In this section

• Study here Home
• Undergraduate Home
• How to apply
• Tuition fees
• Financial support
• Accommodation
• Open Days
• Order a Prospectus
• What to expect
• International students
• Information for parents
• English Language Unit
• Schools liaison and widening participation

Overview

• London’s abundance of media companies and cultural institutions means Roehampton is ideally located for studying this subject.
• You will study contemporary issues in the media as well as consider current debates about culture.
• You have the opportunity to gain work experience with some of the country’s leading companies and organisations in the media and creative industries.
• This programme is designed to appeal to students of all ages and different cultural backgrounds.

The media play an increasingly significant role in contemporary society. They shape our social, cultural and political interests; they fill our leisure time and define our cultural interests and activities. This programme will develop your understanding and knowledge of the dynamic interplay between social formations and media/cultural processes in contemporary society. The programme has been designed to encourage and support you in developing valuable skills and experience in relation to future employment, life-long learning and citizenship.

News

Research Assessment Exercise 2008

100% of Roehampton University's submitted work in Communication, Cultural and Media Studies was recognised either internationally or nationally, with 40% of that work regarded as being either "world-leading" or "internationally excellent". More information.

In detail

For a complete description of this programme's aims, learning outcomes and the programme outline, see the full programme details.

For a complete list of this programme's modules and a detailed description of each of them, see the full module details.

Year-by-year summary

First year

You are introduced to the key debates in media and cultural studies through modules such as Media Narratives, Ways of Looking, and Mapping the Field. Lectures, seminars and workshops explore the critical concepts of the field and offer opportunities for formal and informal discussions of emerging trends and issues.

Second year

You build on the foundation laid in the first year to develop a deeper understanding of media and cultural issues. Modules expose you to a range of approaches to the interconnections between our mediated culture and everyday lived experiences. This includes a range of themes and topics such as popular culture, gender, reality television, travel and tourism, and new technologies. In addition, you have the opportunity to take our career preparation module to help support and develop your future career plans.

Third year

The final year allows you to explore areas of interest in greater depth, either through taught modules or through independent study modules. Advanced modules include such diverse subjects as: 

• Reality Revolutions
• Emotions in Culture
• Madness and Metaphor: Culture on the Edge
• Television Futures
• Popular Journalism and Tabloid Culture. 

Single Honours students are expected to undertake a large piece of independent work, usually in the form of a dissertation.

Sample modules

• Approaches to Media and Culture
• Work Placement
• Screening Gender
• Televising Reality
• Travel, Tourism and the Media

Teaching methods

• Interactive lectures
• Workshops
• Group work
• Seminars
• Independent study
• Research projects

At Roehampton we believe in, and are committed to, making teaching a two-way process that fits the aims and objectives of the degree programme.

Assessment methods

• Coursework (including essays, logbooks, proposals and plans)
• Presentations (individual and group)
• Exams
• Dissertation and independent-study-based coursework

The Media and Culture programme makes use of a broad range of different assessment methods. We believe this helps students gain confidence in a wide range of transferable skills which provide a sound basis for both future employment and further study.

Work placements

In the third year you have the opportunity to gain work experience through a Work Placement module. In the past, students have enjoyed placements at Vanity Fair, Sky, MTV, Virgin, BBC, advertising and marketing agencies as well as national and regional newspapers and radio stations.

Facilities

The University Library has excellent resources for the study of Media and Culture. In addition to its book and journal stock, the library catalogue offers access to a vast range of online databases containing the latest academic articles, newspaper databases and other relevant archives. These resources continue to expand year on year.

Career prospects

Students who successfully complete the degree will be well equipped to seek a career in media and creative industries. We have an excellent record of our graduates gaining full-time employment, often as a result of completing our Work Placement module.

Further study prospects

Graduates can also progress to postgraduate study in a range of specially-tailored areas and disciplines, such as our masters programme, Media, Culture and Identity.

Subject area

• School of Arts website

Related programmes

Undergraduate

• Creative Writing
• Film
• History
• Human Rights
• Journalism and News Media
• Photography

Postgraduate

• Creative and Professional Writing
• Documentary Practices
• Journalism Studies
• Media, Culture and Identity

Research degree

• Media and Cultural Studies

Staff

• Dr Caroline Bainbridge, Reader (Visual Culture)
• Dr Anita Biressi, Reader (Media Cultures)
• Dr Ben Cocking, Senior Lecturer (Media and Cultural Studies)
• Dr Karen Cross, Lecturer (Cultural Studies)
• Dr Andrea Esser, Senior Lecturer (Media and Cultural Studies)
• Dr Heather Nunn, Reader (Media and Cultural Studies)
• Carol Prior, Senior Lecturer
• Dr Paul Rixon, Principal Lecturer (Media and Cultural Studies); Programme Convener
• Christopher Roberts, Lecturer (Media and Cultural Studies)
• Irene Wise, Senior Lecturer (Media and Cultural Studies)