As a student on this course, you will learn, both theoretically and via hands-on experience, how the communication and information media actually work. This course enjoys a very close relationship with Sociology at Brunel, and particular attention is paid to the social and cultural dimensions of the media, and especially to the social and cultural consequences of the new technologies of communication and information. This is a broad-based degree which offers students the opportunity to specialise in areas of particular interest, for example in the impact of the Internet and of other information and communications technologies, social media, media policy and regulation. The course also offers you the ability to gain experience in video editing and production. Throughout the degree you will be encouraged to link together the theoretical and practical parts of the course as you engage in a broad-ranging sociological study of the contemporary media. The focus of study is upon all aspects of human behaviour: its personal, social and cultural dimensions. We have a strong research reputation that enhances all our undergraduate teaching, with particular expertise in areas such as: neuropsychology; psychoanalysis; developmental psychology; social psychology; contemporary social structure and social change; the role of science and the media; ethnicity and kinship; and power, inequality and prejudice in modern societies. All of our academic staff are actively engaged in research and many have international reputations in their field. We provide a stimulating introduction to the social sciences by teaching a broad base of cross-disciplinary modules in the first year. Thereafter, you specialise increasingly in your particular disciplines. Our courses will help you to develop specific skills in the practical methods associated with your discipline, including ethnographic fieldwork. A full range of laboratory and technical facilities is used in the teaching of experimental psychology, video production, psychophysics and the use of information technology. We take particular pride in both the quality of our teaching and the extensive pastoral care of our students. Aims It is impossible to avoid all the communications media in today’s world, but precisely because the media are so central to our existence, we tend to take them for granted and to underestimate or even ignore their social and cultural impact. Our Communications and Media Studies degree aims to remedy this situation, and to provide you with a mature, critical and sociologically-informed understanding of the place of the media in today’s society, with a particular focus on the new communication and information technologies.

Students will acquire knowledge in understanding traditional and new information and communications technologies and processes. Students will develop a set of transferable skills that are useful in the workplace across a wide range of careers. Rigorous training is provided in methodologies and research skills. Careers Destinations of Leavers from Higher Education (DLHE) survey Graduates from this subject tend to fall broadly into two groups – those who wish to work in media professions and those who use their degree as a route into careers unrelated to the subject studied. Many Film and Television Studies graduates aim to work in the creative and media industries – sectors which cover a wide range of activities including TV and radio broadcasting; film-making (pre-production, production and post-production); animation and interactive media (computer games, interactive TV and web design). In 2011/12, six months after graduating: * 95.5% of graduates with a first degree were in employment Read more about graduate destinations for this subject area You can enter a wide variety of careers ranging from public relations and corporate communications to research and production work for video and television companies. Although you will have plenty of practical experience in information technology and video production, this course is not designed to offer vocational qualifications in either information technology or film and television production. Recent graduates now work in events and production co-ordination, research and buying in the media industries. Placements Students on our four year sandwich course (with Professional Development) have the opportunity to gain professional work experience in a variety of settings. We offer high-quality work placements and students benefit from our links with external organisations. Past placements have included work in TV, film and video production, advertising, the music business, local radio and public relations. The positive impact of a sandwich placement on graduate employment outcomes across Brunel is considerable. Those who have done placements are also much more likely to be in employment for which their degree was a formal requirement or where they believe their degree gave them a competitive advantage in recruitment. Placement leavers from Communications and Media experienced the following outcomes: * 92.3% progressed into employment or further study * 58.3% were engaged in a graduate-level activity (employment or further study) * 58.3% of employed leavers were working in the top three categories of graduate level employment * The average starting salary was £18,000.