Digital News and Media

Discover the various elements of digital media and journalism at the University of Buckingham, where practical, hands-on learning prepares you for the ever-changing industry.

Utilising the combination of both study and real experience, The BA Digital News and Media degree takes place over two years and covers all manners of contemporary broadcast media, including:

• TV and Radio
• Digital and Print Editorials
• Online Media
• Communication Design
• Social Media
• Advertising
• PR and Marketing

The programme takes a learning-through-doing approach, allowing you to become directly equipped with important digital and journalistic skills during practice. This is enhanced through the completion of coursework, fewer exams, and exciting tasks throughout the course.

Our programme is ideal for future Journalists, Reporters, Bloggers, Vloggers, Filmmakers, Storytellers, Photographers, YouTubers, Streamers, Designers, Influencers, Content Creators, Social Media Managers and Marketers.

Single or Flexible Honours 

Make your degree as unique as you! If you choose Digital News and Media (Single or Flexible Honours) you'll have the freedom to tailor your  BA Digital News and Media degree to reflect your interests and passions by combining it with a wide range of other subjects taught here at the University. This means that when you graduate you will have a highly personalised degree that will suit you and your aspirations perfectly. If you choose Flexible Honours you have the freedom to select up to a third of your modules from the whole range of what is taught at the University. This means you can mix and match lots of different subjects >with Digital News and Media or focus solely on Digital News and Media. At every stage, your Personal Tutor will be on hand to advise and guide your choices. Availability of modules is subject to timetabling constraints, minimum and maximum class sizes and any agreed pre-requisite modules.

Quality teaching

We offer high-quality, small-group learning, most of which has a practical, workplace-oriented outcome.  Our degrees are recognised around the world. The standards of degrees and awards are safeguarded by distinguished external examiners - senior academic staff from other universities in the UK - who approve and moderate assessed work.

High-calibre staff

Most of our academic staff teach for three terms out of four, with the remaining term used for research. Because of this, we have no difficulty in attracting high-calibre, highly respected lecturers. Our visiting lectures are specialists in their fields and are often prominent figures in their branch of the media industry. They are only too happy to offer networking opportunities for students.

Teaching methods

Teaching is carried out through a combination of lectures and seminars that are subsequently supported by tutorials or workshops. A key feature of the Buckingham teaching method is the use of small tutorial groups (8-10 students). Classes are delivered by academic staff who are experts in their respective fields. The friendly, approachable academics are available to students daily, outside the scheduled classes' time, and pride themselves on being friendly, helpful and accessible at all times.

Most of the work of media students is carried out in the TV and Radio broadcast studio and the 24h accessible computer lab. Here, they produce weekly news bulletins podcasts and articles, as well as design and create multimedia content.

Students learn how to use industry standard software including Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, Ligthroom, Premiere, After Effects), Final Cut Pro, DaVinci, Tableau, and Audacity, as well as DV cameras, photo cameras, audio recorders, broadcasting and livestreaming equipment (TV and radio) and much more!

Lot of the practical work revolves around Buckingham News, our own student-run multi-platform news outlet that serves the university and the local community. From their second week at the university, students will find themselves reporting, editing, scripting and presenting.

All the practical studio work is credit-bearing and helps students to build their creative and practical skills, produce high quality industry standard work and build a strong portfolio.

The majority of the assessment is completed through coursework and project work and (to a very limited extent) examination.

Assessment methods

The assessment of individual modules within each course varies according to the subject. Assessment is usually by assessed coursework, examination or a combination of the two. The bulk of your Digital News and Media degree programme will be based on coursework. Please check module information for more details.

Preparation for work

Your Digital News & Media degree combines academic challenge with the transferable skills that will stand you in good stead for future employment. Students are urged to take advantage of the many opportunities for work experience on local radio stations, the comms departments of local companies and sports teams and nearby PR practices.

Graduate employment

Our graduates have an enviable record in getting the jobs they aim for. As well as'traditional' media organisations such as the BBC, ITV, BT Sport, The Independent, and Mail Online, our students have gone on to work for organisations such as Red Bull, HarperCollins, the Department for Culture Media & Sport, the Mercedes Petronas Formula 1 team and the communications department of 10 Downing Street. Overseas graduates have made their mark particularly in the Norwegian and Nigerian state broadcasting systems. We even have a set designer in Hollywood!

Our past graduates are also well represented in PR and advertising firms such as Freud, Rooster PR. Midas PR and AMV. Many graduates, of course, have started their own companies or have entered the freelance life. One of our graduates is now a prominent food stylist and his photos grace the pages of publications throughout Europe.

We welcome applications in two different ways - directly via our online application form or through UCAS.

If you're interested in transferring to Buckingham from another university then please get in touch to talk through your options.