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Birkbeck, University of London · Undergraduate
BA (Hons) Film and Media (BA): 4-year, part-time Bachelor's degree at Birkbeck, University of London
BA (Hons) Film and Media (BA): 4-year, part-time at BUL. Birkbeck's BA Film and Media is a four-year, part-time degree designed to develop the knowledge and practical skills you need for careers in film, media and the creative industries.
BA (Hons)
Award
–
Years
Part-time
Study mode
85%
continuation
About this course
Our BA Film and Media equips you with the core knowledge and key skills to work in the creative and cultural industries. You From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Film and Media (BA): 4-year, part-time is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at BUL, based in Birkbeck College. It is studied part-time; duration varies by route.
For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Media & Communications, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
8.6
/ 10
2 of 3 official measures
Student satisfaction
What students say in the National Student Survey
Excellent87
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Continuation
Students who continue past their first year
Excellent85
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2021-23. Continuation 85% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
Year 1 3 modules
- Introduction to CinemaCore
- Cinema TodayCompulsory
- Working with the Film CameraCompulsory
Year 2 2 modules
- Approaches to Cinema HistoryCompulsory
- Television: from small screen to smart screenCompulsory
Level 4 6 modules
- Introduction to Digital CultureOptional
- Introduction to Journalism PracticeOptional
- Journalism in British LifeOptional
- Media Studies: Key Thinkers and ApproachesOptional
- ScreenwritingOptional
- Working with Digital MediaOptional
Level 5 10 modules
- Designing DigitallyOptional
- Documentary JournalismOptional
- Formats and SpecialisationsOptional
- Media, Technology and CultureOptional
- Micro-placementOptional
- Researching DigitallyOptional
- Screenwriting - The Thirty-Minute ScriptOptional
- Working in the Creative and Cultural SectorOptional
- Working with Film SoundOptional
- Your Career DevelopmentOptional
Level 6 10 modules
- Communicating DigitallyOptional
- Contemporary European CinemaOptional
- Globalisation and Media CulturesOptional
- Industry Placement/Career Development ReportOptional
- Media and ConflictOptional
- Principles of Digital Video and EditingOptional
- Principles of Layout and DesignOptional
- Script Development and Script EditingOptional
- Story Matters: Writing for TelevisionOptional
- Working with Found FootageOptional
Year 4 1 modules
- Project BA Film and MediaCompulsory
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This BA Film and Media equips you with core knowledge and practical skills for work in the creative and cultural industries. A course like this typically moves from foundational theory, exploring how media shapes audiences and representation, through production essentials such as camera, audio and editing. You'll usually study media industries and digital cultures, then progress to specialist options such as Journalism, PR & advertising, Film & TV, Social media, Games & interactive, or Production portfolio work. Throughout, you'll develop research methods and ethical understanding. Towards the end, most students undertake an industry project or placement, and complete either a written dissertation or substantial media production that draws together your learning.
Who it's for
This course is for people with genuine curiosity about how film and media work, both as creative forms and as cultural forces shaping society. You should be comfortable engaging with written theory and analysis, yet eager to put those ideas into practice through hands-on projects and creative work. You'll thrive if you're self-directed: part-time study requires you to manage your own time and motivation alongside other responsibilities. An interest in exploring specialist areas in depth, whether documentary, critical theory, digital media, or production, will help you get the most from the optional and independent components. If you want a degree that treats you as a thinking practitioner, not just a student consuming content, this is a good fit.
Careers & job market
Across Media and Communications courses nationally, 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months. Starting salaries for graduates in this field range from £22,000 to £28,000, though earnings vary with role and sector. After five years, national figures show a range of £22,525 to £31,800. Around 60% of working graduates in the field occupy highly skilled roles or are undertaking further study, reflecting the range of paths available in creative and media sectors, from broadcasting and journalism to digital content, arts administration and beyond.
University & format
This degree is delivered part-time over 4 years at Birkbeck, University of London, a public university founded in 1823. Teaching is conducted in English. The BA (Hons) award is recognised as a UK degree-awarding body, so your qualification is nationally recognised. Birkbeck received Bronze in the Office for Students' Teaching Excellence Framework 2023.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
2027 entry deadlineApply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. UCAS dates
Open daysBook open days
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
2026 entryLive availability check
Opened 2 July 2026; last choice 19 October 2026. Check vacancies now. A cached page never claims a place is still available.
Entry & how to get in
Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent75% of accepted students came in with A-levels or equivalent (entrants over recent years).
Entry requirements are set by the universityGrades, subjects and contextual offers vary. Check BUL's official course page for the current offer.
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 75% |
| another higher-education qualification | 15% |
| a previous degree | 5% |
| Other | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Offer-based entry
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
Apply byApply directly to the providerfor this course
UCAS codeP397quote this on your application
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course (code P397). One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by Apply directly to the provider
Part-time application dates vary by provider. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
💡 Many universities make a contextual (reduced-grade) offer, for example based on your school’s results, time in care, or where you live. Ask BUL whether you’re eligible before you apply; it can lower the grades you need.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Homeup to £9,790 / yr
International£18,500 / yr
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at BUL →For students who normally live in England
illustrative Maintenance Loan per year
Check providertuition used per year, no published course home fee, total not estimated
total borrowing, course length not published
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Funding matched to this course
All BUL funding →Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
Named awards published by the university. Compare the eligibility and application route before budgeting for one.
Amounts, exclusions and deadlines can change. An award is not guaranteed unless the university confirms it.
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Career quizApplication walkthroughSalary & CV check
Careers & earnings
What Media & Communications graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £24,000 | £21,500 – £26,000 | 60 |
| 3 years after | £26,000 | £17,500 – £43,000 | 20 |
| 5 years after | £35,500 | £19,000 – £52,000 | 20 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-22.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
85%
continue past their first year
- 1Graduate roleFirst role after the degree · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / PractitionerWorking in media & communications · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / LeadLeading work and people · 5–10 yrs
- 4Head of / ExpertSenior leadership or deep expertise · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Media & Communications nationally
Starting (15 months) HESA GO
£24,000
£22,000 – £28,000After 3 years LEO
£26,000
£18,275 – £25,800After 5 years LEO
£35,500
£22,525 – £31,800national rangethis course’s medianaxis £17,000 – £37,000
National figures for Media & Communications graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
85 of 100
continued or completed
continued into the next year or completed their qualification
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 60; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-22. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Media & Communications courses at the same study level.
This course £35,500Peer median £26,500Middle 50% £24,000–£30,000
94th percentile
Compared with 541 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
Birkbeck University of LondonBA (Hons) Digital Media (BA) 4-year, part-time£35,500Birkbeck University of LondonBA (Hons) Journalism and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish)£35,500Birkbeck University of LondonBA (Hons) Journalism and Media£35,500Birkbeck University of LondonBA (Hons) Journalism and Media with Foundation Year£35,500
Job market & outlook
How Media & Communications graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
90%
in work or further study 15 months after graduating, across Media & Communications courses nationally.
Graduate Outcomes60%
of working graduates are in highly skilled work or further study.
highly skilled85%
of students continue past their first year (still enrolled or completed).
continuationHow AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine information gathering
- First-draft writing and summaries
- Standard analysis and admin
- Repetitive processing tasks
More human than ever
- Judgement and original thinking
- Working with and leading people
- Owning and sense-checking AI output
- Ethics and accountability
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Media & Communications graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Media companies
- Agencies
- In-house comms teams
- Broadcasters & charities
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Media & Communications graduates.
Media Operations, VP (Parental Leave Cover)WPP MediaMedia Relations ManagerCommonwealth War Graves CommissionMedia ManagerUS Tech SolutionsMedia Planning and Buying CoordinatorBurberryMedia Sales ExecutiveService ServiceMedia Planner/BuyerDifferent Technologies Pty Ltd.Live from the StudySmarter job board · as of 2026-08-01.See all matching jobs
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
💷
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
📈
Where graduates go
Most graduates were in work or further study, with a median salary of £24,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
⭐
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.6 out of 10: NSS 87% · continued 85%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Birkbeck College
All students7,720
International12%
Aged 25+66.6%
Media, journalism and communications across the UK
Students47,255
Aged 25+18.5%
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around Birkbeck College - Bloomsbury Campus
14,111 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Theft From The Person 3001Other Theft 2876Violent Crime 1994Anti Social Behaviour 1989Shoplifting 1625
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Media & Communications right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to BUL from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,500 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check BUL’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with BUL and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at BUL
BA (Hons) Digital Media (BA) 3-year, full-timeBA (Hons) · BULBA (Hons) Digital Media (BA) 4-year, part-timeBA (Hons) · BULBA (Hons) Digital Media and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish)BA (Hons) · BULBA (Hons) Digital Media and Language (French, German, Italian, Japanese, Spanish) with Foundation YearBA (Hons) · BUL
Common questions
What are the entry requirements?
Set by BUL. Most accepted students held A-levels or equivalent. Check the university's course page for the exact offer.
What do graduates go on to do?
For Media, journalism and communications graduates from this provider, typical earnings around £24,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
What will it cost me?
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years. See Fees & funding on this page to work out your numbers.
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