Communication and Media BA

Course overview

From political campaigns to celebrity scandals and the ways we communicate with each other, media is at the centre of our daily experiences. This course will equip you with the skills and theory needed to analyse the media and think critically about its social and political impacts.

You’ll study theory and research in communication and media, alongside the broader economic, political and social context of the communication and media industries. While this course is theoretical rather than practical, you can choose from a small number of practice-based modules, enabling you to build skills in media production and practice.

Taught by expert researchers, you can choose to focus on digital media, film studies, journalism and a range of other topics. You could even undertake a four-week work placement to gain hands-on experience in the communication and media industries.

Specialist facilities

To support your academic study, you'll have access to breakout rooms within the School. We also have a student common room, especially for students studying in the School of Media and Communication.

If you choose practical modules, we have specialist resources to support media production work. As well as our extensive loans service for equipment such as digital recorders, video cameras, stills cameras and more, you’ll benefit from access to our 40 editing suites equipped with the latest software.

We also have a dedicated digital media lab with the full suite of 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 twice a week during term time, and is equipped with HD video projection facilities, 16mm and 35mm film projectors and Dolby Digital surround sound.

Take a 360 tour of our facilities.

Cinema

Course details

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 in the industry.

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

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

Most courses consist of compulsory and optional modules. There may be some optional modules omitted below. This is because they are currently being refreshed to make sure students have the best possible experience. Before you enter each year, full details of all modules for that year will be provided.

For more information and a list of typical modules available on this course, please read BA Communication and Media 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 needneeded for a career in this challenging industry. These methods will include lectures, seminars and tutorials, as well as some practical 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.

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, 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.

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

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: £9,250 (per year)

International: £24,500 (per year)

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.

Read more about paying fees and charges.

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.

Applying

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

This course is not accepting applications for deferred entry.

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 2025

This course is taught by

School of Media and Communication

Contact us

School of Media and Communication Undergraduate Admissions

Email: mediaug@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:

Career opportunities

This degree will give you broad and in-depth subject knowledge, as well as key analytical and teamwork skills that are highly valuable in the media and creative industries. Our graduates work in a variety of media sectors, including PR, publishing, marketing, digital media, TV production, film, media and cultural policy, and research, among others.

Because this degree maintains an academic grounding in social sciences and humanities approaches, it’s also a strong foundation for a range of different careers in the public, private and third sectors.

Careers support

Within the School, we offer opportunities for you to attend talks and workshops led by industry professionals to help you gain insight into a career in the media and communication industries.

Find out more about careers and employability at the School of Media and Communication.

We encourage you to prepare for your career from day one. That’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers.

Leeds for Life is our unique approach to helping you make the most of University by supporting your academic and personal development. Find out more at the Leeds for Life website.

The Careers Centre and staff in your faculty provide a range of help and advice to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions along the way, even after you graduate. Find out more about Careers support.

Study abroad and work placements

Study abroad

On this course you have the opportunity to apply to spend time 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. 

Find out more at the Study Abroad website.

Work placements

Practical work experience can help you decide on your career and improve your employability. On this course you have the option to apply to take a placement year module with organisations across the public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK, or overseas.

Find out more about work experience on the Careers website.

If you don’t want to spend a full year on a placement, you can still choose to take the optional placement module, which gives you the chance to spend around four weeks working at a company or organisation within the media or a related industry. We have excellent links with local, regional and national creative industries, ensuring that you have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience that complements your learning.

Find out more.