Media and Communication

Media and communication is a discipline that examines how meaning is produced, circulated and received through the range of channels and technologies that connect people with information, culture and each other. It encompasses the study of media institutions and industries, the analysis of texts and representations, the investigation of audience responses and uses of media, and the critical evaluation of how communication shapes public life, political discourse and cultural understanding. As media systems continue to be disrupted by digital transformation, the capacity to understand and work within them matters more than ever.

At Northumbria University, this three-year full-time programme is exceptionally well structured for professional and international experience. It includes a sandwich year, a year abroad at a partner institution overseas, and work placement experience integrated into the degree. This combination gives you an unusually rich set of practical and international experiences alongside your academic studies.

You will study media theory, journalism, digital content production, public relations, broadcast and online media, communication research methods and the business of media industries, developing both analytical understanding and practical communication skills.

Graduates work across the media and communications sector in roles including journalism, public relations, content creation, social media management, broadcast production, marketing communications, corporate communications and media research. The analytical skills and practical experience developed through the programme are also valued in policy, the charitable sector and any organisation that needs people who can communicate effectively across digital channels. Many graduates build portfolio careers across multiple media contexts, while others go on to postgraduate study in media studies, journalism, communications or digital media management.