DEGREE: Media & Cultural Studies Middlesex University
What I am qualified to do...
Jobs directly related to your degree
Competition for media-related jobs is fierce. The jobs mentioned below are likely to interest graduates with degrees in media and communication studies.
Journalism
Programme researcher- broadcasting/film/video
Broadcasting presenter/Broadcast assistant
Television/film/video producer/Television production assistant
Radio
Multimedia programmer
Our Media and Cultural Studies degree helps you prepare for the graduate job market with the optional work placement module. We also run a series featuring a range of outside speakers talking about their experience in the media and cultural industries. Please see: details of current talks.
Jobs where a degree in Media and Cultural Studies would be useful
Examples can be found on the Prospects website which include:
Advertising account executive
Public relations account
Market research executive
Information officer/manager
Editorial assistant
Arts administrator
Event organiser
Top tips for students in media and cultural studies
Investigate the full range of occupations requiring any discipline – not just media-related
Consider what skills and personal qualities are needed for these and whether you possess them
Be able to illustrate, with examples, the skills which your studies have helped you to develop.
Top tips for getting into media-related careers
Network – develop contacts in the business, get feedback on your writing and your ideas
Get work experience in any area of the media – print, radio, broadcast and multimedia.
Submit work for publication – paid or unpaid
Develop an eye for a “story”. Learn how to “pitch” your idea
Acquire good IT skills - word-processing, desk-top publishing etc
Get experience in organisational and/or secretarial skills. Consider learning shorthand (especially useful for journalism)
Read, watch and listen to a wide variety of media material, potential print journalists should regularly read several newspapers a day.
"Thank God I was able to do cultural studies - now here was a subject with va-va-voom. Not only were we encouraged to think 'outside the box' but to examine the box itself. It gives you the critical edge, which in these days of high anxiety is in demand as never before."
Suzanne Moore, author of Head Over Heels, has been a columnist for The Guardian, The New Statesman and The Mail on Sunday… and is a graduate of Middlesex.
What is Media and Cultural Studies?
Students taking Media and Cultural Studies (MCS) look critically at the mass media and how it operates in contemporary culture. They examine how marketing, branding and identity shape how we think, act and buy in a consumer society. They analyse the wider political, economic and social factors influencing popular culture and the media. And they consider how media control and ownership influence the news agenda.
Staff research interests cover race and ethnicity, formations of masculinity, media technologies, cultural theory and popular culture. Read more on staff
We offer an MA in Media and Communications Management as well as our undergraduate courses. There are also opportunities for research students.
Studying Media and Cultural Studies
Who decides what 'the news' will be?
Does being English mean being white?
How do ads sell us products?
Why are hip hop and dance music thought of as low culture while opera is thought of as high culture?
How have digital cultures evolved since the birth of the internet?
Why study it here?
The Guardian newspaper gave media studies at Middlesex nine out of ten for graduates' job prospects. This meant we were placed sixth out of the 74 universities compared for employability of media studies graduates. (From Guardian University Guide, 25 May 2004)
A busy, innovative research culture
Choose practical modules from other media-related subjects to build up your course - including television production and writing modules
Prepare for the graduate job market with a work placement module, where you gain experience in leading media, cultural and creative organisations
Listen to a range of outside speakers talk about their experience in the media and cultural industries. Please see: details of current talks
Use your brain! In media and cultural studies you are guaranteed a stimulating intellectual experience.
What will it be like?
Media and Cultural Studies is currently taught at the Tottenham campus, but from September 2005 will be taught at Trent Park.
Classes are structured but the teaching style is relaxed. They include lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. Students spend about nine hours a week at the University in timetabled classes - three hours per module. You should spend about three times that in independent study.
Our students frequently point to our multi-cultural student body as a benefit of studying here. Every year we attract students from across the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.
It will help you...
Think critically about media, culture and society
Evaluate arguments, weighing up the merits of opposing sides
Analyse and create texts and images using a range of media
Build your knowledge of and engagement with the media and cultural industries.
OTHER MIDDLESEX UNIVERSITY GRADUATES INCLUDE:
Dermot O'Leary Simon Grant
I completed A levels in Sociology, English & Film and passed 9 GCSES including English and Media Studies.
FEEDER
Feeder come to the Midlands later this year, playing a huge gig at the Birmingham NEC. I've lined up an
interview for the next 69.
ELBOW
I caught up with Elbow at their album launch in summer 2005. An interview and album review will be published soon.
KIDS RADIO SHOW
From the autumn, i'll be co-hosting a new hospital radio show for kids & teens in Leicester. Interviews
for this show include:
SIMON GRANT (CBBC) - NOW ONLINE
ARLO WHITE (RADIO 5 LIVE)
OAK107FM
DIRTY WEEKEND
We're off for a muddy weekend in Wales for the next 69. Beach Buggying, Paragliding and Rock Climbing are all in store. This will feature in the November issue of 69.
LISTEN MONDAY - FRIDAY 6-10PM SATURDAYS 2-6PM
THE PLAY WHAT I WROTE
The hit West End show comes to
Leicester Haymarket Theatre this
September.
Read my review on 69 Online.
Interview with the
outspoken air
hostess in the
next 69
SOME OF MY FAVOURITE ARTICLES...
IMOGEN HEAP
Immi has been a recording artist since 1998, but she's only now being recognised as a major UK talent. Her single "Hide and Seek", used on the show The O.C. is released in september.
Jon and I produced a full review and photo collection of Global Gathering 2005, held in the final weekend of July. This included interviews with Shapeshifters and Judge Jules. 69 Magazine Online published an exclusive version.
Meanwhile, the piece was picked up by BBC Coventry and Warwickshire. Visit the BBC pages here:
BBC Leiceser online liked the coverage and have also published it.
We'll be working for the BBC from September.
Visit the Event pages to see the photos & read the review.
EURO CLUB GUIDE for
69 Magazine Summer '05
Issue. Includes interviews
with Eden & Manumission
promoters, plus DJ's Lisa
Lashes, Dave Pearce
& Roger Sanchez.
STEREOPHONICS
For 69's November issue, I interviewed Richard Jones - Bassist with the Stereophonics - ahead of their autumn tour and new single "Devil". A review of their Midlands gig was used by BBC Birmingham.
CRAIG CONWAY
Want a copy of 69's Summer Issue? Email me and i'll have a copy sent to you for free!
Craig is an Actor/Writer/Director. He has appeared in The Desent, Dog Soldiers and Vera Drake. This will be my first interview with a Hollywood film actor. Craig dates ex-EastEnder Jill Halfpenny.
FOR 69 ONLINE:
...Also in 69's Summer Issue
Click the EVENTS header for my PITP 2005 pages.
Interview with Happy Monday's star, Shaun Ryder.
Read this interview now on my Interview pages.
