Media Content and Communications BA (Hons)
Subject and course type
- Creative Writing, Media and Communication
- Undergraduate
Kingston University’s Media Content and Communications BA will give you the creative and critical skills needed to produce dynamic content and make sense of changing times.
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Studying this Media Content and Communications BA at Kingston will give you strong foundations for a fast-paced professional future in the media industry. When you graduate, you’ll have a portfolio of exciting and innovative audio, visual and digital outputs.
You will build essential creative media skills in audio, visual and digital communications and create a professional portfolio of interactive media, video documentary, social media assets, podcasts, scripts, websites and other professional outputs.
You will be able to gain access to the fast-growing, billion-dollar global content industry and open doors to a wide range of careers in content creation, copywriting, podcasting, designing, video producing, social media management, journalism, PR, communications and more.
Work towards securing you your dream job by benefitting from our established reputation in getting our graduates into work. Within 15 months of leaving their course, 91% of our graduates were employed or in further study (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
You will benefit from hands-on experience in industry-standard practice facilities, including a dedicated TV studio and audio editing suites, podcast rooms and animation labs. You will be able to work on live briefs with real clients such as local charities, media groups and publishers, enabling you to engage in project management, pitch ideas and further your personal and professional development. Learn from an industry-experienced team of academics who also work as journalists, content creators and media professionals and bring their professional experience and industry contacts to you in the classroom.
At Kingston University, you will be empowered to make a difference by learning to recognise and assess the dynamics of social and technological change in contemporary media environments.
My degree from Kingston University created the perfect springboard to launch into a successful journalism career. The expertise of the course's lecturers, and their insight into industry, were invaluable in laying a solid foundation. The buzz of working on the student newspaper, The River, perfectly resembled the excitement of a national newsroom.
Student work
Why choose this course
Get the creative and critical skills you need to become a content creator, communications professional, journalist or compelling storyteller. Build a portfolio of exciting, innovative audio-visual, digital and written outputs to launch your media career.
This future-looking degree course gives you sought-after current media skills and know-how to handle life in a networked world and springboard you into work in the burgeoning content industry. Practitioner and research-led teaching supports you to create and produce work across digital and social media as well as traditional platforms; everything from podcasts, social video and interactive documentary, to virtual reality, media brand publications, and radio and tv packages.
Gain a clear understanding of how the modern media industry works, and learn how AI, design, photography, writing, research, smartphone technologies and more contribute to creating compelling content. Become a critical and creative thinker and graduate as a multi-skilled, flexible content creator, producer and communicator, ready to stride into your dream career.
Follow us on Instagram @kingstonjoupubmedia to see some of the great work our students and graduates are doing.
While you study, you’ll benefit from top quality teaching at Kingston University. Not only are we ranked Gold in the Teaching Excellence Framework, we’re also No.2 in London and in the top 10 in the UK for Media & Film Studies (The Guardian University Guide 2024).
As part of Kingston School of Art, you’ll benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice. Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
Kingston is ranked No.2 in London for Media & Film Studies (The Guardian University Guide 2024).
Kingston is ranked in the top 10 in the UK for Media & Film Studies (The Guardian University Guide 2024).
The Art School Experience
As part of Kingston School of Art, students on this course benefit from joining a creative community where we encourage collaborative working and critical practice.
Our workshops and studios are open to all disciplines, enabling students and staff to work together, share ideas and explore multi-disciplinary making.
The River
Course content
Through a range of exciting modules you will learn how to create content, critically analyse emerging debates in contemporary media, undertake self-managed research, initiate and pitch innovative ideas, manage projects, work in teams to produce real-life products and prepare for a professional life working in media.
Year 1
In Year 1, you'll start to build your practical core skills in content creation, including: creative digital, visual and audio production; and write effective content across platforms for a range of different audiences. You'll study key theories and current debates in media in the age of digital social networks.
You will learn about working in media and how the industry runs. Lectures and talks from professionals complement the teaching. You will also begin to develop your self-awareness and personal development plans.
Core modules
30 credits
This module aims to acquaint you with historical and contemporary digital media practices and design principles as a basis for developing media communication skills. You will develop visual thinking, software skills and an understanding of the range of digital media production by selectively experimenting with digital form and content. The module also provides you with the opportunity to bring knowledge from other modules and apply it to your digital artefact.
30.00 credits
This module will introduce you to Future Skills through engagement with the Navigate programme. This module will also help you to develop professionally through Future Skills which will include, but is not limited to, creative problem solving, questioning, self-awareness, digital skills, adaptability, and resilience. These skills are enabled through Design Thinking methodology which is a collaborative, user-centred approach for creativity and innovation. You will develop your personal development plan (PDP) which is specifically geared towards a researched job role in the media industry for which you will articulate your transferrable and Future Skills. This development is underpinned by active engagement with the Navigate programme which is embedded into this module. This programme takes a reflective approach and encourages your engagement with media and communication in order to develop your professional identity.
This module enables you to explore how the Media and Communications industries generate, circulate, and promote information by drawing on different media and their interconnectedness. You will be introduced to aspects of the media industry, including its structure and organisations, production processes, content, and audiences. You will consider your potential role within the media industry.
30 credits
This module introduces students to the academic strand of the degree, focusing on key theories and current debates in the media industry. It is about the 'idea' of media what it means to be a media professional, the ways in which media professionals select and shape material and the role of audiences.
The module will focus on developing core academic skills such as research, critical thinking and reading, Harvard referencing, oral discussion and debate alongside skills involved in creating and producing a video essay and group podcast such as multimedia communication, problem solving, working as part of a team, and practical audio production.
30 credits
This module will introduce you to the skills needed to originate, research and write effective content for a range of digital media including: social media posts, blogs, news articles, web content and SEO. You will gain experience in creating, gathering and putting together clear, accurate and engaging text and stories directed at specific audiences. You will also consider the impact of your written content decisions and develop your own writing and editing skills.
Hands-on workshops will allow you to practise writing in different styles, respond to live briefs, and to get feedback from lecturers. You will build up a portfolio of original work both for assessment purposes and to show to prospective employers as well as producing a group website and associated social media in which to showcase your content.
Year 2
In Year 2 you will continue to grow your digital media production and content creation abilities through collaborative and individual practical projects, and begin to develop a portfolio. You will further develop your audio, video and written storytelling and communications skills by making magazines, websites, social media assets, vertical video, TV and radio packages and much more. You will build knowledge and understanding of current and emerging debates around media environments and develop your critical and research skills.
You can study abroad or take a work placement in your second year at locations in Europe, the United States, and Australia.
Core modules
30 credits
This module will give students hands-on experience of telling stories using video and audio and will provide them with the tools to deliver compelling content across multiple platforms. The course will be taught through weekly lectures and practical workshops. Ideas always hold creative currency and so students will be required to generate and pitch two original audio and video ideas with particular audiences in mind. Students will produce a digital portfolio containing a video package and audio report or short podcast by the end of the module.
Students will learn how to capture and record quality content using industry standard equipment. They will learn to write to pictures and how to use sound for storytelling. They will receive voice coaching, read a radio bulletin and will produce their own television programme in a studio setting.
Technological advances constantly change the way people digest news. Therefore, students will be introduced to podcasts and storytelling on social media. They will discover what the ever-evolving digital world means for broadcasting and the modern news environment. They will also learn the language of the broadcast newsroom and understand its different roles.
30 credits
Digitisation has upended the magazine industry, including the magazine sector. What existed as a simple print container has evolved into a world of content empires. But, despite economic changes, magazines dedicated to trends and interests endure, while others have evolved into all-encompassing media brands.
This module explores how contemporary publications are ideated and positioned, and their cooperation to create cross-platform editorial content. You will learn about the contexts in which the sector operates: past, present and future, and reflect on these developments by researching, originating and developing a magazine concept.
You will build effective editorial and team-working skills, adapting these to the needs of differing audiences and objectives through the production of your own media brand, and associated products such as print magazines, websites and apps.
The Future Skills Explore Learning Outcomes are also delivered, to enable you to engage with your personal development: activities which will strengthen your professional identity and global citizenship, and provide contexts to expand your knowledge of industrial and professional contexts. You will further develop professional skills such as interdisciplinary collaboration, to prepare you for future employment. You will also critically evaluate your personal development through reflection on your progress and goals and exploration of problems beyond your discipline.
30 credits
This module will give you the skills you need to find and produce content to reach any audience. You'll develop the tools to find and create interesting factual content to capture an audience's attention, such as advanced search and original research.
You'll develop your writing and production skills to learn how to package these stories for different audiences.
You'll learn how to extend the reach of your stories using social media, analytics and keywords. You'll publish these stories on a website and on social media, using a range of multi-media such as images, video and audio.
Finally, you'll explore the role AI is increasingly taking in communications.
30.00 credits
This module builds on the theoretical concepts introduced via prior learning, looking closely and in more depth at how these concepts emerged and developed in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries, and examines their utility in the understanding and analysis of contemporary media and communication cultures. It also introduces students to the research methodologies associated with the discipline of media and communication through a series of Research Methodology Workshops. These workshops will both re-cap on the relation between theory and practice explored in the module and prepare students for undertaking research using a methodology of their choice that address a particular topic or issue in the field of media and communication.
Optional year
You will also have the chance to study abroad, which is a good opportunity to boost employability, gain language skills and experience a different culture.
Final year
In the final year you will put your skills into practice through the production of real-life media outputs, follow your specialist interests, gain vital professional work experience and hone your critical and analytical mind.
You'll take a job role as part of a team to produce publications, podcasts, social media, video and more as part of our workplace in the classroom module. You can also undertake two weeks' work experience with a professional media organisation. You can choose from a range of optional media specialisms to suit your career path including: specialist journalism in sports, fashion or arts and entertainment; visual storytelling, TV production, social media management, and podcasting.
You will also develop specialist knowledge and skills by completing a major piece of independent work in either a written dissertation or a practical project.
Core modules
30 credits
This module gives final year students the opportunity to work on a major piece of independent work, which consolidates and further develops the skills and knowledge they have acquired through prior learning, in an area of media, communications or journalistic practice or dissertation research. Work carried out in each of these areas will lead to real and specific outputs. Practical projects could include, for example: a video documentary; a portfolio of long-form journalism; a podcast series; or a new media product such as a magazine or website. Students undertaking a practical project will situate and critique their practical work with reference to academic debates and concepts. Their practical output will be accompanied by a 3000-word critical rationale setting out the background to the project as well as its significance, novelty and objectives.
Students will agree the scope and aims of their project through discussion and agreement with an individual project supervisor. They will then write a proposal. Students will be expected to work independently, under supervision, to demonstrate effective self-management and decision-making when operating autonomously in the planning and execution of their dissertation or practical project.
15 credits
This module provides you with a dedicated opportunity to develop your Future Skills Graduate Attributes. At the start of the module, you will be supported to self-assess your current skills profile and determine which attributes and skills you need to develop to support your career ambitions. You will be supported in this process by a dedicated career coach, who will help you to explore a range of options including self-employment/freelancing, starting your own business, higher level study, and other professional Graduate level opportunities. Students will also be given opportunities to engage with external mentors throughout the module to support reflection and to develop a professional network.
You will then undertake a tailored series of activities and projects, aligned to your goals from a menu of development options. This could include short courses, enrichment activities and experiential learning options such as micro-placements. You will also be able to reflect on activities that you undertake outside the university through which you are developing your graduate attributes, such as work or volunteering.
30 credits
This strand-based module builds on students' awareness and experience of living in contemporary digital media environments. Strands vary each year to reflect current debates related to one area of practice and research in emerging media technologies. Each strand will look at how the selected issue is represented in public debates, or how it is treated in media policies and regulations. Strands are broadly focused on: AI and machine learning, issues in digital art practices, cult social media and digital folklore, evolution of celebrity and influencer cultures, sustainability; environmentalism; and transnational online streaming environments.
Each strand is taught by a different lecturer and has its own syllabus and reading lists. Whilst the number and specific focus of the strands may vary from year to year, the content is always current and teaching delivery pattern as well as assessments in various strands remain the same.
30 credits
This highly practical module allows students to explore in depth and actively engage with a range of specialisms in the media, communications and journalism industries which could include: sports journalism, fashion journalism, TV production, social media management, foreign correspondence, arts and entertainment journalism, social affairs journalism and media project management.
Students will further develop their researching, writing, and digital skills acquired through prior learning to produce professional outputs pertinent to each specialism such as social media, video and data visualisations. They will apply their newly-gained specialist knowledge using their acquired skills to the production of these.
The practices of each area of specialism will be placed in a context throughout the module. Through a series of lectures and in-class discussions students will gain insight into each specialism and how it works. They will acquire an appreciation of the historical, cultural, global and economic issues which media professionals must understand. The module prepares students to pursue jobs within specialist areas upon graduation.
30 credits
The module involves producing a campus publication, website, and social media accounts. Each student will take on an editorial or other contributing role such as advertising sales, social media marketing or publishing, as well as contributing content Roles may vary but will allow students to observe and participate in essential activities which contribute to producing real media. Teaching takes place in our dedicated newsroom, equipped with online content management system, and industry-standard software packages including Adobe InDesign and Photoshop. Students are encouraged to take part in at least two weeks work experience within a media organisation.
Future Skills and career opportunities
We work closely with the Careers and Employability Team to embed skills in our curriculum and help students shape their career. A focus on employment is at the heart of this degree, making you industry-ready through our Future Skills programme, founded in our established reputation in the journalism and communications industries to deliver excellent graduate outcomes (see Graduate Outcomes Survey 2024).
Embedded within every course curriculum and throughout the whole Kingston experience, Future Skills will play a role in shaping you to become a future-proof graduate, providing you with the skills most valued by employers such as problem-solving, digital competency, and adaptability.
As you progress through your degree, you'll learn to navigate, explore and apply these graduate skills, learning to demonstrate and articulate to employers how future skills give you the edge.
You will graduate as a multi-skilled, flexible, innovative and thinking media practitioner. You will be in a strong position to pursue media jobs in the content, communications and journalism industries.
This degree in Media Content and Communications opens up a variety of career paths and job roles, including the following.
- Content writer
- Content editor
- Content creator
- Social media manager
- Video producer
- Social media video editor
- Social media video strategist
- Journalist
- Designer
- Content strategist
- Copywriter
- SEO specialist
- Podcast producer
- Brand journalist
- Digital marketing specialist
- UX writer
- Content analyst
- Communications officer
- Community manager
- Influencer
- Influencer executive
- Event content coordinator
- Press assistant
- PR account executive
Recent graduates have gone to work for employers such as:
- Barcoff studios
- Apple
- BBC
- Saatchi Gallery
- Discovery Channel
- Google Play
- Channel Four
- Hearst UK
- Haymarket Media Group
- EMAP
- DMG Media
- REACH
- Winkreactive.
At Kingston University, we're not just keeping up with change, we're creating it
For more information on how Kingston prepares you for the future job market, visit our Future Skills page.
Teaching and assessment
Scheduled learning and teaching on this course includes timetabled activities including lectures, seminars and small group tutorials. It may also include critiques, project work, studio practice and performance, digital labs, workshops, and placements.
Outside the scheduled learning and teaching hours, you will learn independently through self-study which will involve reading articles and books, working on projects, undertaking research, preparing for and completing your work for assessments. Some independent study work may need to be completed on-campus, as you may need to access campus-based facilities such as studios and labs.
Our academic support team here at Kingston University provides help in a range of areas.
When you arrive, we'll introduce you to your personal tutor. This is the member of academic staff who will provide academic guidance, be a support throughout your time at Kingston and show you how to make the best use of all the help and resources that we offer at Kingston University.
A course is made up of modules, and each module is worth a number of credits. You must pass a given number of credits in order to achieve the award you registered on, for example 360 credits for a typical undergraduate course or 180 credits for a typical postgraduate course. The number of credits you need for your award is detailed in the programme specification which you can access from the link at the bottom of this page.
One credit equates to 10 hours of study. Therefore 120 credits across a year (typical for an undergraduate course) would equate to 1,200 notional hours. These hours are split into scheduled and guided. On this course, the percentage of that time that will be scheduled learning and teaching activities is shown below for each year of study. The remainder is made up of guided independent study.
- Year 1: 20.67% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 2: 18.87% scheduled learning and teaching
- Year 3: 15.66% scheduled learning and teaching
The exact balance between scheduled learning and teaching and guided independent study will be informed by the modules you take.
Your course will primarily be delivered in person. It may include delivery of some activities online, either in real time or recorded.
Types of assessment
- Year 1: Coursework 100%
- Year 2: Coursework 100%
- Year 3: Coursework 100%
Please note: the above breakdowns are a guide calculated on core modules only. If your course includes optional modules, this breakdown may change to reflect the modules chosen.
We aim to provide feedback on assessments within 20 working days.
Your individualised timetable is normally available to students within 48 hours of enrolment. Whilst we make every effort to ensure timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled learning and teaching can take place on any day of the week between 9am and 6pm. For undergraduate students, Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities, but there may be occasions when this is not possible. Timetables for part-time students will depend on the modules selected.
Fees and funding
| Fee category | Fee |
|---|---|
| Home (UK students) | |
| £9,535* | |
| Foundation Year | £5,760 |
| International | |
| Year 1 (2025/26): | £17,700 |
| Year 2 (2026/27): | £18,500 |
| Year 3 (2027/28): | £19,200 |
| Year 4 (2028/29) | £19,900 |
The tuition fee you pay depends on whether you are assessed as a 'Home' (UK), 'Islands' or 'International' student. In 2025/26 the fees for this course are above.
Please visit the Fees and Funding page for more information.
For courses with Professional Placement, the fee for the placement year can be viewed on the undergraduate fees table. The placement fee published is for the relevant academic year stated in the table. This fee is subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body.
* For full time programmes of a duration of more than one academic year, the published fee is an annual fee, payable each year, for the duration of the programme. Your annual tuition fees cover your first attempt at all of the modules necessary to complete that academic year. A re-study of any modules will incur additional charges calculated by the number of credits. Home tuition fees may be subject to annual increases but will not increase by more than the fee caps as prescribed by the Office for Students or such other replacing body. Full time taught International fees are subject to an annual increase and are published in advance for the full duration of the programme.
Eligible UK students can apply to the Government for a tuition loan, which is paid direct to the University. This has a low interest-rate which is charged from the time the first part of the loan is paid to the University until you have repaid it.
Scholarships and bursaries
For students interested in studying this course at Kingston, there are several opportunities to seek funding support.
Additional course costs
Some courses may require additional costs beyond tuition fees. When planning your studies, you’ll want to consider tuition fees, living costs, and any extra costs that might relate to your area of study.
Your tuition fees include costs for teaching, assessment and university facilities. So your access to libraries, shared IT resources and various student support services are all covered. Accommodation and general living expenses are not covered by these fees.
Where applicable, additional expenses for your course may include:
Our libraries have an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as open-access computers and laptops available to rent. However, you may want to buy your own computer or personal copies of key textbooks. Textbooks may range from £50 to £250 per year. And a personal computer can range from £100 to £3,000 depending on your course requirements.
While most coursework is submitted online, some modules may require printed copies. You may want to allocate up to £100 per year for hard-copies of your coursework. It’s worth noting that 3D printing is never compulsory. So if you choose to use our 3D printers, you’ll need to pay for the material. This ranges from 3p per gram to 40p per gram.
Kingston University will pay for all compulsory field trips. Fees for optional trips can range from £30 to £350 per trip.
Your tuition fees don’t cover travel costs. To save on travel costs, you can use our free intersite bus service. This route links the campuses and halls of residence with local train stations - Surbiton, Kingston upon Thames, and Norbiton.
If you take part in external shows and exhibitions, you’ll need to cover your travel costs. These will vary depending on your location.
Course changes and regulations
The information on this page reflects the currently intended course structure and module details. To improve your student experience and the quality of your degree, we may review and change the material information of this course. Find out more about course changes
Programme Specifications for the course are published ahead of each academic year.
Regulations governing this course can be found on our website.
What our graduates say
My time studying at Kingston University prepared me well for my career. It not only provided me with the skills to take on many different roles within the workplace, but it also allowed me to be a versatile member of the team with a range of both digital and written skills. Most importantly, it prepared me for the day-to-day schedule and thought processes required of an employee in the world of journalism.
Throughout my degree, I was fortunate enough to learn and discuss how current affairs are affecting our culture and society. I acted as the fourth estate and have since been actively analysing the increasing economic and technological changes humanity is facing, which has produced a myriad of socio-political inequalities, I will always be grateful for my time at Kingston University.
