Mass Communications (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

Undertake a piece of independent-led work, the content of which will vary from student to student and will be based on theoretical or empirical approaches, or a combination of these. Complete the module with a specialist understanding of your chosen area of research.

Optional modules (choose 60 credits)*:

• Media Project (40 credits)

Produce a major piece of media work suitable for film, television or online, which could include factual or fictional work produced in a single or multi camera format. Conduct research and develop your ideas. Reflect on your work through a final evaluation that offers a critical insight into your project.

• Cultural Theory and Popular Culture 2 (20 credits)

Develop your own research project based on interest of a cultural text, practice or body of theoretical work. Undertake self-directed research, develop, and produce a piece of independent written work.

• Radio Drama (20 credits)

Gain an understanding of the development of radio drama within the BBC and in independent production and in experimental drama. Participate in production workshops in idea formation, pitching, production management, scriptwriting, casting, studio direction and creative production.

• Radio Documentary and Feature Production (20 credits)

Develop specialist knowledge, skills and techniques in the area of documentary and feature production. Produce work that is experimental or original in form and content and which addresses specific audiences.

• Video Production 2 (20 credits)

Further explore the documentary form and work in small groups to produce a short documentary. Take on one of the key production roles such as Director, Producer, Sound, Editor or Cinematographer.

• Advanced Public Relations (20 credits)

Learn about the economic value of corporate reputation and goodwill along with the implications for corporate responsibility and community relations. Continue to develop your practical skills in a wide range of PR techniques, including speechwriting and acting as a spokesperson.

• Film, Horror and the Body (20 credits)

Chart the emergence of body horror cinema in the late 20th century before proceeding to explore different historical and contemporary examples across a range of international contexts. Consider other filmic forms that feature the body undergoing changes that may be horrific or challenging but yet may not be considered to adhere to the horror genre. Employ ideas from both film studies and cultural studies and address questions of bodily fascination, from puberty and issues related to sexual desire through to explorations of bodily disgust and repulsion.

• Screenwriting for Television and Film 2 (20 credits)

Expand and develop your screenwriting skills and look specifically at adapting existing narratives.

• Loving The Alien: Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy Television (20 credits)

Examine the historical roots of the science fiction, horror and fantasy genres, from its literary origins, through to its subsequent appearance on radio, film and more specifically television. Explore several key theoretical approaches to the study of the genre, including fan cultures, representation and dystopian/utopian futures. Cover a chronological overview of the genres, from the 1950s to the present day, exploring British and American science fiction and fantasy television.

• Advanced Digital Post Production (20 credits)

Gain an advanced understanding of digital video effects and post production skills devise a plan and develop an advanced digital post production project which explores and incorporates advanced digital video post, production techniques such as advanced digital video special effects work, colour correction and grading, and sound design. Critically examine the position of your work with regards to current digital post production practices.

• Advanced Digital Storytelling (20 credits)

Explore new and emerging digital storytelling techniques that will help your work to thrive in an online space. Build on the traditional newsgathering and newswriting techniques you have covered so far. Learn how to create immersive news journalism using a wide range of interactive techniques. Thrive in newsrooms today, and for the next decade.

• Digital Fictional Film (20 credits)

Work in small production teams to produce three fictional film productions, which will later be entered into the Virgin Media Shorts competition and various other short film festivals. Further develop specialisation within the fields of camera, sound, editing and production within the genre of drama. Focus on not only the production process, but also the interpretation and meanings conveyed in all the films you produce. Develop your own critical awareness and understanding of conceptual issues and how these relate to your own practical work.

• Film and Feeling: Music, Performance, Genre (20 credits)

Connect with a variety of interdisciplinary research to explore what makes watching films such a compelling emotional experience and how such experiences affect interpretations of key ideological discourses. Focus on the role played by music, performance and genre in the evocation of emotion on screen and examine how texts encourage audience identification and empathy especially in films dealing with sensitive, or contentious topics. Engage with study in other areas, such as TV, the music video and social media. Consider the emotional power of all media texts and recognise feeling as a vital part of the overall fabric of our experience of watching and listening.

• Moving Camera 2 (20 credits)

Expand upon and further develop your moving camera skills and build upon your critical understanding of moving cameras, their images and the impact of those images. Originate, develop, script, shoot and edit a single camera production at least 50 percent of which will be shot on the Moving Camera equipment (Steadicam, Track and Dolly, Jib, Slider). Objectively analyse your production and demonstrate your understanding of your role, moving camera techniques, technology and terminology.

• Popular Music Cultures (20 credits)

Chart the historical evolution of key popular musical genres and the cultures they both reflect and sustain. Focus primarily upon two of the largest markets that produced and shaped mainstream popular music since the 1950s, namely the US and the UK, but the success and impact of musicians from outside of these regions will also form the basis of analysis. Cover topics spanning multiple genres including rock, reggae, punk, rap, and dance music and explore the socio-political dimensions of the music. Produce two feature articles for an online music publication as part of your assessment alongside an end of module essay.

• Film Studies Special Topic (20 credits)

Focus on a specialist area of film studies, drawing upon the research expertise of the teaching team, for example, ‘A Festival of French Film’, focusing on French Cinema from the 1930s to the present.

• Online Investigative Journalism (20 credits)

Develop your ability to use contemporary online techniques to create original investigative journalism in the public interest. Build on your video, audio and online skills. Gain a practical working knowledge of Freedom of Information, data journalism, computer-assisted reporting, and how to effectively scrutinise social media, financial accounts and public records. Develop ideas, carry out research and create your own portfolio of investigative work. Critically analyse and reflect upon the practices involved in investigative journalism by looking at high profile case studies and hearing from guest speakers.

• Branded Content and E-Commerce Video (20 credits)

Increase your awareness and knowledge of branded content and current trends in ecommerce. Further develop your video production skills for a growth area of employment and freelance enterprise. Work on live briefs which will enhance the skills needed to work with clients and build commercial relationships. Learn how to produce a video marketing strategy for an external client and plan, budget and produce a range of branded video content for a business.

*Optional modules are subject to availability

Entry requirements

The typical entry requirement is successful completion of one of the following:

• BTEC HND in a subject related to mass communications
• Foundation degree in a subject related to mass communications
• 240 credits or equivalent of a recognised UK undergraduate award in a relevant subject

We will consider applications from applicants who do not hold one of the qualifications in the list above but who do have relevant experience.

The Enterprise Place

If you have a good idea for a new business and have the dedication and motivation to make it happen, then we want to hear from you. The Enterprise Place, based on-campus at St Peter’s Gate Business Centre, is the perfect environment for entrepreneurial students and graduates to turn their business ideas into reality. You’ll have access to free hot desk space, IT facilities, specialist advice and support and business mentors and networking opportunities.

 

If English is not your first language you should have at least one of the following qualifications (or equivalent) as a minimum.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

You need an overall score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) will also be accepted if the applicant’s element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS. After 6 April 2015, you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website.

Pearson Test of English Academic

You need an overall score of 59 with no less than 59 in each skill.

Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)

You need grade C or above.

Cambridge Certification in Advanced English (CAE)

You need grade C or above.

 

 

Deadlines

26 January 2022 – UCAS deadline

Applications for all UCAS Undergraduate courses, except those with a 15 October deadline, should arrive at UCAS by 6pm on 26 January 2022. This is the ‘equal consideration’ deadline, which means course providers must consider all applications received by this time equally. 

25 February 2022 – UCAS Extra opens

If you’ve used all five choices, and you’re not holding any offers, you can add another choice using Extra.

19 May 2022 – University decision deadline

If you applied by 26 January and you’re still awaiting a decision from one of your choices, we have until today to decide whether we’re making you an offer. Any choices that are still outstanding after this will be made unsuccessful.

9 June 2022 – Deadline to reply to offers

If you receive all your university decisions by 19 May, you must reply to any offers by today (except if you are using Extra to find a place), otherwise they’ll be declined.

30 June 2022 – Final day to make an application to five universities

You can still apply with up to five choices until 6pm today. After this, your application will automatically be entered into Clearing. 

4 July 2022 – Final day to apply for a course in Extra 

This is the last day to add an Extra option to your 2022 application. If you don’t hold any offers after this, you will be able to add an additional choice using Clearing.