BA (Hons) Media And Communication with Foundation Year
University of Portsmouth
Key Information
Campus location
Southsea, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
4 - 5 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 9,250 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Request info
* for UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students/EU residents | £16,200/year: international students
Scholarships
Explore scholarship opportunities to help fund your studies
Introduction
With our BA (Hons) Media and Communication with Foundation Year degree course, you'll dive deep into the inner workings of media: its present and future, its pivotal role in how we communicate and perceive the world, and the networking industries and institutions that structure communication.
Experience the many facets of media communication, from its underpinning theories and marketing functions to hands-on media production. The course has award-winning expert researchers and film producers teaching it, strong industry links in TV, film and journalism, and chances to intern in fascinating areas of the media industries, so you’re always learning the current and best practices in academia and professional practice.
You'll gain a flexible range of specialist skills that will allow you to pursue careers in film and TV production, camera departments, sound recording and post-production. You can also sidestep into journalism, scriptwriting, advertising, marketing, or public relations.
Foundation year
If you're new to studying media or don’t meet the required grades for the full degree course, our Foundation Year will bridge that gap. You'll expand your knowledge of media and communication and develop the preparatory skills you'll need for entry into Year 1.
If you have the required grades, you can skip the Foundation Year and start at Year 1.
Course highlights
- Shape your course from the second year, choosing optional modules that meet your speciality and career ambitions.
- Build your industry experience by taking a one-year placement – either with a company or self-employed.
- Familiarise yourself with professional equipment and facilities used widely in media production – including multi-camera television studios, industry-level film and cinematic cameras, and innovative colour correction hardware.
- Expand your professional network and knowledge by attending guest lectures by visiting professionals.
- Enhance your collaboration and team-working skills by working with students from other courses and schools in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries.
- Demonstrate your technical proficiency to potential employers by achieving industry-recognised Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) qualifications.
Gallery
Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
Curriculum
Modules
Foundation year
Core modules this year include:
- Introduction to Film-making – 40 credits
- Introduction to Practical Skills – 40 credits
- Media in Context – 40 credits
There are no optional modules this year.
After you’ve completed the Foundation Year, you have the option to apply to transfer to a different undergraduate degree programme within CCI to pursue your area of interest or to continue onto the Media and Communication degree programme.
Year 1
Core modules this year include:
- Eportfolio for Film and Television – 20 credits
- Global Cinema – 20 credits
- Introduction to Media Studies – 20 credits
- Post Production Editing – 20 credits
- Television Production Practices – 20 credits
- Understanding Film Production – 20 credits
There are no optional modules this year.
Year 2
Core modules this year include:
- Film Production Practices – 20 credits
- Finding Form - Fiction – 20 credits
- Media Networks: Exploring Digital Culture – 20 credits
Optional modules this year include:
- Comic Book Industries – 20 credits
- Creative Music and Effects for Film And TV – 20 credits
- Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
- Factual Media Production – 20 credits
- Film Sound Production – 20 credits
- Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
- Production: Camera and Editing – 20 credits
- Production: Short Film-making – 20 credits
- Professional Experience – 20 credits
- Screen Media – 20 credits
- Sport and the Media – 20 credits
- Student Enterprise – 20 credits
- Transmedia Narratives and Strategies – 20 credits
Placement year (optional)
Year 3
Core modules this year include:
- Professional Industry Skills – 20 credits
Optional modules this year include:
- Digital Media and Democracy – 20 credits
- Documentary Film-making – 20 credits
- Fan Fiction – 20 credits
- Film and Media Dissertation – 40 credits
- Global Journalism and Human Rights – 20 credits
- Individual Creative Project – 40 credits
- Magazines: Print Media in a Digital World – 20 credits
- Marketing Movies – 20 credits
- Media Fan Cultures – 20 credits
- Practical Video Project – 40 credits
- Self Promotion – 20 credits
Placement year (optional)
Before your final year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It also makes a great incentive for employers once you graduate.
You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.
Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – you can get support from Creative Careers.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Placement roles
Common roles on placement include:
- Kit room supervisor
- Editing assistant
- Researcher
- Visual media assistant
- Film runner
- Content Creator
Placement destinations
Common placement destinations include:
- Edit suites
- Kit rooms
- Writers' rooms
- Film sets
- TV galleries
- Production offices (TV and film)
Career Opportunities
Media communication is a staple of every industry. When you graduate with a Media and Communication degree, you'll become a vital, versatile asset for any employer and field.
Graduate areas
You'll be able to work in areas such as:
- post-production
- film and TV directing
- scriptwriting
- marketing
- advertising
- journalism
- You can also go into freelancing.
Graduate roles
Job roles you'll be suitable for include:
- PR and communications officer
- social media assistant
- assistant editor
- visual media coordinator
- TV researcher
- camera assistant
- first or second assistant director
- sound and vision engineer
- film/video producer
- stills photographer
- production manager
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
Towards the end of your degree and up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.
Creative Careers
Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.
They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:
- Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
- Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
- Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
- Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route
The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.
Facilities
English Language Requirements
Certify your English proficiency with the Duolingo English Test! The DET is a convenient, fast, and affordable online English test accepted by over 4,000 universities (like this one) around the world.