Cultural Studies and Media and Journalism - BA (Hons)

Overview

This Cultural Studies and Media and Journalism - BA (Hons) degree offers an academically rigorous approach to the study of mediated cultural forms, practices and technologies and their vital social, political and economic implications alongside journalism skills. We examine a range of areas, from digital media and journalism, to the creative and cultural industries, to social identities and subcultures. In addition, you are introduced to some basic journalism skills like reporting and feature writing that position you well for a range of careers in the media sector and beyond. 

At University of Kent, Cultural Studies and Media is taught in the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research where you benefit from a large choice of specialist modules on race, social change, criminal justice or disability and the arts. You are taught by leading academics and have the opportunity to choose modules from a wide range of subject areas.

Our journalism modules are taught by working professionals in print, digital, radio and television journalism and specialist academics.

Our degree programme

You begin with modules that offer an introduction to journalism skills and provide an overview of different cultural and sociological theories that address ‘culture’, ‘media’ and ‘society’ as part of a broader global and historical context. Your journalism skills are developed further in your second year.

You also learn how to conduct and apply qualitative sociological research that explores mass media and advertising; digital media technologies; news and journalism; television and film. You may choose from a variety of optional modules in your third year to further pursue subjects you are passionate about like digital culture, the history and practice of drawing or the cultural politics of literary prizes.

You can gain valuable professional experience through our targeted newsrooms exercises and workshops. 

As a student of both the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research based on the Canterbury campus and the Centre for Journalism at Medway, you have access to the excellent facilities provided at both sites. We even offer a free shuttle service between the campuses during term time to ease your commute.

You have access to a wide range of topical journals and books through our libraries at both Canterbury and Medway. The Centre for Journalism offers a full range of editorial resources including audio and video editing, cameras and autocues, wire feeds from the Press Association, and video feeds from Reuters World News. 

At the Kent Student Media Centre we provide excellent studio facilities and an editing suite. You may use these together with your peers to create your own digital, television or print media content and gain some useful professional skills along the way. You may even want to join Kent’s newspaper InQuire or our student television station KTV. There are also a number of student-led societies relating to your interests such as:

• UKC Digital Media
• Socrates Society
• Publishing Society.

There are events available throughout the year for students from the School of Social Policy, Sociology and Social Research. These may include:

• research seminars and webcasts
• career development workshops
• informal lectures by guest experts followed by group discussion.

The Centre of Journalism also offers a variety of events that include socials, seminars and masterclasses and they have previously hosted:

• Jon Snow – presenter of Channel 4 News
• Alex Crawford – five times RTS TV journalist of the year
• Faisal Islam – Political Editor, Sky News.