Media Studies and Sociology BSc (Hons)
Overview
In this course you will learn the major theoretical perspectives in sociology and specific current issues and debates. The media studies part of the degree provides an invaluable understanding of the expanding role of the media in contemporary society.
In modules taught by leading researchers, you will be encouraged to critically study various media in both a national and global context, including the broadcasting media, print media, film and new media technologies. You will develop an in-depth sociological analysis of the changing roles of media and communications in today's information societies.
Meet our students
Read short profiles of a few Media Studies & Sociology undergraduate students:
- Hannah Scudder, from the UK
- Helene De Chalambert, from Greece/France
Entry Requirements:
340 UCAS tariff points, typically AAB at A-level or equivalent (or ABB at A-level plus extra AS-level at C or above). A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Studies are not accepted. More...Course Fees:
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £11,000
Start Date:
24 September 2011
UCAS code:
PL33
Entry Requirements
Tariff Points
UK
A-Level
- Minimum 340 UCAS tariff points, typically AAB at A-level or equivalent (or ABB at A-level plus extra AS-level at C or above)
- A-level General Studies and A-level Critical Studies are not accepted.
GCSE pre-requisites
Grade C or equivalent in English Language and Maths or Statistics
Access to Higher Education
We welcome Access course applicants from 'mature' students. These applicants will be considered on the basis of their own merits.
A typical offer for an Access applicant would be: Pass 60 credits, 45 of which at Level 3. These Level 3 credits must include at least 27 at distinction and 18 at merit.
It is essential the Access course qualification is supplemented by at least a grade B in Maths and English Language at GCSE.
Please be aware that Access students are often asked for further information to supplement their application, this is normally in the form of a questionnaire.
Other UK qualifications accepted include:
- BTEC National Diploma (DDD required)
- Cambridge Pre-U Principal Subjects
- Advanced Diploma (plus appropriate A-levels)
- Scottish Advanced Highers
- Welsh Diploma (plus appropriate A-levels)
Second-year transfer applicants
If you wish to apply for second-year entry please be aware that you must:
- have achieved grades equal to the entry requirements for first-year entry (A Levels, foundation years, access courses, etc.)
- have covered sufficiently similar content to that covered by our first-year students
- be gaining or have gained at least a 2:1 in every module in your current first year. You must provide official documentation of this as evidence (e.g. university transcript).
If you feel you meet these requirements then please apply through UCAS as early as possible (transfer students normally apply when their first semester exam results are published) and we can then assess your eligibility. Please be aware you will need to select your 'point of entry' as year two.
Please note: For direct second-year entrants the overall degree classification will be based on the marks obtained at City University London only, with the weighting of 33/67 between the second and third year. Marks previously obtained will not be used in the degree classification.
On your application please include:
- the exact name of the degree you are studying towards
- the institution at which you are studying
- the modules you have taken
- any scores you have achieved
This information will enable us to make a more informed decision as to whether the content that you have studied is to an appropriate level for level-two entry.
Please be aware that you must meet all of the above requirements, otherwise your application is unlikely to be successful.
International
International Baccalaureate (IB)
35 points (no specific subjects required)
European Baccalaureate
75-80%
International Foundation Programme
The entry requirements for applicants applying having completed such programmes varies in relation to the specific programme completed. Typically, we would ask for applicants to have achieved at least 65% in a programme verified by the university, for an applicant to be made an offer.
International Qualifications
Please be aware you can apply for a course here before you sit your school leaving qualifications. Any offer we decide to make you will be conditional on you achieving the appropriate score in your school leaving qualifications, in conjunction with your English language qualification. This can be done from September the year before the programme to which you are applying.
Accepted qualifications include:
- Australian school leaving certificates. (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of 90%)
- Bulgarian Diploma za Sredno Obrazovanie (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of at least 5.8)
- Canadian school leaving certificates. (Offer typically made on the basis of a score between 80-90%)
- Cypriot Apolytirion (Require a score of at least 19. Combined with two relevant A-levels)
- French Baccalauréat (Offer typically around 14/20)
- German Abitur (Offer typically around 1.8 - 2.2)
- Greek Apolytirion (Require a score of at least 19. Combined with two relevant A-levels)
- Hong Kong Advanced Level (AAB)
- Indian HSC/ISC/SSC grade XII (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of 85% average)
- Italian Esame di Stato (Offer typically made on the basis of an overall score of 90% with a grade of 8/10 in mathematics)
- Israeli Bagrut (Offer typically made on the basis of a score between 80-90%)
- Lithuanian Brandos Atestatas (Offer typically made on the basis of an average score of 9/10 from all A and B subjects)
- Malaysian Sijil Tinggi Persekolahan (STPM AAA)
- Norwegian Vitnemål (Offer typically made on the basis of a score of at least 5.0)
- Polish Matura (Offer typically made on the basis of an applicant achieving an average of 85% across three extended level subjects)
- Singapore/Cambridge GCE Advanced Level (AAA at Higher 2)
- Spanish Título de Bachillerato (Offer typically made on the basis of the applicant achieving 8 overall with 8 in mathematics)
- USA Advanced Placement (Offer typically made on the basis of an applicant achieving at least 14 (5,5,4) from three approved subjects).
Please contact the department for further guidance, if required.
N.B. All qualifications where the education is not in English will be required to achieve the appropriate IELTS/TOEFL score.
If the qualification you are due to complete is not shown above, please feel free to contact our UG admissions team for advice.
Other Suitable Qualifications
INTO Foundation Programmes
If you do not qualify for direct entry, INTO City University London offers academic preparation programmes which focus on the skills you need. Successful completion to the required standard of the International Foundation in Business, Humanities and Social Science at INTO City University London means guaranteed progression to this degree.Kaplan International College (KIC) London
Additionally, the University works in partnership with KIC London to provide preparatory courses for international students. Foundation and Pre Masters courses at KIC London offer comprehensive support to students including regular one-to-one tuition. Progression to the University is guaranteed if you complete the KIC London course at the required level.English Requirements
- Grade B in GCSE (or International GCSE)
- Cambridge ESOL CPE grade C or above
- IELTS 6.5
- TOEFL (internet based): 100 - 105
- TOEFL (computer based): 250
- TOEFL (paper based): 600
INTO English Language Programmes
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, INTO City University London offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.Please click the links below for more information:
Visa Requirements
The way that you apply may vary depending on the length of your course at City, there are different rules for:
- Students on courses of more than 6 months
- Students on courses of less than 6 months
- Students on a pre-sessional English Language course
For more information see our main Visa page.
When and Where
- Start Date:
- 24 September 2011
- Duration:
- Full time - three years
Course Content
In modules taught by leading researchers, you will be encouraged to critically study various media in both a national and global context, including the broadcasting media, print media, film and new media technologies. You will develop an in-depth sociological analysis of the changing roles of media and communications in today's information societies.
Course Structure
YEAR 1
Core modules:- Contemporary issues in media studies
- Introduction to sociology
- Media, history and politics
- Understanding the modern world
Elective modules include:
- Actors in global politics
- Contemporary issues in global politics - 20th and 21st century
- History and theory of psychology
- Introduction to criminology
- Introduction to macroeconomics
- Introduction to microeconomics
- Lifespan psychology
- Theories of global politics
- Topics in applied macroeconomics
- Topics in applied microeconomics.
YEAR 2
Core media modules (you take at least two):
- The circuit of culture
- New media challenges
- New media: pleasures, promises and anxieties
- Interpreting news and documentary
- Television and sport.
Core sociology module:
Elective modules include:
- Crime, news and criminal justice
- Key issues in criminology
- Understanding social change
- Political sociology
- Identity and personal relationships
- Race and ethnicity in Britain
- Sociological theory and analysis
- Identities & personal relationships
YEAR 3
Core module:
- Dissertation
- Approaches to film
- Film, ideology and identity
- Media and politics: strategies, scandal and spin
- The global media system
- The information society
- Transnational communication in Europe.
Elective modules include:
- Criminal behaviour
- Environmental criminology
- Gender and globalisation
- Globalisation and human rights
- Media, conflict and terrorism
- Sociology of human rights
- Victimology
- Welfare and society
- Youth, crime and society
Teaching and Assessment
Teaching
We teach Sociology through lectures, interactive sessions, practical workshops and small group seminars, supported by a personal tutorial system. Lectures provide commentary and explanation of key content areas.
Small group seminars develop your understanding by inviting you to raise questions and participate in the debate and by providing guidance for further study.
You are encouraged to undertake extensive reading and independent study in order to understand the topics covered in lectures and classes and to broaden and deepen your knowledge of the subject.
For the third year project, you will receive supervision and the Project Workshop module provides you with the opportunity to develop research methods and writing skills.
Assessment
Assessment is primarily in the form of coursework (assessed essays and assignments) unseen examinations and a final year project.
Fees
- Full-time EU: £9,000
- Full-time Non EU: £11,000
Please note:
UK/EU students - The fees for UK/EU students rise each year by the rate of the cost of living in the UK and are set by the UK Government.
Non-EU international students - There is a small percentage increase, usually between 3% and 5%, each year on these fees.
Funding
For up-to-date information about tuition fees, living costs and financial support, visit Undergraduate Fees and Finance or Postgraduate Fees and Finance.
Scholarships
New for 2012 entrants: Up to £2,000 cash each year for at least three years for students on this course. Read more here to see if you might qualify.Career Prospects
Because we develop skills and abilities valued by employers, City is consistently ranked as one of the top UK universities for career opportunities and professional development. Our graduates are found within a variety of different professions.
As well as successfully pursuing postgraduate careers in media and related research fields, they pursue professional journalism training and careers in publishing, advertising, public relations, marketing and arts administration and policy.
There are also an increasing number of employment opportunities in the rapidly expanding new cultural and creative industries sector of the economy.
Find out more about City University London
Media Studies and Sociology
UCAS code: PL33
Applications to our undergraduate courses open on 1st September and close on 15th January (30th June for international students). Late applications will still be considered at our discretion.
All applications to our undergraduate degree courses, including those from mature students, must be made through UCAS. You can apply through your school or college using the UCAS online service 'Apply' which enables you to apply directly through the UCAS website (www.ucas.com).
Independent applicants such as mature and international students can also use ucasapply.
The institution code for City University is C60.
If you are still at school or college when you make an application, staff there should be able to assist with this process offering you help and advice.
If you are outside the UK when you make an application your local British Council Office should be able to provide assistance.
We accept a large number of international students to our undergraduate courses every year, so if your international qualifications do not reflect the grade requirements, then please feel free to contact us.
