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BA (Hons) Mass Communications

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Key information

Typical offer:
Entry requirements
Fees: See below
Full details
UCAS code: P300
Institute code: H36
Study abroad option
Work placement option
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Entry requirements

The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.

UCAS points A Level BTEC Access Course Tariff IB requirement
112-120 BBC-BBB DMM-DDM Overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3 112-120 points

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics
All students from non-majority English-speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.
Find out more about International Entry Requirements.

UCAS points A Level BTEC Access Course Tariff IB requirement
112-120 BBC-BBB DMM-DDM Overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3 112-120 points

Additional requirements

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and Mathematics
All students from non-majority English-speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.
If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level.
For more details on the University of Hertfordshire's entry requirements, please visit our Undergraduate Entry Requirements page.
Find out more about International Entry Requirements.
Professional accreditations

This course is partnered with the prestigious Public Relations and Communications Association, giving students the benefit of accreditation, networking and tailored speaker sessions.
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UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Access Course Tariff	IB requirement
112-120	BBC-BBB	DMM-DDM	Overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3	112-120 points

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC	Access Course Tariff	IB requirement
112-120	BBC-BBB	DMM-DDM	Overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3	112-120 points

Why choose this course?

Continual updating of content to reflect sought after skills
Accredited by PRCA (Public Relations and Communications Association)
The flexibility to study four subjects or specialise

Do you want to join the next generation of media professionals?

This powerful, practical course will give you the skills and agility to thrive in a rapidly changing industry. You’ll explore the nature of language, communication and the media. Write news, features and fiction. Study films, music and celebrity. Design magazines, websites and a fascinating, successful future.

The media world is evolving fast. Digital and social media are developing at breakneck speed and changing the way we talk to, learn from and understand each other. Here at Hertfordshire, our mass communications course focuses on communication and media practice, encouraging you to be entrepreneurial and professional, with a diverse set of sought-after creative skills.

You’ll have a whole range of opportunities, including exploring publishing and PR, examining the ethical and legal aspects of journalism, developing your voice as a writer, studying the context behind films, spending a life-changing year abroad or taking a year-long work placement.

The course is strongly linked to industry and taught by a team of media academics and professionals. You'll have the opportunity to take part in industry events thanks to our affiliation to the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), one of Britain's top trade organisations for PR professionals, and attend the Media Matters guest lectures given by a range of media speakers from top journalists to our recent graduates. You'll meet media industry experts such as: BA(Hons)Mass Communications graduate, Tobi Akingbade who is now a showbiz writer; Charlotte Jones who is now a global content manager in the beauty industry; and Uche Amako, who is now a sports writer.

What's the course about?

You’ll learn how to create and publish content on a broad range of formats including print multimedia and within online platforms. You’ll gain a theoretical and critically reflective understanding of media whilst gaining practical skills as an author and designer of published material. Most of our courses are assessed by coursework.

The delivery of teaching varies according to the characteristics of each module. Many are taught via weekly lectures and weekly seminars. Workshops are used for modules where the degree of practical skills taught is enhanced by the supervision of experts in their field. Assessments range from writing a film review to creating digital stories or traditional essays.

In your first year, you’ll learn about how media is both global and local and the industries associated with it, you’ll have the option to try your hand at podcasting and video, to write like a journalist, become a film critic or learn about what it takes to be a writer or study linguistics. You will choose four out of six subjects from Journalism, Film, English Language, Media Studies, Digital Media and Creative Writing.

In your second year, you’ll build on the first learning about media research and the publishing industry, writing and broadcasting journalism, learning how to design a magazine or create a video documentary and making your own film as well as studying US Cinema. In Creative Writing and English Language and Linguistics you will build on previous work by writing for the stage, for instance, or learning about Communication.

Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too. You’ll decide in your second year with us, so there is still plenty of time to think about this.

In your final year, you'll have a great range of options as you can take all four subjects or reduce to three. In media, you’ll have the opportunity to create a project for a media client or design web pages like a professional, create a PR campaign or learn about what our interaction with celebrities says about globalised culture. In journalism you can report on international stories or take journalism related work experience or build a portfolio of pieces. In film, you can study television drama, reflect on diversity and sexuality in US film, or study European crime films. For Creative Writing, the short story and thinking about the nature of reality beckon and in English Language and Linguistics a chance to build on the skills of understanding the meaning of language and how it is used in different cultures and contexts.

To see all your modules, see the ‘What will I study?’ section below.

'Media Matters' Guest Lecture series

Each year the School of Humanities hosts the Media Matters Guest Lecture Series featuring a range of industry professionals, giving talks on their experience in the industry. These lectures are recorded by our final year students and available on our Media Hub. Some of our previous speakers have included:

University of Hertfordshire Mass Communications Graduate, Tobi Akingbade, now Acting Showbiz Editor of Metro,
University of Hertfordshire, Journalism, Media and Sport graduate Steven Bourner, now Chief Media Officer and Strategic Comms Lead for the School of Education,
Theresa Malone, Visuals and Social Media Editor of The Guardian,
Steve Swann, Producer and investigative Journalist, BBC
Andrea Thompson, Editor in Chief of Marie Claire.

Applying for this course is easy. Simply add us to your UCAS account by using the institution and course code mentioned in ‘Key information’. There is no interview for this course. We’re just interested to hear why you want to study this subject at degree level.

Your main campus is College Lane

This is where the creative arts, science and health-related subjects are based. This means you’ll share the campus with future nurses, scientists, artists and more. You can use the common rooms to relax with friends, work out in the 24-hour gym or have a drink in our on-campus pub or cafes. We also have restaurants for you to eat in or grab something on the go. Our Learning Resources Centres are open 24/7, which means you can study whenever suits you best. Want to pop over to the other campus? You can take the free shuttle bus or walk there in just 15 minutes.

What will I study?

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study. Below is a list of compulsory and optional modules. However, whatever choices you make, you will study no more than eight modules a year and possibly less in your final year depending on your degree.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Introduction to Media Communications	15 Credits	Compulsory
The aim of this module is to provide an insight to the various fields of media practice and communication studies. It will also introduce students to some of the key theories used in understanding media cultures. Students will learn about different economic and political structures that underlay the UK media system and engage with some of the conceptual frameworks for understanding media communications. The module is structured in three parts. In the first sessions, students are introduced to the basics of media communications. The sessions might cover topics such as the different types of media and models of communications. The second part – Audiences, Industry and Politics – takes a closer look at Media Effects and Audiences, News Values, media biases as well as industry structures. The final part will enable student to explore some of the key theorists that have written on media, for example Marshall McLuhan and Stuart Hall.
Global Media and Society	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module considers the relationship between the media and their social context. Throughout the module students will discuss the ways in which the media reflect and shape social attitudes and challenge their own assumptions about society and the media. Through discussions of issues such as class, race and gender this module will consider how different groups are represented in mediated images. The module will also examine the public role of the media and students will be asked to think analytically and critically about concepts such as free press, media impartiality or bias, and the relationship of the media with commercial and political institutions. The module further analyses different Global media systems, organisations and institutions and allows students to make a series of comparisons between local and international media systems. It places an emphasis on the relationships between products and the socio-political construction of their different audiences.
Becoming a Writer	15 Credits	Optional
This module is a practice-based course, taught by weekly two-hour workshop. Building on the study of the short story begun on The Writers Art, the module will explore diverse examples of this genre from the nineteenth, twentieth and twenty-first centuries. Writers chosen for study will vary from year to year but might include work by Kazuo Ishiguro, Raymond Carver, Angela Carter, Katherine Mansfield, Thomas Hardy and Henry James. The stories will be used as the basis for workshop discussion and activities including close analysis of literary techniques. You will be encouraged to develop your own creative writing through a portfolio of on-going work and by working towards the completion of your own short story.
Journalism, Law and Ethics	15 Credits	Optional
In this module, students will be introduced to key laws impacting on journalists, including defamation, copyright and Freedom of Information. They will also explore the Human Rights Act as it affects journalists and compare defamation law across different countries. Students will also investigate the ethical dilemmas that may impact on journalists in any Western liberal democracy and look at the codes of conduct that have been put in place to encourage ethical behaviour.
Introduction to Film Criticism	15 Credits	Optional
This module introduces students to the analysis of film texts. Students will engage critically with how 'meaning' is communicated through film. Students will be introduced to some of the key moments in cinema history, via a discussion of various elements of film language ranging from: colour, editing, sound, lighting, mise-en-scene, framing, narrative, the use of place, space and location and performance in films from both inside and outside of the Hollywood system. From Hitchcock's thrillers (Strangers on a Train) to classic Horror film (Dawn of the Dead), the tear jerking and overtly symbolic Melodrama (Imitation of Life) through to the gritty and violent New Hollywood of the 1970's (Carrie) alongside contemporary film and TV (Drive and American Horror Story) that continues to push the boundaries of film vocabulary and symbolism. The module will equip students with an understanding historical awareness of film and the various stylistic and technological issues involved in the study of film alongside some of the ways in which film texts interact with wider cultural, historical and political contexts.
Genre Fiction: Building Worlds	15 Credits	Optional
Building compelling and convincing worlds is important in all fiction, but it is particularly crucial in writing genre fiction. When writing genre (or popular) fiction, writers must be critically aware of both the history of the genre and current trends in publishing to make their own narratives distinctive and ultimately sell-able. This module examines popular genres (such as fantasy, crime, sci-fi or romance), considering their history and future. Key questions of craft and motivation will be asked: how do contemporary writers play against the classics? How do you write a piece that fits in a genre and yet avoids cliché? How much can you diverge from the expected in genre fiction? What steps can be taken to build a complex world for your piece? Is plotting for genre fiction different than plotting for literary fiction? Authors studied may include E.L. James, Ursula Le Guin, Louise Fitzhugh, J.R.R. Tolkien, or Akwaeke Ezemi.
Language in the Media	15 Credits	Optional
In this module, you will develop a range of skills which will enable them to undertake the linguistic analysis of media taken from various sources, including new media sources such as digital media, social media/ online identity, multimodal communication, mobile communication; as well as other media genres such as films, T.V shows and music. You will develop the ability to approach the language in the media critically to understand the importance and powerful effect of the media in our society.
Introduction to English Linguistics 1	15 Credits	Optional
This module introduces you to the fundamentals of English Linguistics. We will explore the origins of modern linguistics as a discipline and discuss core concepts of linguistic analysis, including, but not limited to, phonemes, morphemes and parts of speech. In this module you will be provided with the basic knowledge pertaining to different properties of language and how these are described, theorised and investigated. This module is taught in workshops and will give you ample opportunities to engage in hands-on practical tasks that will hone your knowledge and understanding of the core concepts of linguistics and equip you with the analytical skills so that you are able to apply them in different contexts across other modules in your studies of the subject of English Language and Linguistics.
Genre, Style and Stars	15 Credits	Optional
This module builds on the skills developed in the Level 4 module Introduction to Film Criticism. The module introduces you to the study of film and television using key theoretical perspectives from within the discipline and from wider cultural and critical areas. It focusses on theories of genre, authorship, film and style, and a consideration of the origins of the star system from the Golden Age of Hollywood to the celebrity era of the global digital age. The module will also examine the relationship of film genre and stars to globalisation and the ways in which genre and the global film market interact.
Sound and Image Storytelling	15 Credits	Optional
The module covers development of both audio and video projects and is designed for students of all levels of experience. In the first half of the module students will create audio content in the form of a podcast (or similar) and will discuss how to use sound for telling stories. In the second half students will learn how to record and edit a short video stories to be distributed online. Students and lecturers will discuss a range of audio and video topics and consider how each communicates. This module provides students with computing and communication skills, which will form a basis for future study in Media and Journalism. The module content includes- 1. -production of an audio project using audio editing software; 2. -production of a video project using video editing software; 3. -consideration of ways audio and video can be used to convey ideas; 4. -planning of audio and video projects;
Visual Communication	15 Credits	Optional
This module provides students with computing and communication skills which will form a basis for future study in Media. Students will create attractive, eye-catching projects using images, text and other visuals for online delivery. The module is appropriate for students with little computing or design experience but it also provides those with prior knowledge with the opportunity of enhancing and extending that knowledge. The module content includes- 1. -the production of a number of images using a graphics package; 2. -the consideration of design issues; 3. -the consideration of the way in which images convey ideas; 4. -the restrictions and potential of using images and other graphics on the web; 5. -the planning and conceptual development of a graphics project
Introduction to Journalism	15 Credits	Optional
In this module you will learn about the exciting world of journalism, both within the UK and internationally. You'll learn about the key skills such as research and writing within specific structures., start to identify what makes news newsworthy and learn about the key roles within a journalism organisation that work together to create journalism products. You'll explore a wide range of articles and will learn the skills of writing and accurate researching as a journalist to create your first article.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Graduate Skills	0 Credits	Compulsory
You will be offered a variety of employment enhancing workshops and online activities such as interview skills workshops, personality profiling and career planning in order to improve your employment prospects after graduation and make you aware of current areas of strength and weakness in relation to employability. You will also have the opportunity to learn about self-employment options, graduate schemes and will attend speaker sessions with successful professionals in areas of employment appropriate for Humanities graduates so you can learn about the skills and attributes required for these areas and how to enhance your prospects of entering such areas. You will be required to undertake a certain number of activities chosen by you from a career "menu" and to reflect on what they have learnt in order to complete the module successfully.
The Publishing Industry	15 Credits	Compulsory
The Publishing Industry aims to provide students with an insight into the structures, challenges and opportunities that are present in today's publishing industries, from entertainment magazines and books to the world of academic publishing. The module complements the other media modules by looking at this significant media industry. Moreover, it enables students to understand the international dimension of publishers operating on a global scale, learn how to develop promotional strategies in order to market publications and explore the criteria and issues related to making editorial decisions. Students will be able to engage with both the theoretical concepts and the practical aspects of the various sectors of the publishing industry.
Language in Society	15 Credits	Optional
Sociolinguistics is the study of language in society. This module will introduce you to the major issues in sociolinguistics. We will start by addressing the relation between language and society and the nature of variation. We will address varieties of language use at the level of the group and the individual and explore three kinds of lectal variation: regional, social and functional. We will consider how and why users vary their language according to different social settings as well as the social pressures that cause language change. Further topics to be studied include accents and dialects, language and ethnicity and language and gender. This module should appeal to anyone interested in the way language is used to signal identity and negotiate society.
Forensic Linguistics	15 Credits	Optional
In this module we will be concerned with real examples of language use in legal contexts. Specifically, the module will first give an introduction to discourse analysis and then apply the methods of discourse analysis to Forensic Linguistics, the application of linguistics in order to understand conversation in legal contexts and establish authorship, authenticity and veracity in forensic texts. The talk and texts we will analyse will be taken from court proceedings, police interviews, witness statements, confessions, emergency calls, hate mail and suicide letters.
Language and Imagination: The Art of the Poem	15 Credits	Optional
Building on previous work, this module will develop your knowledge and understanding of poetic craft and technique including voice, sound, patterns and shape, rhyme and rhythm, imagery and metaphor. You will develop your own creative writing through the use of exercises and create your own portfolio of poetry. You will be asked to practise reading and thinking about poems of many different styles and periods, for example, sonnets, villanelles and free verse. You will consider ways in which the material presentation of poetry is significant. For example, you might examine poetry that exists somewhere other than a printed page: written on a wall, as a film, as a performance, etc.
Research Methods in Media Communications	15 Credits	Optional
This module teaches the basic principles of research in media and the means by which to devise research questions and select appropriate methodologies. It will also give a detailed account of how to structure and write effective and informative research report. Students will be introduced to a range of different methodologies, both qualitative and quantitative. They will learn how to choose a research topic, conduct a literature review, and develop an appropriate research plan. The module covers all key aspects of media and communication, including analysis of media production, media texts, and audience studies. It further offers specific guidance and instruction on a systematic application of a range of research methods, and addresses methods of sampling and data collection, including interviews, questionnaires and focus group discussions, as well as approaches to online research.
Video Feature	15 Credits	Optional
An important aspect of digital convergence is the use of video by media outlets to spark public dialogue and generate reader participation. This module is designed to give students understanding and skills to make effective videos. Students will look at current practitioners such as Mike Kepka at the San Francisco Chronicle, the New York Times 'Op-Docs' group and the MIT Open Documentary Lab. They will also examine the work of more traditional documentary makers, such as Errol Morris, Kim Longinotto and Nick Broomfield. There is, according to media artist Marilyn Freeman, "a digital storm that won't let up--of cat videos and self-surveillance videos and any thing or moment imaginably filmable". To stand out from the crowd, students must develop media literacy and skills in critical reflection. As there is an art of storytelling, students will be guided towards a clear understanding of the art of digital storytelling.
Journalism Skills: Features	15 Credits	Optional
In this module students will be introduced to researching and reporting techniques for writing features and will be developing and extending the skills in writing acquired at Level 4. Workshop sessions will enable students to gain hands-on practise of writing features in a simulated magazine or supplement environment.
Film Production	15 Credits	Optional
The module builds a practical dimension onto the theory which students have learned at level 4. Training in camera work, sound recording, lighting and editing is given from the first week, with no presumption of previous experience. The module assessment is primarily group based and students are guided in forming and working effectively in teams. Each student should experience a number of roles. Training will be given in pre-visualisation and storyboarding. The lecture series examines clips and ideas from contemporary and historical cinema relevant to the theme and groups are expected to conduct further research to support creative ways of responding to the brief. The teaching will address issues encountered in professional productions including planning, the development of a group work ethic, health and safety/risk assessment, consent/ethics and copyright. The module outcomes are the storyboard, a short film of around 3 minutes and an individual reflective report.
New Media Branding	15 Credits	Optional
This module is designed to give you knowledge of branding and identity from the perspective of New Media Publishing. Through the use of vector graphics and layout software you will learn to produce a collection of professional documents such as CVs and business cards which have a consistent identity across a number of media platforms. You will also learn about professional branding used by companies and produce their own style guides which apply basic design principles such as consistency, repetition, alignment and position to logos, text and other visual design elements. The module content includes- 1. -the production of brand designs using vector graphics; 2. -the consideration of design issues relating to consistency, repetition, alignment and position; 3. -the consideration of how visual identities are created and understood; 4. -the planning and conceptual development of professional visual identities;
US Cinema: From Studio Era to Digital Age	15 Credits	Optional
This module concentrates on US cinema within and without Hollywood from the 1930s to the present day. Particular attention is given to historical flashpoints of American film, to moments of significant change in terms of new aesthetic, technological, cultural and institutional directions. The various generations of both Hollywood and 'independent' US cinema are explored from stylistic, industrial, and socio-cultural perspectives. These range from a study of Golden Age Hollywood, the rise and fall of the studio system, through the B-Movies era, the New Hollywood era of the 60s/70s, developments in representation of violence on film, Blockbuster cinema, American Indie film, and the rise of the modern franchises. While considering the particularly American sensibilities of US cinema, the module also looks at key influences from different forms of media, such as television, and other national cinemas,. The domination of Hollywood in the global film market will also be considered, alongside significant developments in the age of digitalisation and media convergence.
Poetry, Prose and Publishing	15 Credits	Optional
This module will introduce you to the world of literary magazine and anthology publishing, considering both print and online publications. In groups, you will work towards planning your own publications and developing your editorial skills. Key questions of craft and motivation will be asked: what are the attributes of a successful publication? What useful selection criteria might an editor employ? Publications studied might include Poetry Magazine, Granta, Ambit and the Paris Review. You will also spend around half the course producing and workshopping your own creative work, and learning to identify suitable outlets for publication.
Journalism Skills News	15 Credits	Optional
In this module you will develop your research and writing techniques for news reports, developing and extending the skills in writing news that you acquired at level 4. Workshop sessions will enable you to gain hands-on practice in writing news reports in a simulated newsroom environment. In addition you will model professional newsroom practice though "News Days" in which you will contribute original ideas and follow through to published stories within a single day. There will be an emphasis on your use of ICT to research stories and you will be encouraged to use the Internet and social media sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and other advanced sites, for research and seeking comment. You will write four news stories and select the best for submission to assessment as well as writing a reflecting essay to consolidate your learning
Mobile Media Design	15 Credits	Optional
At the end of this course you will be able to research, plan, and design mock-ups of apps for mobile devices using current software. You will be able to explore the contextual relationship between apps and mobile responsive websites. During the course you will complete market and competitor research for enterprising projects, and develop an understanding of (a) current practice and (b) the user experience through the creation of visual planning for your app. Working as part of a small team, you will conceptualise and develop your own app for pitching to a potential investor.
Magazine Design	15 Credits	Optional
There is more to magazine design than learning a software package. As well as giving hands-on systematic software training, this module unfolds various aspects of design for the page, including the use of typography, colour and images. The module builds your confidence in the design process through presenting a clear understanding of layout and visual conventions, information design and contemporary visual style. You will undertake thorough analysis and evaluation of a range of examples. They are equipped to make sound aesthetic judgements in printed and electronic material. Assessments are real-life publishing projects which engage students in a problem-solving process, building experience essential for professional work. By the end of the module students will have developed a portfolio which they can show to a prospective employer.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Meaning and Context	15 Credits	Optional
This module is concerned with meaning in language and communication. It introduces students to different types of meaning and different theoretical approaches to studying meaning in the philosophy of language and linguistics. A key issue will be the distinction between semantics and pragmatics, where the boundary between them lies, and the way in which the two realms interact in the communication of meaning.
Tell It Slant: Writing and Reality	15 Credits	Optional
Emily Dickinson wrote 'Tell all the truth, but tell it slant'. This module examines many aspects of writing from reality – the methods and reasons for doing so, the ethics involved, and whether or not it forms a 'fourth genre' of writing as has been posited by theorists such as Robert Root and Lee Gutkind. Degrees of 'truth' will be questioned: how much fiction can or should be introduced? Where does one draw the line between fiction and reality? Who has the right to draw this line? Does writing about a community, or writing with a community, alter the obligations of the writer? Authors studied may include James Frey, David Sedaris, Louisa May Alcott, Geraldine Brooks, Sei Shonagan, James Baldwin, Megan Abbott and Robin Soans.
Advertising	15 Credits	Optional
This module will look at advertising and the ways in which it attempts to construct desire for specific products. It will analyse the social function of adverts in relation to certain social categories such as gender, race and sexuality. Moreover, we will look at the placing of advertising in specific media and students will be asked to consider why adverts for certain types of products are placed in specific locations. This will include a consideration of market segmentation and TV scheduling. Students will then be encouraged to create their own advert based on a specific brief in order to apply their theoretical knowledge in a practical way. Finally, this module will consider the relationship between advertising and other media forms, especially film and television as well as new media, to consider the degree to which advertising relies upon codes that are produced in other cultural products.
Corporate Communications	15 Credits	Optional
This module provides a detailed understanding of the principles, techniques and strategies that underpin corporate communications, with particular emphasis on Public Relations and brand management. It is designed to reflect the current awareness of, and the benefits that organisations can derive from, adopting an integrated approach to communications. This module adopts a strategic approach to the study of corporate communications and builds an understanding of the variations in consumer behaviour, and how communication strategies and programmes can be developed, organised and implemented. The course also addresses critical issues relating to recent developments in the field and includes a strong practical component that aims to equip students with the skills necessary for working in this field.
Online Journalism	15 Credits	Optional
The course will consist of 12, two-hour workshops in which students will - through a mix of, demonstrations, discussion and practical tasks - learn the basics of Online Journalism. This will include an appreciation of the massive impact that digital communications technologies have had on the publishing industry, as well as a detailed understanding of how writing for the internet differs from so-called 'off-line' Journalism. Students will also learn, through the use of a Content Management System (CMS), how to upload and format content – both written and multimedia – which is suitable for publication.
Journalism Skills Portfolio	30 Credits	Optional
This module content enables you to practise your journalism skills in real world settings, enhancing your employability and developing an awareness of the variety of uses for those skills. You spend at least five days, generally more, in the first semester either working for a relevant company e.g. a newspaper, magazine, PR company or freelancing and gain an understanding of the media world from that perspective. You also create a varied portfolio of journalism pieces including a news piece, feature and interview to showcase the skills you have learnt.
Television Drama	15 Credits	Optional
This module critically investigates the contemporary 'Golden Age' of television drama from North America and Europe, from 1990 to the present day. Through a close scrutiny of long-running serial dramas, we will explore notions of 'Quality' programming, and the particular impact of each series, as well as connecting them to wider understandings of television as a medium and art form. A number of methodological frameworks are considered in relation to the individual serials (including Girls, The Walking Dead and The Sopranos) allowing for work on aesthetic, thematic, institutional, socio-cultural, and generic aspects of significance. The emphasis of the module is on the close textual analysis of the particular forms and concerns of each serial drama, to assess the merits and achievements of individual works of television.
Euro-Crime on Page and Screen	15 Credits	Optional
The twenty-first century has seen a resurgence of interest in crime fiction, and screen dramas ranging from renewed interest in the who-dunnits of Agatha Christie to the more explicit violence of contemporary Nordic Noir . This module examines European crime writing from popular detective fiction in the early twentieth century before looking at how successive European writers have modified the form, often using the crime at the centre of their narratives as a starting point for exploring questions of national and cultural identities. The written and filmed texts studied will take us to different European countries (read in translation). Typical examples include, but are not limited to, stories from Britain s Golden Age (1920s and 1930s), novels and film adaptations of work by Graham Greene (Brighton Rock), Leila Slimani (Lullaby; France), Stieg Larsson (The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Sweden), and films such as Marshland (Spain) and Dance with a Stranger (UK).
Global Englishes	15 Credits	Optional
This module will focus on the global spread of the English language, which is no longer used only by native speakers but increasingly by speakers from diverse linguistic and cultural backgrounds. Despite these changes, the native speaker continues to dominate in English Language Teaching. This module will explore various issues in the spread of English, including: the influence of other languages on English; the rise, standardisation, ideology and ownership of English; varieties of English across the world (including 'New Englishes', English as a Lingua Franca, pidgins & creoles); attitudes towards varieties of English and the pedagogical implications of these issues for English Language Teaching in the context of Global Englishes.
Representation and Identity in Contemporary Media	15 Credits	Optional
Using different theories of political communication, you will examine the subject of media representation, mediatization and the politics of cultural identities in the twenty-first century. You will engage with key theories and concepts of representation and media framing to illuminate an understanding of identity as a political concept.
International Politics and Reporting Global News	15 Credits	Optional

Communication and Cultures	15 Credits	Optional
The module gives you an opportunity to bring to the surface some of your personal / social cultural assumptions and working beliefs, and to see how these relate to other cultures. You will develop your cultural sensitivity to diverse communication and cultural practices and patterns. In particular, you are encouraged to look at intercultural communication, in the forms of face-to-face conversation, interviews and online communication, in order to see how other cultures, and especially a culture of your own choosing, articulate, disguise, hide and express their beliefs.
Writing Serial Drama	15 Credits	Optional
This is an intensive 12-week module created to enable you to create and write your own pitch and pilot episode for a serial drama. You will learn the craft skills required to create compelling serial drama or comedy and create a pitch document suitable to send to production companies. You will watch episodes and read screenplays from current successful serials, analysing the technique required to create a successful drama series. You will workshop your ideas and pilot scripts under the guidance your module leader. You may write anything from a Netflix serial, continuing BBC Drama or online comedy series for your final submission.
Writing for Popular Fiction Markets	15 Credits	Optional
The module will explore a selection of different popular fiction genres (e.g. romance, historical, crime, fantasy, horror) which illustrate the development of their specific market. The examples will be taken from book texts but also film and television in the various genres covered. You will learn how an analysis of the features and narratives used in these can be used to inform writing practice. Practice at writing for popular genres will be central to the module's syllabus. You will be encouraged to contextualise your own work within the popular genres we consider and gain awareness of commercial positioning and opportunity. Authors whose work we explore typically may include Agatha Christie, Colson Whitehead, Margaret Atwood, Patricia Highsmith, Octavia Butler, HG Wells, Ted Chiang, Audrey Niffeneger. TV shows may include Dexter, Game of Thrones, Poldark; Films may include Doctor Zhivago, Blade Runner and Let the Right One In.
Professional Media Practice Project	30 Credits	Optional
This is an independent project designed to help you develop the skills needed for the professional world. You will produce a professional quality media package in response to a client brief or case study. The module is built around active learning and you will develop your design, self-management, production and communications skills which will be invaluable in your professional life. You will evaluate other media products to help formulate your ideas and will work to a schedule in the same way as a media professional.
Gender, Sexuality and Diversity in American Film	15 Credits	Optional
This module focuses on the role gender and sexuality have played within the development of US cinema, from the silent era to today. We will investigate historical moments and genres such as the pre-Code era, film noir, screwball comedy, New Hollywood cinema, and others, and films such as Baby Face, Double Indemnity, All About Eve, The Color Purple and Carol. While the primary focus will be on gender and sexuality, an emphasis will also be placed on the way gender identity intersects with other marginalised identities on screen, for example in terms of race, sexual orientation, and class. The module will encourage close textual analysis and critique of these film texts, but will also cover the wider cultural and media landscape within which they were made. This will also enable us to consider the – sometimes unexpected or undesirable - ways in which fans responded to and received these films.
Music, Celebrity and Media	15 Credits	Optional
This module closely looks at emergent forms of media, particularly the influence of digital technologies on traditional forms of media, such as film and journalism. We will critically analyse the impact of the digital revolution, from HDTV to virtual realities, from citizen journalism to Wikileaks and cyber-criminality, from music downloads to E-books. Using a range of critical theorists, we will discuss the challenges of these developments for old media as well as the creative opportunities new media forms provide.
Creating a PR Campaign	15 Credits	Optional
The module introduces you to a number of specialist fields within the communications industry and illustrates the value of specific communication skills across different sectors. During the module we will explore specialist areas, such as political PR, social campaigning, film marketing, non-broadcast filmmaking, sport, events and sponsorship. You will also learn how to deal with the press from a corporate point of view and how to create promotional material. The module further allows you to engage with the academic and practical content in a very hands-on manner and provides space for reflection on and critical engagement with the theories behind important transferable and subject specific skills, such as pitching ideas, presenting concepts and managing successful teams.
Web Design for Media Professionals	30 Credits	Optional
Students will develop their knowledge and understanding through a series of lectures, online presentations and problem solving exercises, gradually building their design skills within the framework of a redesign of a real web-based project. You will be encouraged to create a unique and refreshing alternative for an existing publication and your documentation and project planning will be guided by real-life examples. This module will develop and extend your understanding of visual and interactive communication skills and introduce you to a range of techniques for creating engaging publications for specific audiences. In the second part of this module students will move onto the development of their own project, working with a real life client or case study and a brief in order to create a unique and attractive new online publication. In this second project you will develop an understanding of how design frameworks enhance a wider range of commercial publications.

Study abroad

An opportunity for an amazing experience, which will help make you stand out from the crowd. With more and more companies working internationally, experience of living in another country can make a great impression on future employers.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a sandwich year abroad. The University has partnerships with over 150 universities around the world, including the USA, Canada, Asia, Africa, Australia, South America and closer to home in Europe.

If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee to the partner university and no tuition fee to us either. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about Study abroad opportunities

Please note Erasmus+ funding is only available until May 2023. For students starting their course in September 2022 and wishing to study abroad in 2023-24 or 2024-25, please refer to the Turing Scheme.
Work placement

Graduate with invaluable work experience alongside your degree and stand out from the crowd.

This course offers you the opportunity to enhance your study and CV with a work placement sandwich year. It’s a chance to explore career possibilities, make valuable contacts and gain sought after professional skills.

Our dedicated Careers and Employment team are here to help guide you through the process.

If you take up a work placement between your second and third year of study, at the University of Hertfordshire you’ll pay no tuition fee for this year. We’ll ask you to make your decision in your second year, so there is plenty of time to think about it.

Find out more about work placements
What if I need support?

Every student is allocated a personal tutor to monitor and advise on their overall academic and personal development supplemented with drop-in skills sessions and specialist tutors to refine and polish your writing. Our Media Matters series of Media Industry talks, and Creative Writing talks are career focussed, delivered by industry specialist professionals.
You might also want or need extra support during your time with us. Rest assured, no matter what you study, we’ve got you covered. For help with study skills, including referencing, essay writing and presentations, you’ll have access to our academic support services. You can attend workshops, 1-to-1 sessions, and online tutorials. Both our LRCs (Learning Resources Centres) run drop-in study skills sessions. So, whether you want to improve your employment prospects through networking with our speakers, or need support to improve your academic work, we can help.

'I enjoyed learning and being in the company of my lecturers and could not have asked for anyone to be any more supportive. I could not describe the teaching as any less than five stars and my lecturers always found the time outside of class to help me with anything I was struggling to understand.'

Jenny Chu

BA (Hons) Mass Communications graduate

Check out our student blogs

Alumni Stories

Jonathan Yip

Meet Jonathan Yip who has undertaken a career in academia. He is currently working as an undergraduate lecturer at one of the most prestigious institutions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - BAC Education Group.

Read more stories BA (Hons) Mass Communications

Current job role	Undergraduate lecturer in Journalism and Media
Year of graduation	2016
Course of study	BA (Hons) Mass Communications

Global connections

Jonathan initially came to study at Herts as his institution in Kuala Lumpur had a twinned programme with the University, which allowed him direct entry into the final year after his diploma in Mass Communications. He says, 'The University's central location, opportunities for scholarships, and the modules offered in the programme were all I needed to make a decision.'

University experience and opportunities

His time at Herts was enhanced significantly by his lecturers who offered support and expertise that helped Jonathan realise his potential. He says, 'The tireless effort to assist students like myself during my undergraduate and postgraduate degree speaks for the University itself. Absolute dedication!'

The University of Hertfordshire is dedicated to transforming lives and giving students the opportunities and resources they need to develop career ready skills, through expert teaching, research and ties to industry. Jonathan advises new and current students to: 'Start building a portfolio and harness yourself with new skills whenever possible. The creative industry is all about doers, and it's evolving faster than ever - don't be left out!'

Lifelong impact

The University of Hertfordshire has been hugely formative in shaping Jonathan’s career and he still greatly values his time being a student here and a part of the Herts community. 'The entire duration of my time at the University as a whole was so special. I enjoyed being part of the Athletic Union, working as part of various societies and the Students' Union, and making everlasting memories and friendships after hours. I even got a stag tattooed on my arm to remind myself of the University every day.'

Alumni Stories

Louise Thomas

Meet Louise. Her study abroad experience inspired her to become a teacher in Korea.

Read more stories BA (Hons) Mass Communications

Current job role	Teacher in Korea
Year of graduation	2020
Course of study	BA (Hons) Mass Communications

A global student experience

Louise studied in Singapore as part of her study aboard programme. She says, ‘This was a highlight of my studies at Herts. It was such a great opportunity, and if it wasn’t for my time spent aboard, I wouldn’t have had the confidence to move to Korea. Studying aboard also improved my work ethic and I found that I was a lot more organised and productive during my final year as a result.’

On campus, Louise enjoyed the library facilities and says, ‘I commuted to Herts and the LRC was the place that I studied, completed group work, and assignments. I wanted to make use of all the time that I had on campus, so the library was where I got everything done.’

Life after Herts

‘During my degree I spent time travelling and I knew I wanted to explore more of the world, so I decided to move to Korea.

‘Initially I was unsure about going into teaching, but I have discovered that it’s something I really enjoy, and I’m good at it. My course was so broad, and it has helped me become a good teacher. I use my creative skills to plan lessons, and I get the children involved with editing their own professional videos.’

Advice for prospective students

‘Don’t leave studying until later – do it now! Mass Communications is good course that gives you a lot of opportunities, and if you have any problems, you can always talk to the lecturers. Everyone is really friendly, and they are always there to help you.’

What's next for my career?

Our graduates have an excellent record of gaining employment in media, publishing, teaching and information management where their skills in analysis, communication and evaluation are highly valued. Many of our graduates go on to higher levels of study engaging in research in their chosen fields. Whatever your future career plans, what is important to your potential employers is the range of intellectual, transferable, personal skills and experience you have gained and can demonstrate. We ensure our programmes are relevant to the world of work through active links with regional employers across a range of industries and professions.
View our Alumni profiles

Jonathan Yip Louise Thomas

Course fact sheets
Media Programme	Download

Programme specifications
Media Programme	Download
English Language (Joint and Minor) Programme Specification	Download
Media (Joint and Minor) Programme specification	Download
Journalism (Joint and Minor) Programme Specification	Download
Film (Minor) Programme specification	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	Optional
Applications open to international and EU students	Yes
Course length	Full Time, 4 Years Part Time, 4 Years Sandwich, 4 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Apply through our international/EU application portal

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

Apply using the links below:

2024

Start Date	End Date	Link
20/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time)
20/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Part Time)
20/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)
20/09/2024	31/05/2025	Apply online (Full Time/Sandwich)

Fees and funding
Fees 2023
UK Students

Full time
- £9250 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time
- £1155 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
EU Students

Full time
- £14750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time
- £1845 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
International Students

Full time
- £14750 for the 2023/2024 academic year
Part time
- £1845 per 15 credits for the 2023/2024 academic year
Fees 2024
UK Students

Full time
- £9250 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1155 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
EU Students

Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
International Students

Full time
- £15500 for the 2024/2025 academic year
Part time
- £1940 per 15 credits for the 2024/2025 academic year
*Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.

View detailed information about tuition fees

Read more about additional fees in the course fact sheet

Other financial support

Find out more about other financial support available to UK and EU students

Living costs / accommodation

The University of Hertfordshire offers a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget.

View detailed information about our accommodation

Book your virtual open day

BA (Hons) Mass Communications

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Key information

Typical offer:

Fees: See below

UCAS code: P300

Institute code: H36

Study abroad option

Work placement option

Additional requirements

Additional requirements

Why choose this course?

What's the course about?

Your main campus is College Lane

What will I study?

'I enjoyed learning and being in the company of my lecturers and could not have asked for anyone to be any more supportive. I could not describe the teaching as any less than five stars and my lecturers always found the time outside of class to help me with anything I was struggling to understand.'

Check out our student blogs

Student Blogs

Alumni Stories

Meet Jonathan Yip who has undertaken a career in academia. He is currently working as an undergraduate lecturer at one of the most prestigious institutions in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - BAC Education Group.

Global connections

University experience and opportunities

Lifelong impact

Alumni Stories

Meet Louise. Her study abroad experience inspired her to become a teacher in Korea.

A global student experience

Life after Herts

Advice for prospective students

International/EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK

Home and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK

2024

Fees 2023

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

Fees 2024

UK Students

Full time

Part time

EU Students

Full time

Part time

International Students

Full time

Part time

Other financial support

Living costs / accommodation