Media and Communication with a Foundation Year
Media and communication is a field that examines how information, culture, and meaning are produced and circulated in modern societies, and how digital technologies have transformed these processes. From the printing press to the internet and social media, the media of communication have always shaped what people know, how they understand themselves and others, and how power is exercised and contested. Media and communication studies provides the theoretical and analytical tools to understand these dynamics, alongside the practical skills to work within the media industries themselves.
At Swansea University, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year, providing an accessible entry into degree-level study in media and communication for students who benefit from additional preparation. You will develop a thorough understanding of contemporary media theory, the history of communication technologies, journalism and the news media, digital and social media, advertising and public relations, and the political and economic dimensions of media industries. Alongside critical analysis, the programme develops practical communication skills that are relevant to working in media and related fields.
The foundation year provides the academic grounding and confidence to engage fully with the degree.
Graduates work across journalism, broadcasting, digital content creation, public relations, advertising, social media management, film and television production, policy, and cultural organisations. The media and communications sector is large and diverse, and the ability to think critically about media alongside producing competent work for it is valued by a wide range of employers. Many graduates also pursue postgraduate study in media, communications, or related disciplines, while others go into roles in policy, education, or the voluntary sector where communication skills and media literacy are important.
The typical entry tariff of 56 points reflects the programme's accessibility for students from a range of backgrounds.