Politics and Media BA (Hons)

Course overview

You can still apply to BU (including through UCAS Extra). Please apply through UCAS as soon as possible; your application can only be assessed once we have received it from UCAS.

What will I study?

• This course recognises the increasing interrelation of politics and media in contemporary societies and the media's integral role within it
• You will explore how the media can present a challenge to political parties, governments and other centres of power that is often difficult, and is sometimes impossible to manage or control
• You will engage with political and media theory, history and debates and gain a critical understanding of a range of important political structures, institutions and ideas around the world
• Attention is also paid to global political and economic developments and current affairs; digital communication strategies; the impact of new technologies on local, national and transnational communications and political movements; the psychology of politics; various political ideologies and their influence; and new developments in public diplomacy and international relations
• View the detailed course content

Who should do this course?

• Students interested in the relationship between politics and the communication environment would be interested in this course

What can I do next?

• This course will prepare you for a potential career in the media and/or in a range of ‘political’ organisations and institutions such as local government, the civil service, charities, NGOs, think tanks, public relations consultancies and lobbying groups, whether large, small or ‘virtual’, profit-oriented or not-for-profit

• Many of our graduates go on to study a Postgraduate course at BU

Tell me more

In an increasing media focused world it has become difficult to study politics without also examining the role of communications and the media in our political life. As many commentators note, politics is now largely conducted and experienced through the media and governments that fail to grasp the importance of the media rarely survive for long.

You will be able to take advantage of BU's Media School's excellent teaching standards, state-of-the-art facilities and distinguished reputation amongst employers.

You will also benefit from six weeks work experience with, for example, a national or local government department, political party, NGO, or public affairs department in a major company.

In the news

• Politics Online: Democratising or Distracting