Media and Cultural Studies (Placement Year) BA Hons

When you join the BA (Hons) Media and Cultural Studies (Placement Year) at Lancaster University, you’re not just sitting in lectures — you’ll be creating, experimenting, and applying what you learn in real-world settings. From hands-on media production to professional placements, this course is built around doing, not just learning.

You’ll get to use Lancaster’s Digital Media Studio and specialist equipment to develop technical skills in media production, editing, and storytelling. Outside the classroom, you can join one of Lancaster’s lively student media societies — from TV and radio to cinema and newspaper — turning your creative ideas into real projects.

By your third year, you’ll spend 9–12 months on a graduate-level placement, working full time in a sector that matches your interests — such as media, communications, journalism, or the creative industries. It’s your chance to gain professional experience, grow your confidence, and build contacts that can help shape your career. And you won’t be doing it alone — Lancaster’s Careers and Placements Team will support you every step of the way, from finding the right role to preparing for interviews.

Here’s how this experiential learning comes to life:

Placement Year / Internship:
Spend a year working full time in a professional role that reflects your passions. You’ll gain hands-on experience as an employee — developing skills, taking responsibility, and seeing how classroom theory plays out in real organizations.

Digital Media Studio & Equipment:
Experiment with media production using industry-standard software and equipment in the Digital Media Studio. It’s the perfect space to sharpen your creative and technical abilities.

Student Media Societies & Platforms:
Get involved in Lancaster’s media scene by joining the student TV station, radio, newspaper, or cinema society. These platforms let you test ideas, collaborate with peers, and build a professional portfolio while having fun.

Creative & Research Projects:
You’ll be assessed through both academic writing and creative practice. Past students have produced everything from short films and podcasts to board games, music albums, and multimedia cookbooks. Your dissertation can even be based on your own creative media project or original research.

Workshops, Guest Speakers & Field Trips:
Take part in workshops like podcasting masterclasses, hear from industry professionals such as journalists and content creators, and join visits to museums or media organizations — all designed to connect your learning with real industry experience.

Careers & Placement Support:
Lancaster’s Careers and Placements Team offers tailored support throughout your journey — from refining your CV and preparing for interviews to finding placements that match your goals.

Graduate Outcomes (at a Glance)

Most Lancaster media graduates go on to roles in media, communications, creative industries, or public relations. Typical positions include digital content producer, media researcher, social media strategist, or communications officer. If you take the placement year, you’ll often enter the workforce with real experience, giving you a stronger start and a competitive edge.

Lancaster ensures that you graduate with both academic knowledge and professional readiness:

Future Progression & Opportunities

University Support for Your Career
Lancaster’s Careers and Placements Team offers tailored guidance to help you secure and thrive in a year-in-industry placement. Support includes CV and application workshops, interview coaching, employer matching, and ongoing monitoring throughout your placement.

Across your degree, you’ll have access to bespoke careers sessions in the media and creative sectors. Examples include workshops on podcasting, visits to newsrooms, and guest talks from media professionals.

You’ll also benefit from Lancaster’s digital media studio, specialist equipment, and active student media societies such as the TV station, radio station, and newspaper. These opportunities help you build a strong creative portfolio even before graduation.

Employment Stats & Salary

Within 15 months of graduating, around 90% of media graduates from Lancaster are in work or further study. The average starting salary is approximately £22,000, and typical earnings can rise to around £27,000 after five years.

University–Industry Partnerships & Connections

Lancaster frequently hosts guest speakers from leading media organisations, including BBC journalists, giving students direct insight into the industry.

Students often undertake placements in media houses, creative agencies, or public sector communications departments. During the placement year, you’ll work in a graduate-level role for 9–12 months, gaining direct industry experience.

Lancaster’s staff and research often influence public debate, including parliamentary evidence and media commentary, connecting you to a wide network of media, civic, and cultural institutions.

Long-Term Accreditation & Value

The degree is highly respected in the UK and consistently ranks among the top in Communications & Media Studies. Employers recognise that Lancaster graduates not only have strong theoretical knowledge but also practical experience from a full placement year.

You’ll develop transferable skills such as critical thinking, media literacy, research, project management, and digital practice—all highly valued across industries.

Graduation Outcomes

When you graduate, you won’t just have a degree—you’ll have a portfolio of creative media work, a research project or media-based dissertation, and hands-on industry experience.

Many graduates are offered roles back at their placement organisation or secure full-time positions soon after graduating, thanks to the professional networks and reputation gained during placement. You’ll be well-prepared for mid-level roles in media, communications, cultural institutions, or even to launch your own media venture.

Further Academic Progression

After completing this BA with placement, there are several directions you could take:

• Pursue a Master’s in Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Digital Media, Journalism, Communications, or Film Studies, specialising in areas you enjoyed.

• Continue to research or PhD-level study in media, cultural, or social sciences, particularly if you aim for teaching or high-level policy roles.

• Combine your studies with complementary fields, such as Public Policy, Digital Marketing, or Creative Industries Management, to expand your career options.

• Undertake professional or vocational courses in areas like film production, audiovisual technology, or media entrepreneurship to develop deeper practical skills.