From television and film to audio and mobile communication, modern life is being reshaped by the media and communication environment. It influences how we work, relax and relate to those around us. Our course takes you to the heart of this world.

The course looks at the media’s increasing reach and influence, providing you with the knowledge and skills to make sense of this dramatically and swiftly changing sector. Thanks to our close industry links, you’ll have the chance to undertake valuable work-based learning while on placement.

We're proud that, based on recent research carried out by The Times, we're in the top seven courses in the country for media and communication. We like to think we're getting even better.

As one of our students, Shaheen Abdouramane, says, “The course is extremely broad and is adaptable to suit the path you wish to take, whether it's media production, cultural studies, gender, race, journalism, advertising or a mixture of all of them.

“The great thing is that the lecturers are enthusiastic about what they teach and the support is there if you need it.”

If you don’t meet the entry requirements for the BA, you can study this course as an ‘extended’ four-year course. You'll begin with a foundation year that will prepare you for a successful transition to the BA degree.

This is a course that’s strong on both theory and practice. As you undertake a wide-ranging exploration of all areas of 21st century media and communication, you’ll be encouraged both to think and to create.

You’ll engage with media production work across all levels of the degree, producing content in various forms, from computer-based photography to music and sound.

Our modules also offer specialist areas of study in TV, radio, film, music, publishing, marketing communications and social and digital media.

In your second year, you’ll have the chance to work in a group, studying London through a media lens and producing work such as our students’ innovative online blog this year. Then, in your final year, you’ll complete either a written dissertation or a production project.

Throughout the course, you’ll have a chance to broaden your knowledge through a variety of talks by industry professionals and you’ll have the chance to attend special events as well as visits to exhibitions and galleries.

There’s no better place in the country to study media and communication than London and we make every effort to ensure you get the full benefit from studying in this dynamic city.

You'll be taught by a range of staff, many of whom are practitioners in the area they teach. Some of the assessments focus on practical skills and are presented as ‘live or simulated briefs’. This ensures that the practice-led teaching is relevant to industry and the world of work. Our staff are well placed to take advantage of a range of professional networks and industry contacts. Each module is designed with practical components and a reflective component, with the intention that students develop an ability to comment on and justify their creative process

Guided independent study

When not attending timetabled lectures or workshops, you will be expected to continue learning independently through self-study. This will typically involve skills development through online study, reading journal articles and books, working on individual and group projects and preparing coursework assignments and presentations. Your independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities including online resources, specialist facilities, such as edit suites, the library, the full Microsoft Office software, including MS Teams, and Moodle: our Virtual Learning Environment.

Academic support

Our academic support team provides help in a range of areas – including learning and disability support

Dedicated personal tutor

When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of the academic course team who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at UEL and who will show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer.

Workload

Each year you will spend around 280 hours of timetabled learning and teaching activities. These may be lectures, workshops, seminars and individual and group tutorials. Contact hours may vary depending on each module.
The approximate workload hours for this course per year are:
Scheduled teaching – 284 hours;
Guided independent study – 916 hours.

Your timetable

Your individualised timetable is normally available within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9.00am and 6.00pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.

Class sizes

To give you an indication of class sizes, this course normally attracts 25 new students per year. Lecture sizes are normally maximum 40 students.
In the classroom you will be taught in groups of 18–20 students. However, this can vary by academic year.

Our Media and Communication graduates are in high demand from employers. Why? Because this course equips you with an attractive combination of academic rigour, versatility and practical skills.

Added to this, you’ll gain the specialist knowledge you need to work in a variety of media careers. Our students have gone on to jobs in television, film, journalism, publishing companies, advertising and public relations as well as careers in teaching and education.

Our course is also an excellent stepping stone to postgraduate study and research, including UEL’s PhD and master’s programmes, or to further training in other areas such as communications management, marketing, marketing communications, education and law.

As one of our graduates says, “My course at UEL gave me just the varied academic background I needed for my MA in Communications Management.”

Official government statistics underline our success when it comes to preparing you for the world of work. According to Unistats, 85 per cent of our students are either in employment or undertaking further study within six months of competing their degree.