BA Media and Sociology
About this course
BA (Hons) in Media and Sociology, a combined undergraduate degree exploring the intersection of media forms and sociological theory within contemporary societies. Core topics include Microelectronics, Data Analysis, Statistics, Research Methods, Policy Analysis, and Social & Cultural Analysis. Students have the option to undertake a professional placement year between the second and final stages of the programme. The first year covers core foundations through compulsory modules such as Thinking Sociologically, Media, Culture and Society, Making Modern Britain, Media Industries, Analysing Media, and Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice, alongside optional choices like Newswriting and Podcast Professional. Stage two deepens analytical training with compulsory modules including Capitalism, Culture and Class: Social Theory in Classical Modernity, Celebrity Media and Culture, Curating Contemporary Television, Effecting Change, and Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application, while offering optional modules such as Globalisation and Social Change, Researching Society 3: Statistics in Social Research, and Sociology of Gender and Sexuality. The final year examines advanced contexts through compulsory modules like Technology, Surveillance and Screen Media, alongside diverse options including The Sociology of Politics and Protest, World in Conflict: War, Terrorism and Societies, Digital Futures and the Global Networked Society, and Media Dissertation.
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: 112 A level: BBC T Level: Merit BTEC: DMM GCSE: GCSE Maths and English Grade 4/Grade C (or above) or equivalent qualification Access to HE: Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits: 45 at Level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 15, Merit: 24, Pass: 6 English language: IELTS: 6.0 (with at least 5.5 in each skills area)
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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
- Elementary occupations: 20%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Administrative occupations: 10%
- Teaching Professionals: 5%
- 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
- Thinking Sociologically
- Media, Culture and Society
- Making Modern Britain
- Media Industries
- Analysing Media
- ​​Investigating Society: Truth, Ethics and Justice​
- Newswriting
- Podcast Professional
- Capitalism, Culture and Class: Social Theory in Classical Modernity
- Celebrity Media and Culture
- Curating Contemporary Television
- Effecting Change
- Qualitative Research: Methods, Ethics and Application
- Globalisation and Social Change
- Researching Society 3: Statistics in Social Research
- Sociology of Gender and Sexuality
- Researching Society 2: Qualitative Approaches
- Print Design and Production
- Writing for Impact
- Media Research
- Technology, Surveillance and Screen Media
- Kittens, Cupcakes, and Capitalism: A User’s Guide to the 21st Century
- The Sociology of Politics and Protest
- World in Conflict: War, Terrorism and Societies
- Gender and Inequality in the Global Age
- Digital Futures and the Global Networked Society
- Health, Illness and Social Justice
- Populism, Extremism & Violence
- Media Dissertation
- Gendered Cyberspace
- Start Up Journalism
- Data Science and Data Journalism
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Media and Sociology 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 £3,000 less than the UK median for Sociology.
What do graduates of BA Media and Sociology 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 and Sociology 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 and Sociology at University of Derby?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 111 UCAS points.
Does BA Media and Sociology at University of Derby include a placement year or year abroad?
The course has an optional placement year.
How many students continue on BA Media and Sociology at University of Derby?
87% of students continued into their second year, and 13% left higher education.