Media Studies

UCAS code: P300

Here's what University of Portsmouth says about its Media Studies course.

This is a Connected Degree Portsmouth is the only University in the UK with the flexibility to choose when to do an optional paid placement or self-employed year. Either take a placement in your third year, or finish your studies first and complete a placement in your fourth year. You can decide if and when to take a placement after you've started your course.

Overview Are you curious about how the media influences the world we live in? Our BA (Hons) Media Studies course is distinguished by its innovative mix of options and will give you a fascinating way to gain a deeper academic understanding of this prime form of communication.

You'll learn how global media reflects, shapes and affects societies and cultures, from news and television, to social networks. You’ll also consider how identity is formed through the media, and its representations in contemporary formats and genres, such as TV talk shows, the comic book industries, and science. As you progress in your degree, you can create your own learning plan by choosing optional modules, including film production.

You’ll graduate ready to begin your media career in many communicational fields, but you’ll also have creative and transferable skills you can use in any sector.

Course highlights

• Gain expert insight into popular culture, fan communities, and the latest media tech developments by attending the annual Portsmouth Comic Con – where course lecturers and previous students have been panellists

• Enhance your studies by learning from a teaching team of widely published media experts and research-active academics

• Cultivate a well-rounded, futuristic understanding of media from staff expertise in contemporary popular culture genres (including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and animation)

• Tailor your degree by choosing modules to suit your specialisation

• Develop filmmaking skills with optional practical film modules from second year

• Build valuable professional experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement year – either with a company or self-employed

• Broaden your expertise with the chance to gain industry-recognised accreditations such as ScreenSkills safety training and Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

Careers and opportunities The communication, research, writing and critical thinking skills you learn on this media studies degree will be essential for employers within and outside the media industry.

You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level. Many of our graduates pursue Master's and Doctorates, with a number of them taking further teacher training to work in education.

Graduate areas

Previous media studies graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:

• media research

• digital specialisms (e.g. website design and creation)

• public relations and marketing

• journalism

• publishing

• new media development

• film production

• film and TV companies

Graduate roles

Job roles our graduates have taken on include:

• teacher

• media research assistant

• marketing assistant

• production manager

• sound and vision engineer

• film/video producer

• advertising journalist

• assistant publicist

• PR and communications officer

Graduate destinations

Some of our alumni have gone on to work for big names such as:

• BBC

• Warner Bros

• Universal Pictures International

• Mitchells & Butlers

• Lush Cosmetics

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

The University of Portsmouth is passionate about creating career-focused modules that do more than support your studies, they empower your academic journey and prepare you for what comes next.

We design modules that have:

• Clear themes and skills development as you progress through each year • Assessments that feel meaningful, often based on real-world tasks rather than isolated exams • Career-enhancing opportunities such as placements, live projects, enterprise and volunteering

For a full list of the modules you will study on this course, please visit https://www.port.ac.uk/study/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-media-studies#modules

You’ll be assessed through:

• essays
• presentations
• scripts
• video productions
• programme proposal/pitch
• reviews and features
• reports/magazine features
• examinations
• dissertation/project

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark.

You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows:

• Year 1 students: 20% by practical exams and 80% by coursework
• Year 2 students: 12% by practical exams and 88% by coursework
• Year 3 students: 13% by practical exams and 87% by coursework