BA Media and Communications with Foundation Year
About this course
BA (Hons) Media and Communications with Foundation Year is an undergraduate media studies degree that incorporates a compulsory initial foundation year. Core topics include Research Methods and Entrepreneurship. The course includes a foundation year before students progress to the standard degree programme. The first year focuses on academic readiness, study skills and creative design through modules such as Personalised Learning, Study Skills for Success, Creative Research in Media and Design, and Contextual Studies in Media and Design. The second year introduces practical media production via Podcasting, Video Production, Introduction to Media Ethics, and Video Documentary Production. Later stages branch into specialised pathways including Media Production Pathway and Media Studies Pathway, featuring compulsory and optional modules such as Integrated Marketing Campaigns, Industry Experience, Visual Media Cultures, and major project work or a 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
72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications. These can include: A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass Access to HE Diploma T-Levels You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9-4 / A*-C) or Level 2 equivalents.
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What students say
Based on about 15 final-year students who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 88%
- Learning opportunities: 83%
- Assessment and feedback: 84%
- Academic support: 88%
- Organisation and management: 57%
- Learning resources: 86%
- Student voice: 83%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 25 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Continued on course: 70%
- Left higher education: 30%
What graduates do next
Based on about 7 graduates who answered, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 65%
- Further study: 25%
Most common jobs
- Business and public service associate professionals: 30%
- Sales occupations: 15%
- Elementary occupations: 10%
- Media Professionals: 10%
- Other Educational Professionals: 10%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 90 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- North East: 2%
- North West: 2%
- Yorkshire and the Humber: 3%
- East Midlands: 2%
- East of England: 12%
- London: 67%
- South East: 8%
- South West: 2%
- Wales: 1%
Who gets in
Based on about 15 students who started, across similar courses at this university (a small group: a rough guide only)
- A levels: 75%
- Access course: 15%
- Other HE qualification: 5%
- No formal qualifications: 5%
Accreditation & quality ratings
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Gold for student experience, Bronze for student outcomes.
Modules
- Personalised Learning
- Study Skills for Success
- Creative Research in Media and Design
- Contextual Studies in Media and Design
- Creative Sectors in Media and Design
- Major Project (Foundation Year)
- Podcasting
- Video Production
- Introduction to Media Ethics
- Video Documentary Production
- Live Radio Production
- Thinking Through Film: Genre
- Integrated Marketing Campaigns
- Industry Experience
- Media Production Pathway - Year 2
- Media Studies Pathway - Year 2
- Research, Data and Insight
- Visual Media Cultures
- Media Production Pathway - Year 3
- Media Studies Pathway - Year 3
- Year 3 Top Up
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BA Media and Communications with Foundation Year at University of West London earn?
The median salary is £20,000 after 3 years, £24,000 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £17,000 and £31,500. The £24,000 median after five years is £2,000 less than the UK median for Media studies.
What do graduates of BA Media and Communications with Foundation Year at University of West London 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 with Foundation Year at University of West London?
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 with Foundation Year at University of West London?
The typical offer is BC at A level. The average entrant had 96 UCAS points.
How many students continue on BA Media and Communications with Foundation Year at University of West London?
70% of students continued into their second year, and 30% left higher education.