BA (Hons) Media Studies and Entertainment Technology
- UCAS code: PW36
- Mode of study: Full time or sandwich with work placement
- Duration: 3 years full time, 4 years sandwich with work placement
- Entry requirements 2013: 240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
- Please see details of the range of other qualifications that will also be considered on the 'Entry Requirements' tab below. Please do contact us for advice on other qualifications that aren't listed here.
Find out more:
Tel: +44 (0)23 9284 2421
Email: create.admissions@port.ac.uk
Department: School of Creative Arts, Film and Media (SCAFM)
Course overview
Our unique course offers you the opportunity to explore the media as not only a source of communication, information and identity, but also as multiple sites for interaction, participation and entertainment. You will examine how a variety of different national media systems manage to survive in an age of global media companies. Complementing these debates with a specialised area of study allows you to develop a range of transferable and creative skills and experiences that will be highly regarded in the jobs market.
On this course you will study a range of approaches to the critical study of media. Core units in media history, theory, analysis and policy will provide insights into essential issues of media ownership and influence. You will also benefit from a wide range of optional media units in areas such as popular culture, media networks and digital culture, popular music and film studies.
You will be taught by specialist staff with strong research interests across a range of media, from television and the internet to magazines and journalism. This degree also includes engagement with practical elements such as video production, sound applications and games studies – all contributing to our contemporary cross-platform media experience.
Course content
You will study core media units along with other students in the School, allowing you to share and develop ideas with students who can bring different knowledge and experiences to the discussion. Your specialised area of study will then be taught in smaller groups, allowing you to focus on your particular pathway. This means that you will study in a range of teaching and learning environments including lectures, seminars, workshops, performances, readings, simulations and tutorials.
New digital technologies promise to bring about fundamental shifts in the way we produce, distribute and consume entertainment media. However, the marketing hype around, for example, music downloading or digital television can easily obscure issues of power and control. This course seeks to combine digital media production with a critical study of new, sophisticated media forms.
The entertainment technology strand comprises project management and multimedia production. You will have the chance to develop new media skills associated with the entertainment industry, including music technology, web design and animation. We have well-equipped computer laboratories and video editing suites, together with a multimedia audio laboratory, recording studios and music classrooms equipped with keyboards.
For example, below are listed just some of the subject topics you can explore during your three years of study:
Media Studies
- Media Theories and Methods
- Study Skills for Media
- Research Skills for Media
- Media Culture and National Identity
- Screen Media
- Approaches to Popular Culture
- Print Media
- The Media and Propaganda
- Media Networks: Exploring Digital Culture
- Media Fan Cultures
- Representing Science in the Media
- Cultures of Consumption
Entertainment Technology
- Video
- Games Sound
- Animation and Scripting
- Digital Photography
- Radio Production
- Soundtrack and Music Composition
- Enterprise
- Making Documentaries
- Sound Applications
- Games Studies
- Studying Popular Music
Teaching and assessment
Students at Portsmouth experience considerable intellectual freedom and choice. Specialist options are built into these programmes to enable a great degree of freedom and personal exploration. In addition, the dissertation, Creative Technology Project or special exercise in Year three (which is worth a third of the total mark during the final year) is based on a topic that you select.
Assessment takes many forms in these courses. You could be assessed via an essay, a video, script, pitch, programme proposal, online submission or a spoken presentation. You might also sit a test, write a report or develop a research portfolio. Overall, we have sought to develop a range of assessments that allow you to demonstrate a variety of skills and talents.
Career prospects
As a combined media studies graduate, you will leave with a unique set of communication and research skills, complemented by professional practical capabilities.
If you wish to pursue a career working in or with the media and creative industries then we advise you to actively seek work experience and extra-curricular activities to supplement your academic learning.
Possible career destinations include:
- media research
- film or television production
- theatre
- publishing
- new media
- web design
- marketing and public relations
- advertising
- arts and events management
- teaching
- postgraduate study
Facilities and features
You will have access to a variety of specialist facilities including:
- video recording equipment
- large 3D Screen and Virtual Reality (VR) room
- sound studio
- radio station
- TV studio
- Wacom drawing touch screens
- current creative industry-standard software
- multi-media equipped lecture theatres and seminar rooms
- online course content, library facilities and video streaming