Communication and Media BA

Course overview

Explore how you can use the power of media and communications to influence individuals and society.

Whether discussing celebrity scandals, disinformation in politics, or the latest animal memes, media technology lies at the heart of how we connect with one another. And this digital landscape is always shifting, giving individuals and organisations the power to spread their messaging far and wide at a viral rate.

This course gives you the power to analyse the media and think critically about its social and political impact. You’ll gain a solid grounding in theory and research in communication and media, including the role that economic, political and social factors play.

You can also build on your media production skills by choosing from our range of optional modules, including Camerawork and Editing and Podcasting.

You’ll learn from a team of expert researchers as you choose to focus on digital media, film studies, journalism or a range of other topics. You could also take a four-week work placement, giving you the hands-on experience and contacts to help you thrive.

By the time you graduate, you’ll fully understand the intersection between media and communications and society, readying you for a diverse and exciting career.

You always get back what you invest because Leeds builds you a really good network; they are all connected with the media industries.

Robert Bruce, Broadcast Journalism BA

Why study at Leeds

• Exciting career prospects: Our media graduates have gone on to work for the likes of Channel 4, LADbible Group, the NSPCC and the Walt Disney Company.
• Your career, your choice: Follow your own path with a rich variety of optional modules, including Podcasting, Digital Storytelling, and Camera and Editing.
• Expert teaching: 89% of students surveyed say “Teaching staff have supported my learning well” (Discover Uni).
• Professional-standard facilities: Put theory into practice with our digital media lab, specialist software and access to production and equipment and spaces to create industry-standard practical work. Take a virtual tour of our facilities.

Course details and modules

Year 1

You’ll be introduced to key areas of communications and media studies in Year 1, exploring theories and research that address vital questions such as:

• How can we understand the roles of media in society?
• What roles do media play in political processes?
• How do changes in the media relate to our understandings of gender, race, religion and sexuality?
• What factors influence the work of communications professionals?

Year 2

Year 2 builds on this foundation when you study communications theories in more depth and develop your research skills. You’ll place your knowledge of the media industries into the context of media policy-making and select optional modules on diverse topics such as the concept of genre in cinema, journalism ethics and digital media.

Year 3

By your final year, you’ll have the specialist knowledge and research skills to complete a dissertation on a specific communication or media topic of your choice, supervised by an academic specialist in the School. You’ll complement this with your choice of optional modules in a wide range of areas, from citizen media to audience research, political journalism to documentaries. You could also undertake a four-week work placement to gain hands-on experience and build your network and connections in the industry.

Have a look at dissertations written by previous students on this course.

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.

For more information and a full list of typical modules available on this course, please read Communication and Media BA in the course catalogue

Year 1 compulsory modules

Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 2 compulsory modules

Year 2 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Year 3 compulsory modules

Year 3 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)

Learning and teaching

You’ll learn under the guidance of academic teaching practitioners and researchers, using a wide range of teaching and learning methods to give you the knowledge and skills that you need for a career in this challenging industry. These methods will include lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as some practical workshops and classes.

In addition, you’ll have a reading list for each module, and independent study is a crucial part of the degree, allowing you to develop your own ideas and understanding. Your tutors will be available during their office hours to discuss any issues or questions that arise.

In addition to compulsory and optional modules, you can take discovery modules which are designed to give you the opportunity to step outside your main programme of study and explore other interests. They are an excellent opportunity to broaden your academic experience and enhance your employability. You can choose to take a discovery module which develops a specific skill (e.g., marketing skills) or which allows you to pursue a personal interest (e.g., politics).

Specialist facilities

To support your studies, you'll have access to our student common room and breakout rooms within the School.

If you choose practical modules, our specialist resources can support your media production work. You can also make use of our extensive loans service for equipment such as digital recorders, video cameras, stills cameras and more, as well as access to our 40 editing suites.

Our dedicated media lab features the latest Adobe Creative Cloud software, a Burli-equipped radio studio and a TV studio and gallery complete with a large green screen area.

Our 58-seat cinema screens films regularly during term time, featuring HD video projection facilities, 16mm and 35mm film projectors and Dolby Digital surround sound.

Programme team

On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

We use a variety of assessment methods so you can demonstrate different skills. These will include practical exercises, as well as group presentations, research projects, reports, case studies, essays and exams.

Entry requirements

A-level: AAB including one arts, humanities or social science subject. Excluding general studies and critical thinking.

Other course specific tests:

If you’re taking the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) you may receive an alternative offer alongside a standard offer. In this case, the typical offer would be ABB plus grade A in the EPQ.

Alternative qualification

Read more about UK and Republic of Ireland accepted qualifications or contact the School’s Undergraduate Admissions Team.

Alternative entry

We’re committed to identifying the best possible applicants, regardless of personal circumstances or background.

Access to Leeds is a contextual admissions scheme which accepts applications from individuals who might be from low income households, in the first generation of their immediate family to apply to higher education, or have had their studies disrupted.

If you live in a neighbourhood where there is low participation in higher education, we may be able to give priority to your application.

Find out more about Access to Leeds and contextual admissions.

Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year

This course is designed for students whose backgrounds mean they are less likely to attend university (also known as widening participation backgrounds) and who do not currently meet admissions criteria for direct entry to a degree.

The course will give you the opportunity to be taught by academic staff and provides intensive support to enable your development of academic skills and knowledge. On successful completion of your foundation year, you will progress to your chosen degree course. Find out more about the Arts and Humanities with Foundation Year.

Alternative Entry Scheme for Mature Students

If you are a mature applicant (over 21) and you don’t have the required A Levels or GCSE English and maths qualifications, you can complete our Alternative Entry Scheme (subject to meeting the eligibility criteria for the scheme). As part of this, you may be asked to take tests in English and maths and to write an essay.

Contact the Lifelong Learning Centre for more information.

International

Find your country to see equivalent international qualifications.

International Foundation Year

International students who do not meet the academic requirements for undergraduate study may be able to study the University of Leeds International Foundation Year. This gives you the opportunity to study on campus, be taught by University of Leeds academics and progress onto a wide range of Leeds undergraduate courses. Find out more about International Foundation Year programmes.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English
If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our undergraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

Fees

UK: £9,790

International: £26,500 (per year)

The amount of tuition fees you pay is based on whether you are classified as a home (UK) or international student. Find out how we assess your fee status.   

Tuition fees for UK students 
Tuition fees for UK undergraduate students starting in 2026/27 are £9,790. 

Subsequent years 
The UK government sets the maximum tuition fee caps that universities can charge UK students. This means your tuition fee in future academic years will reflect any changes set by the government.   

The government has confirmed that the fee for 2027/28 will be £10,050. 

From 2028/29 onwards, tuition fees are likely to increase annually, at least in line with inflation, and may rise further if the government increases the fee cap.   

Tuition fees for international students 
The international fee applies for each year of full-time study and will remain the same for the duration of your course.    

Read more about tuition fees.

Tuition fees for a study abroad or work placement year
If you take a study abroad or work placement year, you’ll pay a reduced tuition fee during this period. For more information, see Study abroad and work placement tuition fees and loans.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.

Scholarships and financial support

If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There is help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more in our Undergraduate funding overview.

Scholarships are also available to help fund your degree. Find out more and check your eligibility below:

• Scholarships for International students
• Scholarships for UK students
• Your subject area may also offer scholarships

Applying

Apply to this course through UCAS. Check the deadline for applications on the UCAS website.

We typically receive a high number of applications to our courses in the School of Media and Communication. The number of applicants exceeds the number of places available so, to ensure that we treat all applications fairly and equitably, we wait until after the UCAS equal consideration application deadline has passed before making a final decision on applications.

If we put your application on hold for review after the UCAS application deadline, we will send you an email to let you know. Although you may have to wait longer than usual to receive a decision, you will hear from us by mid-May at the latest, in line with the deadline that UCAS sets universities for making decisions on applications submitted by the January UCAS deadline.

Offer decisions are made based on an overall review of applications including predicted grades, breadth of knowledge demonstrated through qualifications, personal statement, extra-curricular and work experience, and contextual information. We look for enthusiastic and talented students who have the potential to succeed in their studies with us and contribute to our community.

Read our admissions guidance and see ‘Application decisions’ for details.

All courses in the School involve rigorous theoretical study, research and presentation. All applicants must therefore provide evidence of completing, or working towards completing, a Level 3 (for example, A Level) Arts/Humanities qualification that demonstrates their ability to research a topic and present high quality written work. In some cases, applicants may also be asked to provide examples of completed essays or assignments in order to assess their suitability.

As part of your application, you'll need to submit a personal statement. Read our guidance on writing your personal statement.

International students apply through UCAS in the same way as UK students. Our network of international representatives can help you with your application. If you’re unsure about the application process, contact the admissions team for help.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2026

This course is taught by

School of Media and Communication

Contact us

School of Media and Communication Undergraduate Admissions

Email: mediaug@leeds.ac.uk

Career opportunities

With your wide-ranging and in-depth expertise in media, plus analytical and teamwork skills, you’ll be highly valued in the media and creative sectors. You’ll also have focused knowledge that sets you up well for your chosen career path, whether international communications, communication and media technology, digital marketing or world cinema. Our graduates find work in a variety of industries, such as PR, publishing, marketing, digital media, TV production, film, media and cultural policy, research and more.

Recent graduates have found roles such as:

• marketing and communications officer
• marketing associate
• director
• social media & internal communications specialist
• online and video intern
• senior features writer
• talent development executive
• digital marketing executive
• purchasing manager
• broadcast buyer
• content manager

As this course offers a strong academic foundation in social sciences and humanities, you can also seek a career in the public, private or charity sector.

Where this degree could take you

Our media graduates have gone on to work for the likes of:

• Channel 4
• IMA-HOME
• LADbible Group
• MediaCom
• NSPCC
• Sodium Films
• The Walt Disney Company
• Wunder Media Production

Careers support

At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one.

Our Careers Service has the global expertise and sector-spanning industry partnerships that, combined, go way beyond simply helping you get a job. They provide you with the resources you need to upskill and achieve the future you aspire towards – even in the face of lightning-paced change.

• Dedicated Employability Team – meet with our qualified careers consultants and specialist employability and placements officers, on hand to help you choose the right path and develop the skills to get there. They can support with CV and cover letter writing, LinkedIn profile building, mock interviews and navigating AI: get confident with tailored advice and techniques.
• Employability and networking events – get involved in a full range of events, including careers fairs and specialist industry talks with employers who are actively recruiting. You’ll also benefit from mentoring and a supportive careers community, helping you make connections, build your network, and shape your journey as a future professional.
• Skills training – we embed transferable skills training in all our programmes to support your transition to the workplace. Gain expertise employers value, such as communication, problem-solving and research and data analysis.
• MyCareer system —– access a dedicated portal where you can book careers appointments, view helpful resources and browse vacancies and events. Access digital tools, including LinkedIn support, video‑interview preparation, plus global job market and visa guidance. We also offer pre‑arrival support to help you prepare for career planning in the UK and make the most of your time with us.
• Exclusive opportunities – bring your enterprise to market with our award-winning business advice service, Spark. Apply for vacancies only available to our students. And hone your skills further with Leeds University Union, home to volunteering opportunities and over 300 clubs and societies.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course, you can apply to study abroad, usually as an extra academic year. We have over 300 University partners worldwide and popular destinations for our students include Europe, the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, South Africa and Latin America.

Work placements

Make connections, practice skills and build future confidence in your future with an industrial placement year as part of your course. 

A work placement can be a great investment in your future: 

• Choose from 100+ organisations in the UK and overseas. 
• Build industry contacts within your chosen field. 
• Be in direct contact with potential employers thanks to our close industry links.  
• Advance your experience and skills by putting course teachings into practice. 
• Gain invaluable insight into working as a professional in your chosen industry. 
• Improve your employability. 
• All placements sourced by the University are paid positions 
• We also offer shorter-term placement opportunities. 

Our Employability Team are here to help you every step of the way. They run several placement sessions to answer your questions, discuss available opportunities and support you with CV writing and interview preparation. 

If you decide to undertake a placement year, your period of study will be extended by 12 months.  

If your application is successful, during placement, you'll be supported by an industrial supervisor from within the company, plus an academic supervisor who will keep in touch throughout. 

On successful completion of your placement year, you'll be awarded the ‘industrial’ variant in your degree title to demonstrate your added experience to future employers. 

Students in our Faculty have recently completed placements at: 

• The Walt Disney Company
• Unilever
• L'Oreal (UK)
• Bentley Motors Ltd
• adidas

We can’t guarantee a work placement. The job market is competitive – and there may be competition for the placement you want. You’ll have to apply the same way you would for any job post, with your CV and, if successful, attend an interview with the organisation. That said, we encourage everyone to apply.