Journalism and Communications (BA)
- UCAS code: 0N3D
- Next intake: September 2021
- Duration: 3 years
- Mode: Full time
Entry Year
Why study this course
On a practical level, you will produce portfolios (including digital portfolios), practise journalistic writing skills across a number of platforms including online, broadcast, print and magazines, pitch ideas for new editorial products and businesses, and use a variety of software to produce graphic outputs, blogs, apps, and social media campaigns.
While you will be able to take a number of practical modules, the emphasis of the degree is academic and analytical. You will be able to follow a clear journalism and communication path throughout the three years of study which will culminate in journalism based dissertation.
Crucially, you will gain the ability to research, write and critique your own written projects according to highest academic standards, and utilise modern information technology in researching and presenting. You will develop your ability to work both independently and in groups.
Finally, the course will develop and hone your awareness of the practical and economic forces which frame the media, cultural and creative industries, leaving you ideally placed to work in any field where communication skills are required.
While Journalism and Communications in particular is a product of our extensive and growing communications environment, the course also benefits from our experience teaching and researching both journalism and media studies from national and international perspectives.
While this course is both challenging and academic in nature, it does NOT provide vocational journalism training.
Distinctive features
- You will study in a new purpose-built School in the centre of Cardiff's all-new Central Square development.
- We are located next to national media organisations such as Media Wales and BBC Cymru/Wales.
- We have been ranked by the Guardian’s University League Table as one of the top five Schools for Journalism and Public Relations in the UK, for the last five years.
- For Communication and Media Studies, the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2019 found us to be the fourth best in the UK and sixth best in Europe.
Where you'll study
School of Journalism, Media and Culture
We provide a scholarly environment to help you acquire both the knowledge and skills needed to enter your chosen area of the media.
Entry requirements
ABB-BBB
Extended Project Qualification: Applicants with grade A in the EPQ will typically receive an offer one grade lower than the standard A level offer. Please note that any subject specific requirements must still be met.
The Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Skills Challenge Certificate will be accepted in lieu of one A-Level (at the grades listed above), excluding any specified subjects.
DDM in a BTEC Extended Diploma in Arts, Humanities and Social Science subjects.
32-31 overall or 665 in 3 HL subjects.
Other UK qualifications may also be accepted, often in lieu of A-levels, but subject requirements must be met. If you are offering non-UK qualifications, our qualification equivalences guide should allow you to calculate what kind of offer you are likely to receive.
Please be aware that this is a general guide, and that some programmes may have more detailed or specific entry requirements which will be reflected in your offer.
GCSE
Grade B or grade 6 in GCSE English Language.
IELTS (academic)
At least 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subskill.
TOEFL iBT
At least 100 overall with a minimum of 20 in each subskill.
PTE Academic
At least 70 overall with a minimum of 54 in all communicative skills.
Trinity ISE II/III
III: at least a Merit in all components.
Other accepted qualifications
Please visit our English Language requirements page for more information on our other accepted language qualifications.
You must have or be working towards:
- English language or Welsh language at GCSE grade B/6 or an equivalent (such as A-levels). If you require a Tier 4 visa, you must ensure your language qualification complies with UKVI requirements.
We do not accept Critical Thinking, General Studies, Citizenship Studies, or other similar equivalent subjects.
We will accept a combination of BTEC subjects, A-levels, and other qualifications, subject to the course specific grade and subject requirements.
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course. If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Please see our admissions policies for more information about the application process.
Interview or selection process
No interview process, offer holders will be invited to Applicant Visit days in Feb/March each year.
Tuition fees
UK and EU students (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year. Fees for the previous year were £9,000.
Students from outside the EU (2021/22)
We are currently awaiting confirmation on tuition fees for the 2021/22 academic year.
Additional costs
Course specific equipment
You will not need any specific equipment.
Accommodation
We have a range of residences to suit your needs and budget. Find out more on our accommodation pages.
Course structure
The BA in Journalism and Communications is a three-year, full-time, modular course. Most modules include 12 weeks of teaching and the rest of the semester is devoted to exams and other kinds of assessment, along with the processes of marking and exam boards.
Welsh-speaking students will have the opportunity of undertaking their first-year seminars through the medium of Welsh.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2021/22 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2021.
Year one
All of our Single Honours degree programmes share a common first year. This is designed to give you a sound foundation in all of the contemporary and historical contexts of journalism, media and culture. It also introduces you to the practicalities of high-quality academic writing, analysis and research.
In total six core 20-credit modules are taught mainly using a lecture/seminar format. During your lectures you will be introduced to new ideas and approaches and carry out more applied and team-based work in your seminars.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| History of Mass Communication and Culture | MC1110 | 20 credits |
| Representations | MC1114 | 20 credits |
| Media Scholarship | MC1115 | 20 credits |
| An Introduction to Media Audiences | MC1118 | 20 credits |
| Advertising and the Consumer Society | MC1119 | 20 credits |
| Understanding Journalism Studies | MC1578 | 20 credits |
Year two
You will study two core modules, one in each semester and four optional modules, taught mainly using a lecture/seminar format although the tasks developed in seminars will be more ambitious.
You will be expected to develop research protocols, both on your own and in groups, and will begin to experiment with and design methodological procedures (such as survey methods, ethnography, and content and discourse analysis).
By the end of year two, you will have the skills necessary to write a dissertation in year three.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Data Journalism in Theory and Practice | MC2623 | 20 credits |
| Doing Media Research: Approaches and Methods | MC3551 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Media and Gender | MC2107 | 20 credits |
| Mediation of Political Violence | MC2607 | 20 credits |
| Yr Ystafell Newyddion 1 | MC2617 | 20 credits |
| Yr Ystafell Newyddion 2 | MC2618 | 20 credits |
| Birth and Death and Marriage in the Media: Researching the "Personal" in "Cultural Context" | MC2621 | 20 credits |
| Film and Cultural Theory | MC2622 | 20 credits |
| Critical Issues in Television Production | MC2624 | 20 credits |
| Managing Media Communications | MC2625 | 20 credits |
| Celebrity Culture | MC2627 | 20 credits |
| Fashion Futures: Technology, Innovation and Society | MC2629 | 20 credits |
| Internet Governance | MC2630 | 20 credits |
| Media, Globalisation and Culture | MC2631 | 20 credits |
| Public Relations and Political Communication | MC2632 | 20 credits |
| Employability: Knowledge, Skills & Experience | MC2634 | 20 credits |
| Erasmus and Study Abroad | MC2635 | 60 credits |
| Body / Image | MC2636 | 20 credits |
| Branding and Identity | MC2643 | 20 credits |
| War, Politics and Propaganda II | MC3549 | 20 credits |
| Media Law Year 2 | MC3600 | 20 credits |
| Media and Democracy | MC3603 | 20 credits |
Year three
Year three consists of an optional dissertation and a choice of elective modules allowing you to specialise in your areas of interest. While a number of these will be based on a lecture/workshop format, the range of teaching methods will be more diverse and involve assignments of greater complexity and challenge.
You will conduct independent research and apply theoretical ideas and approaches to practical and/or analytical work.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Dissertation | MC3103 | 40 credits |
| Media Law | MC3213 | 20 credits |
| Mediating Childhood | MC3585 | 20 credits |
| The Making and Shaping of News | MC3589 | 20 credits |
| Media, Racism, Conflict | MC3593 | 20 credits |
| Spin Unspun: Public Relations and The News Media | MC3596 | 20 credits |
| Sport and the Media | MC3612 | 20 credits |
| Communicating Causes | MC3616 | 20 credits |
| Understanding Media Business | MC3619 | 20 credits |
| Reporting Conflict and the Civil Sphere | MC3624 | 20 credits |
| Palu am y Gwir | MC3625 | 20 credits |
| Stori Pwy? Cyfathrebu Cymru | MC3626 | 20 credits |
| Reporting the World | MC3628 | 20 credits |
| Media, Money and Markets | MC3630 | 20 credits |
| Popular Music, Media, & Culture | MC3633 | 20 credits |
| Understanding Digital Society through Black Mirror | MC3634 | 20 credits |
| A Century of War Photojournalism | MC3635 | 20 credits |
| Introduction to Broadcast Journalism | MC3639 | 20 credits |
| (Me) me, Myself and I:The Power and Politics of Digital Remix Culture and Online Inequalities | MC3642 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
Our teaching is often led and informed by our research. You will be taught in a supportive environment and assigned a personal tutor who is a member of academic staff and able to advise on a wide range of issues.
There will be multi-media and new media learning and production practices should you opt for some of the more practical journalism and media modules.
Year 1
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
20%
Guided independent study
80%
Placements
0%
Year 2
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
22%
Guided independent study
78%
Placements
0%
Year 3
Scheduled learning and teaching activities
0%
Guided independent study
0%
Placements
0%
How will I be supported?
You will have regular meetings with your personal tutor.
You will have access through the Learning Central website to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles.
The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.
Year 1
Written exams
23%
Practical exams
5%
Coursework
72%
Year 2
Written exams
8%
Practical exams
10%
Coursework
83%
Year 3
Written exams
0%
Practical exams
0%
Coursework
0%
What skills will I practise and develop?
You will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’, which will allow you to:
- read, analyse and synthesise complex academic texts
- analyse different media texts, including word, image and sound
- communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and speech
- learn from constructive criticism and incorporate its insights
- work both independently and as part of a team, developing a collaborative approach to problem-solving
- carry out various forms of independent research for essays, projects, creative productions or dissertations
- work to deadlines and priorities, managing a range of tasks at the same time
- use IT programmes and digital media, where appropriate
- take responsibility for your own learning programme and professional development
Careers
Career prospects
Our students have an excellent reputation for finding employment after they graduate.
The most recent DLHE data (2016/17), shows that 96% of our graduates reported they were in employment or further studies within six months of graduation.
Career roles
Our graduates find their skills to be helpful in a range of communications and public relations roles. Our alumni benefit from their ability to write copy quickly, effectively and for a specific audience. Our graduates often succeed in business due to their ability to structure a coherent written and verbal argument when pitching their business ideas.
Some of our graduates utilise their newfound knowledge of current affairs and world politics to pursue a career in journalism.
Because our undergraduate degrees do not provide journalism training or a journalistic accreditation, many chose to progress on to our Masters courses, such as broadcast, magazine, news or computational journalism, to gain their practical training.
In fact, you will gain skills applicable to a range of modern media driven jobs, recent career pathways and roles have included:
- TV Production – Producer and researcher
- Advertising – Copy writer and campaign manager
- Public Relations – Account manager and writer
- Teaching – Various disciplines
- Journalism – Local reporter and blogger
- Movie Production – Writer and producer
- Publishing – Writer and copy editor
- Communications – Press/communications officer
