Media and Cultural Studies (Placement Year)

BA Hons

  • UCAS code LP64
  • Entry year 2025
  • A level requirements ABB
  • Duration Full time 4 years

We welcome applications from the United States of America

We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.

Overview

Top reasons to study with us

  • 2

    2nd for Communication & Media Studies

    The Complete University Guide (2025)

  • Access to Digital Media Studio and specialist equipment

  • Discover more about global media and it's impact on culture

Why Lancaster?

  • Prepare for media jobs of the future by exploring how the industry is evolving
  • Gain additional experience and skills by joining a four-year programme and spend twelve months working in the type of organisation that you might aspire to join when you graduate
  • Benefit from training and development opportunities with your placement organisation, while still receiving both academic and pastoral support from Lancaster University
  • learn from experts at Lancaster who shape conversation on everything from reality TV show regulations to the Royal Family
  • Combine expert knowledge with practical skills and experience with this distinctive media and culture course
  • Shape your study – you’ll have the freedom to examine the areas of media that spark your interest
  • Get involved with our student media societies to gain experience outside the classroom

Media shapes who we are, what we think and what we value. At Lancaster, we’ve created a course where expertise meets practical skills. New technology and new platforms mean you’ll be preparing for careers in the creative sector and digital journalism that didn’t even exist until recently.

Bring ideas to life

We know it’s important for you to understand the way media is changing, but you also need to be able to apply this knowledge to succeed in this competitive industry. This includes the skills you will learn during your placement year, in which you will work in an organisation potentially related to your interests. And during your studies, you will influence what you create, whether that’s short films, digital content and podcasts, or any media relevant to today’s world.

We’ll look at how media is produced and consumed to help you become a better creator, as well as studying the social, economic and political dimensions of this industry on a global scale. You’ll look at practices and platforms in the ever-changing media landscape to make you aware of the challenges facing professionals.

Your platform, your voice

Our research influences real world conversations. You’ll be learning from experts who testify for parliamentary enquiries, run their own podcast series, or raise awareness of issues like gender inequality through their work.

When it comes to doing your dissertation, you’ll follow in their footsteps. You can complete your dissertation either via writing about research you have carried out or via media practice. Either way, we’ll expect you to thoroughly research your topic and the intended audience. We’ll encourage you to let your imagination run wild! Past students have created music albums, board games and even a multimedia cookbook.

Careers

Roles like digital content creator didn’t even exist a couple of decades ago, and platforms like Patreon have changed the way we consume media. What comes next is unknown, but you’ll have the skills you need to adapt to whatever challenges you face.

Your analysis, research, presentation and writing skills will be valuable to employers across a range of areas. If you want to be your own boss, you’ll have the foundation of knowledge you need to create your own media company.

Our graduates find rewarding roles in:

  • Digital journalism
  • Social media
  • Creative sectors
  • Publishing
  • Advertising and marketing

This course also provides a strong basis for diverse types of postgraduate study, including areas like television production or teaching.

Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring that you gain a highly reputable degree. We are also dedicated to ensuring that you graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which offers you the opportunity to complete activities such as work experience, employability/career development, campus community and social development.

Visit our Employability section for full details.

Entry requirements

Grade Requirements

A Level ABB

IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in each component. For other English language qualifications we accept, please see our English language requirements webpages.

Other Qualifications

International Baccalaureate 32 points overall with 16 points from the best 3 Higher Level subjects

BTEC Distinction, Distinction, Merit

We welcome applications from students with a range of alternative UK and international qualifications, including combinations of qualification. Further guidance on admission to the University, including other qualifications that we accept, frequently asked questions and information on applying, can be found on our general admissions webpages.

Contact Admissions Team + 44 (0) 1524 592028 or via ugadmissions@lancaster.ac.uk

International foundation programmes

Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.

Contextual admissions

Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.

Course structure

Lancaster University offers a range of programmes, some of which follow a structured study programme, and some which offer the chance for you to devise a more flexible programme to complement your main specialism.

Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, and the University will make every reasonable effort to offer modules as advertised. In some cases changes may be necessary and may result in some combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.

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Fees and funding

Our annual tuition fee is set for a 12-month session, starting in the October of your year of study.

Our Undergraduate Tuition Fees for 2025/26 are:

Home International
£9,535 £24,700

Fees and funding information

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Scholarships and bursaries

You will be automatically considered for our main scholarships and bursaries when you apply, so there's nothing extra that you need to do.

You may be eligible for the following funding opportunities, depending on your fee status:

Unfortunately no scholarships and bursaries match your selection, but there are more listed on scholarships and bursaries page.

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We also have other, more specialised scholarships and bursaries - such as those for students from specific countries.

Browse Lancaster University's scholarships and bursaries.

Important information

The information on this site relates primarily to 2025/2026 entry to the University and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.

The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.

More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.

Our Students’ Charter

We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. View our Charter and other policies.

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