Media, Culture and Society (including Year Abroad)

The Bachelor of Arts in Media, Culture and Society at the University of Essex offers students an engaging and comprehensive exploration of the dynamic fields of media studies, cultural analysis, and societal impacts of communication technologies. This programme is designed to provide a deep understanding of how media shapes our perceptions, influences social structures, and reflects diverse cultural identities in a globalized world. Throughout the course, students will examine a wide range of topics including mass media, digital technologies, cinema, television, popular culture, and the influence of social media platforms. The curriculum combines theoretical frameworks with practical skills, enabling students to critically analyze media content, develop research techniques, and produce media products relevant to contemporary societal contexts.

The programme encourages critical thinking about issues such as media ethics, representation, power relations, and the role of culture in shaping social change. Students will learn to interpret media messages, understand production processes, and evaluate the real-world implications of media policies and technologies. The inclusion of a Year Abroad offers an invaluable opportunity to immerse in different cultural settings, enhancing linguistic skills and providing an international perspective on media practices and cultural differences.

The course is supported by experienced academic staff who are actively involved in research across various disciplines within media and cultural studies. Students benefit from a stimulating learning environment, access to state-of-the-art facilities, and opportunities for internships and collaborative projects with media organizations. By the end of the programme, graduates will be equipped with the knowledge, analytical skills, and creative abilities necessary to pursue careers in media production, journalism, communication consultancy, cultural policy, or further academic study. The Media, Culture and Society programme at Essex prepares students to become thoughtful and innovative contributors to the ever-evolving media landscape, fostering a deep understanding of the complex relationship between media, culture, and society on both a local and global scale.

Detailed Course Facts

• GBP 9000 Year (EEA)
• GBP 11950 Year (Non-EEA)

• English

Course Content

The special characteristics of our courses are flexibility and choice. In your first year, you usually take four or five modules that include pre-requisite(s) for your course but, in many cases, mean you can try subjects you have not come across before. If you are taking a humanities or social science, then you have the greatest choice, as most of our first-year modules do not assume any specialist knowledge.
With a small number of exceptions, if you successfully complete the first year of your BA, then you are qualified to enter the second year of that course and a range of other courses: for example, if you take economics, politics, philosophy and sociology, then you have a choice of at least nine possible single or joint honours courses at the end of your first year. This means you can change your course, providing you have taken the appropriate pre-requisites and places are available. We offer a range of optional modules in your second- and final-years and most courses allow you to undertake a final-year project, an individual piece of research on a topic that interests you.
We operate a credit framework for our awards, which is based on principles widely used across the UK university sector. Each module has a credit rating attached and our standard three-year course consists of 360 credits (120 credits in your first year, and 240 credits across your second and final years).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.

Year 1

Introduction to Media, Culture and Society;
Sociology and the Modern World;
Researching Social Life 1; and
Introduction to Film

Year 2

New Media and Contemporary Cultural Change;
Continuity and Controversy in Sociology;
Researching Social Life 2; and
one media studies option

Year 3

Year abroad

Year 4

Mass Media and Modern Life;
Current Disputes in Sociology;
Research Project; and
one sociology or media option

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

• A-levels: ABB-BBB
• GCSE English: C
• IB: 32-30 points (we consider IB certificates at the Higher Level on a case-by-case basis)
• BTEC qualifications, in relevant disciplines, will be considered on an individual basis, depending on the units studied. The standard required is generally at Distinction level.
• Achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 6 level three credits at distinction and the remainder at merit (or above) or achievement of the Access to HE Diploma with a minimum of 45 level three credits at merit (or above).

English language requirements for applicants whose first language is not English: IELTS 6.0 overall with minimum 5.5 in each component (or equivalent). Different requirements apply for second year entry

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

The Media, Culture and Society program at the University of Essex offers an in-depth exploration of contemporary media and cultural practices, critically examining their roles within society. This interdisciplinary course combines theories and methodologies from media studies, sociology, cultural studies, and communication studies to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of how media influences social structures, identities, and power relations. The program is designed to develop students’ analytical skills, enabling them to critically evaluate media content, production processes, and their societal impacts.

Throughout the course, students will study a wide range of topics including media industries, digital culture, popular culture, identity and representation, and media policy and regulation. The curriculum emphasizes critical thinking and encourages students to consider ethical and political issues pertinent to modern media environments. Practical skills such as media analysis, research methods, and report writing are integral parts of the program, preparing graduates for careers in media production, journalism, public relations, policy analysis, or further academic research.

A distinctive feature of this program is the Year Abroad option, allowing students to spend a year studying abroad at partner universities across Europe, North America, or other regions. This international experience enhances intercultural understanding, language skills, and global perspectives, which are highly valued in the media and cultural sectors. Students benefit from Essex’s strong academic reputation and research-led teaching, with access to state-of-the-art facilities including media labs, libraries, and research centers focused on media and communication.

The program actively engages students through seminars, workshops, guest lectures from industry professionals, and practical assignments that simulate real-world media scenarios. It fosters an inclusive and dynamic learning environment, encouraging debate and diverse viewpoints. Graduates of the Media, Culture and Society program leave equipped with critical and practical skills, ready to pursue careers in media production, journalism, public relations, cultural policy, academic research, or further postgraduate study.

The duration of the standard program is three years for full-time students, or four years with the Year Abroad option. Entry requirements typically include A-levels, IB, or equivalent qualifications, with a focus on humanities, arts, or social sciences, though specific entry criteria can vary. The program aligns with the university's mission to produce socially responsible graduates who can contribute thoughtfully and ethically to their professions and communities.