Overview

If you are critically minded and passionate about storytelling, a degree in media and communication could be right for you.

Media is now a central part of everyday life. With mobile network coverage reaching 95% of the world’s population (Statista 2025), media has an unprecedented global influence on how we think, communicate and act.

This course explores that influence across a wide range of platforms, including:

film
television
press
radio
digital media.

You’ll gain hands-on experience grounded in professional practice and ethical awareness. This is complemented by skills in critical analysis and creative storytelling.

You’ll be taught by expert staff and supported by world-leading research, with 100% of our communications, culture, and media research impact rated world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021). You’ll also study at a UK top 10 university for Communication and Media Studies (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026).

Greater Glasgow is home to Scotland’s major newspaper headquarters and employs more creative professionals than any other city in Scotland (Skills Development Scotland 2024), placing you in a vibrant creative environment. Our campus is equipped with industry-standard television, radio, and media production facilities, and studios – including BBC Scotland and STV – are easily accessed from campus by bus or subway. A student-led, integrated work placement builds on this by enabling you to gain real-world experience with a range of employers and explore different career paths while studying.

Why study Media and Communication at GCU?

GCU is ranked in the UK top 10 universities for Communication and Media Studies (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)
100% of our communications, culture, and media research IMPACT is world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021)
Our staff maintains close industry relationships, including partnerships with BAFTA albert Education, Creative Media Network, and the Digital Production Partnership (DPP)
Transferable skills open pathways from content creation to corporate communications
Benefit from hands-on learning in professional television, radio, and media production studios with industry-standard equipment.

What you will study

Please note that full module information is in the process of being finalised for publication and will be made available here shortly.

In the meantime, you can view and download the Programme Specification at the bottom of this page. This document provides an overview of the course structure, including indicative modules, learning content and further key information. The modules listed on the Programme Specification are for the current academic year and are intended to give you an idea of what you may be able to study on this course.

Careers

Our graduates have an excellent employment track record – thanks to the industry skills they’ve developed and our close ties across the sector. We regularly engage with industry experts, tracking developments across the media industry to ensure our teaching stays relevant.

You’ll develop transferable skills for a wide range of careers. Some graduates have gone on to become senior communications officers, PR executives, and journalists. Others go on to postgraduate study and research.

Some examples of the careers our graduates have pursued include:

film and TV production
radio production
brand strategy
digital marketing
sports journalism
public relations
content creation
social media management
corporate communications
talent management.

Our graduates are well regarded within media industries, as well as in the creative and communication sectors. Many employers, including GCU alumni, trust our graduates to deliver high-quality content and consistent results.

Organisations our graduates have joined include:

Sony
TikTok
BBC Radio 1
Firecrest Films
Afro Mic Productions
Glasgow Film.

For those with an interest in television, our graduates have gone on to work on many well-known productions, including:

Outlander
Gladiators
The Traitors
EastEnders
Dragon’s Den
Who Do You Think You Are?
Homes Under the Hammer.

Course information

Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BA (Hons)	Full Time	4 years	Sep 27	Glasgow	PP93	Enquire Apply
Award	Mode of study	Duration	Start date	Location	UCAS
BA (Hons)	Full Time	4 Years	Sep 26	Glasgow	PP93	Enquire Apply

Please note that admission to GCU is considered on a competitive basis, and the academic entry requirements stated here may be the minimum required to be eligible for an offer.

International students can get information on entry requirements specific to their country in our International Study section.

Year 1

Standard entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 114

Scottish Higher: ABBB or equivalent incl Higher in English or Media Studies

A Level: BCC or equivalent incl A Level in English or Media Studies

Minimum entry requirement

UCAS Tariff: 90

Scottish Higher: BCCC or equivalent incl Higher in English or Media Studies

A Level: CCC or equivalent incl A Level in English or Media Studies

Year 2

Standard entry requirement

15 credit HNC in Media and Communications or HNC Creative Industries: TV or Radio with B in graded unit or Next Gen HNC Television with Achieved with Merit

Year 3 entry

Standard entry requirement

HND Media and Communication, HND Advertising and PR, HND Practical Journalism with AB/BA in the graded units or Next Gen HND in TV/Radio achieved with Merit

English language

IELTS score of 6.0 with no element below 5.5 (or equivalent)

Additional information for international applicants

Entry requirements by country
Application deadlines
English language tests
Knowledge of English - Applicants from a majority English speaking country may not be required to provide further proof of your English language proficiency. Information about this requirement is available on the Student Visa section of the gov.uk website.

Additional information for all applicants

Relevant experience (Recognition of Prior Learning)

GCU's flexible entry policies exist to allow relevant work experience and prior learning to be considered towards standard entry or advanced entry into a course.

If you do not have the typical academic entry qualifications, but can demonstrate relevant work experience and/or credits from recognised professional bodies, you may be eligible to enter this course via the University's Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) scheme.

Minimum entry requirements

Minimum entry requirements are for widening access students only. If you are from a group that is not currently well-represented in higher education you may qualify as a widening access student. This includes living in a target postcode area, attending a target school or college, attending SWAP, are care-experienced or provide care for someone else, have refugee status or are an asylum seeker.

Teaching methods

You will learn from, and work with, experienced academics through a combination of:

lectures
seminars
labs
workshops.

Designed to reflect industry standards and develop professional skills, you will learn in a variety of environments, including:

professional studios
industry commissions
live client briefs.

You will also have the opportunity to attend guest lectures hosted by experts. These sessions offer insight into current industry trends and challenges.

Assessment methods

Assessment is delivered through a balance of traditional and contemporary methods. Traditional assessments, like essays and research assignments, build a strong theoretical foundation. More contemporary methods focus on practical and creative projects, including group work, allowing you to apply your learning to real-world scenarios and use digital tools.

This varied approach to assessment reflects the realities of the competitive industries you will enter and builds your professional confidence.

Work placement

Work placements on this course are student-led and flexible, reflecting the realities of the media and communication industries. Students source their own short-term and freelance-style opportunities to enable real-world learning in the world of work.

Engagement is measured in days (including half days) and can be built up across the course, starting from the point of acceptance onto the programme. If you begin in first year, you are required to accumulate 20 days throughout the course (so roughly five days per year.)

This can include a wide range of media-related activities, such as production work, freelance projects, networking events, or training. From shadowing someone at a local radio station to managing a company’s social media accounts, you’ll get to explore different areas of the industry and build professional connections before graduating.

Partnerships

You will benefit from our partnerships with DPP and BAFTA albert in Education. These partnerships support your learning by embedding professional standards and sustainable practices into the course.

You can earn additional certification for the completion of ScreenSkills training to work out the carbon footprint of your production using the albert.org carbon calculator. This training reflects current industry expectations and is now a requirement for the majority of major UK broadcasters, including Sky, BBC and ITV. It can also count towards your integrated work placement.

You'll also be part of the Creative Media Network, which works with universities to ensure there is a continuing talent pipeline into Scotland’s screen, broadcast and digital industry. Benefits include masterclasses and networking events.

Facilities

There is no better learning environment than one in which you feel comfortable and confident. On campus, you will have access to a wide range of industry-standard facilities and specialist equipment. Trained technicians and teaching staff support practical sessions, helping you to develop strong technical skills and professional confidence.

Television production facilities

You have access to a purpose-built TV production studio and gallery on campus. The TV studio is equipped with:

HD JVC studio cameras
green screen and Chroma Key facilities
autocue and graphics/titling software
full talkback system for presenters and camera operators.

Blackmagic server for gallery play-in and remote studio integration. The department also provides Sony Z-190 HD cameras, supplied with tripods and boom microphones, for field and studio production.

Mobile production equipment

You'll have access to mobile production kits, ideal for content creation and on-location production. These include:

Steadicam camera gimbal
iPhone
tripod
RØDE lapel microphone
Sennheiser handheld microphone
headphones.

You will use Avid Media Composer digital editing suites, as well as:

Nikon 360 cameras
Canon Digital Stills cameras
lighting kits
rifle mics
boom mics.

Radio and audio production facilities

There are two soundproof Clyde Broadcast Synergy Bronze digital radio studios on campus. Each studio includes:

separate control booths
Burli radio news network editing system.

Additional audio editing and recording equipment includes:

Adobe Audition digital audio software
Tascam DR-40 linear digital audio recorders
Marantz digital audio recorders.

Flexible production studio space

You will also have access to a multi-purpose open video production studio. This space supports a wide range of video, studio and creative production work, featuring:

blackout walls
green screen
six-colour background system
professional lighting rig.

Download the programme specification

In addition to the core modules that all students must undertake, some courses offer students a choice from a selection of optional modules to shape the focus their degree. Optional modules where available, form part of the overall credit structure of the course.

Download the programme specification for a detailed breakdown of the course structure, including modules, what you'll learn and other useful information.

Terms and Conditions

Details of the University’s terms and conditions are available here.