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

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Oxford Brookes University

Program Overview

The BA/BSc (Hons) in Communication, Media and Culture & Politics at Oxford Brookes lets you explore two complementary fields—media studies and political analysis—within a single degree. It’s designed for students curious about how media shapes power, identity, and public opinion, and for those who want to engage in debate, policy-making, or the cultural industries. This course sharpens your critical thinking while enhancing your communication skills, giving you the tools to understand and influence society.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
Your first year lays the foundations across both disciplines. You’ll explore modules such as Investigating Communication, Media and Culture, which introduces research methods, media theory, and argumentation. You’ll also study introductory modules in Understanding Communication, Understanding Media, Understanding Culture, alongside core politics units that examine power, institutions, and the nature of the state. This year is about establishing your personal framework for understanding how media and politics intersect.

Year 2
In your second year, you’ll deepen and diversify your learning. In the media stream, you can choose from modules like Critical Media Literacies, Design for Online Communication, or Intercultural Communication, focusing on media systems, cultural exchange, and digital environments. On the politics side, you’ll explore political theory, comparative politics, and public policy to understand how institutions respond to change and how ideology shapes governance. By this stage, you’ll begin to identify the themes you want to specialise in.

Year 3 (Final Year)
The final year emphasizes independent research and advanced study. You’ll typically complete a dissertation or major project that bridges media and politics, guided by a specialist supervisor. Advanced modules like Branded Communication: Collectivity and Identity or Subject to Culture: Individuality and Identity let you explore how brands, identity, and culture operate politically and socially. This year brings theory, research, and practice together in a capstone project that showcases your skills.

Focus Areas

Media theory, digital culture, political institutions, ideology, branding, public communication, identity, research methods

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be able to:

Combine critical media analysis with political insight
Design and conduct original research
Communicate complex ideas to diverse audiences
Navigate the interplay between media systems and power with clarity and nuance

Professional Alignment

While not formally accredited by a professional body, this degree is closely aligned with careers in media, communications, public affairs, NGOs, policy, journalism, and the cultural sector.

Reputation & Employability

Ranked 8th in the UK in the Guardian Media and Film Studies subject league table (2025)
Oxford Brookes reports that 100% of UK-resident media studies graduates are employed
Politics-related graduates typically earn around £28,000 within 15 months of finishing

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Right from your first year, this course is designed so you’re not just reading about media, politics, or culture — you’ll actively get involved with real tools, projects, fieldwork, and collaborative experiences. There’s a strong focus on blending theory with practice, supported by facilities and opportunities at Brookes that help you grow as a communicator, researcher, and critical thinker.

You’ll have access to media equipment, studios, and digital platforms to create podcasts, broadcasts, websites, and more. Across your modules, you’ll work on both individual and group projects, carry out original research (including a final-year dissertation), and even take optional placements or field experience in media, politics, or community settings.

What You’ll Actually Do — Experiences Built into the Course

Hands-on projects: In practical modules, you’ll record news broadcasts, produce podcasts, design websites, or develop branding and communication materials — it’s about creating, not just writing essays.
Group collaboration: You’ll regularly team up with classmates to plan campaigns, media interventions, or local community reporting projects.
Original research: You’ll conduct research throughout the course, culminating in your final-year dissertation where you design and carry out your own study on a topic that excites you.
Work-Related Learning Projects: You can take part in placements or projects in real media or communication environments, applying what you’ve learned in a practical setting.
Citizen Journalism and Civic Engagement: You’ll have the chance to produce blogs, op-eds, or digital journalism pieces that tackle real issues in your community.
Optional year abroad: You may choose to spend a year overseas, experiencing another country’s media or political landscape firsthand.

Facilities, Tools & Support You’ll Use

Media and tech facilities: Brookes provides broadcast studios, media production labs, audio-visual equipment, and computing facilities to bring your media ideas to life.
Industry-standard software: You’ll work with digital tools for media production, editing, audio, video, and web publishing — the infrastructure and support are all in place to get you hands-on experience.
Library and IT support: You’ll have easy access to subject-specific resources, research materials, and strong IT support to help you succeed.
Student media platforms: Brookes encourages involvement with student-run media like Brookes TV, the department magazine, and other networks, giving your work a real audience.
Industry engagement: Throughout the course, you’ll meet media professionals, brand experts, and journalists through talks, masterclasses, and networking opportunities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this joint honours degree often move into dynamic roles across media, policy, public affairs, and communications. Typical career paths include Political Analyst, Policy Advisor, Media or Content Strategist, Public Relations or Communications Officer, and Campaign or Advocacy Manager. These roles let you combine your understanding of media with sharp political insight, giving you a real edge in the professional world.

University Services to Support Employability

Oxford Brookes Careers Service offers one-to-one guidance, CV and cover-letter reviews, interview coaching, job search support, and careers fairs.
JobTeaser vacancy portal connects students and alumni with internships, placements, and graduate roles.
Part-time roles and volunteering are available through the Jobshop and Volunteer Centre, alongside practical employability workshops.
Oxford Brookes Employability Portal (run by the Students’ Union) provides tailored advice for applications, CVs, and more.
“Hub & Spoke” employability model: each faculty has a dedicated careers consultant (for Humanities & Social Sciences, that’s Pete Smillie) who works closely with your department to embed careers support throughout your course.

Employment Stats & Salary Figures

Across Oxford Brookes, 93% of students are in employment or further study within six months of graduating.
For similar courses, the typical graduate salary after three years is around £25,500 (ranging from £21,000 to £33,000), rising to about £31,500 after five years (range £25,000–£42,000).
For Politics graduates specifically, around 95% of UK-resident students are employed or in further study 15 months after finishing their degree.
In the Guardian University Guide, this course ranks in the Top 10 in the UK for Communication, Media & Culture and Politics (8th in 2025).

University–Industry Links & Reputation

On the Media & Culture side, you’ll meet industry professionals such as TV producers, brand marketers, news reporters, and talent managers through guest lectures and networking events.
The course has an Industry Expert Advisory Board of alumni and sector leaders, ensuring course content remains relevant to employers.
You can gain practical experience by contributing to platforms like Brookes TV, Observe magazine, CMC Scoop, or collaborating with Oxford University Media.

Long-Term Accreditation & Value

A degree from Oxford Brookes is widely respected in the UK and internationally, giving you a solid foundation in both media/communication and politics.
As a joint honours programme, you have flexibility to focus more on media or politics in your later specialisms.
The knowledge, professional network, and portfolio you develop—including media projects, research, and placements—will be valuable to employers and for further study.

Graduation Outcomes

You’ll graduate with not only theoretical knowledge but also practical skills: writing, media production, research, analysis, and public engagement.
Many alumni pursue further study, work in communications, policy, public affairs, journalism, advocacy, consultancy, or even start their own ventures.
While this course is new, outcomes from similar disciplines at Brookes show strong employability and earning potential.

Overall, this degree equips you with transferable, highly desirable skills like critical thinking, effective communication across media, and policy insight—giving you a strong foundation for a wide range of careers.

Further Academic Progression

Master’s degrees (MA or MSc) in Media Studies, Political Communication, Public Policy, International Relations, or Digital Media can deepen your specialization.
Research-based postgraduate programmes (MRes / MPhil or PhD) are ideal if you aim for academia, think tanks, policy research, or high-level journalism.
Professional postgraduate qualifications in public relations, journalism, public administration, or political consultancy can refine your niche.
Postgraduate diplomas or certifications in data analytics, digital marketing, or strategic communications can enhance technical skills and make you more competitive in the job market.