Course Overview
You will analyse how our identities, aspirations, beliefs and values are shaped by aspects of the media-rich nature of everyday life. To give you the tools to understand and interpret the messages, images, signs and symbols that we often take for granted in contemporary media culture, you will study a wide range of media including advertising, digital and social media, film, news, television and popular music.
In your first year, you'll gain an introduction to studying media and culture critically and will have the opportunity to examine historical and contemporary issues and debates. You'll begin your degree covering themes including Key Debates in Media and Cultural Studies; Marginal Cultures; Mediation, Identities and Activism in Contemporary Britain; Making, Reforming and Hacking the Public Sphere.
Part One Media and Culture Studies is complemented by other first year courses offered by the Department, such as Sociology, and Gender and Women's Studies. You can also take courses offered by other departments.
In your second year, you'll take two compulsory courses: Critical Cultural Theory and Researching Media and Culture. You will have an exciting opportunity to study abroad in your second year as part of our excellent exchange programme with Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada.
In your final year, you must complete an independent research Dissertation, where staff will support you on a topic of your choice. In addition to these core subjects, you'll be able to select from a vast range of optional modules, including Consumer Culture and Advertising; Information Society and Virtual Cultures.
Related Courses
Modules
Lancaster degree programmes are flexible, offering students the opportunity to cover a wide selection of subject areas to compliment their degree. The following is an example list of modules which our previous students have studied. For a full list contact the Sociology department.
Year 1
- Introduction to Media and Cultural Studies
Year 2
- Critical Cultural Theory
- Research Skills and Techniques
- Documentary Cultures
- Socio-Cultural approaches to Advertising
- Marketing Fundamentals
- Media in a Global Age
Year 3
- Media and Cultural Studies III Project
- Newspapers, Journalism and Society
- Imaging the Body
- Media in a Global Age
Lancaster University offers the chance to follow a structured study programme or the option to devise a more flexible programme. We divide academic study into 2 sections - Part 1 (Year 1) and Part 2 (Year 2, 3 and sometimes 4). In Part 1 you will take three modules of study which, depending upon your programme, will be drawn from one, two or three different academic subjects, a higher degree of specialisation then develops in subsequent years. For more information about our teaching methods at Lancaster visit our Teaching and Learning section.
For further information about the department, staff and courses please visit the Sociology department website.
Entry Criteria
A-level: ABB. We normally expect three A-levels
General Studies: Accepted as one of 3 A-levels
Preference: A-levels
Key skills: Not included in offer
Scottish Highers: BBBBB
Irish Leaving Cert: Offers will be made on the basis of 5 or 6 Higher level subjects. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
International Bacc: 32 pts overall with 16 pts from best three HL courses
BTEC: Overall grades of DDM
Mature students: Applications welcome. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office (01524 592028) for further information
IELTS: 6.5
Careers
We are proud that our graduates are very successful in gaining employment, particularly in the media and creative sectors.
Skills such as critical analysis and comprehension, research, presentation and writing, can lead to many avenues of employment - from journalism and marketing to arts administration.
Our graduates have also gone on to further academic or vocational study in media-related careers, such as television production, or teaching.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, but that you also graduate with relevant life and work based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award which offers you the opportunity to complete key activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development. Visit our Employability section for full details.
Studying
Teaching and Learning Methods
At Lancaster we offer a broad range of learning environments designed to best support the requirements of your chosen degree programme. These may include lecture and tutorials, interactive workshops, laboratory sessions, other practical activities, student-led seminars and web-based elivery.The modules which make up a programme of study are assessed using a variety of different methods, enabling students to demonstrate their capabilities in a range of ways. Typical coursework assignments include laboratory reports, essays, literature reviews, short tests, short and sharply focussed critical reports, poster sessions and oral presentations. Formal examinations include short answer questions, essays and data analysis. Multiple choice formats are also employed where appropriate. Students are supported in the production of final year project reports and dissertations. Details of the assessment methods for individual modules can be accessed via the university's online module catalogue. In addition to these learning and teaching methods we encourage independent study, meaning you take responsibility for your own learning. For more information visit our Teaching Approach page.
Assessment Methods
We offer you a variety of stimulating and effective approaches to teaching, learning and assessment. This enables you and your tutors to explore the very latest thinking within your subject and develops your skills in problem solving, analysis and critical reflection, communication, application of knowledge and modern technologies.
As a University, we commit to providing all our undergraduates with a minimum number of contact hours per week, providing you with timely feedback on your work and a maximum number of 15 students per seminar group.
Funding
Lancaster University has committed £2.7m in scholarships and bursaries to help with your fees and living costs. Our financial support depends on your circumstances and how well you do in your A-levels (or equivalent academic qualifications) before starting study with us.
Lancaster University's priority is to support every student to make the most of their life and education. For students starting their study with us in 2014, over 600 each year will be entitled to bursaries and/or scholarships to help them with the cost of fees and/or living expenses. For UK students entering in 2014 we will have the following financial support available:
- An Academic Scholarship of £2,000 for the first year of study to any student from the UK entering with A*, A*, A or equivalent academic qualifications
- An Access Scholarship of £1,000 per year for all UK students from households with an income of less than £42,600 who achieve grades of A*, A, A or the equivalent academic qualifications
- A Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 per annum for all students from England with a household income of more than £25,000 but less than £42,600
- As part of the National Scholarship Programme, a £1,000 Bursary, a £1,000 Fee Waiver and a £1,000 Accommodation Discount in the first year of study, for students from England with a household income of less than £25,000. Plus a Lancaster Bursary of £1,000 in subsequent years.
*All of the financial awards above are subject to approval by the Office for Fair Access July 2013.
For full details of the University's financial support packages including eligibility criteria, please visit our fees and funding page