BA (Hons) Digital News and Media with integrated Foundation (Single) (3-year degree)
School of Humanities and Social Sciences
View modules
The BA in Digital News and Media 3-year programme will benefit those individuals who wish to study an undergraduate degree but have non-standard academic qualifications.
Year one will follow the Foundation Pathway programme and introduce students to key concepts and study skills. In years two and three students will build on these skills and enhance their knowledge, understanding and practice in core subjects. Throughout the three years, a student will be equipped with the skills to reach their potential in academic studies.
Foundation courses bridge the gap between your current qualifications and the knowledge and skills required for the undergraduate programme you want to do. Even if you have not yet achieved the necessary academic qualifications or your English language is not yet at the required standard, we will help you to identify your needs and develop a learning programme to meet them in Year 1, enabling you to progress on to the full degree. Our unique condensed timetabling at Buckingham allows you to complete your foundation and undergraduate programmes in just three years. This means a faster – and smoother transition into university study in a supportive and stimulating learning environment.
Why study this course?
After the completion of the Foundation programme, you will then begin your study in The BA Digital News and Media degree! The course consists of both study and practical training in a wide range of aspects in contemporary digital media and digital journalism.
You will study an exciting variety of broadcast media, including:
- TV and Radio
- Digital and Print Editorials
- Online Media
- Communication Design
- Social Media
- Advertising
- PR and Marketing
To allow you to become fully immersed within the world of Digital Media, the programme takes on a learning-through-doing approach, with fewer exams, lots of coursework and valuable, unique experiences relevant to the industry.
Looking to enter the world of Digital Media? This degree is perfect for future Journalists, Reporters, Bloggers, Vloggers, Filmmakers, Storytellers, Photographers, YouTubers, Streamers, Designers, Influencers, Content Creators, Social Media Managers and Marketers.
Entry requirements
Applicants should have satisfactory completion of grade 12 plus GCSE English and Maths at Grade C / Grade 4, or above, plus evidence of genuine intellectual capacity. If your first language is not English, you will also need an IELTS score of 6.0 (with a minimum of 5.5 in each component).
Please note that the first nine months of this programme constitute the Foundation stage. Students are expected to pass in all the Foundation modules with marks of 60% or more, in order to progress to the second year stage of the course.
UCAS applications
You may apply either through the national UCAS university admissions system, or at any time directly to the University using our own online application form. Our UCAS code is B90.
Mature students
The age range of our student body varies from those who have recently completed A-levels (or equivalent) to more mature students. Age is no barrier to learning and we welcome all applications from suitably qualified students.
International students
We are happy to consider all international applications and if you are an international student, you may find it useful to visit our international pages for details of entry requirements from your home country.
The University is a UKVI Student Sponsor.
English levels
If English is not your first language, please check our postgraduate English language requirements. If your English levels don’t meet our minimum requirements, you may be interested in applying for our Pre-sessional English Language Foundation Programmes.
Selection process
Wherever possible, you will be invited to the University to meet the Admissions Tutor for an informal interview and to have a tour of our campus. If you are an international applicant, it may not be possible for you to visit in person, so if the Admissions Tutor has any queries about your application you may be contacted by Microsoft Teams, email or phone.
The Admissions Office for Business would be happy to answer any questions you may have, email admissions@buckingham.ac.uk.
Student Contract for prospective students
When you are offered a place at the University you will be notified of the student contract between the University and students on our courses of study. When you accept an offer of a place on the course at the University a legal contract is formed between you and the University on the basis of the student contract in your offer letter. Your offer letter and the student contract contain important information which you should read carefully before accepting an offer. Read the Student Contract.
Quality teaching
We offer high-quality, small-group learning, most of which has a practical, workplace-oriented outcome. Our degrees are recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners – senior academic staff from other universities in the UK – who approve and moderate assessed work.
High-calibre staff
Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high-calibre, highly respected lecturers. Our visiting lectures are specialists in their fields and are often prominent figures in their branch of the media industry. They are only too happy to offer networking opportunities for students.
Teaching methods
Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures and seminars that are subsequently supported by tutorials or workshops. A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups (8-10 students). Classes are delivered by academic staff who are experts in their respective fields. The friendly, approachable academics are available to students daily, outside the scheduled classes’ time, and pride themselves on being friendly, helpful and accessible at all times.
Most of the work of media students is carried out in the TV and Radio broadcast studio and the 24h accessible computer lab. Here, they produce weekly news bulletins podcasts and articles, as well as design and create multimedia content.
Students learn how to use industry standard software including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Ligthroom, Premiere, After Effects), Final Cut Pro, DaVinci, Tableau, and Audacity, as well as DV cameras, photo cameras, audio recorders, broadcasting and livestreaming equipment (TV and radio) and much more!
Lot of the practical work revolves around Buckingham News, our own student-run multi-platform news outlet that serves the university and the local community. From their second week at the university, students will find themselves reporting, editing, scripting and presenting.
All the practical studio work is credit-bearing and helps students to build their creative and practical skills, produce high quality industry standard work and build a strong portfolio.
The majority of the assessment is completed through coursework and project work and (to a very limited extent) examination.
Assessment methods
The assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by assessed coursework, examination or a combination of the two. The bulk of your Digital News and Media degree programme will be based on coursework. Please check module information for more details.
Preparation for work
Your Digital News & Media degree combines academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. Students are urged to take advantage of the many opportunities for work experience on local radio stations, the comms departments of local companies and sports teams and nearby PR practices.
Graduate employment
Our graduates have an enviable record in getting the jobs they aim for. As well as ‘traditional’ media organisations such as the BBC, ITV, BT Sport, The Independent, and Mail Online, our students have gone on to work for organisations such as Red Bull, HarperCollins, the Department for Culture Media & Sport, the Mercedes Petronas Formula 1 team and the communications department of 10 Downing Street. Overseas graduates have made their mark particularly in the Norwegian and Nigerian state broadcasting systems. We even have a set designer in Hollywood!
Our past graduates are also well represented in PR and advertising firms such as Freud, Rooster PR. Midas PR and AMV. Many graduates, of course, have started their own companies or have entered the freelance life. One of our graduates is now a prominent food stylist and his photos grace the pages of publications throughout Europe.
The fees for this course are:
| Start | Type | 1st Year | Total cost |
|---|---|---|---|
Sep 2023 Full-time (3 Years) | UK | £9,250 | £34,954 |
| INT | £14,764 | £55,732 | |
Jan 2024 Full-time (3 Years) | UK | £12,106 | £34,954 |
| INT | £19,316 | £55,732 |
The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering educational services. If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
Course fees do not include additional costs such as books, equipment, writing up fees and so on. Where applicable, these additional costs will be made clear.
*The University reserves the right to increase course fees annually in line with inflation linked to the Retail Price Index (RPI) to take account of the University’s increased costs of delivering educational services. If the University intends to increase your course fees it will notify you via email of this as soon as reasonably practicable.
The following fee illustrations provide an insight into the cost savings which can be made by studying at The University of Buckingham.
You may also find it useful to visit the following fee-related information on our site:
Discounts
Students who graduate from the University and plan to continue their studies with a postgraduate degree at Buckingham can benefit from a very generous automatic discount on their fees:
- 33%, those with a first class honours degree from Buckingham
- 25%, those with a Second Class Honours, Upper Division (2:1) degree from Buckingham
Scholarships
The University of Buckingham Bursary aims to support students on low incomes or from low income families. The bursary is worth £2000 per year and students receive this as a termly reduction in tuition fees (£500 reduction per term). Read about the eligibility criteria and how to apply.
Details of other scholarships can be found on our main Bursaries and Scholarships page.
On-campus accommodation
We guarantee on-campus accommodation to all new students for their first four terms of study, as long as it is booked and paid for in good time, so you’re assured of a safe and secure home from home when you arrive at the University. Most new students choose this option.
Living on campus enables you to become involved in University activities, make friends, and integrate with the University community. For some of you this will be your first time in the UK; for others it will be the first time living away from home – and independence brings its challenges as well as its excitements. Whatever your circumstances, we know how important it is for you to feel comfortable in your accommodation.
What’s included?
All our study bedrooms are fully furnished, centrally heated, and connected to the internet. With few exceptions they have a wash basin and small refrigerator. We have a large number of ensuite rooms, and are upgrading more rooms each year. There are shared kitchens for when you wish to cook for yourself.
Find out more
If you’d like to find out more, visit our Accommodation pages or get in touch with our Accommodation Team.
We recommend that all prospective students visit our campus if they are able to, at one of our open days or a Campus Tour, campus tours include a typical student room.
We welcome applications in two different ways – directly via our online application form or through UCAS.
Apply directly
Apply online via our course pages:
- Most flexible option
- Apply until shortly before the course starts
- No application fees
- You can apply to us as an extra option alongside your UCAS choices
You can apply directly through our website by clicking the ‘apply’ button at the bottom of the course page.
Apply via UCAS
You can easily make Buckingham one of your UCAS choices:
- You can apply to up to 5 choices
- The application and decision deadlines are set by UCAS
- There is an application fee to UCAS
Our UCAS code is B90.
If you’re interested in transferring to Buckingham from another university then please get in touch to talk through your options.