Media and Communication BA (Hons)



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Course overview

Develop the practical and academic skills to build a career in the dynamic world of media, communication and digital content.

Your future in media starts here.

Interested in media and communication but still deciding where your career could take you?

For more than 20 years, Edinburgh Napier University has been inspiring students to turn their passion for storytelling into rewarding careers in media and communications. You’ll learn from experienced media practitioners and researchers who combine academic expertise with real-world insight, building your skills through hands-on projects, industry engagement and developing a portfolio of work that showcases your talent.

You'll graduate a creative, strategic and critical thinker, ready for employment or postgraduate study in areas such as strategic communications, public relations, public affairs, advertising, branding, journalism, broadcast media, digital content production and more.

Whether you begin in Year 1 or join through direct entry from college into Year 2 or Year 3, you'll explore different areas of media and communication, helping you discover the career path that best matches your skills and ambitions.

Choose choice. Choose Edinburgh Napier.

Students in campus courtyard

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

W121

Course details

The course has been designed and developed with the needs of both students and employers at its heart, preparing graduates for a rapidly changing media, social and economic landscape.

The rise of digital and social media, alongside the growing influence of artificial intelligence (AI), has transformed how organisations create content, communicate with audiences and build relationships. Media and communications have shifted from traditional one-way messaging to interactive, personalised conversations. As technologies continue to evolve, so too does the demand for graduates who can think critically, communicate creatively, question and use AI responsibly and adapt to new ways of working. Whether you want to pursue employment, self-employment or further academic study, you'll emerge from this course as an ethical practitioner, with the knowledge, skills and adaptability needed to succeed across media, communication and related fields.

This degree shares its first two years with the BA (Hons) Mass Communications, Advertising and Public Relations, giving you the opportunity to build a broad understanding of media and communication before choosing to specialise in the areas that interest you most.

On this course, you'll:

  • build transferable skills that employers need, including critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, research and analytical skills.
  • develop a strong understanding of media and communication theory while applying your knowledge through practical, project-based learning.
  • prepare for postgraduate study or careers across the media and communication industries, including public relations, marketing, digital content creation, journalism, media production and international communication.
  • grow your confidence, professionalism and ability to collaborate, network and communicate effectively in a range of settings.
  • connect with industry through live client briefs, guest speakers and placement opportunities, helping you gain valuable experience and expand your professional network.
  • explore emerging trends and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and develop the critical and ethical skills to harness them effectively in media and communication contexts.  

We actively seek feedback from both our students and industry professionals to ensure our courses remain relevant and aligned with current sector needs. As a result of this valuable input, the BA Mass Communications course was renamed to BA Media and Communication from September 2025.

  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     Learning is hands-on and collaborative, combining lectures and tutorials with workshops, practical projects, teamwork, class discussions, one-to-one guidance and independent study to help you develop and apply the skills in a real-world setting. As you progress through Years 3 and 4, you'll work with external organisations on live projects, collaborating in small teams to solve real communication problems and produce work for your portfolio.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     Assessments are designed to give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to tasks that reflect real-world media and communication practice. Depending on the module, you'll create portfolios, reflective learning logs, individual and team presentations, professional pitches and projects, with many assessments based on live or simulated briefs to professional and ethical standards.
  • briefcase

    Work placement

     There is an optional placement module in the 3rd year of the Media and Communication programme. In addition, a number of 3rd and 4th year modules have live projects with small student teams working with external organisations.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

     There is an opportunity to study abroad for the 2nd trimester in Year 2.
  • library

    Facilities

    You will be based in the School of Arts and Creative Industries on our Merchiston campus, situated in the heart of Edinburgh, alongside the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.

    This mix of disciplines helps create an inspiring, innovative and collaborative atmosphere.

    This is enhanced by excellent facilities including newsrooms, TV, radio, podcasting, design and photography studios and sound-proofed music studios. There are also Mac Labs for creative design work.

    On campus, you’ll also find the 500-seat Jack Kilby Computing Centre and library, open 24 hours a day in Trimesters 1 and 2, student support services and Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association.

Popular modules

Year 1

  • Communication and Digital Content Creation
  • Intro to Corporate Communications
  • Media Theory and Analysis
  • Podcasting
  • News writing

Year 2

  • Global Media Industries
  • Social Media and Analytics Project
  • Introduction to Branding

Year 3

  • Information, Communication, and Society
  • TV News
  • Mass Communications Research Methods
  • Online Communication

Year 4

  • Dissertation
  • Communications for Change
  • Media and Communication Major Project

In addition to two core modules studied each year, you'll have access to a wide range of rich optional modules, allowing you to tailor your degree to reflect your interests, strengths and career ambitions.


After successfully completing your first two years, you may have the option to transfer to the BA (Hons) Mass Communications, Advertising and Public Relations degree if your interests and career aspirations develop more specifically in that direction.

RECOGNISED BY

Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) - Being a partner university with the PRCA, a globally-recognised industry body, provides students with free membership and wide access to a range of free webinars, industry training and networking events.

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you’ll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience.

Programme Leader: Aideen McLaughlin.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Media and Communication?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

 

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBCC including Grade C in English or a literary subject*

Please note that for September 2028 entry, the standard entry requirements will be moving to BBBB, including English or a literary subject.

  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: CCCC including English or a literary subject*

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • CCD including English or a literary subject*.

Please note that for September 2028 entry, the standard entry requirements will be moving to BCC, including English or a literary subject.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H3, H3, H3, H3 at HL including English or a literary subject*.

Please note that for September 2028 entry, the standard entry requirements will be moving to H2, H2, H3, H3, including English or a literary subject.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades MMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

Please note that for September 2028 entry, the standard entry requirements will be moving to DMM (Distinction, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DD (Distinction, Distinction) in a related subject.

Please note that for September 2028 entry, the standard entry requirements will be moving to D*D* (Distinction*, Distinction*) in a related subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 26 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 5, 5, 5 including English or a literary subject*

Please note that for September 2028 entry, the standard entry requirements will be moving to 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including English or a literary subject

T Level

Grade Pass

  • T Level must be completed in a English/Literary subject or an A Level in an English subject may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

Please note that for September 2028 entry, the standard entry requirements will be moving to grade Merit.

*Literary subjects accepted: Higher ESOL, Modern Studies, History, Psychology, RMPS, Latin, Sociology, Theology, Media Studies, Politics, Classics, Philosophy, Geography, A Level Government and Politics, A Level Classical Civilisation, A Level Drama.

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • Pass HNC in a related subject with grade B in the Graded Unit.
  • Accepted HNC subjects - Advertising and PR, Media and Communication, Events Management, Marketing, Practical Journalism. Other HNC subjects where the primary subject areas include Advertising, PR or Branding will be considered individually.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND in a related subject with grade B at SCQF level 8 in all Graded Units.
  • Accepted HND subjects - Advertising and PR, Media and Communication, Events Management. Other HND subjects where the primary subject areas include Advertising, PR, Marketing or Branding will be considered individually.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with 6.0 overall and no element below 5.5.  For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland £1,820 £1,820
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,790 £10,050
Overseas and EU £18,220 £18,950

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


Careers & employability

What can you do with a BA (Hons) Media and Communication degree?

This degree prepares you for careers wherever storytelling and communication are at their heart. Graduates go on to roles across the public, private and charity sectors, including:

  • Media and Communications Officer
  • Social Media Manager
  • Digital Content Creator
  • Marketing Executive
  • Public Relations Officer
  • Journalist
  • Copywriter
  • Junior Creative
  • Producer
  • Strategist
  • Media Researcher
  • Campaigns Officer

The broad nature of the degree also equips you to adapt to emerging roles in digital media and communication as technologies and industries continue to evolve.

Spotlight: What does a Media and Communications Officer do?

As a Media and Communications Officer, your job is to help organisations communicate effectively with their key audiences, build their reputation and share their stories. You might develop communication strategies and campaigns, write press releases, pitch stories to journalists, manage social media channels, respond to media enquiries, write copy, produce digital content and support events.

This role combines creativity with strategic thinking, giving you the opportunity to shape an organisation's public image, engage stakeholders and communicate across a wide range of print and digital channels and platforms.

Recent graduates at Usher Hall.