BA Media and Communications
About this course
BA (Hons) in Media and Communications, a media studies degree centred on digital culture, media industries, and communication practices. Core topics include Research Methods. Students can undertake an optional placement year, study abroad for a year, or complete a foundation year. The first year introduces contemporary media through compulsory modules such as Critical Approaches to Contemporary Media, Foundations of Media and Digital Culture, Analysing Media: Objects, Networks, Platforms, and Digital Technology, Media and Society. The second year focuses on industry practices and production with compulsory study in Content Creation and Digital Futures, Understanding Media Work: Organisations and Industries, and Live Research in the Media, alongside optional topics ranging from Media and Sustainability to Arts and Lifestyle Journalism. The final year centres on independent research through the Media and Communications Dissertation and Communicating Research: Knowledge Practices in Action, supported by optional modules like Public Relations, Social Media, Activism and Advocacy, and AI Today: Logic Machines, Generative Technology and Computational Culture.
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
A level: ABB or BBB IB: 32 points
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What students say
Based on about 30 final-year students who answered
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 82%
- Assessment and feedback: 92%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 89%
- Learning resources: 88%
- Student voice: 89%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 15%
What graduates do next
Based on about 8 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 80%
- Working and studying: 5%
- Unemployed: 15%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 35%
- Administrative occupations: 15%
- Business, Research and Administrative Professionals: 10%
- Sales occupations: 10%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Find their work meaningful: 90%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 90%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 55%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 135 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East Midlands: 1%
- East of England: 10%
- London: 48%
- South East: 34%
- South West: 6%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 35 students who started
- A levels: 70%
- Baccalaureate: 5%
- Foundation course: 25%
- A degree: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Bronze for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Critical Approaches to Contemporary Media
- Foundations of Media and Digital Culture
- Analysing Media: Objects, Networks, Platforms
- Digital Technology, Media and Society
- Content Creation and Digital Futures
- Understanding Media Work: Organisations and Industries
- Live Research in the Media
- Media and Sustainability
- Media, Memory, History
- Pop Culture: Representation and Consumption
- Arts and Lifestyle Journalism
- Digital Media and Algorithmic Society
- Media and the Real
- Media, Representation and Visibility
- Sound, Culture & Society
- Understanding Race and Culture in the Media
- Media and Communications Dissertation
- Communicating Research: Knowledge Practices in Action
- Celebrity, Media and Culture
- Feminism and Digital Culture
- Media, War and Conflict
- New Media Histories
- Public Relations
- Social Media, Activism and Advocacy
- AI Today: Logic Machines, Generative Technology and Computational Culture
- Community Media
- Utopian Cultural Politics and New Horizons
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Media and Communications at University of Sussex earn?
The median salary is £26,000 after 15 months, £24,000 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £25,000 and £38,500. The £30,500 median after five years is £4,500 more than the UK median for Media studies.
What do graduates of BA Media and Communications at University of Sussex 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 Communications at University of Sussex?
88% 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 Communications at University of Sussex?
The typical offer is ABB at A level, or 32 points in the IB. The average entrant had 113 UCAS points.
Does BA Media and Communications at University of Sussex 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 and Communications at University of Sussex?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 15% left higher education.