Mass Communications (Top-Up) BA (Hons)

Top-up your existing qualification to a full honours degree. Mix academic rigour with practical skills. Undertake a CV-enhancing work placement. Gain a comprehensive understanding of new media, cultural theory, and popular culture, and their increasing significance in contemporary culture and society. Acquire new skills using industry-standard equipment.

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Overview

The BA (Hons) Mass Communications course contains an equal combination of practical and theoretical skills – as found in our journalism and public relations degrees – with academic study of media, film, and culture.

On the practical side, modules include ‘News Journalism’, ‘Scriptwriting’, and ‘New Media’. As part of daily drop-in sessions, professional journalists are on hand to provide professional input into your work.

On the theory side, modules include ‘Cultural Theory and Popular Culture’, and ‘Film Studies’.

Why us?

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, public relations, and new media industries

Join our creative community: @SunderlandCreative #WeAreCreative

Course structure

We use a variety of teaching methods including lectures, demonstrations, screenings, seminars, workshops, tutorials, small-group work, debates, group and individual project work, independent learning, open and resource-based learning, multimedia and new media learning, production practice, and work placements.

Generally, the theory modules employ a lecture-plus-seminar format, while practice modules use workshop-tutorial and/or lecture-tutorial formats.

Assessment methods include portfolios of practical work, essays, examinations, reports, and presentations.

Course modules

Year 3 (national level 6):

Core modules:

Communication and Culture (30 credits)

How does media shape the way we see each other across cultures? Explore key theories of culture, communication, and media, and how they influence the way we connect in a globalised world.

Uncover how media representations shape cultural perceptions and power, and explore the challenges of communicating across different cultures. Topics like globalisation, migration, cultural hybridity, and digital divides will help you build a critical understanding of the world around you.

Global Media Societies (30 credits)

How are storytelling and profit connected in today’s world? Uncover the powerful links between advertising, branding, and quality television drama. As well as other media forms, by tracing their historical roots and industrial growth.

Examine how media is made, sold, and consumed, and dive into key global debates about its influence on society. Through critical analysis, you’ll develop a strong understanding of how creative content and commercial interests shape the media we see every day.

Popular Media Formats (30 credits)

How do media creators shape stories and how do audiences respond? Critically explore popular media forms using key theories, while also developing hands-on production skills.

Explore how media is made, what keeps audiences engaged, and how cultural context affects both creators and consumers. Alongside this, you’ll produce your own media work, building practical skills that reflect your personal and professional interests.

Professional Media (30 credits)

What does it take to succeed in the media and communications industries? Prepare yourself for a professional career by developing advanced skills in media production, project management, and critical thinking.

Work on real-world projects, build industry ready teamwork and networking skills, and reflect on the ethical and legal responsibilities of media creators. By the end of the module, you’ll produce a polished professional portfolio that showcases both your creative talent and academic insight.

Some modules have prerequisites. Read more about what this means in our Help and Advice article.

Facilities

We continually invest in industry-standard equipment and our David Puttnam Media Centre is a centre for excellence for training students.

Entry requirements

We don’t currently display entry requirements for United States. Please contact the Student Admin team on studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk or 0191 515 3154.

The typical entry requirement is the successful completion of one of the following:

BTEC HND in a subject related to mass communications
Foundation Degree in a subject related to mass communications
240 credits or equivalent of a recognised UK undergraduate award in a relevant subject.

We'll consider applications from applicants who don't hold one of the qualifications in the list above but who do have relevant experience.

If English isn't your first language, please see our English language requirements.

Is your qualification not displaying here? For international qualifications, search our full list of international entry requirements for this course.

Fees and finance

The annual, full-time fee for this course is:

£9,535 if you are from the UK*/Europe
£16,500 if you are an international student

*Undergraduate fees are set according to rules from Government in line with forecast inflation. The fee for your first year of study for 2025/26 will be £9,535. You will pay tuition fees for every year of study. Fees may increase every year based on the Retail Price Index.

Tuition fees for part-time students are £7,145 per 90 credits. Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.

Read more about EU fees and funding in our Help and Advice article.

Take a look at the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.

This information was correct at the time of publication.

Career ready

This degree prepares you for a wide range of careers in newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, public relations, and new media industries. It's also highly relevant to many positions in industry, commerce, and the Civil Service, as well as to jobs in the arts and voluntary sectors.

Recent graduates from Sunderland have gained jobs with employers such as:

BBC (including Radio 1)
Channel 4
Sky TV
MTV
The Guardian
Regional newspapers
PR companies.

You could also choose to continue your studies with a master's degree.

Related courses

BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication

Contact

Contact the Student Helpline for further information about studying at the University of Sunderland:

0191 515 3000

student.helpline@sunderland.ac.uk

View Programme Specifications for the Faculty of Arts and Creative Industries.

Page last updated: 03 July 2025

We aim to provide clear, accurate and timely information to prospective and current students. We continuously review and enhance course content in consultation with our students and the information provided on our website is the latest available. If you have received an offer from us to start a course, we will communicate any important changes to you in writing. We will always seek to ensure that our prospective students are fully aware of the basis on which they are accepting an offer.