Programme Specifications

Programme summary

1. Programme Aims

• To provide an intellectually stimulating environment in which students can develop the critical and practical skills of the communication and media analyst.
• To provide students with the opportunity to study communication and media in a multidisciplinary context where the value of interdisciplinary analysis is explored.
• To enable students to gain a broad knowledge and understanding of communication and media.
• To enable students to gain a deeper knowledge and understanding of issues in communication and media through specialist study and research.
• To enable students to learn about the key concepts, theories and methods of communication and media.
• To enable students to interpret and analyse communication/media processes and structures.
• To enable students to compare different communication and media arrangements.
• To enable students to address key issues in communication and media analysis and in society more generally.
• To enable students to appreciate alternative perspectives in the social sciences.
• To enhance students’ career and employment opportunities on graduating.

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

• The Benchmark Statement for Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies
• Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (2008)
• University Learning and Teaching Strategy
• External Examiners’ Reports for BSc Communication and Media Studies 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

• Knowledge of the major traditions of thought and analysis which have contributed to the study of media and communication. 

• Knowledge of contemporary debates on appropriate frameworks and theories.

• Knowledge of the major styles of research and investigation relevant to the study of media and communication, their strengths and weaknesses and epistemological underpinnings.

• Understanding of the historical development of media and communicative practices and institutions.

• Understanding of the inter-relations between media and communicative structures and practices and economic and political dynamics.

• Understanding of how media organisations operate and of the ethical and policy issues posed by their practices. 

• Understanding of the ways in which media and communicative forms construct the shared meanings that comprise public cultures and subcultures, and of the issues of representation these practices raise.

• Understanding of the role of media and communication in the organisation of everyday life, social identities and belief systems.

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of the programme, students should be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding in the following areas: 

• Draw on ideas from a range of domains and disciplines and combine them productively. 

• Critically appraise prevailing understandings of contemporary developments in media and communication and contribute effectively to the debates surrounding them.

• Formulate appropriate research questions and employ appropriate methods and resources in addressing them.

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• Retrieve information from electronic and other sources and evaluate the materials collected critically. 

• Demonstrate practical competence in using a range of qualitative and quantitative methods of research. 

• Initiate, develop and realise a substantial self directed project (with appropriate guidance).

• Participate effectively in group projects.

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to: 

• Gather, organise and deploy ideas and information in order to formulate arguments cogently and express them effectively in oral and written forms.

• Organise and manage self-directed projects (with appropriate guidance).

• Work individually, flexibly and independently showing self-discipline, self-direction and reflexivity. 

• Work productively in a group or team, displaying at different times abilities to listen, contribute and lead effectively.

• Demonstrate familiarity with relevant applications of Information Technology, including data analysis packages, and competence in using them. 

• Deliver required work to a given length, format, brief and deadline. 

• Consider and evaluate their own work in a reflexive manner.

4. Programme structure

Programme Code: CXUB04 (2020 ENTRY) – MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

The programme lasts three years full-time, with the opportunity to undertake a placement year (Part I – between second and final years). Candidates must take a total modular weight of 120 in each Part (Year) with a minimum modular weight of 50 in each semester, taking into account both compulsory and optional modules.  

Important note: No modules may be taken and passed more than once. Optional module availability is subject to timetabling constraints and optional modules may also be subject to change.

Part A - Introductory Modules 

COMPULSORY MODULES (90 credits) 

Semester 1 

Semester 2 

OPTIONAL MODULES 

In addition to the above compulsory modules, students MUST choose 30 modular weights-worth of optional modules:

Semester 1 

Semester 2 

Semesters 1 and 2 

Students can also choose other modules from the University’s Module Catalogue, approved by the School of Social Sciences and Humanities for inclusion in the programme.

Part B - Degree Modules 

COMPULSORY MODULES (90 credits)

 Semester 1 

Semester 2 

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take 30 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the following list, plus language modules:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Part I

Candidates will undertake one of the following approved study and/or work placements leading to the Diploma in International Studies (IntS) or Diploma in Professional Studies (DPS) in accordance with Regulation XI.

Part C

COMPULSORY MODULES (80 credits)

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semester 1 and 2

OPTIONAL MODULES

Students take 40 credits worth of options across two semesters. A selection will be offered from the list below, plus language modules:

Semester 1

Semester 2

Semesters 1 and 2

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to progress from Part A to Part B, from Part B to C, and to be eligible for the award of an Honours degree, candidates must satisfy the minimum credit requirements set out in Regulation XX.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

Candidates' final degree classification will be determined on the basis of their performance in degree level Module Assessments in Parts B and C. The percentage mark for each Part will be combined in the ratio Part B 40% : Part C 60% to determine the final programme percentage mark.