Program Overview

Introduction to the BA (Hons) Media and Communications Program

The BA (Hons) Media and Communications program at Regent's University London is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the media and communications industry. This program examines the powerful influence media and communications have socially, culturally, and politically, and it is a constantly evolving and hugely relevant topic.

Program Overview

The program is a three-year, full-time course that covers a wide range of topics, including media history, theory, and development, as well as current trends and debates in the industry. Students will gain a solid grounding in media history, theory, and development, while examining current trends and debates, discovering new analysis techniques and research methods, and exploring media law and regulatory issues in relation to new and established media.

Program Structure

The program is structured into three building blocks: Subject Core, Special Electives, and Common Modules, including Industry & Entrepreneurship. The Subject Core modules provide a comprehensive overview of the media and communications industry, while the Special Electives allow students to choose from a range of topics, including creativity and imagination, being human, creating a brand identity, and more. The Common Modules provide students with a broader understanding of the industry and its connections to other fields.

Year 1 Modules

In Year 1, students will take the following Subject Core modules:

• Core Concepts in Media, Communications and Culture: This module develops a comprehensive overview of the interdisciplinary field of media and communications, from its historical origins to key approaches in the study of media texts and industries.
• Digital Media and Society: This module explores the latest generation of new media communication technologies and applies key conceptual debates to enable students to understand social media.
• Media Histories and Futures: This module begins a journey that starts with the telegraph and takes students through to the metaverse and beyond, focusing on the biggest challenges in the development of media industries and showcasing the changes and continuities in history.
• Introduction to Media Production: This module introduces students to the skills they need to produce competent and coherent broadcast news reports, interviews, and short feature stories.
• Exploring Industry and Entrepreneurship: This module provides students with an introduction to the changes being experienced in the industry and the scope of real-world professional activities in relation to their course.

Year 2 Modules

In Year 2, students will take the following Subject Core modules:

• Media Production and Content Consumption: This module analyzes who is consuming media content and offers theoretical and practical tools to understand media audiences.
• Interpreting Media: This module engages students in media analysis, gaining a toolkit to examine and interpret a variety of media texts, including news, film, television, advertising, popular music, video games, and online content.
• Global Media Industries: This module investigates media industries, providing students with practical experience in digital skills and theoretical perspectives on the ‘public sphere’ of global media and political economy of communication.
• Entrepreneurial Challenge, Placement, or Industry Challenge: Students will choose one of these modules to develop their entrepreneurial thinking, experience industry and entrepreneurship in an external organization, or experience the challenge and pace of the world of work through a real-world or live project.

Year 3 Modules

In Year 3, students will take the following Subject Core modules:

• Media Ethics and Policy: This module evaluates and critically analyzes the ethical, legal, political, and environmental challenges in media and communications.
• Current Issues in Media: Showcase Portfolio: This module engages with debates around the latest trends, developing a more informed and sophisticated practice.
• Major Project I and II: The Major Project is the culmination of students' studies, allowing them to design a self-directed project that reflects their interests and career aspirations.

Special Electives

Throughout the program, students can choose from a range of Special Electives, including:

• Creativity and Imagination
• Being Human
• Creating a Brand Identity
• Why We Post: Social Media and Us
• Financial Innovation and Technology
• Photography Workshop
• How to Think in a Post-Truth World
• Understanding Human Rights
• Literary London
• Behind the Lens: Introduction to Media Production
• Psychology of Emotions
• London as Fashion Capital
• Emerging Technologies: from Web3 to the Metaverse
• Digital Design with Adobe Creative Suite
• The Power of Language in Your Life
• Business Ethics
• Experiencing Theatre
• Understanding the Global Art Market
• Inspiring Your Audience
• Future Cities Now

Language Modules

Students can also choose to take language modules, including:

• Languages (Grades 1-6) – available in Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish
• Advanced Language for Professionals (Grade 7)
• Business English: Professional Writing
• Business English/Advanced Business English
• Advanced Spanish through Film (Grade 8)

Careers and Industry Connections

The program provides students with a range of career opportunities, including journalism, communications, public relations, digital/social marketing, advertising, brand management, and government. Students will also have access to industry connections, including guest speakers, field trips, and live industry briefs.

Fees and Financial Support

The tuition fee for the program is £23,000 per year, fixed for the duration of the course. Students may also be eligible for scholarships and financial support.

Conclusion

The BA (Hons) Media and Communications program at Regent's University London provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the media and communications industry, as well as the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in a range of careers. With its unique blend of theoretical and practical modules, the program is ideal for students who want to pursue a career in media and communications.