Why study BA Media and Education at Aberystwyth University?
The course
? Taught by two departments (the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies and the School of Education) you will have an opportunity to explore the connections between creative and critical thinking and develop a deep understanding of the relationship between professional practice and imaginative thought.
? The Education element to this degree has an emphasis on learner support, special educational needs, and classroom practices, with a range of specialist modules in these areas. This degree is also a pathway to entry onto PGCE primary and secondary teacher education programmes.
? The various core and optional modules available to you during the duration of this course will give you a deeper understanding of sociology, psychology, cultural studies, history, philosophy, linguistics and marketing.
Facilities
? At Aberystwyth University, our students benefit from our strategic closeness to the National Library of Wales. This is a copyright library which houses every book that has been published in the United Kingdom. In addition, it also home to National Sound and Screen Archive in Wales which is a valuable resource to your research.
? On the University campus, our facilities include the Hugh Owen Library which is open 24/7, the Students’ Union, the Sports Centre and the Arts Centre which has close and deep links with the departments of Theatre, Film and Television Studies. The multitude of facilities on Penglais campus ensures that your student experience is memorable and exceptional.
? The Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies has strong links with external industry, these include the BBC Wales which houses it regional office in the heart of the Department, Boom Cymru, Avanti, Arad Goch and the Mid-Wales Arts Centre. The Department itself is modern, vibrant and has all the latest teaching facilities that media student requires, this includes a brand-new PC lab designed to assimilate the digital media industry, digital production and editing suits, a viewing cinema, a television studio and modern learning spaces.
Our Staff
All academic staff at the Department of Theatre, Film and Television Studies are research active and/or involved in Knowledge Transfer projects and have either relevant academic qualifications at doctoral level or equivalent professional experience and expertise.
Undergraduate lecturers in the School of Education are either qualified to PhD standard or are experienced practitioners in their field. All teaching staff currently possess, or are working towards, a recognised teaching qualification.
What opportunities are there for me?
Many of our graduates have found career paths which include:
? Broadcasting media;
? Floor managers;
? Camera operators;
? Producers and directors;
? Marketing;
? Media Planning;
? Education;
? Public relations.
What will I get from my degree?
Employability is at the heart of our teaching. We encourage our students by:
? Inviting guest speakers to our campus;
? Obtaining work experience with the BBC, Fiction Factory and Boom Pictures;
On completion of this degree, our students become;
? Effective communicators;
? Able to work independently and as part of a team;
? Experience in industrial equipment such as three camera high definition digital television studios, over 40 high definition digital video cameras and digital and video projection facilities.
What work experience opportunities exist whilst studying?
Discover more about the various employment opportunities that our Aberystwyth University Careers team offer.
Enhance your employability prospects with GO Wales and YES (Year in Employment Scheme) managed by our Careers department.
What will I learn?
The breakdown below will provide you with an illustration of what you may study during the three-year degree scheme.
In your first year you may explore:
? Relationship between media forms, media institutions and society;
? The theory and principles surrounding the learner and the learning environment;
? The technology and tools that are used within teaching and learning;
? The links between established media theory and contemporary approaches to new media;
? The links between classic and contemporary debates in communication;
? Effective classroom practices and teaching skills’
? Inclusive learning practices;
? The research relating to modes of communication between radio, press, advertising, mobile phone technologies and the internet;
? Key concepts and techniques of media production, directing, cinematography, editing.
In your second you may discover:
? Specific histories, traditions and roles to each medium;
? The importance of safeguarding and professional practice;
? Television production;
? Television history;
? How to support learners with complex needs;
? A variety of ways and theoretical approaches to textual analysis;
? Experimental media production;
? Policies and perspectives of learning differences and inclusion;
? Website design;
? Surveillance technologies;
? Journalism;
? Advertising;
? Scriptwriting.
In your final year you may have the opportunity to:
? Produce, direct, edit a short video which can be experimental, documentary or narrative fiction;
? The role of assessment in education;
? Teaching methods;
? A dissertation research project focusing on an area of interest;
? Children’s rights;
? Supporting learners with special educational needs;
? The best work will be entered for the Royal Television Society Student Video Awards.
How will I be taught?
Our programme is taught by lecture- workshops allowing for the best interaction and active engagement. In addition, we deliver this programme through seminars, group-based project work, screenings and technical demonstrations
You will be assessed through:
? Group-devised productions;
? Individual film and video projects;
? Research projects;
? Practical analyses;
? Production diaries;
? Creative scriptwriting;
? Formal essays;
? Examinations.
Further information
You will be assigned a personal tutor throughout your degree course, who will help you with any problems or queries, whether these are academic-related or personal issues. You should feel free to contact them at any time for help and advice.
You will also have the opportunity to complete a Personal Development Plan (PDP) at Aberystwyth. This is a structured process of self-appraisal, reflection, and planning, which will enable you to chart your personal, academic and professional development throughout your time at university. By recording your academic performance and highlighting the skills you already have and those you will need for future employability, the PDP portfolio will equip you with the necessary tools to plan effectively, develop successful approaches to study, and consider your future career options and aspirations.
