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Please note

This document only provides information for the academic year selected and does not form part of the student contract

Awarding Institution

University of Huddersfield

Final Award

BA(Hons) Bachelor of Arts with Honours

Teaching Institution

University of Huddersfield

School

School of Arts and Humanities

Department

Department of Communications and Humanities

Subject Benchmark Statement

UG Communication, Media, Film and Cultural Studies (2019)

Date of Programme Specification Approval

2024-11-20

Version Number

2024.02

Educational Aims of the Course

The BA (Hons) degree courses in Creative Media and Production, Film Studies and Media Studies, are part of a suite of Media and Film Studies courses, within the subject area of Media, Journalism, Film and Drama. Our courses recognise the broad, interdisciplinary nature of the Communication, Media, Film and Cultural … For more content click the Read More button below. The role of communication systems, modes of representations and systems of meaning in the ordering of societies. Economic forces that frame the media, film, cultural and creative industries, and the role of those industries in contemporary political and cultural life. The role of changing technology, including emerging digital technologies, in media production, content creation and manipulation, distribution, access and participation. The diverse modes of reception and use of media technologies and contents. The contributions of media organisations to the shaping of modernities. The interconnectedness of texts and contexts, and of the shifting configurations of communicative, cultural and aesthetic practices and systems. The processes linking pre-production, production, distribution, circulation, reception and use. Key production processes and professional practices relevant to media, film, cultural and communication industries, and ways of conceptualising creativity and authorship. Professional and occupational codes and practices in cultural production, distribution and reception. How media products and platforms might be understood within broader concepts of culture. The aesthetic and formal qualities at play, and their relation to meanings, in particular cultural forms. Creative processes and practice through engagement in one or more production practices. The ways in which forms of media and cultural consumption are embedded in everyday life, and serve as ways of claiming and understanding identities. The ways in which creative artefacts and originated, realised and distributed, and the extent to which these processes have changed and continue to change. The course also operates within the general context established by the aims of the School of Arts and Humanities. It therefore also seeks to achieve the following supra-disciplinary aims: To widen choice within the School’s undergraduate courses by allowing students to follow a course within a framework that enables coherence and progression. To provide an intellectually challenging experience throughout all levels of study by articulating key concepts associated with the discipline. To promote independence of study and thought, to encourage working as a member of a team, and to encourage the application of theoretical and practical approaches to the solution of problems. To provide students with a range of academic, practical and personal skills that can contribute to their social and career development. To prepare students for effective engagement with further employment or education.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion you will be able to:
1.
A critical understanding of concepts, approaches, theories and thinkers in the interplay of culture, media and technologies, and society, with a particular focus on popular culture, consumer and commercial culture, and entertainment.
2.
An understanding of and appreciation for historical developments of forms of media and communication including film, television and online media.
3.
An understanding of processes of content production of sound, image, text and moving image in screen, broadcast or online media, and both appreciate for and capacity to achieve industry standards.
4.
A comprehension and appreciation of the context and consequences of media convergence and the role of participatory media in the production, dissemination and reception of mediated content.
5.
The capacity to critically and assess their own creative, technical and analytical work through understanding of the conceptual and methodological canon in the study of media and communication.
6.
An understanding of carrying out research and analysis of media industries, technologies, users and content in a variety of forms involving sustained independent and critical enquiry.
7.
Knowledge of structures of funding and commissioning in the media and creative industries.
8.
An advanced understanding, and capacity to reflect on applications and limits, of research methods pertinent to the field of study, including quantitative, qualitative and emerging digital methods.
9.
An understanding of the legal, ethical and other regulatory frameworks relevant to the creative industries.
10.
An understanding of how work is organised in the creative industries.
11.
An advanced knowledge of technical and creative skills and practices in media production to challenge and advance existing forms and conventions.
12.
An understanding of the cycle of cultural production developing adaptivity, creativity and reflexivity in content creation in reference to users, groups, and patterns of content distribution and dissemination, with a particular emphasis on social and participatory media.
13.
Knowledge to engage with and to critically reflect on creative and technical aspects of content production across different media and platforms.
14.
The ability to exercise independent critical analysis and reflection of analytical, creative and technical processes of analysis and production in a range of digital media.
15.
A command of critical terminology and bibliographic skills appropriate to the field of study.
16.
The ability to communicate through a range of media and platforms in content creation, accounting for the significance of both texts and paratexts in contemporary media ecologies.
17.
The ability to work independently and flexibly.
18.
The ability to assess personal strengths and weaknesses as part of the process of professional development.
19.
The ability to systematically collate and order information, and to develop ideas, expressed through different textual forms.
20.
The ability to undertake systematic, independent research employing appropriate methods.
21.
The ability to produce creative, analytical and technical work in a self-directed manner.
22.
Effective communication in interpersonal contexts.
23.
Problem solving project management and delivery skills.
24.
Effective use of a variety of computer-based skills including competencies in one or more of the following: digital and screen production software, digital research methods, data analysis tools.
25.
The ability to anticipate and respond to changing professional demands and opportunities in a digital world.
26.
Use knowledge and understanding of communication, culture and media to critically assess media systems and their premises and consequences, with particular regard to their role in processes of democratic participation and citizenship.

Course Structure

Foundation Level

Intermediate Level

Sandwich Year Out

Honours Level

Interim Award

Bachelor of Arts

Certificate of Higher Education

Diploma of Higher Education

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching, learning and assessment are designed to offer students a variety of learning and assessment opportunities that align with their module learning outcomes and offer realistic and effective preparation for progression into digital media, communication and related careers. The course features a variety of modes of delivery, giving opportunities for … For more content click the Read More button below. Formative assessment takes place in all modules. This may include individual and group presentations, essay plans and drafts, structured class discussions and a range of practical digital media tasks, to allow students to check their development and gain tutor feedback before summative assessment. Use may also be made of peer assessment. Summative assessment aims to support learning and measure achievement. Assessment methods are described in each module specification. A range of summative assessment methods are employed, to assess the development of students’ analytical, creative and technical skills. These will include essays, presentations, the creation of digital media content, evaluative reports, work placements, a research dissertation, and more. There is an increased load on students at certain times of the year. This is mitigated by releasing assessment briefs and deadline dates at the outset of each module, and through signposting throughout the teaching term to help students prepare in advance and manage their workload wherever possible. Personal Development Planning as a structured and supported process is undertaken by students throughout the course in a variety of ways. At each level, students will be given opportunities to reflect upon their learning, performance and achievement, and relate their development to the media industries and potential career paths. Specific examples embedded in modules include: in AFC1024, students create a blog for summative assessments, and are encouraged to retain it for use in future modules and their professional lives, as a suitable place to showcase their development and digital media work online. In AIC2119, students create a career plan including a CV to further focus on their learning on graduate employability. In AHC3017, those students who have not chosen to take up the placement year, can still engage extensively with industry by working with an outside client under tutor supervision, in one or more media placements or projects. Students receive regular teaching from digital media industry professionals, both in the form of part-time colleagues taking modules on an hourly-paid basis, as well as through guest speakers at all levels of the degree. Work experience and related opportunities are circulated regularly using a bulletin board on the University’s VLE. The course has been designed with equality, inclusivity and diversity at its heart. The course considers the place of digital media in society, including narratives from a broad range of perspectives and cultural manifestations of power, privilege and dominance. Students must each produce an ethics statement, signed off by their supervisor, as part of the research dissertation in AHC3015.

Support for Students and their Learning

  • Our subject area’s team of media technicians generally support the use of technical facilities for all students, including our specialist TV, radio and film studios, cameras and audio recording equipment, editing and media management software. This support can take the form of in-class demonstrations, ad hoc support in person or through remote video calling, and a range of electronic helpsheets and video resources, made available through the University’s VLE.
  • Students also receive support from their Personal Academic Tutors, who normally remain with them throughout their studies. Students are offered five PAT meetings per academic year but can also contact their PAT for ad hoc meetings should the need arise.

Criteria for Admission

The University of Huddersfield seeks and encourages applicants in order to widen participation, improve access and apply the principles of equal opportunities.  We provide support for applicants who require additional assistance in order to select the right course of study and make a successful transition to studying at University.  We encourage local, national and international applications.  Further information for International Students can be found on their website.

If you were educated outside the UK, you are required to have International English Language Testing System (IELTS) at a score of 6.0 with a minimum score of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in any single component. If you have alternative qualifications or do not meet the IELTS requirement we also offer a range of Pre-Sessional English Programmes.

The University provides opportunities for the accreditation of prior learning (APL) as stated in Section-3 - University of Huddersfield

The University’s general minimum entry requirements are specified in Section 1.5 of the Regulations for Awards.

Every person who applies for this course and meets the minimum entry requirement – regardless of any disability – will be given the same opportunity in the selection process.  General advice and information regarding disability and the support the University can give can be found by contacting student services as follows:

Telephone: 01484 472675

Email: disability@hud.ac.uk

Further information is available on the Disability support - University of Huddersfield   

Further advice on the specific skills and abilities needed to successfully undertake this course can be found by contacting the admissions tutor and by visiting our List of courses for 2023-24 (hud.ac.uk)

However, the specific entry requirements and admission criteria for the courses are detailed below:

  • 104-112 UCAS points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications
  • Other experience or qualifications that demonstrate appropriate knowledge and skills may be acceptable.

Please note

University awards are regulated by the Regulations for Awards (Taught Courses) on the University website.

Quick links to the Regulations for Taught Students, procedures and forms can be accessed on the University website.

Indicators of Quality and Standards

The Subject Area of Media, Journalism and Film, as it then was, completed a Subject Review during 2020.

This programme specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the course and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if they take full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.  More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each module can be found in the course handbook.