COURSE CURRICULUM

The Media and Popular Culture degree offers a comprehensive and flexible curriculum that equips students with both critical understanding and practical media skills. In the first year, students gain foundational knowledge across six core modules that introduce them to key themes in media and culture, including the analysis of popular culture, image and sound, and the dynamics between media texts, industries, and audiences. Practical modules such as Creating Media Content and Community and Industry Collaboration develop production and teamwork skills essential for real-world media environments. In the second year, students build on this foundation with core modules like Cultural Theory, Creative Industries, and Identity and the Media, which deepen their understanding of media’s cultural, economic, and ethical dimensions. Students can tailor their learning through a wide range of optional modules covering topics such as comedy, fandoms, digital storytelling, photojournalism, and television, allowing them to align their studies with personal interests and career goals. Faculty core options like Work Placement, Live Project, and Collaborative Practice offer valuable professional experience and industry exposure. By the final year, students are ready to consolidate their academic and creative development. Core modules like Media for Social Change and Major Project – Preparation focus on socially engaged media practices and planning for a significant independent project. The Major Project itself can take the form of a dissertation, hybrid research-production, or a fully creative media production, offering flexibility to suit individual strengths and aspirations. Final-year students also choose from an extensive list of optional modules, from Media Activism and Digital Futures to Radio Station and Feature Writing, enabling them to specialise in critical analysis, emerging technologies, or professional communication. The program culminates in a portfolio of critical and creative work that demonstrates students’ readiness for diverse careers in the evolving media and cultural industries.