Media and Communication BSc (Hons) – 2024 entry
Key information
Start date: September 2024
Award | UCAS code | Course duration |
---|---|---|
BSc (Hons) | UCAS: LP34 | 3 years View KIS data set |
BSc (Hons) | UCAS: LP35 | 4 years with foundation year View KIS data set |
BSc (Hons) | UCAS: LP3I | 4 years with professional training View KIS data set |
BSc (Hons) | UCAS: LP36 | 5 years with foundation year and professional training View KIS data set |
Apply for your chosen course online through UCAS, with the following course and institution codes.
Course | UCAS code | Institution code |
---|---|---|
BSc (Hons) with professional training | LP3I | S85 |
BSc (Hons) | LP34 | S85 |
BSc (Hons) with foundation year | LP35 | S85 |
BSc (Hons) with foundation year and professional training | LP36 | S85 |
Why choose this course
Do you want an exciting and challenging look into how media and communication are embedded into society? Are you looking for a career where an understanding of media forms, media audiences, social media users, global media, public relations and advertising is required for the role? Then our BSc (Hons) Media and Communication course is just the course for you.
We help you to understand the impact contemporary communication has on society, government and business. We also teach you techniques to research different types of media, its audience, and its users.
You will be taught by research-active media and communications scholars, using the latest research on: media power, regulation, audiences, ‘big data’, digital platforms, international communication and much more.
Our research-led teaching, the transferable skills you will gain from your assessments and our focus on employability, will prepare you for a career in media and communications.
We are ranked 1st for media studies and this course received an overall satisfaction score of 100% in the National Student Survey 2022. We were shortlisted University of the Year in The Times/Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023.
What you will study
Our BSc (Hons) Media and Communication course will give you a comprehensive education in contemporary media and communications in global, digital societies.
Our modules on offer include:
- The Internet and Digital Societies
- Media Power and Regulations
- Media Audiences and Users
- Public Relations and Advertising
- ‘Big Data’, Platforms, Emerging technologies
- Global Media and Communications
- Music, Media and Society.
We are one of the few media and communication degree courses in the UK that offers modules on ‘big data’. We aim to give you a dynamic grounding in social sciences which you can apply to careers in media and beyond.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University.
Your employability is central to our degree. We follow an approach that embeds employability into the media curriculum, through a pathway from first year through to third year. Your employability will be enhanced by the following:
- Innovative assessments in each year that equip you with transferable skills. Recent examples of these include: blog portfolios, designing your own public relations campaign, as well as remote and e-working team presentations
- Our campus location offers a range of optional practical media involvement. Whilst our course is not a practical one, we are home to STAGMEDIA, Stag TV, Stag Radio, The Stag magazine, and Subcultured Magazine which all provide the opportunity for hands-on, optional media experience
- Surrey has an exemplary careers service which offers a suite of tailored and general resources, advice and workshops for the world of work.
Our graduates enter a wide range of careers in the UK and abroad. Sectors include public relations, journalism, broadcast media, advertising, digital industries, market research, media and communication management and research.
Our BSc Media and Communication course will build your ability to analyse complex issues and reach sound conclusions. This is highly desirable for a variety of careers in business, government or third-sector organisations.
Postgraduate study opportunities
About a quarter of undergraduate students in the Department of Sociology go on to postgraduate study.
On successful completion of our BSc Media and Communication course you might want to progress to one of our MSc criminology courses.
Graduates
If you take the opportunity to complete a Professional Training placement, you will also build experience and a network of contacts that other graduates will not have.
You will graduate with excellent analytical and research skills, mastery of quantitative methods and the ability to communicate well. You will also have gained a particular understanding of a wide range of media and digital communication, which will provide a valuable initial grounding if you wish to move towards media-related careers.
Graduates over the last few years have secured roles such as:
- Channel Planning Assistant, UKTV
- PR Coordinator, NBC Universal
- Media Analyst, Kantar Media
- Production Secretary, Comic Relief
- Social Media Executive, Hotelplan
- Corporate Communications Account Manager, Surrey Police
- Sales Executive, Global Data.
Find out more about the Department of Sociology.
Staff
This course is taught by academic staff from the Department of Sociology.
Academic year structure
The academic year is divided into two semesters of 15 weeks each. Each semester consists of a period of teaching, revision/directed learning and assessment.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules usually can be either 15, 30, 45 or 60, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follow clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes.
Please note: The full module listing for the optional Professional Training placement part of your course can be viewed on the relevant programme specification.
Optional modules for Foundation - FHEQ Level 3
For further information on FHEQ levels 4, 5 and 6 please view the programme specification for the full-time BSc (Hons) Media and Communication programme.
Optional modules for Year 2 - FHEQ Level 5
Students take two compulsories and two options in each semester.
Optional modules for Year 3 - FHEQ Level 6
Students take the dissertation (45 credits) across the whole year plus 1 compulsory and 2 options from semester 1 and 1 compulsory and 1 option from semester 2.
Optional modules for Year 2 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 5
Students take two compulsories and two options in each semester.
Optional modules for Year 3 (with PTY) - FHEQ Level 6
Students take the dissertation (45 credits) across the whole year plus 1 compulsory and 2 options from semester 1 and 1 compulsory and 1 option from semester 2.
Timetable
Timetables are normally available one month before the start of the semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday – Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the course administrators. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Teaching
While you will be taught by colleagues across the Department, we make particular mention of our Media and Communication team of lecturers who you will meet on your compulsory modules, including:
- Nathalie Weidhase (Programme Director)
- Ranjana Das
- David Griffiths
- Christine Hine
- Paul Hodkinson
- Robyn Muir
- Tom Roberts
- Alex Seal.
Our teaching is led by our research as well as the latest developments in the media and communications industries. This enables us to build courses which reflect the fast paces of change within media and communications industries.
We are proud of our work on online research methods, and young people and digital media. Our research also includes the future of audiences in the face of emerging technologies, the role of social media in mental wellbeing, the relationship between celebrity, popular culture and politics, audiences and controversial media content, as well as youth sub-cultures, among many others.
There may be occasions when the delivery of your teaching is supported by graduate teaching assistants. The University has a set of procedures that govern the use of postgraduate research students in this way.
Assessment
We assess modules individually and award credits for the successful completion of each one. Assessment takes place through a combination of examination and/or coursework, practical examinations, and reports.
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
International entry requirements by country
Other international qualifications
If you are an international student and you don’t meet the entry requirements to this degree, we offer the International Foundation Year at the Surrey International Study Centre. Upon successful completion, you can progress to this degree course.
English language requirements
IELTS Academic: 6.5 overall with 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in each other element.
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Selection process
We normally make offers in terms of grades.
If you are a suitable candidate you will be invited to an offer holder event. During your visit to the University you can find out more about the course and meet staff and students.
Foundation
If you don’t meet our entry requirements, you might still be able to apply for this course with a foundation year. A course with a foundation year includes an extra year of study to prepare you for a full degree course.
During a foundation year you’ll learn about your chosen subject, develop your study skills and get acquainted with university life. On successful completion of your foundation year, you’ll be ready to progress to the first year of your degree course.
The programme aims to provide you with knowledge of social science concepts, theories, ideas and tools. Furthermore, we want to help you develop your ability to apply this knowledge and the skills you have acquired, to the solution of theoretical and applied problems in the social sciences.
The foundation year will equip you with appropriate tools of analysis to tackle issues and problems associated with social science policy-making in a global context.
By the end of the programme you will be familiar with ethical frameworks and their repercussions for decision-making, as well as a range of generic skills that will be of value in your future career. These skills include:
- Team working
- Networking
- Independent research skills
- Building an empathetic mindset, social awareness and capacity of intelligence-based decision making
- Enhancing employability through a developing awareness of the workplace and associated skills.
Find out more about our degrees with foundation year.
Recognition of prior learning
We recognise that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts.
If this applies to you, the recognition of prior learning (RPL) process may allow you to join a course without the formal entry requirements or enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience.
There are restrictions on RPL a for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims. Please see the code of practice for recognition of prior learning and prior credit: taught programmes (PDF) for further information.
Please contact Admissions on +44 (0)1483 682222 with any queries.
Fees
The annual tuition fees for courses starting in September 2024
BSc (Hons)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
BSc (Hons) (with foundation year)
- UK
- To be confirmed
BSc (Hons) (with professional training year)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Overseas
- To be confirmed
- Professional training
- To be confirmed
BSc (Hons) (with foundation and professional training year)
- UK
- To be confirmed
- Professional training
- To be confirmed
View a complete listing of all ongoing fees for our undergraduate courses.
- Fees for UK students: The University will apply annual regulated increases in the fee rates as set by Government each year, in order to maintain the same value in real terms.
- Fees for EU students: The UK is now no longer part of the EU, we are awaiting further instruction from the UK government and we will publish this as soon as it is provided. Find out more information about Studying in the UK and the Scholarships for EU students.
- Fees for international students: Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
- Fees for international students with an integrated foundation year: The programme fee for Year 0 will match the lowest Year 1 overseas fee rate from across the substantive programmes for that year of entry. Students subsequently progressing into Year 1 will be liable for the same fee as overseas students joining at Year 1 for the same programme in that year. Annual fees after Year 1 will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
The University will assess your fee status. If you are unsure whether you are likely to be considered a home, EU or overseas student for fees purposes, the UKCISA website offers more information.
Payment schedule
- Students in receipt of a Tuition Fee Loan: will have their fees paid by the Student Loans Company in line with their schedule.
- International students, or UK/EU students who have not taken out a Tuition Fee Loan: are required to pay their fees either in full at the beginning of the programme or in two instalments as follows:
- 50% payable 10 days after the invoice date (expected to be early October of each academic year)
- 50% in January of the same academic year.
The exact date(s) will be detailed on invoices. Students on certain part-time programmes, where fees are paid on a modular or stage basis, are not eligible to pay their fees by instalment.
If you are sponsored: you will provide us with valid sponsorship information that covers the period of your study.
Professional Training placement fees
If you are studying on a programme which contains a Professional Training placement year there will be a reduced fee for the academic year in which you undertake your placement. This is normally confirmed 12 to 18 months in advance, or once Government policy is determined.
See the information about 2023/24 academic year Professional Training placement fees.
Additional costs
There are no associated costs with this course.
Optional expenses
Occasional optional trips to London or within Surrey will be organised by the School which may incur travel costs – £70 approximately.
These additional costs are accurate as of September 2022 and apply to the 2023 year of entry. Costs for 2024 entry will be published in September 2023.
Placements
Our award-winning Professional Training programme offers you the option to spend a career-enhancing year in industry, either in the UK or abroad. We have thousands of placement providers to choose from or you can source your own placement.
Most placements are paid, and we will support you every step of the way.
Find out more about Professional Training placements and discover how these have transformed our students’ lives and career choices.
Media and communication placements
Students in the Department of Sociology have gained placements at organisations including:
- Showcentral Ltd
- The Walt Disney Company Ltd
- TVB1 (Hong Kong)
- Magimix
- Wigwam PR
- Moving Picture Company
- Gloucestershire County Council.
The process of preparing and applying for placement jobs significantly enhances your job-seeking skills, which come into play in your final year and beyond when you apply for graduate employment. We have media students who have secured placements at companies including:
- The Walt Disney Company
- The Department of Culture, Media and Sport
- A+E Television Networks.
After graduation, many of our students take up permanent posts with their Professional Training placement employer. Our students tend to return to their final year significantly more confident and with enhanced career aspirations and prospects, so you are likely to be more focused, perform better and achieve better results.
Placement opportunities are selected according to your interests, career plans and location preferences. Many placements are paid, usually in the region of £12,000 - £15,000 a year.
If you choose to take an unpaid placement, you can claim additional financial support and may also work a reduced amount of time.
Applying for placements
Students are generally not placed by the University, however we offer support and guidance throughout the process alongside access to a vacancy portal representing thousands of placement opportunities each year. We also provide support if you wish to source your own placement.
Find out more about the application process.
Please be aware there may be travel costs incurred when attending interviews and assessment centres at the placement provider’s premises.
Study and work abroad
Studying at Surry opens up a world of opportunity. We want you to take advantage of our international partnerships, explore the world and expand your skills for the graduate job market.
Perhaps you would like to volunteer in India or learn about Brazilian business and culture in São Paulo during your summer holidays? With more than 200 partnerships, from 50 different countries worldwide, there is something for everyone.
View our study and work abroad information to find out more and see where you can go.
Partner institutions
You have the option of studying abroad with one of our partner universities in your second year. Studying abroad at other partners is possible for one or two semesters in your Professional Training placement. These include:
- Universitat Tubingen, Germany
- CEU San Pablo, Spain
- George Mason University, US
- University of North Carolina, Wilmington, US
- University of Virginia, US
- California State University, Los Angeles, US
- Virginia Commonwealth University, US
- Nanyang Technological University, Singapore
- Seoul National University, South Korea
- Brock University, Canada
- North Carolina State University, US
- University of Central Florida, US
- University of North Texas, US
- Texas Tech University, US
- Monash University, Australia
- Swinburne University of Technology, Australia
- La Trobe University, Australia
- University of Sydney, Australia
- University of Victoria, Wellington, New Zealand
- University of Wollongong, Australia
- Hong Kong Polytechnic University.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our policies and procedures, the student regulations , and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions for the 2023/24 academic year and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/23 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing, but changes (for example to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us and before you accept an offer. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
Placement location
As part of this course you have the option to complete a Professional Training placement which would require attendance off campus, depending on where you secure your placement.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH