Media, Journalism and Culture (BA)

Lectures and workshops are combined with seminars, which give you space to discuss ideas, complete tasks and explore themes in a small-group setting. Your learning is supported by additional activities and materials like screenings and online resources delivered through the University’s digital platforms.

Our academic staff draw on current media trends, real-world examples and their own research expertise to help you engage critically with contemporary challenges. Their industry connections and ongoing scholarship ensure the curriculum reflects developments in the media sector while maintaining a strong academic foundation. 

This programme is purposely designed to help you progress from applying established knowledge to developing your own critical insights and exploring how research informs practice, and vice versa.

How will I be supported?

We’ll support you throughout your studies and provide a range of services and resources that will underpin your academic and professional development and support your wellbeing. 

You’ll be allocated a personal tutor who will guide you academically and offer pastoral support, while the rest of our academic staff will be available through lectures, seminars, one-to-one meetings, email, and office hours. If you’re writing a dissertation, you’ll work closely with a supervisor to shape and refine your project.  

You’ll be supported in selecting optional modules through structured guidance sessions, including academic advising and clear information about module content, learning outcomes, and career pathways. Staff will provide personalised advice and resources to help you make informed choices that align with your individual interests, strengths, and future goals.

Our professional services team is here to help you make the most of university life, whether it’s managing your timetable, settling in, building academic skills, or accessing wellbeing and specialist services. We also run events and activities to make your experience enjoyable and rewarding. 

University-wide services (co-located in our Centre for Student Life) will help you thrive and includes careers advice, health and wellbeing support, disability support, and financial guidance. You’ll benefit from having a specialist Careers Adviser within the School and have access to the wider Student Futures service, who organise employer events and can support finding work experience, starting a business and applying for jobs. 

Resources and facilities 

Learning Central is your 24/7 online hub for success. It provides module resources, lecture materials, recorded presentations, e-learning tools, discussion boards, and links to external resources. 

We offer formative feedback before assignments and detailed written feedback after assessments to help you improve. You’ll learn in modern facilities with lecture theatres, seminar rooms, an on-site library, quiet study spaces, and social and collaborative areas. 

How will I be assessed?

Our aim is to develop your skills in analysing media texts and technologies, testing existing sector knowledge or critical perspectives against contemporary trends, and exploring the relationship between theory and practice. You’ll be assessed through a range of methods that reflect the different ways you engage with media, journalism and culture. These include written assignments, presentations, data visualisation, market research tasks and responses to industry-style briefs. Some assessments are completed individually, while others involve group work.

Support is available throughout the assessment process. You’ll have access to formative activities, examples from previous cohorts and guidance on the University’s online platform. Clear marking criteria and timely feedback help you understand expectations and your progress, with the option to discuss your work with academic staff if you need further clarification.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you. 
On successful completion of your Programme, you will be able to:
 

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Demonstrate critical understanding of major theories, concepts, and debates concerning media, journalism, and culture, and their relevance to contemporary societies.
• Assess the evolution and transformation of media systems and industries, identifying patterns of continuity, convergence, and change in a globalised media landscape.
• Critically analyse the historical emergence of journalism and news media, recognising their social, cultural, economic, political and technological significance.
• Critically examine the creative and cultural industries and creative economy, situating creative practice in local, national and global contexts.
• Understand and assess institutional, professional, ethical and regulatory frameworks in media, journalism, and culture.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critically engage with and apply key concepts, theories, and debates in media, journalism and culture.
• Evaluate the strengths and limitations of diverse research methodologies relevant to media, journalism, and culture.
• Critically analyse a range of texts, genres, forms, and cultural practices in media, journalism, and culture.
• Evaluate critical, ethical, and analytical perspectives within creative and cultural industries, demonstrating independent and informed critical judgement.
• Assess the ethical and inclusive dimensions of practices in media, journalism, and culture.

Professional Practical Skills:

• Develop innovative responses to challenges and tasks in media, journalism and culture, tailored to the needs of diverse stakeholders.
• Produce a wide range of outputs, demonstrating professional and academic skills in media, journalism and culture, effectively addressing different stakeholders across academic and industry settings.
• Conduct independent research producing work that is relevant and responsive to media, journalism, and cultural contexts.
• Implement effective career planning strategies for the media, journalism, and cultural industries, emphasising self-awareness, reflective practice and self-assessment.
• Demonstrate consistent adherence to academic integrity and professional standards in media, journalism, and cultural practice.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Communicate effectively across multiple platforms, adapting content for media, journalistic, cultural, professional and public audiences.
• Apply critical self-reflection to interrogate assumptions and integrate diverse perspectives.
• Confidently source, verify, and evaluate evidence to construct arguments and outputs.
• Demonstrate in personal and document presentation, selecting the most appropriate methods for effective communication in various professional contexts. 
• Collaborate with peers to generate original content that respects and values the contributions of all participants.