International Year One: Media Studies

The Media Studies Foundation Diploma/Diploma programme is a unique opportunity for international students to access the second year of the BA (Hons) Film and Television. It is a specialist programme for overseas students who do not meet direct entry requirements.

Programme Structure

Core subjects

The following modules are studied by all International Year One students regardless of the subject route they are studying.

English and Skills for University Study 1 (4 term only), 2 & 3

Over these three modules you will develop your English communication skills and learn a range of study skills, including: writing and reading strategies; presentation and seminar participation; organisation of time and materials, meeting deadlines and responding to feedback.

At the end of these modules you will be able to use English language in your own academic work, give well-structured presentations, confidently answer follow-up questions and contribute to seminar discussions; take notes from readings and lectures; plan, develop and write well-structured academic essays; be confident in self-directed learning strategies.

Improved Reading and Academic Vocabulary (4 term only)

Reading academic texts can be difficult – this module will make it easier. It will improve your understanding of academic words and help you use them in your own work.

Applied Academic Writing Skills

This module will further develop your writing fluency and accuracy. You will have the opportunity to apply the skills you have learnt to an extended academic essay.

You will also work on 5 short texts over the 10 week programme to make sure you are well practiced in using your new skills.

Route specific modules

These modules are studied by Media Studes students only.

Script, Screenwriting and Realisation

Learn about the basics of narrative theory and storytelling for screen based media. You will use a theoretical framework to develop your own creative writing and visual style and will have the opportunity to produce a short film script and its audio visual fulfilment.

Production Planning

Develop an awareness of the production techniques used in production planning using camera studio methods. You will have the opportunity to develop practical skills in television production and produce a multi-camera production that demonstrates a culmination of your knowledge and skills.

Principles of Film and Television 1

Discover the key theoretical frameworks and critical vocabulary for the study of film and television.l Develop a high level of visual lliteracy through an in-depth study of the language of films and be able to understand critically the relationship between film producer, film star and audience.

Milestones in Media: History 1 – Hollywood in Context

Study the defining aesthetic, economic and technological characteristics of Hollywood cinema. You will be able to show how the use of concepts such as genre, stardom and authorship have been used by different groups and how they relate to historical and cultural trends.

Media and Interpretation 1

Look at the key concepts and critical approaches that inform studies of media production and consumption. You will study the role and impact of technological change to media production and consumption in the context of a global mass-media market.

Milestones in Media: History 2 – Beyond Hollywood

Discover the historical development of cinema outside of the United States. You will be able to define the cinematic practices outside of the Institutional Mode of Representation and the global entertainment industry and will develop an understanding of the social, political and cultural contexts in which European cinema developed.