Media Skills BA (Hons) top-up
Subject and course type
- Creative writing, media and communication
- Undergraduate
Want to work on exciting, future-focused projects and prepare for a career in the creative or media production sector? If you have a foundation degree (or equivalent) in Media Skills, this top-up course will give you the advanced practical and communication skills you need to reach BA level in just one year.
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Prepare for an exciting, creative career in media
You’ll integrate theory and practice and learn from expert industry professionals.
Studying this Media Skills BA top-up at Kingston will give you strong foundations for a fast-paced professional future in the creative industries. Our graduates have gone on to work as social media managers, account executives, digital journalists, copywriters, web editors and video producers.
You could develop social media strategies, create film promotional videos, produce video essays, documentaries, websites and podcasts, and so much more.
During the course, you’ll work on a major piece of independent research as a practice-based dissertation. You’ll develop your professional skills, and even organise a mid-year symposium to present your work in progress.
You could work at a high profile organisation such as Barcoff studios, Apple, the BBC, Saatchi Gallery, Discovery Channel, Google Play or Winkreactive.
Creative writing, media and communication at Kingston School of Art
Kingston School of Art is shaping the next generation of writers, producers and content creators. Our students dive deep into storytelling, media and communication — building the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s creative industries. Discover how they’re bringing bold ideas to life.
Why choose this course
While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University as we are ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework.
As part of Kingston School of Art, you’ll benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice. Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
You’ll have access to the latest digital equipment, such as specialist film and media labs, a film studio, audio recording facility, green screen, TV studio and Mac labs.
Outside of the University, you’ll spend time on workplace placements and at bespoke careers events for creative jobs. This blend of teaching and practical work will help you develop transferable skills such as writing, presenting, researching, teamwork and communication.
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and labs are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Course content
You can choose from a range of modules to suit your interests. Popular modules include:
- Media Research Project
- Television Production
- Issues in Media and Culture with a variety of strands
Modules
The year is made up of five modules, each worth 30 credit points. Typically a student must complete 120 credits.
Please note optional modules only run if there is enough demand. If we have an insufficient number of students interested in an optional module, that module will not be offered for this course.
Top-up year
Core modules
30 credits
This module integrates multidisciplinary creative practices, theories of media and communication and research methods while undertaking an extended piece of writing or practice-based research. In the process, you will become more aware of theoretical debates, review research strategies, analyse the findings, synthesise research, develop a coherent, structured argument and draw conclusions.
It fosters a deeper understanding of what it is to be a researcher and creative practitioner in the media industries and professions, in the arts and social sciences, media arts and technology, digital humanities and cultural studies. It is pretty much up to you! You come up with a topic that really interests you and start researching.
As well as attending the seminars, this module is about working independently and discussing your work with your supervisors so they can guide your research. In addition students will work together to organise a symposium and present their work. In doing so, they will develop their critical analytical and transferable professional skills.
15 credits
This module gives you a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes.
At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile. You will determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. In this process, you will be supported by a dedicated career coach, helping you explore a range of options that includes self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional graduate-level opportunities. Throughout the module, you will be given opportunities to engage with external mentors, to support reflection and to develop a professional network.
You will undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals, from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities outside the University that develop your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.
15 credits
This highly-practical module enables you to explore in-depth, and actively engage with, a range of work sectors and job functions in the media, communications and creative industries. These could include, for example: PR and Advocacy, Social Media, Creative Media, Project Development and Management, Publishing. You will apply your newly-gained specialist knowledge, using your acquired skills, to produce a portfolio of cutting-edge media and communication outputs, to help your transition into graduate-level employment.
Parallel taught sessions will help you develop critical thinking and consider what is required to become a reflective practitioner. These classes will also look at career development and offer information and discussion on graduate progression and employability skills as well as jobs in media, communication and related areas.
Optional modules
15 credits
This strand-based module builds on students’ awareness and experience of living in contemporary digital media environments. Strands vary each year to reflect current debates related to one area of practice and research. Each strand will look at how the selected issue is represented in public debates, or how it is treated in media policies and regulations. Strands are broadly focused on: AI and machine learning, social media and media ecologies, evolution of celebrity and influencer cultures, sustainability, environmentalism, ethics and journalism, and issues around identity and difference.
30 credits
Drama has always been a key TV genre - and with the rise of streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon we can binge-watch more than ever. In Box Set Television Drama, we'll explore how a successful series is created – and how to pitch one.
30 credits
This is a practical module designed to enable students to experience and work in a professionally-focused industry environment, and develop television production skills such as multi-camera operation, sound, mixing and teleprompting. Students will learn how to work and operate a professional broadcast studio as well as developing TV production skills. In addition, students will build on and reinforce employability skills such as problem-solving, time management and dependability sought by employers looking to fill graduate positions. Students will be encouraged to reflect on their professional practice and critically evaluate their teaching and learning contributions.
15 credits
This highly-practical module enables you to explore in-depth, and actively engage with, a range of work sectors and job functions in the media, communications and creative industries. These could include, for example: PR and Advocacy, Social Media, Creative Media, Project Development and Management, Publishing. You will apply your newly-gained specialist knowledge, using your acquired skills, to produce a portfolio of cutting-edge media and communication outputs, to help your transition into graduate-level employment.
Parallel taught sessions will help you develop critical thinking and consider what is required to become a reflective practitioner. These classes will also look at career development and offer information and discussion on graduate progression and employability skills as well as jobs in media, communication and related areas.
30 credits
This module examines art/media management and production in relation to opportunities and challenges posed in the current digital landscape. Students will learn how projects are managed; rights management issues, defining and understanding rights in the context of their own topical areas of interest; professional practice; production work.
Looking at copyright, brand rights, image rights, privacy, freedom of expression and information, censorship, and regulation - students explore how these work in practice. They also develop knowledge and understanding of the use of agreements and licensing. Students have a wide range of case studies to explore: film, music, fashion, advertising, PR, publishing, and art; global media production and cultures of appropriation.
There will be an opportunity for portfolio development and the study of theoretical aspects of ‘digital disruption', the impact and use of free/open media and how making media is affected by share culture, remix/mashups. To understand what happens to art and media work once produced, we also look at distribution, the rights affecting distribution, and the impact on: download culture, cultural appropriation, globalisation; transborder flow, media convergence and spreadability.
International students: direct application
Are you an international student? Have you decided Kingston is the place for you? If so, you can apply for this course directly, rather than having to go through UCAS.
What career opportunities does this course offer?
Our students have gone on to work at local, national and international level in a wide range of sectors and media industries.
- Account executive
- Copywriter
- Digital account executive
- Film maker
- Lead reporter
- Market analyst and IT support
- TV presenter
- Video producer
- Web content editor
- Writer
- Amazing Media
- Apple
- BBC
- Birmingham Art Galleries
- British Waterways
- Cyntergy
- French Radio London
- New Frontiers
- Purple PR
- Type 4 U
Future Skills
Our Future Skills programme is embedded within all our undergraduate courses and throughout the whole Kingston experience. These skills will help you to become a future-proof graduate by equipping you with the skills most valued by employers, such as problem-solving, digital competency and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills. You’ll also understand how to demonstrate and articulate to employers how these future skills give you the edge.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 16% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 70%; practical exam 30%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. 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.
Fees and funding
| Fee Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £10,050* |
| International | £To be confirmed |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students: Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,790* |
| International | £18,500 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Home students (UK): Tuition fees are subject to inflation-linked increases in line with government policy. Updated fees will be confirmed in line with the maximum fee cap set by the Government or the Office for Students (OfS) for each academic year. This means your fee may increase for each academic year of study, but only up to the maximum amount permitted for that year.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
International students: Full-time taught international student fees are subject to an annual increase, which is published in advance for the full duration of your programme.
| Fee Category | Annual Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | £9,535* |
| International | £17,700 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
*For full-time programmes lasting more than one academic year, a tuition fee is payable for each academic year of the course.
Your annual tuition fee covers your first attempt at all modules required for that academic year. Any re-study or repeat of modules will incur additional charges, calculated according to the number of credits taken.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames and Norbiton.
If you take part in external shows and exhibitions, you’ll need to cover your travel costs. These will vary depending on your location.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
