Media,

Communication and
Cultural Studies
BA Honours

UCAS code PQL0 www.ncl.ac.uk/ug/PQL0

3 Years Printed from the web page above on 14/12/2015

Media,
Communication and
Cultural Studies
BA Honours
UCAS code PQL0
3 Years
This degree is consistently voted one of the
best in the UK in the major university league
tables.
We offer an academically rigorous study of
media and culture, covering three distinct
areas: media, cultural studies and professional
practice.
You will study the generation, circulation and
promotion of information, and explore the role
the media plays in shaping culture, identity and
interpersonal communications.
In addition, you develop a range of
professional skills to equip you for a career in
the communications industry, in areas such as:
• journalism
• public relations
• film-making
• marketing
You can also get hands-on experience in print
and broadcast media with Newcastle
University's Guardian-award-winning student
media scene.
Quality and ranking
The quality of the Media, Communication and Cultural
Studies experience is recognised by consistently high
rankings in the major league tables.
We are ranked 3rd in the UK in The Times/Sunday Times
University Guide 2016. We also achieved a very impressive
96% overall student satisfaction score in the National
Student Survey 2015, ranking us 7th in the UK.
And, over 80% of our research is ‘world-leading’ or
‘internationally excellent’ (Research Excellence
Framework 2014).
What you will study
This degree covers three distinct areas of study. This
provides you with the opportunity to explore the generation,
circulation and production of information through a wide
range of approaches.
• media: television, the press, radio, print media, the
Internet, film, DVD, video, CDs, mass communications,
media organisations, audiences, and producers
• communication: the imparting or exchange of
information, ideas or feelings
• culture: the ideas, customs and art produced or shared
by a particular society
A wide range of optional topics allows you to focus on areas
of particular interest - such as television studies, public
relations, marketing and business, magazine publishing. See
the Modules section for more details.
A dissertation at Stage 3 gives you the opportunity to
explore an issue of interest in depth and showcase your
research and writing skills.
Student media opportunities
The University enjoys a highly active student media scene
where you can develop skills relevant to the media industry,
including:
• The Courier, Newcastle's award-winning weekly student
newspaper, which has twice been voted Guardian Media
Student Publication of the Year
• Fast-growing student radio and television stations,
offering opportunities for presenters and production staff
There is also an emerging, vibrant media industry in the city
and we have good links with the local media and cultural
industries.
Study abroad
UK and EU students have the chance to broaden their
academic experience by taking part in a study abroad
exchange as part of their degree.
Facilities and support
As a media student at Newcastle, you will join a vibrant
community in the School of Arts and Cultures.
Facilities
• Mobile studio suite and editing facilities
• New facilities for multimedia journalism and film
production under development
• Specialist computing facilities including industry-standard
software, such as Adobe Creative Suite
• Modern, comfortable study and teaching spaces
Support
• Personal tutor throughout your degree – an academic
member of staff who can help with academic and
personal issues
Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 2
• Peer mentor in your first year – a fellow student who can • Apply
help you settle in and answer any questions you have

Social activities
• Active student-run society, MACS, organising events
throughout the year
• Small course cohort, helping to foster close links
between staff and students

Teaching and assessment

Study at the cutting edge
• Media is a research intensive subject, and our academics
are constantly exploring new ideas and methods in
media, to ensure your programme is of the highest
quality
• Our research feeds into our teaching material, meaning
you learn from experts who are at the forefront of the Students in the Old Quadrangle on campus.
discipline
Our research themes include:

• media and cultural theory

• sociology of media and journalism
• gender, the body and culture
• feminist theory
• media, journalism and popular culture
• intimacy, sexuality, family, childhood and education
• affect and emotion
• globalisation, nationalism and ethnicity
• media ethics and public relations

Teaching methods
• Teaching is through lectures, seminars, and regular
one-to-one tutorials
• In Stage 3 you undertake a research project that
accounts for one third of your time

Assessment methods
• You produce 10 pieces of written work each semester.
This rises to 12 in Stages 2 and 3
• The degree has no formal end of year examinations. You
are assessed through data collection portfolios, essays,
presentations, in-class tests, events management
experiences and online submissions

Find out more

• Teaching and assessment methods may vary from
module to module. More information about each module
can be found in the Modules section
• Visit our Teaching and Learning pages to read about the
outstanding learning experience available to all students
at Newcastle University

Find out more:

• Visit us
• Request a prospectus
• Take a virtual tour
• Watch a video about Newcastle University
• Enquire online
• Telephone (Student Services): +44 (0) 191 208 3333

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 3

Modules
Our degrees are divided into Stages. Each Stage lasts for
an academic year and you need to complete modules
totalling 120 credits by the end of each Stage.
Please be aware that programme modules do change and
therefore may differ for your year of entry.
Stage 1
Compulsory modules
COM1023  Introduction to Media Studies
COM1025  Introduction to Research Methods
COM1026  Introduction to Social and Cultural Studies
COM1031  Introduction to Multimedia Technologies for
Media Studies
Optional modules
You take one or both of the modules below:
COM1028  Introduction to Professional Communication
COM1030  Introduction to Journalism Practice
If only one module was selected from the list above, you
select one module from the list below:
COM1036  Journalism: Past, Present and Future
MKT1000  Essentials of Marketing
BUS1001  Introduction to Management and Organisation
PSY1002  Developmental and Social Psychology
PSY1005  Sensation and Perception
PSY1006  Instinct, Learning and Motivation
SML1021  Introduction to International Film
SOC1027  Comparing Cultures
SOC1029  Doing Sociology
Stages 2
Compulsory modules
COM2069  Research Methods
COM2075  Representations: Identity, Culture and Society
Optional modules
You choose four modules from the lists below. You must
choose at least one module from each list.
List 1
COM2034  Introduction to Public Relations
COM2068  Journalism Practice
COM2077  Visual Culture
NCL2007  Career Development for Second Year
Students
NCL2010  Career Management Module
NCL2100  Developing Enterprise, Entrepreneurship and
Employability
BUS2001  Case Studies in Practical
Management orBUS2002  Case Studies in Practical
Management
BUS2003  Practical Management Business
Game orBUS2004  Practical Management Business
Game
List 2
Stages 2
COM2035  Media, Mythology and Storytelling
COM2071  Sex, Sexuality and Desire
COM2080  Celebrity Culture
COM3063  Advertising and Consumption
COM3067  Television Studies
BUS2000  Human Resource Management
MKT2000  Global Marketing Environments
Stage 3
Compulsory modules
COM3073  Media Research Dissertation
COM3074  Themes and Issues in Media, Communication
and Cultural Studies
COM3077  Politics, Power and Communication
Optional modules
You choose two modules from the following list:
COM2035  Media, Mythology and Storytelling
COM2071  Sex, Sexuality and Desire
COM2080  Celebrity Culture
COM3001  Magazine Publishing
COM3063  Advertising and Consumption
COM3066  Public Relations and Money
COM3067  Television Studies
COM3081  Digital Culture in a Networked World
COM3085  Digital Discourses and Identity
NCL3007  Career Development for Final Year Students
NCL3008  Advanced Career Development
BUS3000  Enterprise and Entrepreneurship
MKT3000  Globalisation: Patterns, Processes and
Challenges
Other optional modules may also be available.
Entry Requirements
All candidates are considered on an individual basis. If your
qualifications are not listed here, please see our additional
entry requirements web pages to find out which other
qualifications are considered.
A Levels
AAB
Scottish Qualifications
AAABB at Higher Grade. Combinations of Highers and
Advanced Highers accepted.
Scottish qualifications can be taken in more than one sitting.
International Baccalaureate
A minimum of 34 points.
Irish Leaving Certificate
A1A1B1B1B at Higher Level.
Access Qualifications
30 level 3 credits at Distinction and 15 level 3 at Merit.
Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 4
BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma (formerly BTEC
National Diploma)
Overall DDD.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3, D3, M2 in Principal Subjects.
PARTNERS - A Levels
BBB. Some candidates may be invited to interview.
The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’s
supported entry route for students from identified schools
and colleges. Find out more about the PARTNERS
Programme.
PARTNERS - BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma
(formerly BTEC National Diploma)
Overall DMM.
The PARTNERS Programme is Newcastle University’s
supported entry route for students from identified schools
and colleges. Find out more about the PARTNERS
Programme.
English Language Requirements
For this degree you will need a minimum score of IELTS
6.5 or equivalent.
Visit our International Students web pages to find out more
about our English language admission requirements and
English language support courses offered by INTO
Newcastle University.
International Foundation Programmes
If you are an international student and you do not meet the
academic and English language requirements
specified above, you should consider a preparation course
at INTO Newcastle University, which will help to prepare you
for study on this degree course. INTO Newcastle University
is based on the University campus and offers a range of
courses including the International Foundation in Humanities
and Social Sciences.
Undergraduate Admissions Policy
• Newcastle University Admissions Policy for 2016 Entry
(PDF: 109 KB)
‌See further Newcastle University Admissions Policies.
Media, Communication and Cultural
Studies careers
Media and communication courses focus on the
communication of information across a variety of mediums
and cover a broad range of subjects from the highly
practical to the theoretical.
You will develop a variety of skills that are extremely useful
for employment, such as critical analysis, research,
teamwork, flexibility, a creative and independent approach
to tasks and the ability to work to a brief and meet
deadlines. You will be exposed to a broad commercial and
cultural awareness of the media and creative industries,
both from academic staff and media practitioners.
If your aim is to work directly within the media industry it is
important to build up a portfolio of work, gaining as much
experience as possible. Examples include contributing to
your university paper or other publications, or working for TV
production or radio outlets, PR or advertising agencies.
Persistence and motivation are vital due to the popularity of
this sector.
Careers in public relations, journalism, media planning,
broadcasting and advertising are the most popular choices
for media and communications graduates, however
graduates with the ability to communicate information
clearly and effectively will be beneficial to any organisation.
Find out more about the career options for Media,
Communication and Cultural Studies from Prospects: The
UK's Official Careers Website.
Careers and employability at
Newcastle
Newcastle University consistently has one of the best
records for graduate employment in the UK.
• 94.1% of our 2014 UK/EU graduates progressed to
employment or further study within six months of
graduating.
• More than three quarters (77%) of our graduates who
entered employment achieved a graduate-level position.
We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all
students through an initiative called ncl+ which enables you
to develop personal, employability and enterprise skills and
to give you the edge in the employment market after you
graduate.
Our award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and
best in the country, and we have strong links with
employers.
Finance
Tuition Fees (UK and EU students)
2016 entry:
£9,000 per year
See more information on all aspects of student finance
relating to Newcastle University.
Please note that the tuition fee amount you will pay may
increase slightly year on year in line with inflation and
subject to government regulations.
Tuition Fees (International students)
2016 entry:
£13,315 per year
You will be charged tuition fees for each year of your
degree programme (unless you are on a shorter
exchange programme).
Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 5
 Tuition Fees (International students)
If you spend a year on placement or studying abroad as
part of your degree you may pay a reduced fee for that
year.
Please note that the tuition fee amount you will pay may
increase slightly year on year as a result of inflation.
See more information relating to all aspects of student
finance at Newcastle University.

Scholarships and Financial Support (UK and EU

students)
You may be eligible for one of a range of Newcastle
University Scholarships in addition to government financial
support.
Newcastle University Scholarships
Government financial support

Scholarships and Financial Support

(International students)
You may be eligible for an International Undergraduate
Merit Scholarship (IUMS) or an International Family
Discount (IFD).

Students enjoying their graduation day.

Take a virtual tour at www.ncl.ac.uk/tour 6