UNDERGRADUATE COURSE GUIDE 2011 ABERDEEN BUSINESS SCHOOL•ROBERT GORDON UNIVERSITY•ABERDEEN
COMMUNICATION MAKE A NAME FOR YOURSELF – Communication with PR – Journalism – Media
Communication with PR What and when: course overview …and course detail
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Journalism What and when: course overview …and course detail
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Media What and when: course overview …and course detail
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How will I be taught? How can I apply? What next?
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Choosing a course isn’t straightforward. There’s loads of detail you need to know: where will I study? what topics get covered? how do I get assessed? Plus you also want to gain a ‘feel’ for things – ideally, direct and honest from some current or recent students. In this brochure we’ve combined both these: hard facts with real views. And we’ve tried to keep things short and clear, so you don’t get put off by more information than you need. Our aim is to give you a quick, genuine and useful insight into our courses. If there’s anything more you’d like to know, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
PROsPECts: BOOst YOUR CAREER ChOICEs…
Anna Duthie Ba (honS) communication with PR
… has just completed her final year, and highlights the level of contact with the business community as especially beneficial. “This gave us amazing opportunities for work experience. Another highlight was the third year communication project, where we got to completely organise a charity fashion show. Not only did it allow us to work with various professionals, but also to develop skills straight academic work can’t provide. We also raised £10,000 for cancer support charity CLAN.”
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“I particularly enjoyed the teaching style. By combining academia with practical work, it creates a learning environment that’s easy to engage with.”
communication with PR BA (Hons) UCAS P9P2
this interdisciplinary and highly creative course focuses on key management functions relating to internal and external communication. it gives you a strong foundation for any career in the communication industries – public relations in particular. To be successful in the current competitive market, it’s essential that organisations understand and adopt good practices in press and public relations. Their products and services need to be marketed and advertised effectively to their consumers. We can help you gain these skills.
Our course provides a specialised education in corporate communication. You’ll understand the principles and practice of communication, and its application in a range of contexts. career options You can use the skills you’ll gain on this course across a range of careers in the communication industries. It will open doors to areas such as public relations, advertising, marketing, media, information services, public affairs, and event management, as well as managerial careers in commerce, industry or the public sector.
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communication with PR BA (Hons) UCAS P9P2
“I found the way modules are taught – a combination of practical and theoretical elements – really easy to engage with.”
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MADELEINE MARCELLA … following graduation, is currently working at ABS on a three-month Customer Relations Management project, “which is giving me the chance to put some of the research and communication skills I developed during my course into practice.”
PLacements: ...AND GAIN REAL EXPERIENCE
Nothing beats real experience. It makes your studies seem real; tests your understanding of topics, and helps you get an idea of what you might like to do after graduating. (Plus it’s a great thing to have on your CV.) The six week industrial placement in year 3 gives you the opportunity to gain practical experience in your chosen area of the communication and public relations industries. This is also an invaluable opportunity to establish links with potential employers.
Recent placement employers > BBC Scotland > Weber Shandwick > Evening Express > Wood Group > Aberdeen and Grampian Tourist Board > The Scottish Rugby Union press office > National Trust for Scotland press office > The Big Picture > Tricker PR > Oil and Gas UK > The Big Partnership
It’s organised with the help of the Placement Office, which is part of the Aberdeen Business School.
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communication with PR BA (Hons) UCAS P9P2
what & when: COURSE overview… KEY SKILLS This course gives you the framework for: >> Understanding communication theories and processes in an organisational context >> Developing key communication, mediahandling and research skills >> Taking part in challenging, real-world projects – from design to delivery and subsequent evaluation >> Analysing communication issues from a range of academic and practical perspectives
FOCUS ON EMPLOYABILITY The course is highly vocational. It provides you with an academic qualification that’s extremely attractive to potential employers. You’ll graduate with the professional skills and knowledge required to perform a comprehensive range of communication activities. These include: >> Devising original and stimulating marketing campaigns >> Managing media and public relations >> Preparing text and images for effective print and computer-based production You’ll also learn how to become an accomplished communicator, as well as how to use a range of media effectively.
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CLASSROOM STYLES You benefit from a variety of styles and approaches. In some core modules in year 1, for example Professional Writing (focused on a range of written, oral and IT presentation skills), you study alongside students who are taking other courses within the Department of Communication, Marketing and Media. Also in these modules, you share tutorials with a small group (normally no more than 20 students). These are an opportunity to deliver subject-specific case studies and examples. Other subjects – including PR Strategy and Specialisms, Journalism Studies and Communication Principles and Theory – are delivered to small groups of students. This gives you an opportunity to engage individually with members of staff.
OTHER LEARNING For practical elements of the course – such as Digital Media Platforms and Practices, Media Production and Web Design – you’ll get to use our IT labs.
ACCREDITATION The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations – the professional body for the UK public relations industry.
Similarly Journalism Studies makes use of the state-of-the-art TV and radio studios. Project-based work, such as the Communication Project in year 3, allows you to pursue individual areas of interest, as well as work in teams with peers. Year 4 is very much led by you. It’s an opportunity to undertake an extended piece of work, for example the dissertation, along with a dedicated member of staff who acts as your dissertation supervisor. Other modules delivered at this more demanding level include Intercultural Communication, Celebrity Culture, Women and Media, Cinema and Society.
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communication with PR BA (Hons) UCAS P9P2
…& COURSE detail Year 1
Year 2
Semester One
Semester One
>> Professional Writing >> The Media Business >> Visual Culture and Design (30 credits) Semester Two >> Marketing >> Communication Principles and Theory >> Introduction to Management Accounting >> Digital Media Platforms and Practices If you left now, you’d have… Certificate of Higher Education Communication with PR
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>> Introduction to Media Law >> Organisational Behaviour >> Advertising Communication >> Journalism Studies Semester Two >> Media Production Project (30 credits) >> Public Relations >> Web Design If you left now, you’d have… Diploma of Higher Education Communication with PR
Year 3
Year 4
Semester One
Semester One
>> Public Relations Strategy and Specialisms >> Communication Project Management (30 credits) >> Interactive Media Project Semester Two >> Communication Project Practice (30 credits) >> Fieldwork (30 credits) If you left now, you’d have… BA Communication with PR
>> Research Methods (30 credits) >> Two elective modules from: – Intercultural Communication – Postmodern Culture – Business Creativity – Investigative Journalism – Women and Media Semester Two >> Dissertation (30 credits) >> Two elective modules from: – Political Communication – Cinema and Society – Celebrity Culture – Leadership – Corporate Ethics – Media Strategy If you left now, you’d have… BA (Hons) Communication with PR
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JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500
Lee McCann …rates the people he met on the course as a key part of its appeal. “I’ve met a lot of interesting and great people on the course, and would recommend it to anyone who wishes to pursue a career in journalism.”
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“The course offers a great theoretical and practical base to build a career in journalism, with experienced lecturers to pass on their knowledge.”
PROSPECTS: GIVE YOURSELF A HEAD START...
The media industries are rapidly expanding. They provide a wide range of opportunities for graduates properly equipped with a critical knowledge base and production skills appropriate to those industries, as well as a broad range of managerial, professional and technological knowledge and skills. Journalism at ABS provides the foundation for a wide range of career opportunities. The skills you acquire also open up opportunities in a wide variety of careers beyond the journalistic profession. The ‘media industry’ encompasses a wide range of different careers, and is expanding exponentially.
Career options Possible careers are in areas such as newspapers, radio, television and online. Job titles include that of reporter, researcher, web designer, presenter and writer.
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JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500
Kirstie Topp “… would love to be a presenter on radio or TV” after she graduates.
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“You’re encouraged to build up your CV through a variety of placements – which is an advantage, as you can choose depending on what you want to do in the future.”
PLACEMENTS: ...AND BENEFIT FROM REAL WORK
Nothing beats real experience. It makes your studies seem real. Tests your understanding of topics. And helps you get an idea of what you might like to do after graduating. (Plus it’s a great thing to have on your CV.) The six week placement in year 3 provides the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of your choice within the media industries. This is also an invaluable opportunity to establish links with potential employers.
Employers we have links with > Scotsman Publications > The Big Issue > BBC > Bauer Radio > Original Radio > Aberdeen Journals > STV
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JouRnaLiSm BA (Hons) UCAS P500
whAt & whEN: COURsE OvERvIEw… KEY AREAs This course is based around variety. It combines theoretical, analytical and production elements. This mixed approach is particularly important if you plan to use your degree to make a career in journalism. You’ll study the ways that news is sourced, regulated, produced and consumed, and examine the effects of this output on audiences. There‘s a particular focus on the importance of gathering original stories. You’ll also carry out detailed analysis of newspapers, magazines, television and radio and the Internet, with regards to the structure and communication of information, meaning and enjoyment.
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PRACtICAL sKILLs You’ll gain considerable practical experience in reporting and production across print, broadcast and electronic platforms through a series of ultra-local news portals. You’ll build up an extensive portfolio of original work while exploring the global media environment and the factors which impact on its strategic leadership. You’ll gain a thorough grounding in essential skills in print, broadcast and online journalism, as well as developing a sound knowledge of media law and politics to underpin your studies. Additionally, this course gives you a wide range of key transferable skills in research, oral presentation techniques, time management and IT skills. All of these are essential for the wider media profession.
TEACHING SKILLS This is an intensive course, preparing you for a demanding career in journalism. You will complete three or four modules per semester, undertake shorthand training, complete professional examinations, and take part in structured newsdays.
ACCREDITATION We have accreditation pending status from The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).
The course involves a range of lectures, tutorials and lab-based practical sessions. You will also be expected to complete five hours a week shorthand practice in year 1 before undertaking NCTJ examinations in law and politics. Newsdays in years 2 and 3 will be timetabled in eight hour blocks. There will also be weekly news reviews designed to discuss current issues in the media.
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JOURNALISM BA (Hons) UCAS P500
…& COURSE detail Year 1
Year 2
Semester One
Semester One
>> Visual Culture and Design (30 credits) >> News Writing >> Media Law
>> Features Writing >> Desktop Publishing for Journalists >> Photojournalism >> Audio Production
Semester Two >> Governing the UK >> Print Journalism >> Broadcast Journalism and Production (30 credits)
Semester Two >> Web Design >> Public Affairs >> Principles and Practice of Reporting (30 credits)
If you left now, you’d have… Certificate of Higher Education in Journalism
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If you left now, you’d have… Diploma of Higher Education in Journalism
YEAR 3
YEAR 4
Semester One
Semester One
> Journalism and Literature > Applied News Production (30 credits) > Advanced Law for Journalists Semester Two > Placement (30 credits) > Magazine Production (30 credits) If you left now, you’d have… BA Journalism
> Research Methods (30 credits) > Digital News Portfolio > Investigative Journalism oR Women and Media Semester Two > Dissertation (30 credits) > Political Communication > Media Strategy oR Celebrity Culture If you left now, you’d have… BA (Hons) Journalism
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PROSPECTS: OPEN UP MORE POSSIBILITIES...
“These are real, practical modules that require initiative, self-discipline, time management and teamwork; invaluable skills for students throughout their degree and in future careers.”
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Angela Mclean BA (Hons) Media Studies
… transferred to the Media Studies course after two years of the Publishing with Journalism degree. Angela is particularly enthusiastic about ABS’s work experience opportunities. “These gave me confidence in my abilities, and also more practical experience of working in the media. As part of a communication project in third year we delivered a fashion show. It was a huge learning experience but highly successful: many students received job offers and forged vital connections through it.”
mediA BA (Hons) UCAS P300
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mEdia BA (Hons) UCAS P300
PLACEMENts: ...AND GEt REAL hANDs-ON EXPERIENCE “My placement was a good opportunity to make a name for myself at a local media company. At the end of the six weeks I was asked if I’d like to continue working with the company once I’d finished university – my ultimate goal!”
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richard baron … has just completed the third year, having entered via the 2+2 scheme. For Richard, “the main course modules that stood out were Media Theory and Practice, Fieldwork Placement and the Communication Project. It was the excitement of being able to share my work with other members of the course that made it fun, especially in the communication project.”
the media industries are rapidly expanding, particularly with the recent growth of digital media. They provide a range of opportunities for graduates properly equipped with a critical knowledge base and production skills appropriate to those industries, as well as a range of managerial, professional and technological knowledge and skills. You’ll gain those skills on this course, plus media communication and IT training. Possible careers are in areas such as radio and TV, animation, computer games, commercials, interactive media, corporate production and photo imaging. Job titles include: television and radio researcher, web designer, advertising executive, producer, presenter, journalist and writer.
Placement the six week placement in year 3 provides the opportunity to gain practical experience in an area of your choice within the media industries. This is also an invaluable opportunity to establish links with potential employers. We have links with several companies, including Scotsman Publications, The Big Issue, Bloomsbury Publishing, SMG Newspapers and BBC Educational and Factual Magazines. Or you could work at broadcast media organisations including Northsound Radio and STV, as well as in promotional and marketing roles, and at web design companies.
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mediA BA (Hons) UCAS P300
what & when: COURSE overview… The BENEFITS Through this course, you‘ll develop a broad understanding of both the theoretical and practical aspects of the media, in print, broadcast and online formats, as well as an appreciation of the structure and context of the industry and its various facets. We’ve created the content of this course with the real world of contemporary media in mind. You’ll gain an understanding of the manner in which the global media operates and the factors which impact on its strategic management. As the industry becomes increasingly global and digital technology becomes more sophisticated, the opportunities for the industry are both exciting and challenging. A degree in Media from ABS will give you the skills needed to make the most of those opportunities.
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KEY SKILLS You will gain a thorough grounding in essential skills in media production (print, broadcast and online), research, communication, reporting and media handling. Additionally, this course gives you a wide range of key transferable skills in research, oral presentation techniques, time management and IT skills. All of these are essential for the wider media profession.
TEACHING STYLES
OTHER LEARNING
In some core modules in year 1, such as Visual Culture and Design and The Media Business, you study alongside students who are taking other courses within the Department of Communication, Marketing and Media.
For practical elements of the course – such as Media Production Project and Web Design – you’ll get to use our IT labs.
Also in these modules, you share tutorials with a small group (normally no more than 20 students). These are an opportunity to deliver subject-specific case studies and examples.
Project-based work, such as the Communication Project in year 3, allows you to pursue your own areas of interest as well as work in teams with your peers.
Other subjects – including Documentary Discourse and Practice and Digital Animation – are delivered to small groups of students only on this course. This gives you an opportunity to engage individually with members of staff.
Similarly Journalism Studies makes use of the state-of-theart TV and radio studios.
As with the other courses in the department, at year 4 you apply the research and evaluation skills developed at earlier stages and work with a dedicated supervisor on your dissertation. Other modules studied include Cinema and Society, Celebrity Culture, Women and Media, Business Creativity.
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mediA BA (Hons) UCAS P300
…& COURSE detail Year 1
Year 2
Semester One
Semester One
>> Professional Writing >> The Media Business >> Visual Culture and Design (30 credits)
>> Introduction to Media Law >> Documentary Discourse and Practice >> Journalism Studies >> Advertising Communication
Semester Two >> Digital Animation >> Marketing >> Communication Principles and Theory >> Digital Media Platforms and Practices
Semester Two >> Media Production Project (30 credits) >> Media Semiotics and Discourse >> Web Design If you left now, you’d have…
If you left now, you’d have… Certificate of Higher Education Media
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Diploma of Higher Education Media
Year 3
Year 4
Semester One
Semester One
>> Media History >> Interactive Media Project >> Communication Project Management (30 credits) Semester Two >> Fieldwork (30 credits) >> Communication Project Practice (30 credits) If you left now, you’d have… BA Media
>> Research Methods (30 credits) >> Two elective modules from: – Intercultural Communication – Postmodern Culture – Business Creativity – Investigative Journalism – Women and Media Semester Two >> Dissertation (30 credits) >> Two elective modules from: – Political Communication – Cinema and Society – Leadership – Corporate Ethics – Media Strategy – Celebrity Culture If you left now, you’d have… BA (Hons) Media
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How will I be taught?
You’ll learn through a range of delivery modes, including lectures, tutorials, seminars and IT lab-based practical activity.
The nature of the course is interactive: you’ll apply theory to practice, and consider a range of problems, issues and case studies, including live client projects. How much work’s involved? Typical contact hours are 3–4 per module per week, although this varies between modules. Typically, students are expected to devote 150 hours of study to each module – this includes class contact time, reading and research, additional time spent in labs, TV and radio studios, and studying for assessments. You’re required to actively participate in the learning process. Our courses are intensive, yet highly enjoyable and engaging, and most students become highly motivated to develop their skills and knowledge abilities to a high level. You need to attend regularly and engage with every component to achieve a satisfactory level of performance. Similarly you’ll need to extend your learning from formally delivered methods through wider reading, research, and self-directed enquiry. Students are expected to utilise the full range of resources available to them, in support of all their studies.
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As you develop over the course, you’re expected to become increasingly self-motivated and self-supporting, taking greater control of your studies, and defining your personal objectives. You’ll also be encouraged to reflect critically on your learning, and to establish a view of your own progress and development, which may form the basis of tutorial guidance with staff. What support is there? You will be supported by a range of Learner Support Systems, ranging from personal tutors, to academic and professional support from course tutors (including regular surgery sessions in each module) and from the Study Support Centre. The main vehicle for independent learning is the personal researchbased dissertation. For this, you’ll receive training and instruction in: >> Aspects of methodology >> The nature of research >> Writing a research proposal >> Sourcing relevant information >> Collection, analysis and synthesis of data >> Research ethics >> Writing up your work
How can I apply?
Entry Requirements
Alternative qualifications
Study options
SQA Higher: BBCC including English at B
Equivalent overseas qualifications, SQA, BTEC and some access programmes will be considered.
Full-time: 4 years
GCE A level: CCC including English (or Communication for the Communication with PR course) ILC Higher: BC1C1C1 including English at B International Baccalaureate: 26 points including Higher English at Grade 5
Degree link programme Communication with PR Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Advertising and Public Relations, Communication with Media or Marketing at one of our partner FE Colleges. Journalism Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Journalism.
Placement A six week placement in year 3. Professional accreditation Our Communication with PR course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Accreditation is also being sought from the National Council for the Training of Journalists and the Broadcasting Journalism Training Council for the Journalism course.
Media Entry to year 3 may be possible if you’ve completed an HND in Communication with Media or Creative Industries: Television at one of our partner FE Colleges.
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WHAT NEXT?
The next thing to do is talk to us. We can answer any questions you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728 or email admissions@rgu.ac.uk We also provide a range of opportunities for you to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you ďŹ rst hand.
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This course guide is intended as a guide for applicants for courses delivered by Robert Gordon University. In compiling it the University has taken every care to be as accurate as possible, and the information in this course guide is correct at the time of going to print, but the course guide must be read as subject to change at any time and without notice. The University undertakes to make every reasonable effort to provide the teaching and academic facilities necessary for applicants’ programmes of study. However the University reserves the right, if such action is considered to be necessary, to make variations to fees and/or to vary the content or delivery method of any course at any time. In addition, the University may, at its sole discretion, discontinue or amalgamate any course(s). In these rare cases the University will notify applicants as soon as possible and reasonable steps will be taken to provide a suitable alternative to a discontinued course.
Open Day
Applicants’ Day
We organise two annual open days in October and November each year. It’s a perfect opportunity to visit us, meet the academic staff, experience the first-class facilities and talk to current students.
When you apply for any course at ABS, you’ll be invited to one of our course-specific Applicants’ Days – scheduled for February and March 2011.
For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/openday or request a brochure on 01224 262044.
We realise there’s a lot involved in making your final choice, so we hope to give you all the insight and information you need. Visit Afternoons We hold monthly Visit Afternoons, held on a Wednesday between 1:00–3:00pm at either our Schoolhill or Garthdee Campus. For upcoming dates, follow the link on www.rgu.ac.uk/visitafternoons The visit includes a talk by a Schools’ Liaison Officer, a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to a lecturer on the course you’re interested in.
Aberdeen Business School Robert Gordon University Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QE
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Talk to us. We can answer any questions or queries you may have. Simply call us on 01224 262728, email admissions@rgu.ac.uk or visit us at rgu.ac.uk