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Media Studies Degree
From The Student RoomTSR Wiki > University > Choosing a Subject > University Courses > Media Studies Degree IntroductionMedia Studies as a subject varies enormously from institution to institution. It comes in many different guises, but most of the courses in and around the subject fit into one of three groups. The first are practical filmmaking courses. These are usually called things like "Television Production", "Film and Television Production", "Film and Video", "Audio Visual Media", are usually largely vocational and as such are generally offered by former polytechnics. Be aware that as well as production work, which is usually done in groups, you will often have to take theory modules too, so don't think of this as a way of avoiding essays. The second and third groups of courses both take a more academic approach to the study of film. However, the difference is in the approach. Some courses, such as University of Birmingham's "Media, Culture and Society", look at the media from a sociological viewpoint, and are often concerned with issues of representation, identity, power and spectatorship, in other words, the media as an institution in society and the role it plays. Other courses, such as "Film with Television Studies" at the University of Warwick, study film and television with approaches more grounded in literature studies, looking at film aesthetics and history more so than audience and reception studies. Which of these routes you choose to take will obviously depend on where your interest lies. If you are looking to learn more about operating cameras and finding your way around an edit suite, one of the practical courses would seem like a good choice. If you are looking at this as a way to break into tv, it might be worth checking if your desired course and institution are accredited by Skillset, the media skills body. If you are thinking about postgraduate study, or a career in film criticism, then one of the academic courses might be a better option. Or you can sit on the fence completely and do a course that is mostly theory with a few practical modules thrown in. What this highlights more than anything is just how vitally important it is that you read the course details very carefully before applying to any media degree, or you may find yourself stuck in the library when you expected to be on location, or standing in the freezing cold holding a boom mic when you wanted to be crafting a thesis on "masculinity and film noir". As a final note, I feel I should probably address this here: Media Studies and the like are relatively new subjects and there is some prejudice surrounding them. If you are embarking upon life as a media student, be prepared to have to defend your choice of degree. If you are doing it for the right reasons, then other people's ignorance shouldn't stand in your way, whatever you want to do with your degree. Equally, don't go into a media/film degree thinking that it's going to be a doss and you can sit around watching films all day and call it work. Yes, there is a bit of that, but you will have to watch films in the same way that you would read a novel for an English Literature course; over and over again and in the most minute detail. As a general guide, when analysing a film it takes around one hour to watch, analyse and make notes on five minutes of film. Couple this with the same amount of reading as with any other arts course, and then add on the time that you'll be spending on production work (scripting, planning, recceing locations, getting permissions, health and safety, auditions, filming, production meetings, watching rushes, editing - read: a lot). Like any other degree, media studies is not to be entered into lightly. Course StructureAdmissionsAcademic RequirementsUCAS Form & Personal StatementDifferent Media-Related Degrees - By Those Taking ThemAs stated above, there are a wide variety of media-related courses available; each one completely different - so it's very important, before applying, to think carefully about what you want to do, and where you want to be in the future. If you choose a vocational path, be aware that there's a great deal of focus, and that you're degree will not be so useful in any career other than within the media; whereas theoretical courses can perhaps offer a more flexible future. In order to get a better idea about each different course, have a look below at the explanations from current/graduate students:
BSc (Hons) Television Production - University of Central Lancashire
As a vocational science degree, TV Production at UCLan is very much a practical and technical course. During the first year, the students are generally faced with a 50/50 practical/theory structure; with modules on studio work, outside broadcast, film production, career paths, web-design, animation, history of television and audience theory - there is freedom to choose from a large selection of modules, as well as an elective which doesn't have to be course-related at all. In the second and third years, students tend to specialise more, and are given much more freedom to select modules relating to their future career paths; essentially, these years can be used to either wipe theory out of the course almost completely, or focus in on the theory side much more (although in this case practical work will still be required). With close links to media companies in the North, and with all of the lecturers experienced in their given fields, the level of support provided throughout the course is outstanding; the facilities are also surplus to requirement, due to the brand new Media Factory (Oct 2007) with full industry-standard equipment. Editing in the first year is done on PCs with Premiere Pro, and in later years with Final Cut Pro on Macs. On average, timetabled hours consist of around 10-15 hours a week - a mixture of lectures, seminars and practical sessions. Outside of timetabled hours though - essay writing, as well as all aspects of practical production, can take up a large number of hours. BA (Hons) Screen Studies - Liverpool John Moores UniversityUCAS Institution Code name: LJM UCAS Institution Code: L51 This degree combines the traditional academic study of film history and theory (approximately 75%) with modules in practical digital production. It is part of the Liverpool Screen School, which has recently been named a Skillset Academy. Screen Studies can only be taken as part of a joint honours degree, but at Level Two and Three students have the option to go Single Honours Screen or continue with their joint degree. UCAS codes are as follows:
Entry Requirements:
Once the admissions tutors have reviewed applications, promising students will be sent details of a postal project. This is usually sent out in January. The task that I was given was to write no more than 200 words about a film that was important to me. If this is completed successfully and the admissions tutors like it, you will be called for an interview. Way back in 2005, when I applied, the interview consisted of sitting in a room with about 20 other students, being given a talk by Screen Studies staff, and then having an individual interview with one of the tutors. This lasts about 10-15 minutes. If you have a showreel or portfolio, bring it along to the interview to increase your chances. The course is highly competitive; in 2004 there were 9 places available for joint Screen Studies and Imaginative Writing and over 70 applicants. Level One in Screen Studies is a foundation year which introduces the study of film and television for those who might not have studied it at A-level. Core modules are:
Option modules include:
You will also be taking modules from the other half of your degree programme. As mentioned above, at Level Two you have the option of becoming a single honours Screen Studies student or continuing with your joint degree. Approximately 80% of my class became single honours Screen students at this point. In the second year, you will continue the study of film history and learn to apply the theories and concepts introduced to you in the first year through the exploration of different types of cinema. Core modules:
Option modules:
Level Three offers students the option of doing a dissertation, as well as two major practical projects. Core/option modules:
During the first year, contact hours are relatively high for an arts course - around 18 hours a week. This decreases year on year. Third year students have around 10 hours of timetabled classes a week. Time spent on reading, research and essay writing will obviously vary from student to student. Production work is very time-consuming (and often physically exhausing!) at all stages. Academic modules within Screen Studies are currently taught at the Dean Walters building, in the city centre next to the Anglican Cathedral, and practical modules live in the Liverpool Digital building on Edge Lane. A new Arts school building is scheduled to open in 2008, so Screen Studies will be moving house! This year we've had new HD cameras and tripods, as well as the new building with bigger edit suites. Editing is done on Macs using Avid Express Pro. The Aldham Robarts Learning Resource Centre has a large selection of film books and journals, as well as a video and DVD collection which can be loaned overnight or viewed on site. Being a relatively small department, there is a very friendly atmosphere and a real sense of "family" among staff and students. Course socials are organised around twice a semester and often involve screenings of work of current and past students. All of the staff are very approachable, and are usually willing to help above and beyond the call of duty. Life as a Media Studies StudentGraduate Destinations and Career ProspectsSee Also | 
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