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Study Communication & Media Studies, why & how to study

Communication & Media Studies offers insight into how the world works through different media. It includes journalism, PR, technology and cultural studies.

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CONTENTS

  1. What’s Communication & Media Studies?

  2. What Communication & Media Studies degrees can you study?

  3. What do you need to get onto a Communication & Media Studies degree?

  4. What topics does a Communication & Media Studies degree cover?

  5. How will you be assessed?

  6. Why study Communication & Media Studies?

  7. Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Communication & Media Studies degree?
  8. What do Communication & Media Studies graduates earn?

  9. What jobs can you get as a Communication & Media Studies graduate?

  10. What are the postgraduate opportunities?

  11. Similar subjects to Communication & Media Studies

  12. Have any questions?

What’s Communication & Media Studies?

If you're fascinated by trends, social media or why things go viral, this could be the subject area for you.

A degree in Communication & Media Studies prepares you for work in the media industry. You'll learn how to analyse the way media reflects, represents and influences. You’ll keep pace with the latest news, tech and debates across press, broadcasting, advertising and other digital platforms.

Topics include public relations, marketing, production, ethics, cultural studies and communication theory.

Take a look at the university league table for Communication & Media Studies.

What Communication & Media Studies degrees can you study?

Undergraduate degrees in this area are often studied with social sciences or creative subjects. Examples include:

Communication and Media BA/BSc

You can gain a BA (Bachelor of Arts) or BSc (Bachelor of Science) degree. Or an MA/MSc award if the course includes an integrated master’s year.

Course content depends on the uni. A BA will have a more liberal arts approach, whereas a BSc will hone in on the technological specifics.

Search for Communication and Media courses.

Sociology and Media BSc

You can study society and human behaviour through the lens of media. You’ll look at how societies work, and how media plays an important part in the shaping of culture.

Find Sociology and Media courses.

Mass Communication BA

This degree focuses on how information spreads across wide audiences. You’ll look at the theories and practices of communication in society. Specific areas include broadcast journalism, multimedia storytelling and advertising.

Search for Mass Communication courses.

Public Relations and Media BA

You can directly prepare for a PR-related career. Learn how organisations communicate with stakeholders and how media influences public perception.

Find Public Relations and Media courses.

Other options

Several joint honours course options where you can study the subject alongside another. For example, you could study media with a modern language.

Degrees may include an integrated foundation year or a year in professional placement. Several universities will offer the chance to study abroad as part of the course. January start dates are often available, as are accelerated courses and degree apprenticeships.

What do you need to get onto a Communication & Media Studies degree?

Must have

Entry requirements for a Communication & Media Studies degree range from 80–160 UCAS points. This could include the qualifications below.

  • A Levels: AAA–CCE
  • BTECs: DDD–MMP
  • Scottish Highers: AAAAAA–BBBB (Advanced Highers: AAB)
  • International Baccalaureate: 38–26
  • An interview may be required for some courses 

Good to have

  • Studied English language or literature, psychology and sociology at A-level or equivalent 
  • Work experience or shadowing a PR or journalist role or in an advertising agency
  • Volunteered to help a charity with communications or social media updating
  • Extended your written skills through essay competitions or writing a blog
  • Researched topics of interest such as TED talks, podcasts or online courses

What topics does a Communication & Media Studies degree cover?

Typical modules for courses in this subject include:

  • Contemporary visual narratives
  • Digital cultures and society – researching the media
  • Digitisation
  • Ethics and journalism
  • Information governance, security and legislation
  • Introduction to digital storytelling
  • Journalism in society
  • Media entrepreneurship
  • Print and digital production and design
  • Publishing information on the web
  • Records, society and accountability
  • Understanding the media landscape

How will you be assessed?

Assessments are usually carried out by a mixture of the following and will vary from module to module:

  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Presentations
  • Projects
  • Final-year dissertation or research project

Why study Communication & Media Studies?

Career-specific skills:

  • PR skills in effective communication with target audiences across a range of media
  • Journalism skills in researching, interviewing and writing stories and the use of broadcast, radio or podcast media
  • Digital skills across a range of platforms covering digital content production and planning, analytics and advertising
  • Insights into audience behaviours and media consumption

Transferable skills:

  • Creative and critical thinking
  • Effective communication
  • Organisation
  • Presentation
  • Research
  • Synthesis and evaluation of information
  • Team working

Professional accreditation:

  • Journalism degrees may be accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) and Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC)
  • Combinations with PR may offer accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations

By the time I finished my undergrad, I knew being a journalist was what I wanted to do and whilst I had learned tonnes on the job, I didn't have any formal training in things like media law, ethics and shorthand, hence the decision to undertake a journalism course.

Laura, University of Sheffield

Are scholarships and bursaries available to students studying a Communication & Media Studies degree?

Some universities offer students specific scholarships, bursaries, or grants. It’s worth checking if you are eligible, how to apply and what it covers (such as materials, tuition fees and/or living costs).  

What do Communication & Media Studies graduates earn?

Graduates can expect an entry-level salary of around £17,000–£21,000.

Entry-level salaries may not be high, but there’s potential for growth depending on your career path. For example, the average salary for a journalist or periodical editor is around £36,000. An experienced social media manager could earn £30,000–£40,000. Managerial and director roles can see incomes of up to £60,000 across several fields.

What jobs can you get as a Communication & Media Studies graduate?

Communication & Media Studies degrees teach transferable skills valuable in a range of careers. Graduate schemes may be available from employers such as the BBC. Roles could include:

  • Campaign officer
  • Content creator
  • Copywriter
  • Digital marketer
  • Digital media editor
  • Editorial assistant
  • Journalist
  • Location manager
  • Media or programme researcher
  • Multimedia planner
  • PR officer
  • Producer
  • Social media manager

Read about how to become a journalist, or how to become a digital marketer.

What are the postgraduate opportunities?

Postgraduate opportunities can open options across a range of media, even if you didn’t study the topic as a first degree. Examples of taught master’s and research degrees at postgraduate level include:

  • Digital Media: Critical Studies MA
  • Film and Screen Studies PhD
  • Intercultural Communication and Education MA
  • Media and Communications MPhil/PhD
  • Social Media and Political Communication MA

Similar subjects to Communication & Media Studies

Other subject areas that might appeal to you include:

Search undergraduate Communication and Media courses now!

Have any questions?

Ask our experts! You can email ask@thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk with your question about studying Communication & Media Studies. We’ll be happy to hear from you.

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