Communication, Media and Culture and Sociology (joint honours) BA (Hons) or BSc (Hons)

If you join the Communication, Media and Culture & Sociology (Joint Honours) BA/BSc (Hons) at Oxford Brookes University, your learning will be shaped by real-world practice, hands-on projects, and experiences that prepare you for professional life. You won’t just study media or society in theory — you’ll create, analyse, collaborate, and reflect using the same tools and settings professionals use.

From your second year onward, you’ll start deepening your expertise across both disciplines — exploring media production, sociological research, and audience engagement. You’ll work in broadcast studios, use digital production suites, and apply industry-standard software for content creation and data analysis. Throughout the course, you’ll be supported by expert tutors and benefit from strong professional connections in media, communications, and social research.

Here’s how the experiential learning side of the degree comes to life:

• Work-related Learning Project: You’ll have the chance to apply your academic knowledge in a real workplace or project environment — gaining valuable experience and boosting your employability.

• Studio Broadcasting: In modules like Making News: Studio Broadcasting, you’ll work in teams to write, film, and edit your own news bulletins — managing cameras, sound, editing, and the full newsroom workflow.

• Digital Skills Development: You’ll learn the fundamentals of web design (HTML, CSS) and create your own website using professional tools — building practical digital skills that employers value.

• Independent Study / Dissertation: You’ll design and carry out your own research project using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods — guided by a supervisor and supported by access to research tools and resources.

• Collaborative Projects: Many assignments involve teamwork, from producing media outputs to conducting sociological investigations — helping you build collaboration and communication skills essential in the workplace.

• Research-Rich Environment: You’ll be part of a vibrant academic community, with teaching informed by active research in media, culture, and sociology — keeping your learning current and relevant.

• Industry Interaction: Through guest lectures and events, you’ll meet professionals from television, journalism, branding, and communications, gaining insights into different career paths and networking opportunities.

• Study Abroad Option: You can choose to spend a year abroad or on exchange, applying your knowledge and creativity in a different cultural and media setting.

At Oxford Brookes, theory and practice go hand in hand. By the time you graduate, you’ll have not only strong academic foundations but also a professional portfolio, real project experience, and the confidence to take on roles in media, communications, social research, journalism, branding, policy, and beyond.

Most graduates from Media, Culture, and Social Sciences programmes at Oxford Brookes University go on to roles where they use their strengths in critical thinking, communication, and research. They often find themselves in fields such as media, public relations, social research, or civil society — areas that value people who understand how society and culture shape the world around us.

Typical career paths include:

• Media or Content Strategist

• Social Researcher or Policy Analyst

• Public Relations / Communications Officer

• Community Engagement or Advocacy Manager

These are meaningful roles where you can turn your understanding of culture, communication, and social systems into real-world impact. The joint honours structure gives you the flexibility to shape your studies to suit your interests and future ambitions.

Career Support and Employability

University careers support:
Oxford Brookes offers dedicated career guidance through its Brookes Careers team, available to all students and alumni for up to three years after graduation. They provide tailored support, including CV and cover letter reviews, interview preparation, career planning workshops, and access to an exclusive job portal.

Employment outcomes:
Around 87% of full-time undergraduates from Oxford Brookes are employed or in further study within 15 months of graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 2021/22).

Earnings potential:
For graduates in related areas such as media and English studies, typical starting salaries are around £23,000, with mid-career earnings often exceeding £29,000 as professionals move into more senior roles.

Industry Connections

The course is guided by an Industry Expert Advisory Board, featuring professionals from organisations such as Spotify, BBC, and other major media companies. This ensures that the content and skills taught stay relevant to current industry needs, giving students an edge in a competitive field.

Graduates often move into roles within media organisations, cultural institutions, NGOs, communications firms, and public sector bodies. Others choose to use their degree as a foundation for further research, policy work, or academic careers.

Long-Term Value

A degree in Media, Culture, and Social Sciences at Oxford Brookes builds transferable skills that remain valuable throughout your career — analytical thinking, cultural awareness, strong communication, and the ability to engage critically with information. These skills open doors across many industries and adapt well as new roles and technologies emerge.

Further Academic Progression

After completing your joint honours degree, you’ll be well prepared for postgraduate study, with options such as:

• MA or MSc in Media Studies, Cultural Studies, Sociology, or Communication

• MA by Research or MSc by Research in areas like digital cultures, media policy, or sociological theory

• PhD programmes supervised by Oxford Brookes’ experienced research staff

These advanced study options allow you to specialise further, strengthen your research profile, and prepare for careers in academia, research, or senior-level strategy and policy roles.