University of Hertfordshire - BA (Hons) Media and Creative Writing

University of Hertfordshire

BA (Hons) Media and Creative Writing

The delivery of teaching varies according to the characteristics of each module. Workshops are used for modules where the degree of practical skills taught is enhanced by the supervision of experts in their field but there are also seminars and lectures. Attainment of learning outcomes is also assessed in a range of formats from traditional essays to presentations, creating adverts or campaigns or working in a small group to create a documentary. 

In the first year, you’ll study the media industry now and the theories of communication and globalisation that underpin it alongside gaining practical skills in visual awareness, blogging and video. In Creative Writing you’ll start learning how to become a writer and how to write for films, as well as gaining a deeper insight into genre.

In your second year, you’ll study the publishing industry, choose between brand awareness and creating a video feature, magazine design and design for mobile, while in Creative Writing, you’ll learn about the art of telling non-fiction stories and how to write for the stage.

Work placement/study abroad option*: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or complete a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about, but it will also give your CV a boost. If you would rather go straight to your final year, that’s fine too. You can decide in your second year with us, so there is still plenty of time to think about this.

In your final year, you’ll get the option of specialising in practical media modules, such as creating a project for a client, or learning about the PR and Advertising industry or the theory of celebrity and identity within media. In Creative Writing, you’ll get the chance to specialise in either poetry, prose or scriptwriting and think about how writing and reality conflict and complement.

For a full list of modules, see the section under ‘What will I study?’    

Guest speakers and networking (Media Matters and Creative Conversations).   

Each year the School of Humanities hosts a range of industry professionals, giving talks on their experience in the media and publishing industry. These lectures are recorded by our final-year students and available on our Taster Hub. Some of our previous speakers have included:

  • Andrea Thompson, Editor in Chief of Marie Claire
  • Richard Keith, Journalist for Edge Magazine and Publisher, PCGamer
  • Georgina Lawton of online ezine Gal-Dem for women and non-binary people of colour
  • Damian Barr, writer, literary editor and TV host
  • Steve Swann, investigative journalist, BBC
  • Inua Ellams, poet
  • Nell Leyshon, novelist and playwright
  • Tom Edge, screenwriter
  • Carl Rollyson, biographer

Entry Requirements

UCAS pointsA LevelBTECIB requirement
112-120BBC-BBBDMM-DDM112-120 points

GCSE: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics

Access Course Tariff: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3.

All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band.

Course Details

Degree programmes are structured into levels, 4, 5 and 6.  These correspond to your first, second and third/final year of study.  Below you can see what modules you’ll be studying in each.

Year 1

Becoming a writer
Introduction to media communications
Global media and society
Genre fiction: building worlds
Writing for the screen
Journeys and quests: adventures in literature
Sound and image storytelling
Visual communication

Year 2

Research methods in media communications
The publishing industry
Poetry, prose and publishing
Real stories well told

Optional modules
Writing for the stage
Language and imagination: the art of the poem
Video feature
New media branding
The short story workshop
Mobile media design
Magazine design

Year 3

Tell it slant: writing and reality
Short story workshop

Optional modules
Advertising
Corporate communications
Representation and identity in contemporary media
Creative writing project poetry
Creative writing project prose
Creative writing project script
Professional practice publishing project
Music, celebrity and media
Creating a pr campaign
Web design for media professionals

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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