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UCAS code

P30F

Mode of Study

Full-time, Full-time sandwich with work placement

Duration

4 years full-time, 5 years sandwich with work placement

Start date

September 2023

Overview

With our BA (Hons) Media and Communication with Foundation Year degree course, you'll dive deep into the inner workings of media: its present and future, its pivotal role in how we communicate and perceive the world, and the networking industries and institutions that structure communication.

Experience the many facets of media communication, from its underpinning theories and marketing functions to hands-on media production. The course has award-winning expert researchers and film producers teaching it, strong industry links in TV, film and journalism, and chances to intern in fascinating areas of the media industries, so you’re always learning the current and best practices in academia and professional practice.

You'll gain a flexible range of specialist skills that will allow you to pursue careers in film and TV production, camera departments, sound recording and post production. You can also sidestep into journalism, scriptwriting, advertising, marketing, or public relations.

Foundation year

If you're new to studying media or don’t meet the required grades for the full degree course, our Foundation Year will bridge that gap. You'll expand your knowledge of media and communication and develop the preparatory skills you'll need for entry into Year 1.

If you have the required grades, you can skip the Foundation Year and start at Year 1.

Course highlights

  • Shape your course from second year, choosing optional modules that meet your speciality and career ambitions
  • Build your industry experience by taking a one-year placement – either with a company or self-employed
  • Familiarise yourself with professional equipment and facilities used widely in media production – including multi-camera television studios, industry-level film and cinematic cameras, and innovative colour correction hardware
  • Expand your professional network and knowledge by attending guest lectures by visiting professionals
  • Enhance your collaboration and team-working skills by working with students from other courses and schools in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries
  • Demonstrate your technical proficiency to potential employers by achieving industry-recognised Adobe Certified Professional (ACP) qualifications

Entry requirements

BA (Hons) Media and Communication with Foundation Year

Typical offers

  • A levels – EEE
  • UCAS points:
    • Foundation Year entry – 48 points to include 1 A Level, or other equivalent qualifications such as vocational A Levels (AVCE), BTECs and Access courses will also be considered
    • Year 1 entry – 112–120 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
  • T levels – Pass (D or E in the core)
  • BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – PPP

You may need to have studied specific subjects – see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept

English language requirements

  • English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

See alternative English language qualifications

We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.

If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Facilities and specialist kit

Eldon TV Studios

Learn the skills you need to work in video/audio production and broadcasting and get involved in our student-led TV channel, CCI TV.

A film set with sofas and screens
Explore Studios

White Swan Building

Our drama and theatre hub was developed with Portsmouth’s esteemed New Theatre Royal, with all you need for stage and performance productions: from rehearsal to final act.

Musical Theatre StudentsSelina Le
Explore Building
October 2019

Professional TV and film cameras

Broadcast and film in crystal clarity with our range of industry-level Sony, JVC and Canon cameras.

Baselight Colour Grading Studio

Baselight Colour Grading Studio

Bring photorealistic vividness to your footage. Our studio features a multi-control deck and the innovative Base Grade grading tool for striking true-colour development. 

A close-up of sound faders

Video Editing Suite

Award-winning kit for future award-winning filmmakers. Our suite includes non-linear editing software Avid Media Composer and DaVinci Resolve, and specialist hardware for efficient film editing.

Explore Suite

Careers and opportunities

Media communication is a staple of every industry. When you graduate with a Media and Communication degree, you'll become a vital, versatile asset for any employer and any field.

Graduate areas

You'll be able to work in areas such as:

  • post-production
  • film and TV directing
  • scriptwriting
  • marketing
  • advertising
  • journalism

You can also go into freelancing.

Graduate roles

Job roles you'll be suitable for include:

  • PR and communications officer
  • social media assistant
  • assistant editor
  • visual media co-ordinator
  • TV researcher
  • camera assistant
  • first or second assistant director
  • sound and vision engineer
  • film/video producer
  • stills photographer
  • production manager

Ongoing careers support

Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.

Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Graduate Recruitment Consultancy to help you find your perfect role.

Placement year (optional)

Before your final year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It also makes a great incentive for employers once you graduate.

You can work for a company, organisation or agency, or you can go self-employed and start your own business with fellow students or by yourself.

Whatever you decide – or even if you just want some employability advice – you can get support from Creative Careers.

Creative Careers

Our in-faculty Creative Careers team has extensive recruitment experience and knows the creative sector well, making it easier for students to find placements within the creative industries.

They can guide you through every step of the application process, including:

  • Searching for the ideal job through their database of vacancies
  • Giving tips on how to write an interesting CV that will catch employers' attention, no matter the role
  • Organising mock interviews, so you can hone your technique and familiarise yourself with the recruitment environment
  • Writing your startup business proposal – if you're going down the self-employment route

The team will continue to give you support throughout your placement year.

Placement roles

Common roles on placement include:

  • Kit room supervisor
  • Editing assistant
  • Researcher
  • Visual media assistant
  • Film runner
  • Content creator

Placement destinations

Common placement destinations include:

  • Edit suites
  • Kit rooms
  • Writers' rooms
  • Film sets
  • TV galleries
  • Production offices (TV and film)
UNSPLASH STOCK PHOTOGRAPHY - FREE TO USE UNDER THE UNSPLASH LICSENSE.

What you can do on a placement year

If you're thinking of doing a placement but not sure what role to take or where to go, we can steer you in a direction that fits your aspirations.

Check out our Creative Careers team's blog to find out where fellow film, media and communication students have interned during their studies.

Read our blog post

What you'll study on this BA (Hons) Media and Communication with Foundation Year degree course

Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.

In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.

Modules

Core modules in this year include:

  • Introduction to Film-making – 40 credits
  • Writing for the Media – 40 credits
  • Academic Skills - 20 credits
  • Media in Context – 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

After you’ve successfully completed the Foundation Year you have the option to apply to transfer to a different undergraduate degree programme within CCI to pursue your area of interest or to continue onto the Media and Communication degree programme.

Core modules in this year include:

  • Future Production – 20 credits

  • Global Cinema – 20 credits

  • Introduction to Media Studies – 20 credits

  • Post Production - Editing – 20 credits

  • Television Production Practices – 20 credits

  • Writing for the Film and TV Industries – 20 credits

There are no optional modules in this year.

Core modules in this year include:

  • Film Production Practices – 20 credits
  • Finding Form - Fiction – 20 credits
  • Media Networks: Exploring Digital Culture – 20 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

  • Broadcast Radio and Podcasting – 20 credits
  • Comic Book Industries – 20 credits
  • Engaged Citizenship Through Interdisciplinary Practice – 20 credits
  • Factual Media Production – 20 credits
  • Film and Ethics – 20 credits
  • Film Sound Production – 20 credits
  • Modern Foreign Language – 20 credits
  • Production: Camera and Editing – 20 credits
  • Production: Short Film-Making – 20 credits
  • Professional Experience – 20 credits
  • Screen Media – 20 credits
  • Student Enterprise – 20 credits
  • Transmedia Narratives and Strategies – 20 credits

On this course, you can do an optional work placement year between your second and third years to get valuable experience working in industry.

We’ll help you secure a work placement that fits your situation and ambitions. You’ll get mentoring and support throughout the year.

Core modules in this year include:

  • Professional Industry Skills – 20 credits

Optional modules in this year include:

  • Digital Media and Democracy – 20 credits
  • Documentary Film-making – 20 credits
  • Fan Fiction – 20 credits
  • Film and Media Dissertation – 40 credits
  • Global Journalism and Human Rights – 20 credits
  • Individual Creative Project – 40 credits
  • Magazines: Print Media in a Digital World – 20 credits
  • Marketing Movies – 20 credits
  • Media Fan Cultures – 20 credits
  • Practical Video Project – 40 credits
  • Self Promotion – 20 credits

Changes to course content

We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.

Therefore, course content is revised and regularly reviewed.  This may result in changes being made in order to reflect developments in research, learning from practice and changes in policy at both national and local levels.

How you're assessed

You'll be supported practically and academically throughout each module that you take.

Your practical work will be based on, and assessed, using a concept, research, development and resolution approach. Film and TV practice is reinforced by a project report and peer assessment sheets. This work will support your development in all areas of pre-production, production and post-production.

You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future.

Teaching

Teaching activities on this course include:

  • workshops
  • seminars
  • lectures
  • tutorials
  • guest lectures

How you'll spend your time

One of the main differences between school or college and university is how much control you have over your learning.

We use a blended learning approach to teaching, which means you’ll take part in both face-to-face and online activities during your studies.  As well as attending your timetabled classes you'll study independently in your free time, supported by staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.

A typical week

We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for your media and communication degree. In your Foundation year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as lectures, guest lectures, seminars, and tutorials for about 21 hours a week. The rest of the time you’ll do independent study such as research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group with others from your course. You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2, 3 and 4, but this depends on which modules you choose.

Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. You may occasionally need to go to University and course events in the evenings and at weekends. There’s usually no teaching on Wednesday afternoons.

Term dates

The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.

See term dates

Supporting your learning

The amount of timetabled teaching you'll get on your degree might be less than what you're used to at school or college, but you'll also get support via video, phone and face-to-face from teaching and support staff to enhance your learning experience and help you succeed. You can build your personalised network of support from the following people and services:

Types of support

Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.

You'll have regular contact with your personal tutor in learning activities or scheduled meetings. You can also make an appointment with them if you need extra support.

In addition to the support you get from your personal tutor, you’ll also have access to a Faculty student support advisor. They can give you confidential, impartial advice on anything to do with your studies and personal wellbeing and refer you to specialist support services.

You'll have help from a team of faculty academic skills tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.

They can help with:

  • improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
  • delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
  • understanding and using assignment feedback
  • managing your time and workload
  • revision and exam techniques
If you need support with software and equipment or you want to learn additional skills (including skills not covered on your course), our creative skills tutors provide free workshops, activities and one-on-one tutorials. Skills you can learn include life drawing, film camera operation and video production.
Computing support staff are always available to give technical support in the Faculty's computer suites during normal working hours. There's also some support available from 5.00pm to midnight at busy times of the year.

As well as support from faculty staff and your personal tutor, you can use the University’s Academic Skills Unit (ASK).

ASK provides one-to-one support in areas such as:

  • academic writing
  • note taking
  • time management
  • critical thinking
  • presentation skills
  • referencing
  • working in groups
  • revision, memory and exam techniques

If you have a disability or need extra support, the Additional Support and Disability Centre (ASDAC) will give you help, support and advice.

Our online Learning Well mini-course will help you plan for managing the challenges of learning and student life, so you can fulfil your potential and have a great student experience.

You can get personal, emotional and mental health support from our Student Wellbeing Service, in person and online. This includes 1–2–1 support as well as courses and workshops that help you better manage stress, anxiety or depression.

If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need our specialist team can help you.

They'll help you to

  • discuss and agree on reasonable adjustments
  • liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
  • access specialist study skills and strategies tutors, and assistive technology tutors, on a 1-to-1 basis or in groups
  • liaise with external services

Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University’s library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from a librarian who specialises in your subject area.

The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.

If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.

Course costs and funding

Tuition fees

2023 start

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £17,200 per year (subject to annual increase)

2024 start

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £9,250 a year (including Transition Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £18,100 per year (subject to annual increase)

Funding your studies

Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.

Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.

Additional course costs

These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.

Additional costs

Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.

You’ll study up to 6 modules a year. You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module.

You can borrow most of these from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, DVDs and CDs, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

 

If your final year includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.

If you take a placement year or study abroad year, tuition fees for that year are as follows:

  • UK/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £925 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
  • EU students – £925 a year, including Transition Scholarship (may be subject to annual increase)
  • International students – £1,800 a year (subject to annual increase)

Apply

How to apply

To start this course in 2023, apply through UCAS. You'll need:

  • the UCAS course code – P30F
  • our institution code – P80

If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application forms.

You can also sign up to an Open Day to:

  • Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
  • Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
  • Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join

If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.

How to apply from outside the UK

See the 'How to apply' section above for details of how to apply. You can also get an agent to help with your application. Check your country page for details of agents in your region.

To find out what to include in your application, head to the how to apply page of our international students section. 

If you don't meet the English language requirements for this course yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Admissions terms and conditions

When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.