BA (Hons) Media

aBeRDeen BUSineSS SChOOL

UNdeRGRAdUATe COURSe GUide 2013

n o s e d c n n a e h eri p x e a i d me

Media What and when: course overview …and course detail

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How will I be taught?

Key facts What next?

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Choosing a course isn’t straightforward.

There’s lots of detail you need to know. Where will I study?

What topics are covered?

How will I be assessed?

You also want to gain a ‘feel’ for things – directly from some current students and graduates.

In this brochure we’ve combined hard facts about the degree with real views of students and graduates. We have also kept things short and clear, so you don’t get 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.

MeDia BA (Hons) UCAS P300

e v i t a e r c a r t e ge care n o i t c u d o r int

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The media industries are rapidly expanding, and this course will provide you with the knowledge and skills to pursue a specialist career in this exciting sector. it will help you to build a portfolio of practical experience and transferable skills.

All aspects of media production across the audio visual and digital industries are incorporated into the course. What’s more, the course has strong links with media companies, such as the BBC and STV, and includes a placement experience in the wider media industries.

The course will provide a specialised and valuable education in media skills and communication. You will gain an understanding of the key principles and practices required, and how they can be best applied.

Career options You can use the skills you will gain on this course across a range of careers in the media industries.

It will open doors to careers in areas such as radio and TV broadcasting, film production, advertising, interactive media, online content creation, and, also in corporate production.

izzy Crawford SUBJeCT LeAdeR BA (HONS) mediA

“The BA (Hons) Media at Aberdeen Business School aims to develop your practical skills whilst building your knowledge of contemporary managerial and strategic issues relevant to the sector. We are committed to producing graduates who are in high demand by employers and who go on to successful careers in this vibrant and dynamic industry.

As a student you will gain valuable hands on experience through real life client projects, interactive coursework and assessments and your third year fieldwork placement.”

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MeDia BA (Hons) UCAS P300

PROSPeCtS:

Get aheaD in the MeDia 4

“The best thing about studying Media is the diversity of modules you go through as you progress ... you cover the entire spectrum of potential careers in four years.”

Lina Kotseva BA (HONS) mediA

“I chose to study at RGU because of all the good reviews I’d heard and read, and once I started my course I knew I’d made the right decision.

It’s a modern university and the quality of teaching is exceptional. You’re made to feel welcome right from the start!

I formed part of the market research team for our third year communication project

and the things I learned from the experience went beyond education and into real life as I developed delegation, communication and effective time management skills.

“I’m originally from Bulgaria and find the best thing about Aberdeen itself is that it’s intimate, yet offers everything you’d expect from city life – concerts, big shows and trendy shops. It has a fantastic, busy and student-oriented night life.”

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MeDia BA (Hons) UCAS P300

PROSPeCtS:

Get YOURSeLF heaRD

“There’s a great social dynamic among students in a city hosting two universities.”

Mike Dowds BA (HONS) mediA

“Having such a respected university nearby was a huge factor for me as an Aberdonian.

I’d contemplated moving elsewhere to study but instead I first undertook a two-year HND course at a local college then took advantage of the ‘2+2’ progression route, which allows college students to move on straight into third year at RGU. The bulk of the work at 6

the college was practical, so it made a lot of sense to balance that with a mix of theory and practical work at the university.

“It was particularly enjoyable for me to take part in numerous practical exercises, especially the third year fashion show. My placement was also definitely a beneficial experience – I actually worked in the placement office at RGU to produce a video highlighting the benefits of taking part in the scheme!”

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

PROSPeCtS:

Get 8

e h t n i C i P

e R U t

abi Riva mediA BA (HONS)

“Throughout my course, I established several contacts which I hope to use for my wedding filming and photography business, Grampian Media, which I started in August last year (2011).

“I have just returned from Cannes Film Festival where I was filming for nine days. This was a fantastic experience as there were many movie stars there, glitz and the most amazing red carpet. I met several individuals who I have become very good friends with and plan to see them later this year for a reunion!”

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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

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.

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 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.

OTHER LEARNING For practical elements of the course – such as Media Production Project and Web Design – you’ll get to use our IT labs.

Similarly Documentary Discourse and Practice uses industry standard cameras and editing software, whilst other modules make use of state of the art TV and radio studios.

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.

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

Please note that the course structure is reviewed each year and may be subject to change.

Semester One >> >> >>

Professional Writing The Media Business Visual Culture and Design (30 credits)

Semester Two >>

>> >>

>>

Communication Principles and Theory Digital Animation Digital Media Platforms and Practices Marketing

If you left now, you’d have…

Certificate of Higher Education Media

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year 2 Semester One >> >>

>>

Advertising Communication Documentary Discourse and Practice (30 credits) Introduction to Media Law

Semester Two >>

>> >>

Media Production Project (30 credits) Media Semiotics and Discourse Web Design

If you left now, you’d have…

Diploma of Higher Education Media

year 3

Semester One >> Communication Project Management (30 credits) >> Interactive Media Project >> Media History Or study abroad at an overseas university

year 4 Semester One >> Research Methods Plus THREE options from: >> >> >> >> >>

Business Creativity Intercultural Communication Investigative Journalism Postmodern Culture Women and the Media

Semester Two >> Communication Project Practice (30 credits) >> Fieldwork (30 credits) If you left now, you’d have…

BA Media

Semester Two >> Dissertation (30 credits) Plus TWO options from: >> >> >> >> >> >>

Celebrity Culture Cinema and Society Corporate Ethics Leadership Media Strategy Political Communication

If you left now, you’d have…

BA (Hons) Media

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SPReaD YOUR winGS enJOY new hORiZOnS

BYe, aU RevOiR, CiaO anD See YOU SOOn

What could possibly be better than studying at Robert Gordon University?

Good question!

How about studying here – but also getting a chance to spend some time studying abroad!

Going abroad to study or work could be one of the most exciting and rewarding aspects of your course. The experience, new friends, a different country, climate, culture and language: these, and many other factors, make it an unforgettable time – wherever you go!

Well that’s entirely possible.

Most undergraduate programmes at Aberdeen Business School include the opportunity for a period of study abroad with one of our carefully chosen international partners – both in Europe and beyond.

Our Study Abroad programmes offer additional educational and cultural experiences – but all as part of your accredited qualification with RGU. Many employers like to have graduates with some international experience, so it’s your chance to enhance your CV and widen your employment opportunities.

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And where you go – will depend on the course you study. Each participating course has its own partner institutions in different countries. Most of the courses have more than one partner institution, so you can choose which institution or country is most suitable for you.

So if we say that you might need a phrase book and sunglasses when you come to Aberdeen, we are being serious!

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Go N

Ort

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H, B

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thinGS aRe LOOKinG UP, UP nORth

Scotland at its best. aye, that’s right!

A great Scottish location and brilliant career opportunities; Robert Gordon University gives you lots to smile about...

Aberdeen is pretty unique in the UK with its cosmopolitan culture, rich heritage and fantastic scenery. It’s got everything you’d expect from a major city – pubs, clubs, restaurants, cinemas, theatres and art galleries – but there’s lots more than that!

Consistently named “best modern university in the UK” by leading University Guides and “top in the UK for graduate employment” (HESA, 2012), Robert Gordon University is the ideal place to start your career.

What’s more, Aberdeen was recently named the “sunniest city in Scotland” (Bank of Scotland Quality of Life League, 2011). So it’s time to get yourself up north, where things will be good for you too!

Like the miles of beach boulevard – loved by skaters and surfers – and the wild mountains right on the doorstep: Aberdeen is home to three superb ski and snowboarding slopes, plus some of the best hillwalking in Scotland and loads of great places for canoeing, kayaking and sailing!

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? t h g u a t e ow will i b

h You’ll learn through a range of delivery modes, including lectures, tutorials, seminars and IT lab-based practical activity.

The nature of the courses 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.

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

Enterprise Skills: The Charles P Skene Enterprise Programme Enterprise skills are critical in every 21st century career; they not only boost your employability, but can also be the key to survival when selfemployed. Which is why, at RGU, we now offer all our students real-life experience and tuition in entrepreneurial skills.

The Enterprise Programme introduces all students to enterprise skills through a series of lectures, workshops and master-classes. In addition, it provides access to many other exciting activities including a unique business incubator designed to help students transform embryonic ideas into fully fledged business opportunities.

To find out more visit www.rgu.ac.uk/business-incubator

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KeY FaCtS Alternative qualifications

Study options

Equivalent overseas qualiďŹ cations and some access courses will be considered.

Full-time: 4 years

Degree link programme

Placement A six week placement in year 3.

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 UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk We also provide a range of opportunities for you to visit us – so you can see what we can offer you first 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.

For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/openday.

Open days 3 October 2012 3 November 2012 Applicants’ days 2 March 2013 20 March 2013

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.

For full details of dates and times, and to see a full programme please see www.rgu.ac.uk/ absapplicantsday.

Visit Afternoons We hold monthly Visit Afternoons.

The visit includes a talk by an Education Liaison Officer, a tour of the facilities and a chance to speak to a lecturer about the course you’re interested in.

Aberdeen Business School Robert Gordon University Garthdee Road Aberdeen AB10 7QE Talk to us.

We can answer any questions or queries you may have.

Simply call us on 01224 262728, email UGOffice@rgu.ac.uk or visit us at rgu.ac.uk Izzy Crawford Subject Leader Email: i.c.crawford@rgu.ac.uk Tel: 01224 263820

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www.rgu.ac.uk/communication

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