About This Course
This Media, Film and Journalism with Foundation Year provides an alternative route into undergraduate study if, for example, you don’t have the necessary qualifications or cannot meet the entry requirements to begin the standard three-year degree.
The additional foundation year helps you better prepare for degree-level study, giving you a taste of learning at this higher level. On successful completion, you will join Year 1 of the BA (Hons) Media, Film and Journalism programme.
On this foundation year, you’ll develop essential academic and IT skills, such as writing, communication, presentation and how to use digital resources to support your studies and research assignments. Equally important, you will learn how to collaborate and work with others.
This degree in Media, Film and Journalism is aimed at students who want to study and pursue careers in the fields of film, television, radio, digital media, advertising, journalism and public relations. In an age where there is vital need for informed debate on the political, environmental, social, and cultural forces that shape our world this degree will prepare you to engage with the conversation.
Why choose Bangor University for this course?
- The foundation year prepares you for degree-level study, providing a solid introduction to the study and critical assessment of literature and language, together with essential academic and IT skills.
- Benefit from our staff expertise in film, media, print and broadcast journalism, and production including documentary and broadcast.
- Make the most of our facilities that include editing suites, production studios and industry-standard digital media equipment.
- Excellent links with the sector including access to working film studios.
- Discover drama, films, music and more at the University’s Arts and Innovation Centre, Pontio.
Additional Course Options
This course is available with a Placement Year option where you will study for 1 additional year. The Placement Year is undertaken at the end of the second year and students are away for the whole of the academic year.
The Placement Year provides you with a fantastic opportunity to broaden your horizons and develop valuable skills and contacts through working with a self-sourced organisation relevant to your degree subject. The minimum period in placement (at one or more locations) is seven calendar months; more usually you would spend 10-12 months with a placement provider. You would normally start sometime in the period June to September of your second year and finish between June and September the following year. Placements can be UK-based or overseas and you will work with staff to plan and finalise the placement arrangements.
You will be expected to find and arrange a suitable placement to complement your degree and will be fully supported throughout by a dedicated member of staff at your academic School and the University’s Careers and Employability Services.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option when you have started your course at Bangor and can make an application for a transfer onto this pathway at the appropriate time. Read more about the work experience opportunities that may be available to you or, if you have any questions, please get in touch.
This course is available with an International Experience Year option where you will study or work abroad for 1 additional year. You will have ‘with International Experience’ added to your degree title on graduating.
Studying abroad is a great opportunity to see a different way of life, learn about new cultures and broaden your horizons. With international experience of this kind, you’ll really improve your career prospects. There are a wide variety of destinations and partner universities to choose from. If you plan to study in a country where English is not spoken natively, there may be language courses available for you at Bangor and in your host university to improve your language skills.
You will have the opportunity to fully consider this option at any time during your degree at Bangor and make your application. If you have any questions in the meantime, please get in touch.
Read more about the International Experience Year programme and see the studying or working abroad options on the Student Exchanges section of our website.
Watch - Studying Creative Studies and Media
Course Content
What will you study on this course?
Our BA (Hons) Media, Film and Journalism (with Foundation Year) is a four-year course with an integrated foundation year which leads to the same qualification as our three-year honours’ degree.
Giving you an additional year to adapt and settle into university life, the foundation year aims to equip you with the academic and study skills to succeed at degree-level. You’ll sample various methods of university learning, including seminars and tutorials. Once you progress to the BA (Hons) Media, Film and Journalism, you will have the opportunity to delve into your studies further.
Studying Media, Film and Journalism degree will allow you to discover how film and television, journalists and publishers, media creators and curators generate opportunities for action whilst influencing the way we perceive the world.
Students can delve into issues in media, journalism and politics, examining the issues, theories and perspectives central to the study of media and journalism. Relationships between the media, journalist and politicians and society will be examined to answer challenging questions. Information flow and emotive reactions will be looked at alongside the history of modern media.
This Media, Film and Journalism degree at Bangor University is very much so future focused. Students will look at the evolution of media and communication technology and the impact on society, looking closer at how new channels such as TikTok has changed the way we consume media. There are opportunities to look closer at AI Ethics, assessing technologies and their impact on modern society.
Facilities
Film, Media and Journalism Facilities
- Extensive loans service for equipment such as digital recorders, video cameras, stills cameras and more.
- Professionally equipped radio studio.
- Audio editing suites running Adobe Audition.
- Digital video edit suites running Final Cut Pro and Final Cut Express on Apple Macs.
- Auditoriums.
- Pontio arts and innovation centre, which includes a 200-seater cinema space with Dolby Surround Sound.
General University Facilities
Library and Archive Services
Our four libraries provide a range of attractive study environments including collaborative work areas, meeting rooms and silent study spaces.
We have an extensive collection of books and journals and many of the journals are available online in full-text format.
We house one of the largest university-based archives not only in Wales, but also the UK. Allied to the Archives is the Special Collections of rare printed books.
Learning Resources
There is a range of learning resources available, supported by experienced staff, to help you in your studies.
The University’s IT Services provides computing, media and reprographics facilities and services including:
- Over 1,150 computers for students, with some PC rooms open 24 hours a day
- Blackboard, a commercial Virtual Learning Environment, that makes learning materials available on-line.
Course Costs
General University Costs
Home (UK) students
- The cost of a full-time undergraduate course is £9,250 per year (2025/26).
- The fee for all integrated study abroad years is £1,385 (2025/26).
- The fee for an integrated year in industry as part of a sandwich programme is £1,850 (2025/26).
More information on fees and finance for Home (UK) students.
International (including EU) students
Additional Costs
There are also some common additional costs that are likely to arise for students on all courses, for example:
- If you choose to study abroad or take the International Experience Year as part of your course.
- If you attend your Graduation Ceremony, there will be a cost for gown hire (£25-£75) and cost for additional guest tickets (c.£12 each).
Course-specific additional costs
Depending on the course you are studying, there may be additional course-specific costs that you will be required to meet. These fall into three categories:
- Mandatory Costs: these are related to a particular core or compulsory module that you’ll be required to complete to achieve your qualification e.g. compulsory field trips, uniforms for students on placement, DBS Check.
- Necessarily Incurred Costs: these may not be experienced by all students, and will vary depending on the course e.g. professional body membership, travel to placements, specialist software, personal safety equipment.
- Optional Costs: these depend on your choice of modules or activity and they are shown to give you an indication of the optional costs that may arise to make sure your choice is as informed as possible. These can include graduation events for your course, optional field trips, Welcome Week trips.
Entry Requirements
Offers are tariff based, 48 - 88 tariff points, from Level 3 qualification(s)* e.g.:
- A Levels (including: AS-levels, General Studies)
- International Baccalaureate
- Extended Project Qualification (EPQ)
- BTEC Diplomas and Certificate are accepted
- Cambridge Technical Diplomas and Certificates
- City & Guilds Advanced Technical Diplomas
- Welsh Baccalaureate is accepted
- Scottish Highers
- Irish Leaving Certificate is accepted
- T-levels: considered on a case-by-case basis
We also welcome applications from mature applicants. Mature students and/or those with other qualifications are considered on individual merit
*For a full list of accepted Level 3 qualifications, go to www.ucas.com.
General University Requirements
To study for a degree, you’ll be asked for a minimum of UCAS Tariff points. For a fuller explanation of the UCAS Tariff Points, please see www.ucas.com.
We accept students with a wide range of qualifications and backgrounds and consider each application individually.
All students need to have good basic skills and the University also values IT and communication skills.
As part of the University’s policy, we consider applications from prospective disabled students on the same grounds as all other students.
We also consider applications from mature students who can demonstrate the motivation and commitment to study a university programme. Each year we enrol a significant number of mature students. For more information about studying as a mature student, see our Studying at Bangor section of the website.
EU and International Students' Entry Requirements
For detailed guidance on the entry requirements for EU and International Students, including the minimum English Language entry requirement, please visit the Entry Requirements by Country pages. International applicants can also visit the International Education Centre section of our website for further details.
Bangor University offers International Incorporated Bachelor Degrees for International students whose High School qualification is not equivalent to the UK school leaving qualification. The first year (or Year 0) is studied at Bangor University International College, an embedded College on our University campus and delivered by Oxford International Education Group.
Careers
Studying a Media, Film and Journalism degree prepares you for a career within a competitive creative, cultural and media environment.
Graduates will gain both practical and analytical skills, both are of value to range of media employers. Problem solving, critical judgement, forming sound arguments and developing creative outputs are just some skills students can gain whilst studying at Bangor University. As well as working independently students will have fostered the skills to work as part of a team.
Studying this BA in Media, Film and Journalism can open up a range of careers working in television, news publishing, broadcasting, media agencies, local authorities and public relations departments to name a few.
Our great industry connections provide opportunities to gain filmmaking work experience. For example, our students have visited and taken part in projects with Aria Film Studios in Llangefni. They have also benefited from our links with various independent production companies, including Rondo Media, Cwmni Da, Darlun and Slam Media.
Typical roles include;
- Journalist
- Broadcaster
- Editor
- Reporter
- Assistant Producer
- Writer
- Press Officer
- Technical Director
- Media Producer
- Media Researcher
Opportunities at Bangor
The University’s Careers and Employability Service provides a wide range of resources to help you achieve your graduate ambitions.
Internships
Bangor University runs a paid internship scheme within the university’s academic and service departments.
Student Volunteering
Volunteering widens your experience and improves your employability. Find out more about volunteering on the Students’ Union’s website.
