University of East Anglia United Kingdom

BA (Hons) Media Studies with a Placement Year

Integrated Masters with deeper specialization and research focus
Taught in English
Duration 4 Years
Mode On Campus
Level Undergraduate
Degree Bachelors Degree
Closing soon September 2026

Course Overview

The BA (Hons) Media Studies with a Placement Year at the University of East Anglia offers you a comprehensive exploration of media's profound influence on culture, society, and politics. You will delve into critical theories of media representation, digital mediatheories, and the historical evolution of media forms, preparing you to analyse and understand the complex media landscape. This undergraduate degree is ideal for those who are curious about how media operates, its power dynamics, and its role in shaping public discourse, equipping you with essential analytical skills for diverse professional paths.

This full-time, on-campus programme spans four years, including a dedicated placement year designed to bridge academic learning with practical industry experience. Throughout your studies, you will engage with subjects ranging from digital media landscapes and film theory to media production and cultural policy, with opportunities to specialise through optional modules. You will develop your skills in media analysis and potentially production, culminating in a significant research project or dissertation. Graduates are prepared for careers across the creative industries, marketing, communications, and beyond, armed with critical insights and real-world experience.

Course Curriculum & Details

Detailed information for serious evaluators

Program Overview

This BA (Hons) Media Studies with a Placement Year program offers a comprehensive exploration of media industries, digital technologies, and cultural theories across its undergraduate years. Students will engage with historical and representational analyses of media, alongside practical skills in areas like film and television production. The curriculum includes a dedicated placement year for professional experience, culminating in a research-focused final year that allows for specialization through a wide array of optional modules in contemporary media, film, and television studies.

1 YEAR 1

Media industries
Digital media: concepts, technologies & cultures
Theorising media and culture
Media history
Media representation
Analysing television

2 YEAR 2

Digital mediascapes
Theorising television

3 Optional A Modules

Writing the American script
Documentary
Alternative media
Film theory
Digital media and society
Media, communication and social change
The business of film and TV drama in the digital age
Popular music
Film and video production
Studying audiences
Adaptation: cross-media transformations
LGBT and beyond: sexual cultures, queer identities, and the politics of desire

4 Optional B Modules

Film and video production
The Hollywood studio system
Media, globalisation and culture
British cinema since 1960
Approaches and practice in digital media
Live television studio production
Teenage kicks: media, youth and subculture
Arts and humanities placement module
Lies, algorithms and concertos: understanding media and cultural policy
Gender and television

5 PLACEMENT YEAR

Hum placement year

6 YEAR 4

Researching media in context

7 Optional A Modules

We're here, we're queer: global sexualities and contemporary queer cultures
Crime and punishment on screen
Digital storytelling
Gender and genre in American cinema since 2000
Creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship
Sound on screen
Adaptation and scriptwriting

8 Optional B Modules

Devised filmmaking
Celebrity
Investigating audiences and reception
Contemporary screen distribution and exhibition
Science fiction
Writing television drama
Film, television and media studies dissertation (spring)
Television production for live events
Creative work in the media industries

Cost & Affordability

A clear picture of what this course will cost you

Program Costs

21% off
First Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 24,536.00 USD 31,224.00
Second Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 31,224.00
Third Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 31,224.00
Fourth Year Fee Tuition fee
USD 31,224.00
Total Program Cost Estimated total tuition
USD 118,209.00 USD 124,897.00

Currency note: Program costs shown in USD based on the available tuition breakdown.

Living Costs

Food & Groceries USD 3,222.00 - USD 4,028.00
Transport USD 806.00 - USD 3,222.00
Utilities & Bills USD 4,028.00 - USD 5,034.00
Estimated Total USD 8,056.00 - USD 11,278.00

Living cost estimates are based on Norwich Campus.

Outcomes & Employability

What happens after you graduate

81%
Graduate Employment Rate Within 6 to 12 months of graduation

Common Graduate Roles

Gaming & Interactive MediaLive Events & ConcertsMedia Production & EditingMedia Research & AnalyticsMuseums & Cultural HeritageMusic & Performing ArtsPhotojournalism & Visual MediaSocial Media & Content StrategySports & AthleticsStreaming & Digital Content

Top Employers Hiring for this course

British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC)

Manchester United

Why Study BA (Hons) Media Studies with a Placement Year at University of East Anglia

What makes this program stand out

September 2026 Closing soon

Next intake is in September 2026

Fast Application response time

University of East Anglia typically responds to applications within a week, giving you clarity on your options quickly.

Life at University of East Anglia in United Kingdom

What daily life looks like for international students

Language

English

Primary language everywhere

Climate

Mild & Rainy

10-20°C average, pack layers

Safety (Numbeo Safety Index)

Very Safe

Exeter is one of UK's safest cities

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about BA (Hons) Media Studies with a Placement Year at University of East Anglia

Can I work while studying?

As an international student studying a degree course, you can work up to 20 hours per week during term time. There’s no separate work permit needed.

What English language score do I need for this course?

To meet the English language requirements, scores vary by test. For example, a TOEFL overall score of 79 or an IELTS overall score of 6.0 is required.

What jobs can I get after studying this course?

Potential job titles include Media Analyst, Production Assistant, Content Creator, Broadcast Journalist, and Social Media Manager.

What will I actually study in this course?

Media shapes our lives, today more than ever before. It makes celebrity, fame and fortune. It’s also a force of persuasion and power—a place of information and misinformation. Your degree in Media Studies with a Placement Year will help you to understand, interpret, and shape our complex world. You'll do a placement in Year 3, gaining real-world experience that connects your academic skills with employment while you gain new skills to complement your course. Whether you’re aiming for a

When can I start — what are the intake months?

The BA (Hons) Media Studies with a Placement Year begins in September. Ensure you apply in advance to secure your place for this intake.
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