UCAS code
P300Mode of Study
Full-time, Full-time sandwich with work placementDuration
3 years full-time, 4 years sandwich with work placementStart date
September 2023, September 2024Overview
Are you curious about how the media influences the world we live in? Our BA (Hons) Media Studies course is distinguished by its innovative mix of options and will give you a fascinating way to gain a deeper academic understanding of this prime form of communication.
You'll learn how global media reflects, shapes and affects societies and cultures, from news and television, to social networks. You’ll also consider how identity is formed through the media, and its representations in contemporary formats and genres, such as TV talk shows, the comic book industries, and science. As you progress in your degree, you can create your own learning plan by choosing optional modules, including film production.
You’ll graduate ready to begin your media career in many communicational fields, but you’ll also have creative and transferable skills you can use in any sector.
Course highlights
- Gain expert insight into popular culture, fan communities, and the latest media tech developments by attending the annual Portsmouth Comic Con – where course lecturers and previous students have been panellists
- Enhance your studies by learning from a teaching team of widely published media experts and research-active academics
- Cultivate a well-rounded, futuristic understanding of media from staff expertise in contemporary popular culture genres (including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and animation)
- Tailor your degree by choosing modules to suit your specialisation
- Develop filmmaking skills with optional practical film modules from second year
- Build valuable professional experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement year – either with a company or self-employed
- Broaden your expertise with the chance to gain industry-recognised accreditations such as ScreenSkills safety training and Adobe Certified Professional (ACP)
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Media Studies
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112–128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 25
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.
Typical offers
- A levels – ABB–BBC
- UCAS points – 112-128 points to include a minimum of 2 A levels, or equivalent (calculate your UCAS points)
- T-levels – Merit
- BTECs (Extended Diplomas) – DDM–DMM
- International Baccalaureate – 25–26
You may need to have studied specific subjects – find full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept at UCAS.
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 Screening Room
Watch cinema from across the globe in our 80-seat lecture theatre, fitted with high-specification audio-visual technology, rich sound systems, and acoustic panelling.
Professional TV and film cameras
Broadcast and film in crystal clarity with our range of industry-level Sony, JVC and Canon cameras.
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.
Equipment loan stores
Whatever your work, you can borrow computers and professional-standard film, photography, lighting, and performance equipment from our loan stores in the Faculty of Creative and Cultural Industries.
Careers and opportunities
The communication, research, writing and critical thinking skills you learn on this media studies degree will be essential for employers within and outside the media industry.
You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level. Many of our graduates pursue Master's and Doctorates, with a number of them taking further teacher training to work in education.
Graduate areas
Previous media studies graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:
- media research
- digital specialisms (e.g. website design and creation)
- public relations and marketing
- journalism
- publishing
- new media development
- film production
- film and TV companies
Graduate roles
Job roles our graduates have taken on include:
- teacher
- media research assistant
- marketing assistant
- production manager
- sound and vision engineer
- film/video producer
- advertising journalist
- assistant publicist
- PR and communications officer
Graduate destinations
Some of our alumni have gone on to work for big names such as:
- BBC
- Warner Bros
- Universal Pictures International
- Mitchells & Butlers
- Lush Cosmetics
Ongoing careers support
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience. You can also venture into freelancing, or set up and run your own business with help from the University Startup Team.
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)
Between your second and third year, you can complete an optional work placement to gain professional experience and enhance your skills. It's also 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 – our exclusive Creative Careers team can support you every step of the way.
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.
Featured placement
Gemma – Vivid Housing
Gemma – interning as a Communications Coordinator – discusses her role, how she adjusted to the pandemic, and the highlights of her placement experience.
Placement areas
Previous students have done placement in areas such as:
- Digital marketing
- Social media
Placement destinations
Previous students have interned at big companies, including:
- Sky
- ITV
- Panasonic
- NBC Universal
- Disney
- St James Place Wealth Management
What you'll study on this BA (Hons) Media Studies degree
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
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Identify and define relevant theories, historical knowledge and methods of analysis
- Apply appropriate theories, historical knowledge and methods of analysis to media texts
- Use various primary sources and secondary texts in research
- Work independently on written assessments
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Deploy visual material as evidence to support contextual and secondary research
- Textually analyse cross-media visual texts
- Locate and review historical and industrial contexts
- Outline and dissect appropriately-pitched theoretical material relevant to the subject area
- Build your textual analysis skills appropriate to level four study
- Express ideas at an appropriate pitch and develop your writing skills across the year
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Understand academic standards and concepts
- Identify, extract and employ relevant information from appropriate sources
- Apply generic and specific research/study techniques to the production of assessed work
- Develop an independent research project to a final group presentation and portfolio essay
- Use Harvard (APA) academic style in written assessments
What you'll do
You'll learn to interpret the constituent elements of narrative screen media (mise en scene, editing, performance, sound/music) and investigate the critical approaches to visual form and style used in contemporary academic thought. Topics discussed may range from the critical analysis of authorship, genre, adaptation, realism and representation. You'll also consider the interdisciplinary insight offered by fields like literary theory, psychoanalysis, cognitive psychology and philosophy and their influence on film and media analysis.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Demonstrate ability in the close analysis of audiovisual screen media
- Understand a range of conceptual and theoretical approaches to media analysis
- Develop skills in formulating arguments in response to a pre-existing academic debate
- Learn to articulate ideas in a rigorous, systematic and suitable manner
What you'll do
You'll explore the development of social media in recent decades, its effect on the way culture is produced and consumed, and emerging modes of communication and literacies. You'll look at issues around the presentation of the self, attention economy, online activism and the interaction of social media with visual culture and literature.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Understand and discuss the development of social media and its relationship to traditional cultural institutions
- Critically assess debates on the impact of social media on contemporary cultural production and consumption
- Recognise and critically assess evolving social media literacies appropriate to different platforms
- Accurately apply appropriate techniques of writing and storytelling to a variety of social media platforms
What you'll do
You'll also develop the capacity to produce and understand, and to stimulate an informed understanding of these practices that will underpin further critical and creative work and industry practice.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Recognise and apply practically audio-visual processes and skills in a range of media
- Work collaboratively on specific audio-visual projects, demonstrating organisational skills
- Demonstrate the ability to develop and design narratives, images and sequences that function within existing recognised formal systems
- Reflect on their own creative and organisational work and understand how to develop that in future projects and modules
- Produce effective and clear narrative project in and audio visual forms
- Work within established procedures to produce a film within health and safety requirements
Teaching activities
On this module you'll attend lectures, seminars and practical classes.
Independent study time
We recommend you spend at least 156 hours studying independently. This in on top of the 44 hours of scheduled teaching activities making the 200 hours expected for this 20 credit module. This is around 5 hours of independent study time a week over the duration of the module. Independent work, research and group project development and production are key to this unit.
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through:
- an individual project proposal (20% of final mark)
- an individual pre-production portfolio including visual preparation and planning (40% of final mark)
- a group project final short film and production paperwork portfolio (40% of final mark)
Core modules
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Comprehend the history and contemporary use of propaganda
- Identify specific examples of propaganda such as advertising as propaganda, war reporting as propaganda
- Analyse how propaganda is used to reinforce the ideologies of state, nationalism and capitalism
- Critically interrogate how the image and visual culture serve a propagandist function in mass mediated society
- Appraise the different dimensions of power, the role of the media and the function of propaganda in society (social control)
- Critically analyse different accounts of media power and propaganda in terms of its impact upon public policy-making
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Engage effectively with theoretical and critical approaches to screen studies.
-
Be critically selective and apply sophisticated approaches to online resources as well as engaging effectively with best practice for research.
-
Understand the social context of the screen historically, chronologically, and through contemporary engagement.
-
Effectively combine practice with theory when engaging with various screen media.
-
Apply an in-depth understanding of the economic impact of the screen on the creative leisure and entertainment industry.
What you'll do
The cross disciplinary nature of this module equips you with employability skills required by creative transmedia industries. You'll develop practical approaches and team work skills, combined with theoretical underpinning, to develop your own transmedia franchise.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically examine commercial and grassroots texts that contribute to larger media franchises (mobisodes and webisodes, comics, games)
- Trace the historical context from which modern transmedia practices emerge
- Understand the processes of transmedia narrative structures
- Develop and pitch transmedia strategies around an existing or proposed media property in a team
- Conduct, apportion and complete research within planning processes
- Successfully execute a student proposed transmedia project
Optional modules
What you'll do
With the support of the Creative Careers team, you can find, apply for and complete a year of a work placement with a variety of employers - previous placements have been offered from NBC, Disney, Warner Bros. and a variety of SME's in the region.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with a reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within their chosen area of employment or self-employment
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within self-employment, freelancing or business startups
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through a portfolio (100% of final mark).
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Demonstrate increasing autonomy, with a reduced need for supervision and direction, within defined guidelines
- Communicate a detailed knowledge of the contexts of business and industry specific practices relevant to their chosen field and an awareness of a variety of ideas, contexts and frameworks within self-employment, freelancing or business startups
- Develop working professional relationships within industry/business disciplines
- Proactively evaluate their own strengths and weaknesses, and develop their own criteria and judgement relating to their business practice, future learning and future employability goals
What you'll do
Study abroad placements are done in year 3 of a 4 year sandwich degree structure. Enhance your learning experience by adding a global dimension to your studies and develop knowledge and skills essential for roles in the global workforce. Participation in this module is subject to a selection process, supply and demand you'll be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Where activity is to be undertaken in a non-English speaking country, you'l need to evidence your language ability and plans for improving your language competency.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically assess how activities relate to disciplinary knowledge and practice covered on your course within a global context
- Manage and complete tasks in an overseas study environment relevant to your course, with an appropriate level of skill, independence and performance
- Reflect critically on your personal development during your study abroad, identifying the transferable skills you acquired and their relevance to future study and employability
Teaching activities
5 hours of tutorials
Independent study time
We recommend you spend at least 20 hours studying independently. This is around half an hour a week over the duration of the module.
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through:
- a 2,000 portfolio (pass/fail, pass mark of 40)
What you'll do
Study abroad placements are done in year 2 of a three year degree. Enhance your learning experience by adding a global dimension to your studies and develop knowledge and skills essential for roles in the global workforce. Participation in this module is subject to a selection process, supply and demand you'll be assessed on a pass/fail basis.
Where travelling to a non-English speaking country, you'l need to evidence your language ability and plans for improving your language competency.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically assess how activities relate to disciplinary knowledge and practice covered on your course within a global context
- Manage and complete tasks in an overseas study environment relevant to your course, with an appropriate level of skill, independence and performance
- Reflect critically on your personal development during your study abroad, identifying the transferable skills you acquired and their relevance to future study and employability
Teaching activities
3 hours of tutorials
Independent study time
We recommend you spend at least 20 hours studying independently. This is around 1 hour a week over the duration of the module.
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through:
- a 2,000 portfolio (pass/fail, pass mark of 40)v
What you'll do
You'll enhance your learning experience by adding a global dimension to your studies.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Manage and complete tasks in an overseas study environment relevant to your course, with an appropriate level of skill, independence and performance
- Reflect on your personal development and how your employability prospects have been enhanced by the exchange
Assessment
On this module, you'll be assessed through a portfolio (100% of final mark).
Additional content
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop independent, analytical and creative attributes, through engaging imaginatively with new areas of investigation within and across discipline boundaries
- Demonstrate the ability to be effective team players, able to provide leadership and to support the success of others
- Communicate clearly and effectively, in a range of forms and to different audiences
What you'll do
You'll explore issues and debates around with contemporary radio production, from the challenges brought about by the on-demand multi-platform consumption environment to the ethical and regulatory issues that shape production and broadcast opportunities. You'll also learn how to write scripts, research and interview for broadcast, engage an audience with compelling content and use your voice effectively to present different styles of radio programming.
What you'll learn
When you successfully complete this module, you'll be able to:
- Understand and recount the history radio broadcasting and its adaptation to the digital age
- Understand and recount of the institutional landscape of the contemporary UK radio sector and associated global platforms
- Critically discuss issues affecting radio production in the age of convergence, multi-platform and on-demand media consumption
- Understand the legal, ethical and regulatory issues that shape production and broadcast opportunities and apply it to their own practice
- Apply a set of practical and critical skills to produce a radio/podcast artefact
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Articulate an understanding of some of the key approaches for the study of mass media, culture and national identity.
-
Analyse cultural industries and media in their national, historical and socio-cultural context.
-
Develop, define and execute a personal research project on the media and national identity.
-
Use a variety of research sources in the context of an extended research project.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Use appropriate equipment and techniques to develop a video-based project, using the relevant health and safety policies and procedures
- Collaborate effectively with group members and contribute to team projects
- Use time management skills to complete tasks within allotted schedules
- Demonstrate a reflective understanding of the interrelation of theory and practice within your own work, and the work of other practitioners
- Demonstrate advanced audio-visual literacy and camera skills
- Use post-production skills to inform your appreciation of film and video
Additional content
What you'll do
You'll research genre through focused case studies in the horror genre, looking at its inception and main categorisations, and at hybridity and cross-media presentations. You'll explore the production, reception and consumption of horror texts to question the validity of using genre as a category in critical studies.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Discuss the role of genre as a categorisation
- Explain the critical and economic considerations of media texts
- Evaluate texts in institutional, historical and cultural contexts
- Recognise and analyse the cultural relevance of genre in various media
Additional content
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Engage with and use a range of critical discussions.
- Analyse contemporary and historical media sources, of significance to diverse representations of gender.
- Identify, discuss and analyse media interventions in gender representation.
- Critically discuss the prevalence and significance of gender representation in the media.
Additional content
What you'll do
You'll look at topics including comic book to film adaptation, representation, revisionism, global markets, international forms and narratives, and nostalgia and canon. You'll explore case studies in the context of contemporary academic dialogues on comics and popular culture, and art and the visual image.
You'll develop your research skills, including the use of specialist databases, to help prepare you for further study.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Contextualise industrial and historical factors within Comic Book industries
- Outline and dissect appropriately-pitched theoretical and industrial research material relevant to the subject area
- Analyse Comic Book texts within their production and consumption contexts
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Identify theoretical underpinnings of key academic work surrounding digital cultures and the networked society.
-
Critically discuss cross-platform skills and content in online participatory culture.
-
Identify reliable and appropriate digital sources for personal research.
-
Demonstrate an in-depth understanding and appreciation of online social interaction and its implications.
-
Recognise personal employability attributes through sophisticated engagement with cross-platform 'polymedia'.
Additional content
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Use appropriate equipment and techniques to develop a video-based project, using the relevant health and safety policies and procedures
- Collaborate effectively with group members and contribute to team projects
- Use time management skills to complete tasks within allotted schedules
- Demonstrate a reflective understanding of the interrelation of theory and practice within your own work and the work of other practitioners
- Demonstrate an understanding of film grammar and narrative
Additional content
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically analyse the media representation of social issues
- Discuss and debate social issues in the media
- Apply historical and theoretical views to representations of social issues in the media
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Reflect on their learning and experience to date and use this as a basis to plan and organise suitable work experience(s) that will enable the development of their professional profile.
- Propose a programme of learning that enables the development and demonstration of specified professional skills.
- Critically evaluate their learning and experience and relate this to their future career goals.
- Communicate the outcomes of their experience through the effective use of reflective practice.
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Analyse the complexities of launching a startup business
- Critically reflect upon the factors which contribute towards successful market research, marketing, manufacturing, and selling
- Recognise suitability for specific roles in business and collaborative working
What you'll do
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Develop a critical and reflective appreciation of the relationship between film and ethics, with an ability and readiness to question the principles, practices and boundaries of film practice and analysis, allied to a commitment to social justice issues such as equality, respect and sustainability.
- Engage in an interdisciplinary approach that combines a contextual analysis of film with a detailed consideration of professional practice, bringing the insights of both together to better enhance the transferable skills developed in each subject area.
- Develop a future career strategy informed by a considered duty of care both to one's self, one's co-workers and to one's future employers, at the heart of which will be a self-critical understanding of the ethics of professional practice that can be applied across a range of different career contexts.
What you'll learn
The learning objectives of this module are to be confirmed.
Optional modules
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
- Evaluate scholarly arguments about celebrity.
- Research a range of critical perspectives on celebrity.
- Have a critical and reflective knowledge and understanding of their subject with the ability and readiness to question its principles, practices and boundaries.
- Think independently, critically and analytically.
- Articulate scholarly understandings of celebrity in verbal form.
- Use presentation software to illustrate and enhance points and arguments.
What you'll do
You'll develop your knowledge of research and writing skills. You'll also receive ten hours of one-to-one tutorial support.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Use analysis and enquiry techniques within an ethical framework
- Critically evaluate theories and data to form a judgement, frame further questions and identify potential solutions
- Use current research or equivalent advanced scholarship in the relevant field
- Manage your own learning
- Communicate in writing to a specialist audience
What you'll do
You'll also learn how to create a video to industry standards and requirements.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Work as part of a team to produce practical projects
- Research and develop appropriate skills for a chosen production role
- Apply time, scheduling, project and resource management skills to practical projects
- Complete projects to a predetermined schedule
- Apply knowledge of equipment, techniques and resources to the production of video
- Work in a professional manner that follows industry practices
- Understand the connection between film and media theory and production practice
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Understand and apply critical discussions around the field of consumption
- Analyse primary media sources that are significant to consumption and lifestyle
- Identify, discuss and analyse media interventions in consumption
- Critically discuss the pervasiveness and significance of consumption and lifestyle media
What you'll do
You'll also learn to consider the theoretical and methodological development of audience research.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically evaluate theoretical approaches to the study of audiences and fans
- Analyse the social, cultural and economic premises and consequences of media fandom across different texts and their contexts
- Show an understanding of various discrete practices of media fan communities
- Research and defend a theoretical position related to media fan cultures and their practices
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Critically engage with debates and theories about the relationship between news, war and peace.
-
Use case study examples to assess and analyse different perspectives and arguments about the news media's role in reporting war and peace.
-
Evaluate critical positions taken towards the news media's reporting of war and peace.
-
Apply acquired knowledge to self-directed research.
Additional content
What you'll do
You’ll focus on the distinction between 'factual' and 'fictional' science, and draw on history and theory to examine how science, technology and the figure of the scientist have been represented in a variety of media forms. These include literature, cinema, television, advertising, new media and journalism.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Critically discuss the role of the mass media in our understanding of the world, including the consequences and effects of social and technological change on that media and understanding
- Evaluate diverse representations of mediated science and technology in a variety of institutional, cultural and historical contexts
- Recognise and critique the wider social and cultural relevance of science and technology, as well as the implications of its mass mediation, in contemporary society
What you'll do
You’ll develop your knowledge of research methods for both visual and written sources.
What you'll learn
When you complete this module successfully, you'll be able to:
- Evaluate animation styles, designs and the visual practices commonly associated with familiar animated texts
- Apply various codes and visual practices to a variety of animation styles
- Evaluate agency, authorship, national and industrial factors in animation
- Demonstrate the use of both primary and secondary arguments for a written piece of work
- Review your own methods, learning process and application of research
What you'll learn
The learning outcomes of this module are:
-
Engage with key debates and theories within the field of contemporary comedy history and theory.
-
Articulate how secondary and primary research can be expressed within written piece of work.
-
Assess agency, authorship and industrial factors within a variety of national, political, social and cultural contexts.
-
Employ the use of differing academic perspectives in the scholarly analysis of comedy.
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, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
How you're assessed
You’ll be assessed through:
- essays
- presentations
- video productions
- programme proposal/pitch
- reviews and features
- reports
- dissertation/project
- portfolios
- coursework exercises
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
You can access all teaching resources on Moodle, our virtual learning environment, from anywhere with a Web connection.
For more about the teaching activities for specific modules, see the module list above.
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 studies degree. In your first year, you’ll be in timetabled teaching activities such as workshops, lectures and seminars for about 15 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 and 3, but this depends on which options 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.
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.
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.
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
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 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
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.
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.
Tuition fees terms and conditions
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.
Costs breakdown
Our accommodation section shows your accommodation options and highlights 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)
You may need to buy items such as DVDs and MiniDV tapes to use on practical units, which cost approximately £20–£30.
You’ll need to cover the material costs for individual project work, which usually costs £50–£100.
Apply
How to apply
To start this course in 2023, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – P300
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
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.
To start this course in 2024, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – P300
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
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.