalists must study 100 credits at Level 3.
Last updated: 30/04/2026 15:55:06
Errors, omissions, failed links etc should be notified to the Catalogue Team