Media Studies

Media studies is the academic discipline concerned with how media, from newspapers and broadcast television through to social platforms and algorithmic content systems, shape what we know, believe, and feel about the world. It asks how media organisations are structured and funded, how they construct representations of reality, who has power over media production and distribution, and what the consequences of media consumption are for individuals and societies. It draws on sociology, cultural theory, political economy, and communication studies to develop an analytical framework for understanding media as both an industry and a cultural force.

At the University of Portsmouth, this three-year full-time programme is distinguished by an innovative mix of options that allows you to tailor your study to your interests while developing a strong common foundation in media analysis and theory. The programme includes a sandwich year in industry, a year abroad, and work placement opportunities, giving you an unusually rich combination of professional and international experience alongside the academic study. The sandwich year might involve work in a media organisation, a PR agency, a content production company, or any of the many fields where media skills are valued.

The year abroad adds a comparative international dimension to your understanding of how different societies experience and regulate their media.

Portsmouth's location on the south coast of England gives you access to a range of media and communications employers in the region and easy connection to London's concentrated media industry.

Graduates of media studies programmes work in journalism, broadcasting, public relations, digital content, advertising, research, education, and a wide range of roles in the creative and communications industries. The analytical skills the degree develops are also valued in policy, campaigning, and any professional context where understanding how media works matters. Postgraduate study in media, journalism, or communications is a natural next step.