BA Media Content Creation with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) in Media Content Creation with Foundation Year, a media studies degree centred on practical content production, digital media technologies and creative storytelling across multiple platforms. Core topics include Critical & Analytical Thinking, Ethics & Professional Practice, Entrepreneurship, and Design & Creative Practice. Students can choose to undertake an optional placement year or a year abroad, and the foundation year is compulsory. The course begins with Year 0, focusing on foundational methods through Creative Studies, Creative Technologies, Creative Digital Skills, Creative Project, and Academic Skills and Personal Development. Year 1 covers industry contexts and technical skills via Media Industries, Photography in the Media, The Moving Image, Podcast Professional, Design For Print, and Managing the Brand. Year 2 advances production abilities through Documentary & Factual Production, Media Entrepreneurship: the business of creative communication, Interactive Media, and Extending Realities, with optional modules such as Writing for Impact, Celebrity Media and Culture, On Assignment, and Digital and Social Media. Year 3 centres on advanced concepts through Digital Innovations, alongside optional modules including Non-Linear Narratives, Audio Adventures, Design Labs, Public Relations and Social Media, and Gendered Cyberspace.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
UCAS tariff: 72 A level: DDD T Level: Pass BTEC: MMP GCSE: GCSE Maths and English are preferred, however if you don't have these qualifications you will be able to undertake Maths and English at Level 2 as part of your course of study Access to HE: N/A English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
See the highest paying Media & Journalism degrees in the UK →
What students say
Based on about 22 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 86%
- Learning opportunities: 87%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 85%
- Organisation and management: 64%
- Learning resources: 89%
- Student voice: 81%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 70 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- Continued on course: 87%
- Left higher education: 13%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 10%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 25%
- Process, plant and machine operatives: 15%
- Media Professionals: 15%
- Science, engineering and technology associate professionals: 10%
- Artistic, literary and media occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 80%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 65%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 50%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North West: 3%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 8%
- East Midlands: 45%
- West Midlands: 24%
- East of England: 7%
- London: 3%
- South East: 6%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
- Scotland: 1%
- Northern Ireland: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 60 students who started, across similar courses at this university
- A levels: 95%
- Access course: 2%
- Other qualifications: 2%
- No formal qualifications: 2%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Gold overall, Gold for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Placement Learning and Professional Development
- Creative Studies
- Creative Technologies
- Creative Digital Skills
- Creative Project
- Developing Practice
- Academic Skills and Personal Development
- Politics and Policy
- Society and Culture
- Media Industries
- Photography in the Media
- The Moving Image
- Podcast Professional
- Design For Print
- Managing the Brand
- Documentary & Factual Production
- Media Entrepreneurship: the business of creative communication
- Interactive Media
- Extending Realities
- Writing for Impact
- Celebrity Media and Culture
- On Assignment
- Digital and Social Media
- Digital Innovations
- Non-Linear Narratives
- Audio Adventures
- Design Labs
- Public Relations and Social Media
- Gendered Cyberspace
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Media Content Creation with Foundation Year at University of Derby earn?
The median salary is £25,000 after 15 months, £20,000 after 3 years, £23,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £20,500 and £30,000. The £23,500 median after five years is £2,500 less than the UK median for Media studies.
What do graduates of BA Media Content Creation with Foundation Year at University of Derby do next?
90% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2023-24).
Are students happy with the teaching on BA Media Content Creation with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
86% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2025-26.
What grades do I need for BA Media Content Creation with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
The typical offer is DDD at A level. The average entrant had 111 UCAS points.
Does BA Media Content Creation with Foundation Year at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year and an optional year abroad.
How many students continue on BA Media Content Creation with Foundation Year at University of Derby?
87% of students continued into their second year, and 13% left higher education.