English Literature and Media Communications

Combine the academic study of literature with skill-based modules to create a practical, applied English Literature and Media Communications degree. 

You’ll analyse a wide range of literary texts while also examining the role of immersive media, feminist activism, AI communications, exhibitions and public audiences and much more in shaping the future of media and communication.

You’ll apply your knowledge and your skills in practical, professional ways, in preparation for the next stage in your career.

Year one

The first year introduces key concepts and skills that underpin the subject of English Literature and allows you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions and a range of texts and authors.

Open your eyes to being a media activist. You’ll be introduced to analytical tools to critique contemporary media, such as gender and inequality. You’ll learn new graphic design and project development skills, alongside how to research media audiences.

Year two
You’ll focus on developing your own critical voice through the study of texts and reading practices that speak to diverse audiences.

Alongside this, you’ll deepen your understanding of the communications industry. You’ll learn marketing, influencer and branding practices, and web design skills, while exploring grassroots community media, cross-platform communication strategies, and media ethics.

Year three
In English Literature we enable you to focus your studies on particular topics. You can also opt for an extended piece of writing and research or choose from a variety of practical projects (previously, students have created digital resources, worked at literary festivals, and produced educational materials, to name a few examples).

You’ll also realise your vision for a more inclusive media landscape. You’ll work beyond the borders of the university, joining The Studio, our innovation hub for creative media technology. You’ll learn how immersive media, feminist activism, AI communications and public exhibitions can all shape the future of media.

Your English Literature assessments will mainly take the form of essays and coursework, including journals, projects, portfolios and short critical pieces, seminar presentations, or web-based essays.

In Media Communications, you’ll produce the kind of media content that defines our ‘communications for change’ ethos, working on creative media campaigns, marketing strategies, investigative journalism features, political media making, social media content and PR packs.

Second and final year grades contribute towards your final degree award.

You’ll be taught through a mix of seminars, lectures, individual tutorials and workshops devoted to skills such as digital creation and media branding. In media project labs, you’ll work with staff and students to co-design larger campaigns.

You'll be taught by English Literature tutors who are experts in a wide range of literary periods and genres, as well as different approaches to the study of words and writing.

Media Communications tutors will define current issues and practices, such as gender on social media, racial inequality in journalism, and how global media companies define their audiences.

To find out more about how we teach and how you'll learn, please read our Learning and Teaching Delivery Statement.

As part of your degree, you could study abroad on a placement at one of Bath Spa’s partner universities.

All final-year students will join The Studio, Bath Spa University’s city-centre hub for creative media technology.

Our final-year modules are delivered in collaboration with industry partners, providing insight into – and hands-on experience with – some of the most innovative and culturally significant arts, media and communications organisations in the region.

Recently our students have produced articles, campaigns, strategy reports and social media content for:

• Bathscape
• Voices
• Stroud Film Festival
• Great State
• Victoria Art Gallery in Bath
• Mary Shelley’s House of Frankenstein in Bath.

This course is ideal for those looking to succeed within and across the ever-growing communications industry, in fields such as publishing, digital marketing, creative strategy, PR, journalism and social media management.

Our graduates have gained employment in numerous media and marketing companies, charities and cultural organisations, such as Marvel Studios, ITV, Newbury Racecourse, Save the Children UK, Cognisses, Q Magazine, Komedia, NewScientist, Trinity College Library, DigitalBox and Cengage Learning EMEA.

Example professions include:

• Editorial Assistant
• Publishing Outreach Executive
• Content Writer
• Campaigns Officer
• Social Media Creator / Manager
• Creative Strategist
• Media Policy Maker
• Curator
• Events Coordinator.

English Literature
There are annual prizes for the best overall performance in both core modules in years one and two, and a very special prize for the best final year English Project.

If you’re a full-time undergraduate student starting your first year at Bath Spa University, you can apply for the Certificate in Global Citizenship, which you’ll study alongside your degree.

You’ll gain global awareness and add an international dimension to your student experience, and funding is available. On successful completion of the programme, you’ll be awarded a Certificate in Global Citizenship. This is in addition to your degree; it doesn’t change your degree title or results.

The Professional Placement Year (PPY) provides you with the opportunity to identify, apply for, and secure professional experience, normally comprising one to three placements over a minimum of nine months. Successful completion of this module will demonstrate your ability to secure and sustain graduate-level employment.

By completing the module, you'll be entitled to the addition of 'with Professional Placement Year' to your degree title.

Before your PPY, you'll work to identify roles of interest and secure a placement. The Placements Team will support through timetabled sessions and 1:1 appointments.

As well as completing a minimum of 900 placement hours, you will complete two assessments demonstrating your skill development, growth in professional behaviours and how the PPY has impacted your future career aspirations.

The course is based at Newton Park campus. You’ll benefit from access to comprehensive digital workshops and specialist art and design facilities, including our student service point at Locksbrook Campus, where you can purchase subsidised art and design materials, hire equipment for free and collect Library resources.

You'll have access to a wide range of University resources, including:

• The Library’s extensive digital collections include Film and Television Literature Index, Rock's Backpages, and Box of Broadcasts, an archive of over two million off-air television broadcasts. You can contact our Subject Librarians for subject-specific support, including research enquiries.
• Digital publishing facilities, historical and modern printing presses, and industry-standard broadcast media facilities.
  A huge variety of equipment, from multi-camera TV studios to digital cameras and field recorders. You can make full use of our purpose-built media production and post-production facilities at Newton Park and hire out equipment using the University’s free equipment loan service.
• The Careers team have very close links with the media and creative industries in Bath and Bristol, and organise bespoke opportunities for you to engage with employers, including networking sessions and visits to organisations.
• ASk (Academic Skills) provides continuous support for your academic work, providing feedback on written drafts and running sessions on academic writing.
• Courses on LinkedIn Learning.