The media (TV, radio, print, internet and film) are central to the way we live: to individual identities and local and national cultures; to the creative and cultural industries; to global politics and economics. This course examines these phenomena and relationships from the perspective of the academic discipline of media studies. This course focuses on the critical study of media and creative industries, a mix of media studies specialist modules and modules in film studies and in public relations. It offers you the opportunity to study in depth media texts (film, television, print media and others) as both artistic and commercial enterprises, and to study various media institutions and the debates surrounding them. You will develop a critical understanding of the growth of the media industries, historically and globally, the centrality of the media to popular cultures and be able to enter a range of careers. The first two years of the course introduce students to key debates in media including those around media relations and ownership of key media industries, and to key concepts in media studies such as narrative, popular culture, audiences and citizenship. Students are also introduced to the theory and practice of producing and manipulating still and digital images. In Year Three, you will specialise in key areas of media, for example contemporary television, Hollywood cinema or theory and practice of public relations. In Year Four, you will choose from a list of specialist media, film and public relations options, and complete a written, still image or video Honours dissertation. As you progress through the course, you will acquire and develop skills in video and media production, teamwork, academic research, project management and a variety of forms of communication. Many of these skills, as well as being particularly relevant to media studies, are transferable to your post-degree careers. In studying the core areas of the media degree, you will learn: 1.critical approaches to the study of media and specific media texts and cultures; 2. how to plan, produce and publicise media texts or products (especially, but not exclusively, video) and 3. How the media industries are structured and how they operate.

relations; publishing; and television research. Owen Johnstone BA (Hons) Media I left school after sixth year and decided to go to Edinburgh's Telford College to do a HNC radio course. After completing it, I was then able to get into the Media course at QMU, which I was really happy about as I had heard great things about the course. I still don't really know what I want to do career-wise, but I know that I want to work in an area of the media and this course is opening my eyes up to the different fields and I’m sure I'll find one that’s perfect for me. I enjoy the creative aspect of the course: letting my imagination run wild. Making films that includes the writing of the script, the ideas, the acting and the filming of it, is something which I enjoy doing and I am never short of ideas during this module. Also the module 'Working in the Media' is helpful in advising students about how to approach work and help in getting the career you want. I find the most exciting projects are the filmmaking ones: producing, filming and editing a film and then seeing the final piece I find to be very rewarding, especially if it turns out to be good. Just now I am considering television production as a potential career, but I really need more experience in order to do so. Hopefully however, with this degree, I will be able to get some all-round experience and work my way up to my perfect job. Callum Buchanan BA (Hons) Media My interests were in the creative industries and I had a strong ambition to work in the radio industry but I realised that I had no experience, even to start at the very bottom of the ladder and decided to go to Edinburgh's Telford College to study HNC Radio Broadcasting. This course proved very interesting, but also sparked my interest in the wider media industry and I decided that I wanted to progress my studies in this area. I found out which media-related courses were offered in Edinburgh and QMU offered the most variety. I'm really enjoying the course in so many ways: I thrive on the opportunity to be creative and I have many chances to do so. The media production aspect is very enjoyable: filming things I have an interest in and being as inventive as I can be with shots and script and dialogue. I find the course not too stressful, but not too easy either - it keeps me on my toes. Everyone is very friendly, including the lecturers, and you get many opportunities to work in groups with different students, which is an enjoyable experience that enables us to share our creativity. I have also had the opportunity to design a website for a real charity, which was interesting and I really enjoyed creating a four minute drama film - which was a highlight of Year One , which was to be based around the title of 'Alone' - but what we did with it was up to us. This was definitely an opportunity to use my imagination. When I graduate, I'd still like to work in the radio industry in one form or another but I'd be happy to also pursue a career in film production or prop management. The diversity of the course has allowed me to evolve my initial interests and it has opened the door to a range of careers. Depending on how things go, I would also like to perhaps do an additional degree in radio too, to further my chances of getting a job in radio.