Course Outline
Birmingham City University was among the first universities in the UK to deliver media degrees and is now recognised for its innovative and excellent programmes by becoming part of a network of Government-accredited Skillset Media Academies.
Birmingham School of Media has a reputation for its superlative standard of teaching and its track record of graduate employability. The media and communication course offers a high level of flexibility, with the choice of eight degrees with seven different specialisms.
Students can opt for a degree-specific course or choose a more general one, depending on their career aspirations. Staff at the Birmingham School of Media, who have a wealth of real industry experience, will guide and support students through their choices. This is a fast-paced course that includes both the theoretical and practical sides of the media world.
Students will be expected to work on both group and individual production projects, as well as undertake two industry placements during the course.
Across each of the undergraduate degree routes there is an equal emphasis on production, theory and professional studies.
The professional studies strand of the course prepares students for at least two placements in a media or cultural industries organisation, such as the BBC, Maverick Television, Warwickshire County Cricket Club, newspapers, magazines, PR companies and local radio stations.
Teaching is conducted across a range of environments, including radio and TV studios, editing suites, a new media production suite, a newsroom, lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and online.
Students will use blogs, create wikis and other interactive media to support their work and self-development.
All staff at the School are established media professionals who bring with them a range of expertise. They are able to recognise and respond to the rapidly changing demands of the media, ensuring that the course remains relevant to the industry.
The School maintains close contacts with a variety of media organisations including Sky, BBC, Maverick Television and Future Publishing and visiting tutors and guest speakers regularly hold master class sessions to enhance and enrich students’ learning.
This course provides the key skills needed to develop a career in the fast-growing fields of public relations, marketing and advertising.
Students will learn about the media, which media to approach, and how to write and prepare material so that it succeeds. In addition to the core PR work, there will be an opportunity to develop related skills in other media, including journalism, print and web design and photography.
The School strongly believes in the practical application of learning and is fortunate to have very strong links with employers and the media industry. Students on placements have worked with a wide range of organisations including the BBC, Maverick Television and Endemol.
Students are assessed in a variety of different ways, including practical project work – both group and individual, presentations, written and practical portfolios as well as traditional academic essays and exams.
Your Career
Career Prospects
Our track record for graduate employment is excellent, with the majority of graduates going into a media-related role. Each course opens up specific employability avenues related to the production route chosen. A high number of graduates have gone into producer/director roles, journalism, public relations, web development, freelance/own business.
Further Study Options
As a School, we invest significantly in our postgraduate provision as we recognise that more specialist and professional courses are required across the media industry. This year we are introducing six new courses, with more planned for the future. The postgraduate courses currently offered are:
- MA Creative Industries and Cultural Policy
- MA Event and Exhibition Management
- MA Freelance Photography
- MA Freelancing and Journalism Enterprise
- MA International Broadcast Journalism
- MA Magazine Journalism and Interactive Content
- MA Media and Creative Enterprise
- MA Online Journalism
- MA Social Media
- MA Television and Interactive Content
- PgDip Broadcast Journalism
- CIPR Advanced Certificate in Public Relations
Details can be found on the postgraduate section of the website.
Entry Requirements & Applications
Entry Requirements
Students must have at least one of the following:
- BBC at A Level, excluding General Studies and Critical Thinking
- BTEC National Diploma overall grade DMM.
- International Baccalaureate with 28 points.
- Access course - pass overall including merit in 18 credits at level 3
- Equivalent qualifications or experience.
Application Details
FT UCAS Course Code: P9P2
Search for this course on UCAS.
Enquiries
If you are from the UK or EU please enquire using the Course Enquiry Form or contact +44 (0)121 331 5595.
If you are from outside the EU please use the International Enquiry Form or contact +44 (0)121 331 6714.
Fees Notes
If you already have an equivalent level qualification, you may be charged a higher fee for your course. For further information visit the fees area of the Student Info section.
Further Information
For more details on all the courses, including job opportunities, alumni stories and experience, details of open and applicants days, visit: www.mediacourses.com
To speak to the school office call +44 (0)121 331 7279 or email media@bcu.ac.uk