BA Media Studies

Media_Screen_Studies

Undergraduate

BA Media Studies

Explore your creativity through practical filmmaking.

Key information

Study mode

Full-time

Course length

3 years

Typical offer

112 points

A Level grades: BBC

UCAS code

P306

Choose an option

Start date

Course overview

On this course, you'll master creative production skills, and you'll explore the economic, cultural and historical relationship between media and society.

Combining film making and TV production with analysis of screen media, our course is a stimulating mix of areas. So as well as getting hands-on to learn about practical elements like cinematography and editing, you’ll also examine news, documentaries and the representation of gender in media. You’ll also analyse the way that media industries are organised and structured, and what you need to do to get ahead.

Here, you'll benefit from facilities such as Middleton Hall, where we've invested £9.5 million to create a world-class concert venue, cinema and theatre space, with full video production capabilities. That's as well as our studio facilities and media labs, home to the latest digital media software and hardware used in the industry today. You'll also have access to our dedicated on-campus TV, film and digital media facilities.

Our links with organisations such as Screen Yorkshire's Connected Campus can help prepare you for life in the industry through masterclasses, workshops and visiting speakers.

Creativity lives and breathes at the University of Hull. Always has done, always will. It’s central to what universities do. But at Hull, we’re building something that goes far beyond our four walls. 

Learn more about your course in our subject sessions

On-demand session

Film and Media Studies

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More to explore
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Six reasons to study Media at Hull

  1. Exclusive access to the industry standard software and hardware in our media labs
  2. 95.2% graduate employment rating*
  3. 6th in the UK for assessment and feedback*
  4. Study under experienced industry experts
  5. Combine theory with hands-on production skills
  6. Surround-sound cinema and video editing suite

What you'll study

The course consists of 120 credits per year. Most modules are 20 credits, meaning you’ll study six modules each year. Some longer modules, such as a dissertation, are worth more (e.g. 40 credits). In these cases, you’ll study fewer modules - but the number of credits will always add up to 120.

First year modules

  • Compulsory

    Film Form

    Learn the fundamental elements of film style and structure. Through analysing a range of recent popular films, you will understand how mise-en-scène, cinematography, editing and sound function within film style. You will also learn to analyse the narrative structures of successful popular films. The ways of seeing you acquire on this module will make you a better film viewer, and a better filmmaker.

    History of Hollywood Cinema

    In this module, you will learn about the History of Hollywood Cinema, looking at its industrial, technological, aesthetic, and genre histories. It serves as a foundational module for the Film Studies course, so the information you learn will carry you through your degree. You will also learn how to read/understand/apply a variety of academic sources to the study of your subject, a skill that will be necessary throughout your course.

    Introduction to Filmmaking

    Get hands-on with filmmaking equipment in our studio and editing facilities, and on location, completing a series of group tasks that equip you with basic practical skills you can build on throughout the rest of your degree.

    Introduction to Television Studies

    You'll be introduced to the study of television as a medium and the discipline of Television Studies. The module will examine the ways in which television has been conceptualised, theorised, and analysed by television and media scholars.

    Media Methods

    This module will familiarise you with Media Studies as an academic discipline and a set of tools for producing new knowledge and information. You will gain valuable insight into Media Studies as a complex and developing discipline, which encompasses approaches drawn from academic fields such as literary studies, film studies, sociology, business and economics.

    Screen, Nation, Identity

    Discover different national cinemas and examine the relationship between a country’s sense of history and identity, and the stories that it tells about itself on screen.

Second year modules

  • Compulsory

    Representing Reality, Disclosing Truth, and Capturing the Everyday

    One of the key roles of our media is to represent the world, its happenings, and its diversity to us as accessibly and truthfully as possible. How do different forms of media – documentaries, reality television, soap opera, news reporting, drama-documentaries, radio, fiction films – go about this task? Why do media texts and media companies so often fail in their duty to represent reality? Through conceptual reflection and case study exploration, this module seeks to explore these questions.

    From the alphabet to the internet: a history of communication

    Using historical case studies in combination with theoretical models, you will explore questions including i) What aspects of economics and culture can promote or inhibit the development and dissemination of media technologies? ii) What factors determine the uses to which new technologies of communication are put? iii) Does cultural change drive technological change, or vice versa, or both?

  • Optional

    American Alternative Cinema

    Explore and apply theoretical approaches to aesthetic forms and themes, modes of production, and audience and media reception of categories such as ‘underground cinema’ and ‘indiewood’. Develop your critical and theoretical faculties so that you can actively engage and participate in debates that encompass both mainstream and alternative American filmmaking practices.

    Art and Animation Fundamentals

    Any game you work on is going to need artwork. This module will teach you the fundamentals of visual design in order to make suitable and compelling artwork for your games. You’ll explore traditional and digital art techniques and apply artistic concepts such as composition, line and shape, colour theory, texture, typography etc. This module will allow you to develop an ongoing digital sketchbook as you experiment with line drawing, perspective drawing, thumbnail sketching, silhouettes, character concepts, environment concepts, graphic design as well as digital tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator and 3D art packages.

    Moving Image Techniques

    Explore the creative possibilities of moving image media. Leave storytelling behind, and develop a concept for a short moving image piece, which will then become your own independent production.

    Screening Genders

    Critically examine the representation of gender on screen through the lens of feminist film theory.

    3D Asset Design

    Gain a grounding in the fundamentals of 3D Design. Learn the basics of modelling, textures, 3D painting and rendering, and design your own 3D animation and portfolio.

    American Animation History

    In this module, you'll develop a deeper understanding of the history of American animation by taking an in-depth look at the genre.

    Film Music

    You'll analyse and discuss how music shapes films and TV shows. You don't need any musical knowledge for this module: it focuses on the interpretation and effects of music. 

    Television and Factual Production

    In this module, you will learn the skills of factual screen production. Working in small groups, you will create short items of broadcast quality to form part of a magazine-style programme.

Final year modules

  • Compulsory

    Dissertation

    You will make an original contribution to research by designing, carrying out and writing up your own project on a topic you choose, supported by your dissertation supervisor.

  • Optional

    3D Character Design

    Apply principles of animation to bring life to your 3D characters. Learn and apply different workflows and explore advanced features of 3D animation.

    British Cinema History

    Challenge your assumptions about British cinema in this module, which will take you on a journey from franchise films such as James Bond to the social realist films of Ken Loach as well as science fiction epics like 2001: A Space Odyssey. You will also gain valuable skills as a film historian, including the ability to conduct hands-on archival research, as well as learning about film production, distribution and exhibition in a variety of different historical contexts. 

    East Asian Cinema

    Examine the dynamic and diverse film output of countries including China, South Korea and Japan, and reflect on film as a 'transnational' phenomenon.

    Is Television History?

    Reflect on the ways in which television can both do history and be history, with case studies ranging from period dramas to historical documentaries.

    Screen Production Project 1: Planning and Pre-Production

    Turn your film idea into a workable and professional project before you step into production. Learn about what it takes to create a film before pitching your idea, ready for the next steps.

    Screen Production Project 2: Filming and Post-Production

    Create your film. Take the reins and follow the project through from pre-production to shooting, editing, screening and review.

    Disney Studies

    An in-depth exploration of the history and impact of Disney's global entertainment empire.

    Screen Curation

    Learn how to use your knowledge of and passion for screen media to curate experiences for others. You might want to design a series of podcasts about a forgotten television series, organise a showcase of the work of your fellow students, or plan a block of teaching on your favourite film genre.

    Global Nightmares: Contemporary Horror Cinema From Around the World

    Approach the horror film from the larger context of world cinema in order to assess if America’s ‘collective nightmare’ is indeed part of a larger trend that feeds into the concept of ‘global nightmares’. In particular, the module will focus on how world horror cinema represents issues of the family, gender, and the ‘Other’ alongside more contemporary concerns such as pandemic disease, environmental collapse, immigration, and terrorism.

All modules are subject to availability and this list may change at any time.

How you'll study

Throughout your degree, you’re expected to study for 1,200 hours per year. That’s based on 200 hours per 20 credit module. And it includes scheduled hours, time spent on placement and independent study. How this time’s divided among each of these varies each year and depends on the course and modules you study.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

28%
72%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

10%
90%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Overall workload

If you’re enrolled on a full-time programme of study, you’ll be expected to complete about 40 hours of academic work each week.

How you’ll learn

Indicative assessment proportions

14%
86%
  • Practical

    Practical is an assessment of your skills and competencies. This could include presentations, school experience, work experience or laboratory work.

  • Coursework

    Coursework typically includes essays, written assignments, dissertations, research projects or producing a portfolio of your work.

Music Film and Screen Digital Design Ashvita Sudhakar UNI-1198
Ashvita Sudhakar Digital Design

Why I chose Digital Design at Hull

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FACE media hub computer suite with students

Media Labs

You’ll have exclusive access to our media labs. Home to the latest digital media software and hardware used in the industry today.

Explore our facilities
Holme House Studio

Work-based learning

Develop your CV by undertaking a work placement as part of your course in the second year.

Entry requirements

Typical offer

  • A level grades BBC

  • BTEC grades DMM

  • Points required 112

Work out your estimated points

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

Points can be from any qualifications on the UCAS tariff, but must include at least 80 points from

  • A levels
  • BTEC Subsidiary Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • OCR Cambridge Technical Introductory Diploma, Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • CACHE Diploma or Extended Diploma
  • Irish Leaving Certificate
  • Scottish Highers
  • Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma
  • or a combination of appropriate Level 3 qualifications

Alternative qualifications

  • IB Diploma: 28 points
  • Pass Access to HE Diploma overall with a minimum of 112 UCAS tariff points

Worried you don’t quite meet our entry requirements?

We consider experience and qualifications from the UK and worldwide which may not exactly match the combinations above.

But it’s not just about the grades – we’ll look at your whole application. We want to know what makes you tick, and about your previous experience, so make sure that you complete your personal statement.

If you have any questions, our admissions team will be happy to help.

Don't meet our requirements?

We offer a Foundation Year to boost your skills and knowledge – it’s a great way to make your way into higher education.

Switch to the foundation year

If you require a student visa to study or if your first language is not English you will be required to provide acceptable evidence of your English language proficiency level.

This course requires academic IELTS 6.0 overall, with no less than 5.5 in each skill. See other English language proficiency qualifications accepted by this University.

If your English currently does not reach the University's required standard for this programme, you may be interested in one of our English language courses.

Visit your country page to find out more about our entry requirements.

Our lecturers

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Take a tour of the facilities

Our Media Studies students master creative production skills in our industry standard digital media facilities.

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Fees and funding

UK

£9,250 per year*

EU/International

£15,400 per year

*The amount you pay may increase each year, in line with inflation - but capped to the Retail Price Index (RPI).

UK students can take out a tuition fee loan to cover the cost of their course and a maintenance loan of up to £9,978 to cover living costs.

Substantial discounts are available for International students.  

More information on fees can be found in the Money section of our website.

Your tuition fees will cover most costs associated with your programme (including registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examination).

There are some extra costs that you might have to pay, or choose to pay, depending on your programme of study and the decisions you make. The list below has some examples, and any extra costs will vary.

  • Books (you’ll have access to books from your module reading lists in the library, but you may want to buy your own copies)
  • Optional field trips
  • Study abroad (including travel costs, accommodation, visas, immunisation)
  • Placement costs (including travel costs and accommodation)
  • Student visas (international students)
  • Laptop (you’ll have access to laptops and PC’s on campus, but you may want to buy your own)
  • Printing and photocopying
  • Professional-body membership
  • Graduation (gown hire and photography)

Remember, you’ll still need to take into account your living costs. This could include accommodation, travel and food – to name just a few. 

An affordable city for students

From bills, to meals, to pints – you’ll find that your money goes a lot further in Hull.

Your future prospects

  • Journalist
  • Publisher
  • TV or film producer
  • Events manager
  • Marketing
  • Public relations

Our connections with the region’s film and media industry give you opportunities to get invaluable work experience while studying.

Media studies students have gained experience working on several feature films, reflecting the growing significance of the region in terms of film production.

Open Day at University of Hull

Ready to apply?

You can apply for this course through UCAS. As well as providing your academic qualifications, you’ll be able to showcase your skills, qualities and passion for the subject.

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*Percentage of students from this subject area in work or further study within 15 months of graduating: UK domicile full-time first degree leavers, Graduate Outcomes survey for the academic year 2018/19, published by HESA July 2021.

† National Student Survey (NSS) 2022, HEIs only