Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Media and Communications (Top-Up)
| Intake Date | Programme Type | Course Fees |
|---|---|---|
| Click here to know more | Master’s Degree | Click here to know more |
Beacon International College and its partner reserve the rights, at its discretion, to change, modify, add or remove the course information at any time without prior notice. Please check the course information periodically for changes.
Introduction
BA (Hons) Media and Communications L6 TOP UP provides an innovative and customisable learning experience where students develop a diverse grounding of media theory and practice before choosing a bespoke pathway – either Media Production or Media Studies.
Benefitting from a course team combining field-leading academics and experienced creative professionals with excellent industry links, students will engage in self-directed learning within a stimulating and flexible environment. Graduates from this course will be equipped with skills relevant to the creative, multi- and trans-media industries.
The Level 6 top-up pathway takes the existing structure of the BA (Hons) Media and Communication Level 6 and enhances it by creating a practically focused pathway that acts as a top-up degree. This is designed to appeal to and support students who have not studied our existing Level 4 and Level 5 but who have a strong interest in using media tools to create practical work. A further differentiator from the existing Level 6, is that international aspects of media will be emphasised in the theoretical modules (Research Project).
Course Content
The Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Media and Communications is a one-year top up degree that consists of 4 core modules and 2 optional modules determined by the college.
In this module, students develop a Media Project over two semesters. The project is devised as a substantial piece of work that draws on the skills and concepts students have learnt in all the previous modules on the course. The Project outcome will be an artefact, for example, an audio documentary, podcast or website. Students will produce a piece of work of their own choice and can work either independently or in a team.
The major aim of this module is to teach students the concept of practice-led research, and to reaffirm the reflective practitioner/critical creativity theme of the course. The module does this by tying together knowledge and practice developed by the students across their degree, with a particular focus on re-uniting the two strands at the end of their studies in a complementary way; requiring them to work together by drawing on (whilst building on) their specific skills.
The aim of this module is to equip students, who have not previously studied our level 4 or level 5 practical modules, with advanced skills in media content production. It is one of two advanced skills modules, focusing on the production of video – short form, long form and live content – and image-based content production (students will also study a module in advanced audio production).
The focus of this module is the staged development of a research project, an extended piece of written work equivalent to a minor dissertation, which encourages practitioners to conceptualise and theorise their process and products in greater depth.
The aim of this module is to equip students, who have not previously studied our level 4 or level 5 practical modules, with advanced skills in audio production. It is one of two advanced skills modules; this one focusing on the production of audio content (students will also study a module in advanced media content production).
In this module, students will research, develop and execute audio concepts that challenge the limitations of the radio/audio soundscape. This will include reference to gaming, interactive sound design and other digital media.
Admission Criteria
Age Requirement
At least 18 years old
Academic Requirement
- At least BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma or Polytechnics’ Diploma in related field (equivalent to 1st and 2nd Year EDP). Applicants may apply on the basis of RPL and RPEL for admission with Credit, subject to University’s assessment on a case-by-case basis.
English Entry Requirement
IELTS overall score of 6.0 (minimum of 5.5 in all components)
- or the equivalent
Key Facts
Accredited by: University of West London
Students may refer to the here for more information.
Course Length:
12 Months (Full-Time & Part-Time)
Minimum Class Enrollment Requirements:
Master’s Degree: 10 students
Bachelor’s Degree: 10 students
Higher Diploma: 6 students
Diploma: 6 students
English Courses: 6 students
Please note that classes will only commence once the minimum enrollment requirement for each programme is met.
Support for students and their learning:
- All students studying in Beacon benefit from the team of dedicated tutors who provide a point of personal and regular contact for students
- An induction programme both for first year students and direct entry year two or three students
- Student handbook, programme handbook and individual module handbooks
- Module content and materials via Moodle Virtual Learning Environment
- Library and study skills packages
- Library and learning resources of both Cardiff Metropolitan University and Beacon
- 24 hour wifi, photocopying & printing services, library with PCs and laptop recommendation services
- Unlimited worldwide web access
- Access to student services including those offered by careers, welfare and counselling.
Teacher-Student Ratio
Students may refer to the here for more information.
About University of West London
At the University of West London, we’re preparing graduates for today’s world and the challenges of tomorrow. With roots tracing back to 1860, UWL is a modern university based in West London that emphasises practical, career-led learning, student satisfaction, and strong industry engagement. It is ranked:
- Ranked 41st in the UK in The Guardian University Guide 2025.
- Named Best Modern University in London in the Times and Sunday Times University Guide 2026.
- Achieved #1 in London university for overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2025.
- Top university in London in the People and Planet University League 2024/25.
- 5th university in the UK for student experience in the Daily Mail University Guide 2026
- THE World University Rankings 2026: placed in the 1021-1500 band.
- THE Impact Rankings 2025: in the 601-800 band.
- Research Excellence Framework (REF): ~80% of submitted research rated as “world-leading (4*)” or “internationally excellent (3*)”.
Find out more about the University of West London: https://www.uwl.ac.uk
