This course explores and explains the diverse patterns of media and offers a comprehensive understanding of media power, media use, and the increasing significance of media in contemporary culture and society.
Engage with a mix of critical approaches: cultural studies, communication studies, film studies and media studies. You will also study a wide range of related topics including everyday life, popular culture, digital media cultures, cultural representation, gender and ethnic identities and sexualities.
Throughout your studies, you’ll be guided and supported by our experts. You’ll work with academics at the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies and study alongside scriptwriters, film makers, radio producers, and independent film producers. Many of the key books you will learn from have been written by lecturers.
Gain a range of transferable skills including presentation skills, critical analysis, independent thinking, written and research skills, and the ability to work in groups and on your own. In your final year, you will put your skills and knowledge into practice in a major independent research project.
Why us?
- Our Media and Film Studies courses are 15th in the UK according to The Guardian University league tables 2018
- Flexibility to choose from a dynamic range of modules covering topics such as science fiction, popular music, internet subcultures, gaming, and sexuality
- Research in Communications, Cultural and Media Studies at Sunderland has been described as ‘world-leading’ by the latest Research Excellence Framework
- 93.4% of our graduates are in employment, further study or training within six months of graduating, according to DLHE 2016/17 (based on full-time, first degree, home leavers)
- Our support for independent learning is praised by our external examiners; you will work towards a major piece of independent research at Stage 3
- With its emphasis on critical thinking, the degree provides an excellent basis for employment in a broad range of careers such as teaching, television, radio, journalism, marketing and new media
- Enrich your studies through activities such as cultural trips, visits and experiences
Course structure
Teaching and assessment
Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, group work and e-learning. We encourage you to develop independent study skills.
As well as assessments that count towards your degree, there are also ongoing assessments for feedback and consolidating your learning.
Assessment methods include essays, reports, written coursework, projects and presentations.
Part-time study
If you study this course on a part-time basis you will typically complete 40-80 credits in a year, rather than the 120 credits of full-time students. All modules are taught during the day time and you will be studying alongside full-time students.
Employment
This degree provides an excellent foundation for a wide range of careers in the media. Possible sectors include TV, radio, new media, journalism, marketing, PR, organisational communications, and advertising.
Career destinations
Our students have gained placements or graduate roles with employers such as BBC Radio 1, Capital FM, Channel 4, Heart FM, Metro Radio, Sky TV, BBC Sport, MTV, ITV Studios (Coronation Street), Talk Sport, The Guardian, Jamie Oliver Productions, Lime Pictures, Absolute Radio, BBC Radio 6 Music, I Daniel Blake, BBC World Service, regional newspapers and PR companies.
You could choose to continue your studies on one of our Masters degrees such as MA Film and Cultural Studies, MA Radio or MA Public Relations.
Work placements
We actively encourage students to gain relevant work experience while at university. In every year of your course, you will be guided and encouraged to gain meaningful experience that will fit around your studies.
In Year 2, there is a work placement opportunity with a media organisation such as the BBC, Tyne Tees Television or one of the region’s production companies. You can also choose to undertake a number of practice modules that involve practical projects.
All students studying on-campus undergraduate media courses can take up a CV-enhancing work placement, a University-led industry initiative, or a professional and business development boot camp. By the term placement, we mean we are offering you a taste of the industry which might last anything from two days to four weeks on a part-time basis.
Practical experience
Many students get involved in Spark, a community radio station based at the University. Students are responsible for all news-gathering, programme production and advertising. Spark has won many awards including four golds at the Student Radio Awards 2012, and holds the Nations and Regions Award for Best Radio Station in the North East.
Work alongside BBC Newcastle Journalists in our mediaHUB, home to student-run websites covering sport, news, entertainment, fashion and Spark online magazine.
Sunderland’s daily newspaper, The Sunderland Echo, has a weekly page called ‚On Campus’ that is written entirely by students at the University. It’s an opportunity to find and research your own stories, take photographs, meet deadlines and see your name in print.
Throughout the course, we invite guest speakers to run workshops and master classes that allow you to relate your learning to real-life opportunities.
