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Media, Communication and Cultural Studies BA Honours

  • UCAS code: PQL0
  • Full time
  • 3 years

This Media, Communication and Cultural Studies degree allows you to explore the role media plays in shaping culture and society and prepares you for a career as a media professional.

You are currently viewing course information for entry year: 2024-25


Next start date:

  • September 2024

Fees (per year)

  • Home: £9250
  • International: £21600

Entry requirements and offers

  • A-Level: AAB
  • IB: 34 points

UCAS Institution name and code:

  • NEWC / N21

Course overview

This three-year Media, Communication and Cultural Studies degree focuses on developing your professional skills. You'll also be encouraged to explore how media influences our culture, societies and identity, so you're ready for a career in the industry. 

Your learning is led by our renowned team of academics who are always exploring new ideas and methods to ensure your degree is of the highest quality. Their research feeds into your learning in areas such as: 

  • journalism
  • public relations
  • marketing and advertising

You will explore the generation, circulation and production of information through media, communication and culture, so that you can find your own area of interest. 

You'll graduate as a highly skilled media professional, ready for a career across a variety of areas through the varied topics studied throughout your degree. 

Students interviewing a man in the Old Quadrangle

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions  
Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

Quality and ranking

Professional accreditation and recognition

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body.

Modules and learning

Modules

The information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Most degrees are divided into stages. Each stage lasts for one academic year, and you'll complete modules totalling 120 credits by the end of each stage. 

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content may change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Optional module availability
Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

You'll explore the role the media plays in shaping culture, identity and interpersonal communications. You will study modules in areas such as media studies, social and cultural studies, marketing communication and promotional practices and multimedia communication. You will also develop critical skills in media, communication and cultural studies.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Media Studies 20
Critical Skills in Media, Communication & Cultural Studies 20
Social and Cultural Studies 20
Marketing Communication & Promotional Practices 20
Multimedia Communication 20
Journalism: Pasts, present and future 20

You'll be introduced to theoretical perspectives on media and culture. You'll learn about the process and practice of researching media and culture.

A wide range of optional modules allow you to focus in more depth on areas of particular interest to you, such as: gender; race; digital media; public relations; journalism and celebrity culture.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Work Experience: Find, Apply & Succeed 0
Research Methods 20
Popular Culture, Media & Identity 20
Optional Modules Credits
Film Theory for Practice 1: What is cinema? 20
Film Theory for Practice 2: Why Cinema? 20
Student Exchange: Semester 1 60
Introduction to Public Relations 20
Race, Culture and Identity 20
Journalism Practice for Digital Audiences 20
Sex, Sexuality and Desire 20
Visual Culture 20
Celebrity Culture 20
Conflict and Crisis Reporting 20
Popular Music and Media 20
Career Development for second year students 20
Optional module information
You only take the following module if you are studying abroad:
Student Exchange: Semester 1

You have the chance to put the knowledge and skills from Stages 1 and 2 into practice in Stage 3, undertaking a dissertation that focuses on a specific area of media, communication and culture.

A wide range of optional modules allow you to focus in more depth on areas of particular interest to you, such as: gender; race; youth culture; digital media; public relations; political communication; advertising; journalism and magazine publishing; celebrity culture and fashion.

Modules

Compulsory Modules Credits
Media Research Dissertation 40
Optional Modules Credits
Introduction to Public Relations 20
Race, Culture and Identity 20
Sex, Sexuality and Desire 20
Visual Culture 20
Celebrity Culture 20
Conflict and Crisis Reporting 20
Magazine Publishing 20
Youth, Identity and Contemporary Media 20
Fashion, Communication and Culture 20
Global Public Relations 20
Storytelling and Collective Psychology 20
Religion and Recent US Film 20
Advertising and Consumption 20
Power, Politics and Communication 20
Feminist Approaches to Media Analysis 20
Digital Discourses and Identity 20
Music, Politics and Policy 20
Career Development for final year students 20

Teaching and assessment

Teaching methods

Teaching is through lectures, seminars, and regular one-to-one tutorials.

In Year 3 you undertake a research project that accounts for one third of your time.

Assessment methods

You'll be assessed through a combination of:

  • Assessments

  • Dissertation or research project

  • Essays

  • Portfolio submission

  • Practical sessions

  • Presentations

Skills and experience

Practical skills

You can get involved in Newcastle University's award-winning and highly active student media scene, where you can further build on the skills you've learned as part of your degree, with opportunities to work for The Courier, our weekly newspaper, or join our fast-growing student radio and television stations.

You can get involved with Jesmond Local, a hyper-local news organisation that provides opportunities to gain experience in various news production roles. You can also connect with other students across the globe in our Pop-Up News Project and report on an event internationally.

Research skills

You'll undertake a Journalism and Media dissertation in the final year of your degree. This gives you the chance to demonstrate your learned knowledge and develop your techniques and understanding around independent, in-depth research.

You will also learn from our expert staff who are at the forefront of the discipline. Our staff's research themes include:

  • media and cultural theory
  • digital communication and cultures
  • feminism, post-colonialism and neoliberalism
  • media, journalism and popular culture
  • intimacy, sexuality, family, childhood and education
  • public relations, advertising and promotional culture
  • media ethics

Chat to a student

Opportunities

Study abroad

Experience life in another country by choosing to study abroad as part of your degree. You’ll be encouraged to embrace fun and challenging experiences, make connections with new communities and graduate as a globally aware professional, ready for your future.

You can choose the student exchange module in your second year. This will allow you to spend the first semester of second year on a student exchange. 

Students wishing to spend a year abroad as part of their degree can do so in consultation with, and at the discretion of the Degree Programme Director. This is mutually exclusive with the option in Stage 2 for a semester abroad, and is also subject to a threshold of at least 60% in the overall Stage 1 average.

Find out more about study abroad

Work placement

Get career ready with a work placement and leave as a confident professional in your field. You can apply to spend 9 to 12 months working in any organisation in the world, and receive University support from our dedicated team to secure your dream placement. Work placements take place between stages 2 and 3.

You'll gain first-hand experience of working in the sector, putting your learning into practice and developing your professional expertise.

If you choose to take a work placement, it will extend your degree by a year. Your degree title will show you have achieved the placement year.  Placements are subject to availability.

Find out more about work placements.

Facilities and environment

Facilities

As a student of Media, Journalism and Film Practice at Newcastle University, you will join a vibrant community in the School of Arts and Cultures' Media, Culture, Heritage department. 

You will be based in the Armstrong Building and Film@CultureLab, right at the heart of our city-centre campus. You'll be close to all of Newcastle University's amenities, as well as being just a five-minute walk to Newcastle's main street, Northumberland Street. 

You'll have access to:

  • professional-standard video and audio equipment, studio space and AV-editing facilities
  • specialist computing facilities, including industry-standard software, such as Adobe Creative Suite
  • a mobile studio suite

Support

You'll have the support of an academic member of staff as a personal tutor throughout your degree to help with academic and personal issues.

You will also benefit from the expert knowledge and skills of our dedicated team of technicians based in Culture Lab.

Peer mentors will help you in your first year. They are fellow students who can help you settle in and answer any questions you have when starting university.

Your future

Graduates from our Media, Communication and Cultural Studies degree have gone on to work in media-focused roles across a range of industries for organisations such as:

  • The Financial Times
  • Pickle Jar Communications
  • Royal Bank of Scotland
  • St James's Place Wealth Management
  • Northern Powergrid
  • Daily Mail

Careers in public relations, journalism, media planning, broadcasting and advertising are the most popular choices for graduates. Our courses focus on the communication of information across a broad range of subjects from the highly practical to the theoretical, so you'll be beneficial to any organisation.

You will develop a variety of skills that are extremely useful for employment, such as critical analysis, research, teamwork, flexibility, a creative and independent approach to tasks and the ability to work to a brief and meet deadlines.

Make a difference

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Careers support

A portfolio of work is crucial if you wish to work in the media industry, and we've plenty of opportunities for you to develop this. We have an award-winning student newspaper, university radio and television stations, as well as links with local media outlets.

Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Entry requirements

All candidates are considered on an individual basis and we accept a broad range of qualifications. The entrance requirements and offers below apply to 2024 entry.

A-Level
International Baccalaureate

Other UK and the Republic of Ireland qualifications

Contextual Offers

Through one of our contextual routes, you could receive an offer of up to three grades lower than the typical requirements.

What is a contextual offer? Find out more and if you’re eligible for this or our PARTNERS Programme supported entry route.

Qualifications from outside the UK

English Language requirements

Entrance courses (INTO)

International Pathway Courses are specialist programmes designed for international students who want to study in the UK. We provide a range of study options for international students in partnership with INTO. 

Find out more about International Pathway Courses

Admissions policy

This policy applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate admissions at Newcastle University. It is intended to provide information about our admissions policies and procedures to applicants and potential applicants, to their advisors and family members, and to staff of the University.

Credit transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can allow you to convert existing relevant university-level knowledge, skills and experience into credits towards a qualification. Find out more about the RPL policy which may apply to this course.

Tuition fees and scholarships

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Qualification: BA Honours

Home students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

9250

International students

full time 3 years

Tuition fees (per year)

21600

Year abroad and additional costs

For programmes where you can spend a year on a work placement or studying abroad, you will receive a significant fee reduction for that year. 

Some of our degrees involve additional costs which are not covered by your tuition fees.

Find out more about:

Scholarships

Find out more about:

Open days and events

How to apply

Apply through UCAS

To apply for undergraduate study at Newcastle University, you must use the online application system managed by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). All UK schools and colleges, and a small number of EU and international establishments, are registered with UCAS. You will need:

  • the UCAS name and institution codes for Newcastle University (NEWC/N21)
  • the UCAS code for the course you want to apply for
  • the UCAS 'buzzword' for your school or college

If you are applying independently, or are applying from a school or college which is not registered to manage applications, you will still use the Apply system. You will not need a buzzword.

Apply through UCAS

Apply through an agent

International students often apply to us through an agent. Have a look at our recommended agents and get in touch with them.

Visit our International pages

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