Media and Communication - HND
Currently viewing course to start in 2024/25 Entry.
This course offers an inspiring introduction to the production, theoretical and professional aspects of media. It gives you a solid and respected platform from which you can progress to further study or present yourself as a competent and credible candidate for employment in the media and communication industries.
- Level Undergraduate
- Study mode Full Time
- Location James Watt Campus, Birmingham Metropolitan College
- Award HND
- Start date September 2024
- Fees View course fees
- School Birmingham School of Media
- Faculty Faculty of Arts, Design and Media
This course is:
Overview
[00:00:07] Speaker 1 It's a really exciting time to study Media in Birmingham. Firstly, the BBC is coming to Birmingham in 2026 and here we have a multi-million pound campus right in the heart of this city. As a media student, you'll have access to all of these amazing facilities and your tutors will be able to teach you how to use them in line with industry best practices.
[00:00:31] Speaker 2 My favourite facility personally is Hires and Loans because I can just hire equipment, whatever camera I need, whatever lights I need. Literally everything that relates to media is there.
[00:00:43] Speaker 3 We have four professional studios campus. Spaces like these normally cost thousands of pounds a day to rent. So it's perfect that we have them right on our doorstep.
[00:00:52] Speaker 1 The campus is located right in the heart of Birmingham's Creative Quarter, which means that there are lots of opportunities for students to take up work in creative sectors after graduation.
[00:01:04] Speaker 3 You should definitely study Media because it offers you so much new opportunities to learn new skills. It's been perfect to have lecturers with industry experience as they give us the confidence and the knowledge we need to go into our careers. BCU gave me so much confidence, which I didn't have before.
[00:01:22] Speaker 2 I was a presenter. I also worked as a camera operator just to feel how it feels to be in that specific role. And what kind of responsibilities do you have on you.
[00:01:34] Speaker 1 Studying media at BCU is a really exciting prospect because you will be joining a really diverse and creative community with a support network of staff who are totally committed to ensuring that your learning needs are met at university.
This course offers an inspiring introduction to the production, theoretical and professional aspects of media. It gives you a solid and respected platform from which you can progress to further study or present yourself as a competent and credible candidate for employment in the media and communication industries.
What's covered in this course?
We strongly believe in the practical application of theory to real-life situations. We are fortunate to have very strong links with employers in the media industry, who see great value in our approach.
Modules you study include Broadcast Production, Research Methods and Academic Skills, History and Structure of the Media, Media texts and Cultural Contexts, and Professional Studies, in which Birmingham Metropolitan College will support you in securing a two-week placement in a media production business.
Your studies cover key aspects of audio, the moving image, journalism, and television studio practice.
You explore broadcast journalism, photography and photojournalism, radio features and documentary television production, as well as television drama and film studies.
You focus on future employment in a Career Development workshop. You also gain the crucial research and academic techniques to enable you to effectively source, collate and analyse information.
This HND qualification can give you direct entry to the second or third year of our BA (Hons) Media and Communication or BA (Hons) Media Production courses. You would need to successfully complete the HND award and achieve a merit profile across the two years of HND programme for third year entry. Students who achieve a Pass profile would be considered for second year entry. Close working between the College and the University ensures that students on the HND will cover much of the same content as first-year students at University.
Why Choose Us?
This course is called a franchise programme, which means that most of the teaching (in the first two years) takes place in College but that everything about it is assessed and approved by the University. It is a BCU programme taught in a supportive College setting.
- You are welcome to come on to BCU’s campus any time you like to access our library, sports facilities, computer rooms and speak to any of our staff about your studies.
- Your teaching will be based on campus at the College, which means that you will also have access to support from College tutors and advisors.
- Lots of our students find that the additional support in College helps them build confidence and even more skills ahead of transferring to study on campus with the University.
- Top 15 for Communication and Media Studies graduate prospects (Complete University Guide 2024).
- Delivered at one of our highly regarded partner institutions, Birmingham Metropolitan College, the course is managed, maintained and monitored by the University.
- A placement allows you to absorb the day-to-day realities of a media production business.
- Gain from the experience, close support and encouragement of expert staff.
- Share all the facilities, contacts and advantages of a Birmingham City University student, and feel part of a dynamic, creative and enquiring media production community.
- Your HND qualification can give you direct entry to the second or third year of our BA (Hons) Media and Communication or BA (Hons) Media Production courses at BCU. You would need to successfully complete the HND award and achieve a merit profile across the 2 years of HND programme for third year entry. Students who achieve a Pass profile would be considered for second year entry. Close working between the College and the University ensures that you have covered much of the same content as our first-year students.
Similar Courses
Open Days
Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to meet us in person. Booking for the next event isn’t open yet. Register your interest below and we’ll email you as soon as booking goes live.
Next Open Day: 29 June 2024
Entry Requirements
These entry requirements apply for entry in 2024/25.
All required qualifications/grades must have been achieved and evidenced at the earliest opportunity after accepting an offer to help confirm admission and allow for on-time enrolment. This can also include other requirements, like a fee status form and relevant documents. Applicants can track their application and outstanding information requests through their BCU mySRS account.
48 UCAS tariff points
If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.
Fees & How to Apply
UK students
Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.
International students
Sorry, this course is not available to International students.
Guidance for UK/EU students
UK and EU students applying for most undergraduate degree courses in the UK will need to apply through UCAS.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) is a UK organisation responsible for managing applications to university and college.
Applying through UCAS
Register with UCAS
Login to UCAS
Complete your details
Select your course
Write a personal statement
Get a reference
Pay your application fee
Send UCAS your application
Personal statement
UK / EU students are required to submit a personal statement as part of their application for this course.*
The personal statement gives you a crucial opportunity to say why you’re applying and why the institution should accept you.
Here are the key areas you’ll need to address:
- Course choice - Why does this course appeal? What areas are of particular interest?
- Career plans - If you have a specific career in mind, say how your chosen course will help you pursue this goal.
- Work experience - Mention any work that is relevant to your subject, highlighting the skills and experience gained.
- School or college experience - Highlight skills gained at school/college, eg summer schools or mentoring activities.
- Non-accredited skills or achievement - eg Duke of Edinburgh Award, Young Enterprise scheme.
You should also mention your future plans – if you’re planning to take a year out, don't forget to give your reasons. Talk about any subjects you’re studying that don’t have a formal assessment and any sponsorships or placements you’ve applied for. And don't be scared to add in details about your social, sports or leisure interests.
Worried about Personal Statements?
If you've got no idea where to start or just want to check you're on the right track, we’ve got expert advice and real examples from our students to help you nail your personal statement. You can even download our ultimate personal statement guide for free.
*Non-EU students are not required to submit a personal statement when applying for this course.
Course in Depth
Download course specification
Download nowCourse Structure
The HND Media and Communication course consists of five modules:
- Broadcast Production
- Publication Production
- History and Structure of the Media
- Media Texts and Cultural Contexts
- Professional Studies
The production side introduces and develops skills in television and video production, radio presentation and production, photography, desktop publishing, journalism and multimedia production.
Employability
Employment Opportunities
Journalism, press and public relations, video and television production and presentation, radio presentation, publishing, photography, and progression on to degree courses.
Facilities & Staff
Facilities
This course is delivered by Birmingham Metropolitan College at its James Watt Campus.
Situated on the Aldridge Road, right on the 997 bus route through north Birmingham, the James Watt Campus is an imposing building. Spread over two main buildings and five floors, the campus features a fully equipped, professional quality TV studio, beauty salon, gym, media suite and construction workshop.