Kingston University is ranked No.1 in London for media and film studies (Guardian University Guide league tables 2021).
If you have a foundation degree in Media Skills (or equivalent), you can fast-track to a Media Skills BA (Hons) degree with this course. It will help you develop advanced practical skills in media and communications.
You'll work on exciting creative projects. One of the main characteristics is the integration of theory and practice. Students have developed social media strategies, filmed promotional videos and produced video essays, documentaries, websites and podcasts.
You will be able to work on a major piece of independent research as a practice-based dissertation, and to further develop professional skills necessary for employment, you will organise a middle-of-the-year symposium and present your work in progress.
Attendance | UCAS code | Year of entry |
---|---|---|
1 year full time | P302 | 2021 |
Location | Penrhyn Road |
If you are planning to join this course in September 2020, please view the information about changes to courses for 2020/21 due to Covid-19.
Students who are continuing their studies with Kingston University in 2020/21 should refer to their Course Handbook for information about specific changes that have been, or may be, made to their course or modules being delivered in 2020/21. Course Handbooks are located within the Canvas course page.
We work closely with the Careers and Employability Team to embed skills in our curriculum and help students to shape their career. Recent graduates work as social media managers, account executives, digital journalists, copywriters, web editors and video producers. Employers include Barcoff studios, Apple, the BBC, Saatchi Gallery, Discovery Channel, Google Play and Winkreactive.
You can choose from a range of modules to suit your interests. Popular modules include:
You also have the option to choose the module Professional Communication Skills where you will be able to select a workplace option to have the opportunity to experience working practices.
The year is made up of four modules each worth 30 credit points. Typically a student must complete 120 credits.
30 credits
This module allows you to engage in a practice-based research project which gives you the opportunity to create a practical piece or client based project. The process should be familiar as you have worked on practical assignments in your foundation course. These can include: posters, websites, videos, motion graphics, documentaries, experimental videos, narratives, podcast, following clients' briefs and many more. This is a great opportunity to bring up issues or themes you are interest in together with the skills necessary for the realization of your project.
The practical piece will be supported by a critical rational that contextualises your artefact, comprises extensive research and critical analysis of your chosen topic, consistently substantiating your piece. The rational should be appropriately referenced, formally written and can include images, diagrams or any visual representation which might be useful to understand your research.
30 credits
This module provides you mini module strands. You will be able to choose two of these strands, one in each TB, where we will explore together issues related to contemporary media and culture. This module seeks to synthesise and draw together you understanding of theoretical and contextual approaches to the interpretation of media and culture. Furthermore, this module will enable you to apply your understanding of theory as well as practice, to analysis of contemporary issues, practices and debates which we will be reviewing in module strands.
30 credits
This special study examines art / media management and production in relation to opportunities and challenges posed in the current digital landscape. Students are able to familiarise themselves with how projects are managed; rights management issues, defining and understanding rights in the context of their own topical areas of interest; professional practice; and/or, production work. Looking at such rights as 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 of licensing, and relate these to art / media production and, professional practice. Students have a wide range of case studies to focus on: film, music, fashion, advertising, PR, publishing, and art; global media production and cultures of appropriation.
30 credits
This special study module is an introduction to political communication from the lens of hybrid media environments. It enables you to examine the new research agenda and the emerging practices in this field of study beyond the limits of the media effects approach applied to traditional or mass media. The topics covered on the module are partly linked with the research interests and projects of teaching staff and will enable you to benefit from research-informed teaching in your final year of study. You will undertake extensive exploration of the new challenges facing political communication in multi-platform contexts, drawing on pertinent theoretical debates and current media stories. You will deliver an assessed presentation, and produce an extended and focused practice-based or essay-based project on a particular topic negotiated with the module leader.
30 credits
This module covers a broad range of topics to engage students in different genres of communication to develop both spoken and written skills necessary for employability. The topics, drawn from sociolinguistics, stylistics and discourse analysis, include analysing interaction in the professional setting, copy-editing, writing to a specific brief and presenting a professional brief. Through interactive lectures, guest talks, personal tutorials, and a workplace option where students have the opportunity to experience working practices, students are encouraged to develop skills and reflect on their own practices as a way of gaining an understanding of communication matters in real life and work contexts. The module's focus on professional interactional and writing skills as well as its links to Kingston's KU Talent activities and events guides students in planning their careers and developing their employability skills.
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.
The information above reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. Updates may be made on an annual basis and revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year. The regulations governing this course are available on our website. If we have insufficient numbers of students interested in an optional module, this may not be offered.
Our top-up programme recognises and enhances the practical nature of media skills (or equivalent) courses. As a top-up student you will be assigned a personal tutor to support the transition to our programme.
Many of the teaching team are media practitioners and theorists who bring their professional and academic expertise into the classroom: they will help you to develop your skills, networks and gain access to industry contacts. Their expertise and knowledge is closely matched to the content of the modules on this course.
Academic teaching is supported by visiting speakers, industry professionals and guest lecturers who enhance your learning.
The campus at Penrhyn Road is a hive of activity, housing the main student restaurant, the learning resources centre (LRC), and a host of teaching rooms and lecture theatres.
At the heart of the campus is the John Galsworthy building, a six-storey complex that brings together lecture theatres, flexible teaching space and information technology suites around a landscaped courtyard.
The focus of this course is to prepare you for a career in the creative sector and media production, however, you will also develop transferable skills (eg writing, presenting, researching) relevant to a wide range of careers.
Our graduates have followed careers in a wide range of sectors and media industries, working at local, national and international level (eg BBC, Discovery Channel).
The scrolling banner(s) below display some key factual data about this course (including different course combinations or delivery modes of this course where relevant).