Course Summary

As the media industry is expanding by the day, it is increasingly important to develop a broader understanding of how different aspects of the media interconnect. This course examines key issues of media and communication, introducing principles behind cultural theories and media research methods.

The curriculum is highly flexible, enabling you to tailor your studies to your individual interests and career ambitions. You can choose from a range of units that address various aspects of media, including new media technologies, cyberculture, electronic publishing and international cinema. Students will even have the option of specialising in one of four named routes: International Cinema; New Media; Media Industries; and Sport and the Media Industries. You will benefit from taking a variety of approaches to the study of media and communications, involving a combination of theoretical analysis and practical exploration. Your specialisations will be highlighted in two self-directed projects, which can take the form of a dissertation, practical project or combination of both.

Throughout the course, you will be supported throughout by professors who are specialists in many areas, including new media, publishing, journalism, radio, the media industry, cinema, documentary production and sport in the media. We also offer regular research seminars, screenings, talks by guest speakers and research projects to encourage you to network with prospective employers as you study. You could even publish your work in Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies, which is based at the University.

Why choose this course?

This course will make graduates highly employable across a number of media-related sectors, including media research, journalism, arts administration, advertising and PR.

During the course you will:

• Enjoy the opportunity of specialising in new media, international cinema, media industries and sport in the media industries
• Receive individual tutorial support for two self-directed projects of your choice
• Work closely with a teaching team who specialise in a number of fascinating fields
• Benefit from networking opportunities at research seminars, screenings and guest talks
• Study at the home of the editorial base for Convergence: The International Journal of Research into New Media Technologies
• Gain access to our multi-million pound Media Arts Centre, which includes a television studio, white space studio, performance studio, two electronic newsrooms, a radio station, ten digital video suites, multimedia computer suites, creative writing labs, and studios for animation and design work
• Enhance your understanding of the processes of communication, the impact of new media, and the ways in which the media industries are changing

Areas of study you may cover on this course include:

• Media theories and methods
• Interface design for the web
• Publishing, culture and technology
• World cinema and global media since 1975
• Representation and reality
• Online industry and culture
• Film analysis

MAXAA

Assessment

The core units contain both formative and summative assessments, and it is during these units that students should learn the range of competences and knowledges necessary to succeed on the courses. For their project work students can undertake a traditional dissertation, a piece of practical work, a portfolio of diverse practical work, or some combination of these. The courses utilize essays, special exercises, case studies projects, dissertations, and practical work for assessment as appropriate to the topic.

Educational Aims

This programme offers students the opportunity of studying the media at postgraduate level without the necessity of concentrating on one specialist area. The core modules provide a solid foundation in theory and method. As the various elements of the mass media converge, it is increasingly appropriate to develop a broader understanding of how different aspects of the media interconnect in a number of different ways. The MA Mass Communications allows such connections to be made by studying a range of modules.

Students must complete the common core modules, but have the freedom to negotiate the selection and combination of the option modules they take. By combining a range of modules students will also benefit from a variety of approaches to studying the media which combine both theoretical analysis and practical exploration.

Student support

The Media MA Courses are managed by the Field Chair with administrative support. Each unit has a unit tutor. Students can get general academic advice from the Field Chair and unit specific support from the relevant unit tutor. For the two projects which together constitute 50% of the course, students have their own individual tutor who they will see regularly. Students with specific study or general problems will be referred to Student Services

Team working

You will develop your abilities to work with others on group tasks and projects, becoming more adept at listening to others, expressing your own views and helping a group to devise plans and strategies.

Career Management Skills

Students will be encouraged to identify their strengths, interests and development needs in relation to the practices and conventions of both the media industry and of scholarship and research.

Career/Further study opportunities

Career:

The qualification will be of value to anyone seeking employment in the media. The media industry is a rapidly changing field and an understanding of the ways in which the media can be allied is an important transferable skill. The project work on the course provides opportunity to make contacts and develop specialist knowledge of specific areas of the media. Typical areas that Media graduates find work in include broadcasting, journalism, arts administration, photography, theatre, research, marketing sales and advertising, design, writing.

Further study:

Students who graduate from this MA Course will be qualified to apply for MPhil and PhD research degrees.

Entry

Additional:

Applicants should have a first degree in the area of arts, humanities or social science; or significant media industry experience.

UK students Undergraduate entry requirements

Standard entry requirements for Foundation degrees (FD/FdSc)

A foundation degree will be of particular interest if you have completed a Modern Apprenticeship, vocational A levels, BTEC National or equivalent.

Foundation degrees are also particularly suitable if you want to qualify while working.

• As a guideline, a typical offer would require you to obtain a UCAS tariff score of between 80-120 points, based on your level 3 studies.

Many students studying for foundation degrees come to us through work-based routes so you can apply for a foundation degree even if you don’t have traditional academic qualifications.

We welcome applicants with relevant work experience.

Standard entry requirements for Undergraduate degrees (BA/BSc)

We will consider you as an individual and take into account all elements of your application, not just your qualifications. We are looking for both breadth and depth in your current studies as well as enthusiasm for the subject you wish to study.

The general requirement is one of the following:

• UCAS Tariff Score greater than 200, which should include either two A level passes or an AVCE Double Award
• An Access qualification
• Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Highers, International Baccalaureate or BTEC National Diploma

Students from the European Union

Entry requirements

As a general guide, to apply for a place on an undergraduate course (BA/BSc) at the University you need to have completed your high school education and have the required English qualification.

We have students from all the European Union member countries so we are quick to make decisions on most qualifications.

How to apply

International students

• Undergraduate applications (BA/BSc) can be made direct to the University or via our representatives in your home country. If you intend to apply to more than one university in the UK you should apply via UCAS. If you want to apply to the University of Bedfordshire only you should apply directly using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Postgraduate applications should be made directly to the University using our international application form (link below) or via our representatives in your home country
• Healthcare, nursing and midwifery students Many of these courses are not available to overseas students due to UK immigration law in regard to bursary funding. Please contact international admissions to find out if you are eligible to apply
• BA Nursing Studies Level 3 (with or without Overseas Nursing Programme) is available to overseas students - please contact International Admissions by email at international-admissions@beds.ac.uk for further information

(Please note that applicants on a full student visa are not eligible for part-time study)

Course application form for international students

We recommend that you apply directly to the University where possible, as this allows us to offer the quickest turnaround time for your application.

• Course application form for direct applications [PDF]

How to complete your course application

Please read the Direct application instructions before completing the course application form.

Application forms for accommodation in the student halls at Bedford campus and Luton campus are available in the Student life section

Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APL)

APL is available for international students applying for undergraduate (Bachelor degree) study. Please do not use this APL form to apply for postgraduate courses.

Use the APL form to tell us about any non-standard qualifications and/or work experience you have that you think should be taken into consideration with your application. `

The APL form should be submitted at the same time as the course application form.

We regret we are unable to process APL forms from students who have not submitted a formal course application form.

• APL application form for International students [100Kb] updated 041007

What next?

Return your completed application to:

University of Bedfordshire
International Admissions
Park Square
Luton
Bedfordshire
LU1 3JU
United Kingdom

Contact International Admissions

T: +44 (0)1582 489326 (non-EU Students)
F: +44 (0)1582 743469
E: international-admissions@beds.ac.uk

Awarding institution

University of Bedfordshire

Students with disabilities

The University of Bedfordshire is committed to ensuring that curricula across all courses are inclusive to all students. The Disability Advice Team is available to discuss any issues students may have and can provide services such as sign language interpreters, note takers, dyslexia screening / tuition and support with mobility on campus. They offer confidential advice and information about academic and personal issues, adjustments in examinations, applying for the Disabled Students' Allowances (DSA) and buying suitable equipment.

All students concerned that their studies may be affected by disability are encouraged to contact either their Field Chair, or Course Leader for advice at whatever point in their course the need to do so becomes apparent.

Skills Development

Communication:

To help with the development of this you will develop the ability to discuss complex ideas and theories in seminars, tutorials, group discussions, project planning meetings. You will develop the ability to give oral presentations of your work. Students who are diagnosed with needs for extra support with writing and communications skills development may be required to take extra classes provided by the University

Information Literacy:

To help with the development of this you will develop your ability conduct a literature review, to search for information and to write in a clear lucid and well structured manner.

Research and Evaluation:

To help with the development of this you will learn how to utilize the resources of the library and the internet, develop your skills of pursuing research leads and develop your ability to sift , assess, select and evaluate a range of information.

Creativity and Critical Thinking:

To help with the development of this you will, in diverse media related situations, develop your independent and imaginative thinking, enhancing your ability to take an enquiring and critical viewpoint on material you encounter.

Improving learning and performance

The MA courses are designed to allow students to build on the knowledges and competences developed in the core units, moving on to the independent and self designed learning processes that the projects enable. The individual tutorial contact provided during the Project work means that teaching is focused on individual needs and abilities.

Progress files

Throughout the course you will be provided with written feedback which you are encouraged to retain and file. In the second and third semesters you will be doing Project based work for which you will have regular contact with a supervisor who will advise you on your progress and for which you will keep a research diary recording your working progress.

Professional standards

From the outset we will expect you to adhere to basic professional standards in all your work and in all your dealings with staff and other students. In particular:

• You must punctually attend all scheduled lectures, seminars, workshops. If unforeseen circumstances prevent you attending then you should notify your tutor, preferably in advance


• You must submit all assessed work before the deadline. You should note that the normal vagaries of life would not be acceptable as an excuse for missing a publication/transmission deadline within the industry and so we will apply the same standards. Computer problems and data loss will certainly not be accepted as a valid reason for non or late-submission


• When working on a group project with other students you must play a full part in the group and deal with others professionally. You must provide your colleagues with appropriate contact details and maintain contact with them throughout the project


• When completing academic work you must adhere to the codes and conventions of academic writing with all sources acknowledged and referenced in accordance with the Universitys guidelines. Failure to adhere to these guidelines may constitute plagiarism - an academic offence


• The media is subject to a range of legislation and regulation. Your production work must conform to these limitations and any other legislation that impacts on your work. In your final project you should be undertaking work that challenges conventions and tests boundaries. However, you should do this in consultation with your tutors and supervisor to ensure that you remain within the law. If in doubt, seek advice


• With access to a range of powerful communication techniques, you must always adhere to acceptable ethical principles, values and norms in the representation of people, particularly in terms of sexuality, religion, class, race and gender


• You may borrow production equipment from the Media Hub. The availability of equipment will always be limited and so you must ensure that you return it on time and in good order.

Whilst you have University equipment in your possession you must take care to ensure that it is not lost or stolen and that you operate it in a safe manner and in accordance with training you are given

Strategy for developing and embedding the professional standards

Staff will refer to these standards throughout the programme. Some units deal with some aspects of the code explicitly, others will expect you to apply the code to your work. As you progress through the course you will be expected to develop your understanding of professional standards and how they are challenged and evolve in a changing media industry.

Adherence to these professional standards will be part of the formal assessment criteria for many of your assessments. Failure to comply with these standards will impact your grades and, ultimately, may prevent you from graduating. Failure to return equipment may also attract additional sanctions.