BA (Hons) Communication and Media Studies

Course outline

This degree programme is for speakers of English as a foreign language from overseas who want to work in the media, journalism or communication industries, usually in their home countries.

It is particularly attractive to students who intend to pursue careers in areas where the English, journalistic skills and media knowledge which they have acquired on the programme will equip them for work in an exciting, international or global media environment.

The programme consists of a combination of modules in communication and English language studies (EFL) together with a range of introductory and advanced modules in media and journalism. The former aim to improve students’ English language abilities to a high level, while the latter include modules in technological aspects of media and journalism.

This degree differs from the department’s English Studies with Media Communications or with Journalism programmes in the following ways:

• it is designed particularly for EFL speakers;
• students do suitable communication projects of their own choosing related to media or journalism;
• there are no literature modules but there are free choice options;
• there is an extra module on film making.

Teaching methods

The Media minor programmes at the University of Buckingham offer students small student: tutor ratios (8:1) with a dedicated media lab at their disposal. The work is production-based, allowing students to graduate from the programme with a portfolio to present to potential employers.

This can include press journalism (news stories, features, interviews), a website (created by the student as part of the Online Media module), video and sound packages for Broadcast Journalism (for Journalism minors) or an advertising campaign (Media Studies minors).

Students also learn to use industry-standard software including QuarkXpress, CoolEdit and Photoshop, as well as DV cameras and digital still cameras.

What our students say

‘I am just arranging an interview with Mark Thompson, Director-General of the BBC, via his PA, to learn about Media Management at a senior management level and the growth of online media. As you can see, ambition – in the best sense – seems a way of life here, and my teachers have wanted me to aim high. I’ve felt challenged but supported. With a clear career aim, I wanted lecturers who had practised for top media companies, and also an international environment, and that’s what I’ve found. My hard work was eventually rewarded with a Sir Ray Tindle Scholarship, of which I’m proud. Buckingham, I hope, has an eye for talent!’
Macaulay Iyayi, Communication and Media Studies (2006-2007)