BA (Hons)
Sociology and Media Studies
Explore the complex relationship between the media and society
Course Overview
Why take this course?
We live in a media-saturated world, with much of our social knowledge gained through television, cinema, news media or websites. This course offers a strong foundation in the theory and methodology of both sociology and media studies, allowing you to apply an analytical eye to this social phenomenon.
What will I experience?
On this course, you can:
- Engage with and evaluate current critical debates and classical theories in both fields
- Utilise some of the many resources available to you, such as our large archive of documentary films
- Volunteer locally or do a work placement alongside your studies to improve your employability
What opportunities might it lead to?
This course provides a sound basis for careers in commerce, industry and the service sector. You will possess numerous key transferable skills to enter a wide range of careers and professions.
Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:
- working in the police force
- teaching
- social work
- working for the local government
- civil service
- marketing
Facilities within the School are great; we have our own student common room, with group study rooms, computer access and vending machines.
Helena MacNeary, sociology student
Key Facts
- UCAS Course Code:
- LP33
- Duration
- 3 years full time
- Entry
240-300 points from 3 A levels or equivalent.
Other qualifications- Fees
UK/EU/Channel Islands and Isle of Man full-time students: £8,750 p/a*
International full-time students: £10,500 p/a*
*Please note that all fees are subject to annual increase.- Contact
- humanities.admissions@port.ac.uk
+44 (0)23 9284 8299 - Department
- School of Social, Historical and Literary Studies
Subject:
History, Politics and Social Studies
Find out what our students say about studying at Portsmouth, including:
- The diverse spread of subjects offered and ability to complete your own research
- The critical thinking, analytical and debating skills you’ll develop
- The passionate lecturers with a wide range of specialist research expertise
Visit us at our open day
Wed 10 Jul
Structure & Teaching
Year one
In your first year, you’ll follow a core programme of study focused on introductory units in both fields of study, plus the development of study and employability skills.
- Theorising Social Life
- Research Design and Analysis
- Media Studies: Theories and Methods
- Contemporary Media Events
- Studying Society
- Research Skills: Media
Year two
During this year, you’ll follow core units from each academic field, and choose from a range of options to complement these. You will also begin to plan an appropriate topic for their dissertation and acquire the necessary research skills. There is an option in this year to apply for an exchange programme with Moorhead State University, USA.
- Modernity & Globalisation: Classical & Contemporary Perspectives
- Print Media
- Options from:
- Screen Media
- The Media and Propaganda
- Approaches to Popular Culture
- Work, Employment and Society
- Understanding Deviance and Social Problems
- Emotions and Social Life
- Urban Sociology
- Doing Sociological Research
- Approaches to Popular Culture
- Analysing Comic Books
- Sport and the Media
- Media Networks: Exploring Digital Cultures
- Social Issues in the Media
- Languages (University Wide Option)
- Learning from Experience (Faculty Wide Option)
Year three
As a final year student, you’ll spend much of your study time working on your dissertation. This is a major piece of individual work where you have the opportunity to examine in detail part of the course that has interested you most. You will also be able to shape your year with optional units from both strands of your course.
- Dissertation/Major Project
- Options including:
- Cultures of Consumption
- TV Talk Shows
- Researching Animation
- British TV Drama and Society
- Comedy, Culture and Form
- News, War and Peace
- Representing Science in the Media
- Media Fan Cultures
- Transformations of Modern Society
- Food, Culture and Society
- Animals and Society
- Young People, State and Society
- Learning from Experience
- Arts and Society
- Violence War and Society
- Sociology of Culture
- Consumer Society
Teaching and Assessment
Our teaching approach involves lectures, seminars, tutorials and workshops, with a strong emphasis on participation. Get fully involved in group debates and discussions, and gain hands on experience as you carry out survey research, qualitative interviewing and other research techniques.
How are you assessed?
You will be assessed throughout the course via a wide range of assessment methods. Here’s how:
- written essays and tests
- both group and individual projects
- seminar participation
- examinations
- a 10,000-word dissertation
Visit us open day
Facilities & Features
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with group working spaces, printers, Mac workstations and more
Research-Active Staff
Academic staff split their time between research and teaching
University Library
Our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books
The Study Centre
A suite of rooms with a comfy seating area, desks where you can work, printers, Mac workstations and access to the wireless network so you can log in using your own laptop. There are also several study rooms where you can work on group projects, alongside access to the University 3rd Space.
Research-Active Staff
You will be taught by specialist staff who are actively undertaking research in this field, ensuring your learning keeps you abreast of the latest developments. Staff are members of the Centre for European and International Studies Research (CEISR), the UK's largest research centre of its kind.
University Library
Modern, comfortable and a great learning environment, our library offers a wealth of information including 400,000 books, DVDs, maps and thousands of online ejournals and newspapers. Many electronic resources are available anywhere, 24/7 and our friendly staff are always on hand to help.
Careers & Opportunities
Career prospects
The NHS, local education authorities, counselling and voluntary organisations and charities are just some examples of organisations that would typically employ sociology graduates.
Careers in social research, counselling, community development, careers advice, teaching, probation and charity work are possible options for you after this course. However, many of these areas will require you to undergo further training after your first degree.
Roles our graduates have taken on include:
- social researcher
- market researcher
- lecturer
- investigative analyst
- detention custody officer
- careers advisor
Example of what one of our graduates has gone on to do:
- Global Radio, Account Manager – in charge of advertising for Capital Radio
Work experience
This course allows you to take the Learning From Experience (LiFE) option, which means you can earn credits towards your degree for work, volunteer and research placements that you’re involved in alongside your study.
The School of Social Historical and Literary Studies can offer you a number of work experience opportunities in a range of local organizations during your degree course. Currently these include projects at the National Museum of the Royal Navy and the New Theatre Royal, with local government departments and political groups, and a number of our students have worked on small research projects for the local community.
Career planning
6.04 minutes
Finding a job is a competitive business, but the statistics show that 89 per cent of our 2011graduates went into employment, further study or training within six months of finishing their degrees.
To make sure you take the right steps on your career path, we’re here to give you help, support and advice throughout your study. Even after you’ve graduated, we continue to give you support for up to five years.
Employers tell us that they want graduates to be able to demonstrate certain skills when they come out of university. Our courses take account of this. We make sure we prepare you for employment through work-related learning, projects, placements and working in simulated environments that are designed to prepare you for the working world.
Open Day
Our next open day is Wed 10 July
VISIT US! Have a look around and get a feel for what it’s like to live and study here. We’ll be on hand to talk to you about your course interests and show you all of our amazing facilities. You’ll also get to meet tutors and other students…
Application, Fees and Funding — find out more