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Do you dream of working in film, television or digital media? Our BA degree in Communications specialising in Media Studies will help you do just that, preparing you to work in this exciting world by providing a thorough understanding of the communications and media industries.
Getting the right essential information is key. During the first two years of the degree all Richmond Communications students take the same core courses.
An inter-disciplinary approach will provide a breadth of communication topics, such as research and writing, creative expression and scientific reasoning as well as studying the principles and context of communications and media. You’ll be studying in small class sizes with students from all over the world, guaranteeing interesting and lively debate. Guest lecturers will be invited to speak to BA Communications students, providing their insight and experience on the communications world.
In the third and fourth years of this programme you’ll be specialising in Media Studies in all its diversity, with a choice of electives from American Television Drama to Photojournalism, Modern Popular Music to Gender in Film.
Then this is your chance to put your ideas to the test when you will have the opportunity to pursue an internship with a media company or global organisation in London or internationally. An internship can been life-changing, providing you with the experience to get the first rung on the career ladder.
Through our partnership with them, you’ll have membership of The Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) – Europe’s largest and most influential PR and communications membership body, which organises training, conferences and events for communications professionals.
This programme combines both theory and practice, providing an excellent preparation for a career in the media and, being based in London, is home to many world-leading media organisations.
Like all Richmond graduates, you’ll also be able to qualify with two degrees – one for the UK and one for the US.
3 Years pathway
Core Modules & Electives
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 |
|---|---|---|
Fall Semester | Fall Semester | Fall Semester |
Foundations of Mass Media and Communications | Mass Communications and Society | Senior Seminar I |
Foundations of Sociology | Cultural Theory | New Media |
Foundations of Photography | Elective | Elective |
Research & Writing I | Elective | Elective |
Creative Expression | Elective | Elective |
Spring Semester | Spring Semester | Spring Semester |
Intercultural Communications | Political Communication | Senior Seminar II |
Intro to Visual Culture | Social Research | Senior Project in COM |
Scientific Reasoning | Elective | Elective |
Quantitative Reasoning | Elective | Elective |
Research & Writing II | Elective | Elective OR Internship |
4 Years pathway
Core Modules
CORE SUBJECTS |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Foundations of Mass Media and Communications | Intercultural Communications | Mass Communications and Society | New Media |
Foundations of Sociology | Introduction to Visual Culture | Cultural Theory | Senior Seminar 1 |
Foundations of Business (required for MK/PR strand) / Foundations of Photography (required for MS and MP strands) | Political Communications | Senior Seminar 2 |
|
Transitions I | Social Research | Senior Project in Communications |
|
Transitions II | |||
Quantitative Reasoning | |||
Scientific Reasoning | |||
Creative Expression | |||
Research and Writing I | |||
QFC Level 3 Elective | |||
Electives
ELECTIVE MODULES |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
YEAR 1 | YEAR 2 | YEAR 3 | YEAR 4 |
Plus three of the following: | Plus 1 of the following: | Plus 6 of the following OR Internship and 4 of the following: |
|
The Language of Art | Video Production | Photojournalism |
|
Worlds of Music | American Television Drama | Pop to Present: Themes in Contemporary US Art |
|
Introduction to Advertising Practice | Modern Popular Music | PR and Self-Presentation in the Media |
|
Communications for PR and Advertising | Masculinities and Feminisms | Fashion and Media |
|
Sonic Media Production | Sociology of Culture and Subculture | World Internship in Communications (6 CREDITS) |
|
Contemporary London Performance (MP and MS strands only)* | Celebrity and Fan Culture | Internship in Communications (6 CREDITS) |
|
Writing Science Fiction (MP and MS strands only)* | Mainstream Cinema: Studies in Genre | Transnational Cinema |
|
Rich World, Poor World | Adaptations: Literature and Cinema | International Cinema |
|
Introduction to Film Studies | Gender in Film | Picture of Power |
|
Film in the Americas | Feature Writing | Media Ethic and Law |
|
History of Fashion | Plus 4 FHEQ Level 5 Electives | Global News Analysis |
|
Introduction to Writing for the Media | |||
Introduction to the Business of Fashion | |||
Gender and Culture | |||
Plus all of the following: | |||
Research and Writing II | |||
Plus 4 FHEQ Level 4 Electives | |||
A Level: 3 C’s or equivalent*
*All other equivalent eligible transfer credits will be determined by Admissions.
A Level: 96 UCAS points
US High School Diploma (or equivalent): 2.5 GPA minimum (on 4.0 scale)
International Baccalaureate: 24 IB points (year 1) BTEC National Diploma: MMM.
Completion of Year 12-13 International equivalent secondary school qualification with a minimum grade average of grade of C including mathematics and English
Qualification | Undergraduate | Validity Period |
IELTS (Academic) | 5.5 with 5.5 in Reading, Listening, Speaking and Writing | 2 Years |
TOEFL IBT | 72 with 17 Listening, 18 in Reading, 17 Writing, 20 Speaking | 2 Years |
Pearson Test of English | 51 with 51 in each component | 2 Years |
First, Advanced, Proficiency – taken after January 2015 | 162 overall (no less than 162 in each component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge First: Advantage, Proficiency – taken before January 2015 | Cambridge First: Grade B overall (No less than B in any component) | No Expiry |
Cambridge Advanced: Grade C (no less than C in any component) less than C in any component) | No Expiry |
|
Cambridge Proficiency: Level C1 certificate | No Expiry |
You apply directly using the Common Application ($50.00) or the Richmond online Application. In order to submit your application you will need the following information
When to apply
We encourage you to complete your application as early as possible, even if you are completing your undergraduate programme of study. In this case you will be offered a place that is conditional on successfully completing a specified qualification and English language qualification if applicable. If you would like your application to be considered for a Richmond bursary, an early application is strongly recommended
Application process
Admission is by interview unless you live outside the UK when we may interview you via Skype or by telephone. We may also determine your suitability on the basis of their application and qualifications alone. Find out more about applying.
3 year pathway
4 year pathway
Including one year at QCF Level 3
(subject to credit transfer)
Contact our admissions team for more details:
admissions@richmond.ac.uk
Please note: Non US students are eligible
I chose the Communications program at Richmond because of the broad variety of subjects covered and the chance to learn from professionals still active in their fields. The number of contact hours and the small class sizes meant I got to know my professors and their teaching styles and they got to know me and my interests, offering a number of networking opportunities. Hearing of their experiences in journalism, film, and the arts was one of the most valuable aspect of the course. The theories covered continue to be applicable in the workplace and class discussions with students from many different backgrounds helped to broaden my horizons and knowledge of the international media. Richmond has given me the tools to be successful in the media industry while teaching me to think outside of the box.
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