BA (Hons) History and Media

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Leeds Beckett University

Program Overview

The BA (Hons) History and Media at Leeds Beckett University offers a fascinating interdisciplinary journey through both the past and the present. You’ll explore how history is recorded, represented, and reshaped through different forms of media, while gaining hands-on project experience and research skills across both fields.

This degree is ideal for curious minds who love storytelling, enjoy uncovering cultural and social change, and want to explore where historical insight meets creative media practice.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1:
In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation in both history and media. Modules such as Emergence of Modern Europe, Society & Culture in Modern Britain, 1780–1914, Connecting with Audiences, Researching Television, and Sound Studies introduce you to key analytical, interpretive, and research techniques. You’ll develop essential skills in historical inquiry, media analysis, and communication.

Year 2:
In your second year, you’ll begin to merge the two disciplines more deeply. Through modules like Media: Past & Present, Where & When, and Researching Media & Culture, you’ll explore how historical events and cultural narratives shape – and are shaped by – media. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose optional modules, allowing you to focus on areas that inspire you most, whether that’s media production, archival research, or cultural storytelling.

Year 3:
Your final year is where everything comes together. You’ll undertake a major independent project or dissertation, such as the History & Media Dissertation or Working with the Past Major Project. This is your chance to apply your knowledge to real-world briefs, collaborate with industry or cultural partners, and produce a substantial piece of work that showcases your ability to bridge the two disciplines.

Focus Areas

Intersections of historical narratives and media forms
Source and text analysis
Digital and cultural media production
Public history and storytelling in urban and cultural contexts

Learning Outcomes

By the time you graduate, you’ll have developed:

Strong critical thinking and analytical skills across both history and media
Practical experience in communication, project work, and research
The ability to understand how media influences our view of the past—and how history continues to shape media today
The confidence to take on live briefs, cultural research, and creative production tasks

Professional Alignment

While the programme does not have a formal accreditation body, employability is embedded throughout your studies. You’ll gain valuable real-world experience through live projects, cultural partnerships, and research-led learning—preparing you for careers in media, heritage, cultural organisations, and research environments.

Reputation & Graduate Success

Leeds Beckett University is ranked 15th in the UK for Media and Film Studies and 6th in England for Media Studies.
Graduates from the university’s history programmes have shown excellent outcomes, with 100% employment within 15 months of graduation in England and average earnings of around £24,000 for full-time roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you’re thinking about studying the BA (Hons) History and Media at Leeds Beckett University, this is a course that’s all about doing, not just listening. From day one, you’ll be hands-on — creating media projects, analysing historical sources, and collaborating with others in a city that’s full of cultural energy. Leeds is your classroom, with access to museums, galleries, studios, and media spaces that bring history and storytelling to life. You’ll graduate not only with strong academic knowledge but also with real-world experience and creative confidence.

Experiential Learning – how this works for you:

Live briefs and industry-linked media projects: You’ll work on assignments developed in partnership with media professionals and organisations, giving you insight into how creative projects take shape in the real world.
Interdisciplinary modules: You’ll connect history and media through collaborative projects that encourage you to research, produce, and present work blending both disciplines.
Field trips and external research opportunities: Thanks to the university’s central Leeds location, you’ll have direct access to museums, archives, and cultural institutions — offering plenty of chances to carry out original research and creative work beyond the classroom.
Career-focused option modules: In your second and third years, you’ll choose from practical modules tailored to your career goals — such as media production, urban culture, or digital storytelling.
Dissertation or major project: In your final year, you’ll take on an independent project — either a traditional dissertation or a creative “Working with the Past” media project — to showcase your skills and interests.
Research-led teaching and guest lectures: You’ll learn from academics who are active researchers and practitioners, and gain inspiration from visiting speakers who work in media and cultural industries.
City campus with rich cultural access: Being based right in the heart of Leeds puts you at the centre of a thriving cultural scene — surrounded by film studios, galleries, archives, and media companies that make experiential learning part of your everyday life.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Progression & Future Opportunities

Choosing the BA (Hons) History and Media at Leeds Beckett University opens up a wide range of exciting paths after graduation. The course builds a strong mix of historical understanding, critical thinking, and media production skills — preparing you for roles where storytelling, analysis, and communication truly matter. Many graduates have gone on to careers as media researchers, content producers, heritage officers, and communications specialists, while others have pursued postgraduate study or creative projects of their own.

At Leeds Beckett, you’ll have the full support of the Careers and Employability Service, offering one-to-one career coaching, CV and interview guidance, and access to the Workplace Futures programme — designed to help you explore career directions and connect your studies to real-world opportunities.

Employment data for related history courses at Leeds Beckett show that around 90% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree. Graduates in this field typically earn a median salary of around £24,000 at that stage, with many progressing to higher earnings as they gain experience.

You’ll also benefit from the university’s industry and organisational partnerships, working on live briefs and projects with media professionals. This hands-on experience helps you build a professional portfolio and valuable connections even before you graduate.

The degree’s long-term value is reinforced by Leeds Beckett’s strong performance in media and film-related subjects and its consistently high graduate outcomes — giving your qualification real credibility in both the creative and cultural sectors.

By the time you graduate, you’ll leave with more than just knowledge of history and media — you’ll have developed transferable skills in research, communication, digital media, and critical analysis that employers across industries value highly.

Further Academic Progression

After completing your BA (Hons), you could continue your academic journey with:

A master’s degree in areas such as Media Studies, Cultural History, or Digital Media
A professional postgraduate qualification in Heritage or Museum Studies
Or even PhD research, exploring the intersections of media, culture, and history in greater depth

This degree doesn’t just prepare you for your first job — it sets you up for a lifetime of adaptable, creative, and impactful work.