Level 6

Creative Media & Promotion BA (Hons)

Duration Age Group Study Start Cost Available Locations
3 YEARS ADULT FULL TIME 18/09/2024
£8000 per year * Southend Campus
Duration Age Group Study Start Cost Available Locations
3 YEARS ADULT FULL TIME 18/09/2024
£8000 per year * Southend Campus
Apply Now

If you require any support with your UCAS application, please contact the HE Admissions team headmissions@southessex.ac.uk

UCAS Extra

Already applied for university and used all 5 UCAS choices, but don’t have any offers? Don’t panic! UCAS Extra allows you to add another choice to your application.

Go to UCAS Extra

Overview

Course code: W213

This programme offers direct entry to the creative media industry, specifically for careers in digital media, promotional design, social media marketing, commercial styling and photography, creative publishing, branding, advertising and trend forecasting.

Graphic Design BA (Hons) on Instagram Follow Creative Media and Promotion BA (Hons) on Instagram


Why study this degree at University Centre South Essex?

  • You will work across a range of lifestyle areas including apparel, beauty, accessories, technology, automotive, sport and wellness, generating a diverse portfolio of creative work.

  • You will study a wide range of subjects including creative design skills, integrated marketing and promotion, social media content creation, commercial styling and photography, media planning, branding and advertising, future forecasting and industry-linked projects.

  • The course opens up a range of careers in the digital and creative media sector, one of the fastest growing employment sectors in the UK.

Please note: This course is currently undergoing modification and is subject to validation approval. Applications are open but some course details may change.

The programme embraces changing technologies in the creative media and promotion sectors, with an emphasis on digital applications and the integration of digital media within branding and promotional strategies.

Students will develop a personal signature within creative direction whilst generating concepts suitable for a broad range of clients across an array of brands and product sectors. The course has a strong commitment to work-based learning opportunities in the form of work experience, live projects, competitions, vocational projects and placements within the specialist area of Creative Media and Promotion, through close links and ongoing relationships with a range of industry contacts.

The course is designed and led by tutors who are industry experts from the fields creative marketing and promotion, commercial photography and styling, media publishing, graphics and branding.

Entry Requirements

You will need a minimum of 64 UCAS points from one or more of the following:

  • A-levels, preferably in a creative or media subject
  • BTEC National Diploma with a minimum of pass profile
  • Access to Higher Education Diploma Level 3 (minimum 15 credits at merit or above)
  • Higher National Diploma (for possible direct entry on to year two)
  • Foundation Diploma in Art and Design Level 4

Other qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. You will also need GCSE English at grade C (old specification) or Grade 4 (new specification) or above OR a Level 2 equivalent such as functional skills qualification.

Course Structure

Year one units (Level 4)

  • Media & Promotion Landscape
  • Visual and Cultural Contexts
  • Trend Forecasting
  • Visual Design Skills
  • Commercial Styling & Photography
  • Creative Narrative
  • Brand Promotion through Integrated Media

Year two units (Level 5)

  • Digital Image
  • Cultural Contexts and Dissertation Proposal
  • Personal Directed Project
  • Work Placement / Work-related Learning

Year three units (level 6)

  • Dissertation
  • Honours Project
  • Critical Reflection and Personal Promotion
  • ​​​​​​​Industry Solutions

Teaching & Learning

Teaching

The learning outcomes in year one aid the discovery of key theories and principles in marketing and promotion, in acquiring basic practical skills such as graphics and photography, and in developing a knowledge framework with a limited amount of independence.

In year two the learning outcomes steer towards industry requirements, in developing professional skills, and in synthesising knowledge with independence.

In year three, there is an emphasis on self-direction, working in teams, critical thinking and in problem solving. These are inherent within the unit learning outcomes. Units are delivered through a variety of methods of teaching and learning. These include practical workshops and demonstrations, group and individual projects, peer group presentations, lectures, seminars and tutorials. The course emphasises active participation and experiential learning, in combination with the development of research, analytical and critical skills.

You will use industry-standard Macs and the Creative Suite programs and have access to various facilities including the 3D, Fashion, Printmaking and Photography studios. You will also have access to hardware such as laser and vinyl cutters, 3D printers and scanners.

At Level 4 you have around 13 hours contact time per week, generally consisting of:

  • Six hours of lectures/seminars
  • Four hours of workshops (including dedicated one-to-one tutorials where necessary)
  • Two hours of Contextual Studies (lecture and tutorials)
  • One hour group critiques

Independent learning

Independent study and reading enables you to develop skills in working autonomously and to identify, plan and carry out a project. When not attending lectures, seminars or other timetabled sessions you are expected to continue learning independently through self-study. Typically, this will involve research, working on individual projects and preparing presentations. Independent learning is supported by a range of excellent facilities, including the library at The Forum, The Learning Resource Centre and a dedicated course studio. For every hour of contact time with unit tutors you are expected to engage in a further 2-3 hours of independent study on average.

Assessment & Feedback

Assessment

Coursework is assessed in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes. Assessment methods include research files or digital records, technical folders, portfolio submissions, group presentations, academic written reports, professional brand documents, blogs, physical or digital dossiers. There are no examinations. Formative, ungraded feedback is offered throughout the programme, by way of tutorials, critiques, informal presentations and peer/self assessment, all of which provide students with useful feedback to help develop their work towards their final unit assessments.

Feedback

You will receive formative feedback as part of your one-to-one sessions with your unit teachers. You will also receive summative feedback on all formal assessments undertaken by coursework. Feedback is intended to help you learn and you are encouraged to discuss it with your unit leader tutor. Feedback can be given in a range of different ways in order to accommodate a variety of learning styles and aptitudes including group critiques, recorded verbal feedback and written feedback.

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in (for al formal studio based coursework assessment). For the third year Dissertation Unit you will receive feedback and grades at the same time as your Final Creative Output Unit.

Course Cost

Adult, full_time: £8000 per year

Fees are per academic year for Home/UK students.

The following course-related costs are included in the fees:

  • Guest speakers, visiting lecturers and industry focussed workshops will be included in your course over the three years.
  • As part of the Industry Led-Brief in year three, internationally recognised competition briefs, such as D&AD’s New Blood may be entered. The Faculty of HE covers any entry costs
  • Third Year students will have the opportunity to showcase their final year work at the end of their studies. This may be a local, national or online platform. Event/exhibition costs will be covered by the Faculty of HE. In the past this has included New Designers. Students will be responsible for any additional costs associated with the production of their personal project (ie: printing, materials).
  • Annual £20 of printing credit per year.

Additional course costs can be found here

What Next...

Having developed your intellectual curiosity, creativity and imagination, you will be equipped for diverse and exciting careers within the creative media and promotion sector.

Following completion of the BA (Hons) degree, you could progress to postgraduate study including the following Masters programmes at University of the Arts London:

  • MA Advertising
  • MA Publishing
  • MA Fashion Film and Digital Production

Graduate destinations

Student have progressed to gain excellent careers in many fields. The majority of graduates gain employment within the media, marketing and apparel industries, including:

  • Digital Marketing Executive at Bulldog Media
  • PR and Product Coordinator at Cath Kidston
  • Social Media Specialist for BC Media
  • Buying Admin Assistant at New Look
  • Self-employed Social Media Content Creator
  • Public Relations Assistant for RewardStyle.com
  • Marketing Assistant for Marks & Spencer
  • Freelance Fashion Photographer for Newspapers/Magazines

Students have also progressed to teach, working towards their PGCE.