Media Communications (Professional Placement Year)

Gain the skills you need to thrive in the ever-growing communications industries while reimagining media for a more inclusive and ethical future.   You'll develop creative skills in research, marketing, social media management, creative campaign strategy, and journalism. You'll investigate key topics of media studies, work on cross-platform campaigns, delve into political media-making, and engage in investigative journalism, all while creating professional social media content and PR packs.   Taught by a team of researchers and creative media strategists and creators, you’ll learn how to rethink media communications for social change. You’ll explore the role of online influencers, diverse screen representation, and the ethics of platforms like TikTok. Learn about emerging marketing practices for immersive experiences, feminist activism, AI communications, and more.   Throughout this media communications degree, you’ll develop your ability to rethink media with a deep-rooted knowledge of the communications sectors, working on everything from short-form Instagram content to large-scale media campaigns with our industry partners.   In your final year, you’ll join The Studio, the University’s city-centre innovation hub for creative media technology. By collaborating with local media and communications experts on cross-platform campaigns, feature articles, and activist media projects, you’ll gain invaluable on-the-ground industry experience.

More about the Professional Placement Year A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.