2-Term Undergraduate Foundation Pathway in Media and Journalism - Continue to Bachelor of Arts (Honours) - Digital Media and Communications

Program Description HIC offers University Foundation Studies for candidates who do not meet the direct entry criteria or hold high school qualifications that are not recognised. Upon successful completion of the pathway programme students will progress onto the University of Hertfordshire. In today’s fast-paced media world, people with the ability to write, design and harness new technologies are in high demand. Studying the BA Media degree will equip students with a portfolio of practical skills as well as a theoretical and critical understanding of Media. This industry-focused approach, combining theory and practice, will help build their confidence, give them the communication and technological skills required for the industry and help them plan their career. Students will learn how to design their own app proposal, build and edit brilliant websites and create a hard-hitting ad campaign, including PR. They’ll also learn what makes a good news story or feature, and how to write one. Using industry standard software and equipment, professionally-experienced academics and researchers will help students develop skills across divergent platforms and for different audiences. These hands-on skills will be underpinned by an understanding of the global media industry, and the legal and ethical contexts of students' work. In the first year students will explore Global Media and Society, looking at who owns the news, at the influence of the BBC and commercial entities such as Sky and Murdoch’s News Corporation, and consider issues such as fake news. Other core modules (courses) include introductions to Media Communications and Visual Communications – how to use text and graphics to reach key audiences – while students will gain technical skills through Photoshop or animation projects. In the second year students will learn key research methods and skills including how to conduct interviews and run focus groups, and how to pitch to different client groups. Students will explore radio journalism and social media, while a module on App Design will help them understand the commercial potential for their ideas. For students that are into music, film, food or travel, they'll have opportunities to create magazine layouts and pdfs for online publications on whatever subject interests them. A video option will give them the chance to create a brand for a product or service. In the final year students will develop and refine their ideas and skills further. Whether they're keen to work in web design, social media, customer relations, PR or advertising, the skills they’ve gained will prepare them to be tomorrow’s creative entrepreneurs, confident in using different platforms to get ahead in their chosen career.