University of Portsmouth
Media Studies BA (Hons)
University of Portsmouth

Course modalities offered

Key Course Facts

Student Reviews

Below you can see course specific reviews for 25 graduates of Media Studies BA (Hons) at University of Portsmouth for each of the survey questions in comparison to the average for all UK degree courses in Media Studies.

Overall student satisfaction
73 /100
25 total respondents
The NSS is commissioned by the Office for Students

Salary

Salary of Graduates in Media Studies

Important: Salary data below is not course specific, but contains data of all students of Media Studies at the university. Due to data collection methodology, salary data is mainly based on data related to undergraduate students.

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £21000 £22500 £26500
25-75 percentile range £20000 - £24000 £17500 - £25500 £20500 - £32500


Salary of all UK Graduates of Media Studies

  15 months after graduation 3 years after graduation 5 years after graduation
Median salary £22017 £19297 £23262
25-75 percentile range £19000 - £25033 £15218 - £24297 £17814 - £29255

Course Description

Overview

Are you curious about how the media influences the world we live in? Our BA (Hons) Media Studies course is distinguished by its innovative mix of options and will give you a fascinating way to gain a deeper academic understanding of this prime form of communication.

You'll learn how global media reflects, shapes and affects societies and cultures, from news and television, to social networks. You’ll also consider how identity is formed through the media, and its representations in contemporary formats and genres, such as TV talk shows, the comic book industries, and science. As you progress in your degree, you can create your own learning plan by choosing optional modules, including film production.

You’ll graduate ready to begin your media career in many communicational fields, but you’ll also have creative and transferable skills you can use in any sector.

Course highlights

  • Gain expert insight into popular culture, fan communities, and the latest media tech developments by attending the annual Portsmouth Comic Con – where course lecturers and previous students have been panellists
  • Enhance your studies by learning from a teaching team of widely published media experts and research-active academics
  • Cultivate a well-rounded, futuristic understanding of media from staff expertise in contemporary popular culture genres (including science fiction, fantasy, horror, and animation)
  • Tailor your degree by choosing modules to suit your specialisation
  • Develop filmmaking skills with optional practical film modules from second year
  • Build valuable professional experience and knowledge by taking an optional placement year – either with a company or self-employed
  • Broaden your expertise with the chance to gain industry-recognised accreditations such as ScreenSkills safety training and Adobe Certified Associate (ACA)

Careers and opportunities

The communication, research, writing and critical thinking skills you learn on this media studies degree will be essential for employers within and outside the media industry.

You can also continue your studies at postgraduate level. Many of our graduates pursue Master's and Doctorates, with a number of them taking further teacher training to work in education.

Graduate areas

Previous media studies graduates have gone on to work in areas such as:

  • media research
  • digital specialisms (e.g. website design and creation)
  • public relations and marketing
  • journalism
  • publishing
  • new media development
  • film production
  • film and TV companies

Graduate roles

Job roles our graduates have taken on include:

  • teacher
  • media research assistant
  • marketing assistant
  • production manager
  • sound and vision engineer
  • film/video producer
  • advertising journalist
  • assistant publicist
  • PR and communications officer

Graduate destinations

Some of our alumni have gone on to work for big names such as:

    • BBC
  • Warner Bros
  • Universal Pictures International
  • Mitchells & Butlers
  • Lush Cosmetics

When you finish the course, our Careers and Employability service can help you find a job that puts your skills to work in the industry. After you leave the University, you can get help, advice and support for up to 5 years as you advance in your career.

Jobs & Career Perspectives

15 months after graduation, graduates of this course were asked about what they do and, if they are working, about their current job and their perspectives.

Current jobs

Required skill level of job after 15 months

Jobs of graduates of this course (15 months after graduation)

Example below based on all graduates of Media Studies BA (Hons) at University of Portsmouth

30% Artistic, literary and media occupations
15% Sales occupations
15% Information Technology Professionals
5% Elementary occupations
5% Finance Professionals
5% Process, plant and machine operatives
5% Customer service occupations
5% Business and public service associate professionals
5% Teaching Professionals
5% Elementary occupations

****You’ll be assessed through:**** - essays - presentations - scripts - video productions - programme proposal/pitch - reviews and features - reports/magazine features - examinations - dissertation/project You’ll be able to test your skills and knowledge informally before you do assessments that count towards your final mark. You can get feedback on all practice and formal assessments so you can improve in the future. The way you’re assessed may depend on the modules you select. As a guide, students on this course last year were typically assessed as follows: **- Year 1 students:** 20% by practical exams and 80% by coursework **- Year 2 students:** 12% by practical exams and 88% by coursework **- Year 3 students:** 13% by practical exams and 87% by coursework

Entry Requirements / Admissions

UCAS Tariff of Accepted Students for this course

English language requirements

test Grade Additional Details
IELTS (Academic) 6

English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.

PTE Academic 54

An overall score of 54 with a minimum of 51 in each skill.

TOEFL (iBT) 79

79 with a minimum of 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing.

Cambridge English Advanced

Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.

Cambridge English Proficiency

Cambridge English: Proficiency (CPE) taken after January 2015. An overall score of 169 with no component score less than 162.

Trinity ISE

Trinity College Integrated Skills in English (ISE) Level III with a Pass in all 4 components

Get advice on which foundation courses are best for you to still study Media Studies, BA (Hons), if you do not meet the minimum requirements in terms of UCAS score, A levels, or English language requirements.

Costs

Average student cost of living in the UK

Rent £518
Water, gas electricity, internet (at home) £50
Supermarket shopping £81
Clothing £35
Eating out £33
Alcohol £27
Takeaways / food deliveries £30
Going out / entertainment (excl.alcohol, food) £24
Holidays and weekend trips £78
Transport within city £17
Self-care / sports £20
Stationary / books £13
Mobile phone / internet £13
Cable TV / streaming £7
Insurance £51
Other £95
  
Average student cost of living £1092

London costs approx 34% more than average, mainly due to rent being 67% higher than average of other cities. For students staying in student halls, costs of water, gas, electricity, wifi are generally included in the rental. Students in smaller cities where accommodation is in walking/biking distance transport costs tend to be significantly smaller.

How to apply

Application deadline:

January 1, 2025

This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.

Possible Entry Points:

  • year 1 (Default entry point)
  • year 2
  • year 3

University Rankings

Positions of University of Portsmouth in top UK and global rankings.

Rankings of University of Portsmouth in related subject specific rankings.

Social Studies & Humanities

    • #55 
    • #401 
    Social Sciences
    THE World University Rankings by Subject
    [Published 19 October, 2023]

See all 31 university rankings of University of Portsmouth

About University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth is located on the United Kingdom’s only island city, Portsmouth. This public university, which was previously known as Portsmouth Polytechnic, forms part of the University Alliance, an organisation whose aim is to promote growth and innovation in the UK by putting an emphasis on links with business and industry.

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Student composition of University of Portsmouth

undergraduates:
18085
postgraduates:
5005
Total:
23090
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Where is this programme taught

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