Media Skills BA (Hons) top-up

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.

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.