Media Arts (BA)

Applicants come from a diverse range of backgrounds and we accept a broad range of qualifications. Special consideration will be given to mature applicants, and we are happy to consider applicants with other qualifications, including QAA-approved Access to HE courses.

Students from overseas should visit the International| pages for further information on the entry requirements from their country and English language requirements.  Royal Holloway International offers an International Foundation Programme and English language pre-sessional courses, allowing students the opportunity to develop their study skills and English language before starting their undergraduate degree.

We make decisions based on achieved or predicted grades, personal statements and references. More information on how your application will be assessed, and tips for your personal statement can be found on our Applying| pages.

We occasionally invite candidates to interview, usually in cases where we would like more information on which to base a decision. Applicants who are unable to attend, such as overseas students, are interviewed by telephone or Skype.

• A balance of practice and research provides students with the best foundations for a career in the media or communications industry.
• Study in a leading Media department, rated joint 6^th in the UK for its research in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise.
• Work with internationally recognised experts in the fields of European and World cinema, practitioners from all areas of the media industry and technical staff with substantial industry experience.
• Benefit from industry standard facilities, including a large television studio, production control room, Final Cut Pro and Avid editing suites accessible 24-hours a day, a sound studio and two media labs.
• Many graduates go on to thriving careers in the media industry, including working in film production, commercials, music videos and in editorial careers. Films by alumni have won prizes at international film festivals and have been shown on the BBC Film Network.

The degree is designed to provide an equal split between Media Theory and Media Practice:

• Media Theory is concerned with critical approaches to film and television. A broad range of options in Years 2 and 3 will allow you to specialize in a particular area of Film and Television Studies. In addition, students are required in Year 2 to take the core course MA2071 Researching the Media, and in Year 3 to undertake either a dissertation or a media research project.
• Media Practice is concerned with the acquisition of the necessary skills and abilities to create and produce media texts, such as screenplays, short films or video installations, documentaries and sound design.

Throughout the course, you will:

• explore and examine the nature and role of the modern communications media
• learn to relate specific contents to relevant forms
• develop skills in research, production management, team work and networking and independent work.

The Department’s website| gives detailed lists of the course units taken for each different degree

Print the full course specification for BA Media Arts|.

The BA in Media Arts has a modular structure, whereby students take 12 units at the rate of four per year. Some units are compulsory while others are elective thereby offering flexibility and choice. Assessment is carried out by a combination of first year examinations, which take place in the summer term, and subsequently written papers, extended essays, assessed coursework, and a portfolio of practical work.

The Department of Media Arts offers rigorous degree programmes which will prepare you for a broad range of careers. Our graduates are highly employable and, in recent years, have entered many different media-related fields including terrestrial and satellite broadcasting; film and television production; and information technology and design. These include music video directors; Hollywood script supervisors, independent documentary film makers; web designers; and contemporary artists. Many graduates have also progressed to advanced postgraduate study in a variety of fields.