Expand your horizons with a career in New Media
Image courtesy of the University of Leicester. Source: Shutterstock

“New Media and mobile entertainment are revolutionising the way people learn about the world.” – Stephen Kinzer

Twenty-first century life is rich in colour, technology, imagery and sound. Technological advancement and the internet revolution has filled the world with a vibrancy that’s never been known before, allowing us to access information from the past two millennia at the simple click of a button. Standing at the interface of every digital medium is the New Media realm, one of the most lucrative and fastest-growing industries of the modern world.

Figures from PwC’s latest Entertainment and Media (E&M) Outlook report show that in the UK alone, the E&M sector will come to be worth £62.8 billion in 2017. Not only does this mean overtaking Germany as the largest market in Europe, but this growth is expected to surge over the next three years, reaching a projected £68.2 billion by 2020, compared to the £61.3 billion forecasted for the German market.

“Advertising revenues are driving growth, and the industry identifies new ways of measuring and tracking performance in a connected, mobile and digital world,” says Phil Stokes, Head of Entertainment & Media UK. “Internet access combined with tablet and smart phone penetration has created a golden age for individuals interacting with media and the appetite of UK consumers shows no signs of slowing,” he adds.

Image courtesy of the University of Portsmouth

“It’s increasingly clear that consumers see no significant divide between digital and traditional media: what they want is more flexibility, freedom and convenience in when and how they consume any kind of content.”

The potential for New Media is broad and unrelenting, allowing the exchange of ideas in new, engaging and innovative ways. As a means of expanding our political, intellectual and creative horizons, the value of existing and emerging media methods resonates round the globe. A sector that’s thriving and constantly evolving, UK New Media is as exciting as it is unpredictable, meaning there’s never been a better time to invest in your New Media education.

Think you’ve got what it takes? Here are four UK Universities that could be the perfect fit for you…

MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION – UNIVERSITY OF LEICESTER

Media and Communication at the University of Leicester now stands as one of the nation’s largest and most respected places for media research and education at a leading institution in the heart of the UK. Ranked 11th overall in the Complete University Guide 2017, and often in the UK’s top 15 in terms of both teaching and research, Media and Communication at Leicester boasts a large and dynamic staff base with internationally renowned research and teaching expertise.

Media and Communication at Leicester began as the home of the Centre of Mass Communications Research made famous by the communications scholar Professor James Halloran, established the nation’s first Media Masters programme, and is now a recognised pioneer of media and communication education. Celebrating 50 years of teaching and research in media, culture and communication, Media at Leicester has established a world-leading reputation that currently draws on its three powerful research clusters in Digital Networks and Communication, Media Cultures, and  Public Communication to offer cutting-edge study and research to the global applicant.

Image courtesy of the University of Leicester. Source: Shutterstock

Media and communication at Leicester hosts three excellent Undergraduate courses –a BA in Media Communication, a BA in Media and Society and a BA in Film and Media – as well as six full-time Masters programmes delivering specialisms in Media and Public Relations  Media and Advertising, Global Media and Communication, New Media and Society, Mass Communications, Media, Culture and Society. It also offers an exciting online distance learning part-time programme in Media and Public Relations for those who aim to undertake cutting-edge postgraduate education from home.

Building on its excellent reputation for research Media and Communication at Leicester boasts a large community of postgraduate students studying for a PhD. You can work closely with its world-leading academics either on campus or through distance learning on a research project which fits its dynamic research culture.

Media and Communication at Leicester promises quality and excellence in teaching and research in a diverse and rapidly moving field that has never been more relevant to study.

SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM, MEDIA AND CULTURAL STUDIES – CARDIFF UNIVERSITY

As a top-rated institution for teaching and research around all things Media, Cardiff University is helping shape global landscapes in Media, Journalism and Communication. Through a comprehensive range of Undergraduate, Postgraduate-taught and Postgraduate-research degrees, the School expertly combines a long-standing excellence heritage with an outstanding portfolio of research.

Cardiff’s Centre for Community Journalism advocates the development of brand-new community hubs across Wales and the UK, providing invaluable networking, guidance, training and advice to hyperlocal and community journalists, all while supporting emerging forms of digital journalism and promoting sustainable models for news.

Lectures are delivered by a dynamic team of well-established academics and renowned industry leaders, all of whom contribute to research and topical news in national media and beyond. Here, students have access to computer rooms equipped with the latest technologies and digital editing software, allowing them to rise to the changing demands of a fast-paced, global business. Students also have access to a wealth of video and sound equipment of professional quality, including recorders, digital cameras and digital video cameras that are all free to use.

Each year, the School is pleased to welcome students from all around the globe, fully-understanding the problems and worries that come with studying overseas. To ensure your transition to life at Cardiff runs without a hitch, staff are committed to helping you settle into the School’s vibrant, international community, helping unleash your full potential as you prepare for your future career.

SCHOOL OF MEDIA AND PERFORMING ARTS – UNIVERSITY OF PORTSMOUTH

Image courtesy of University of Portsmouth

Through a disparate mix of creative practice and critical understanding, Portsmouth’s School of Media and Performing Arts is producing future leaders of the contemporary media world. Through stimulating learning opportunities and cutting-edge research, Portsmouth Media graduates leave instilled with the skills needed to meet complex industry demand.

“We have a diverse and robust research presence throughout our academic and educational activities,” the institution notes. “We [also] have research opportunities for students wishing to pursue postgraduate studies, some of which involve active participation in pioneering projects devised by our forward-thinking academic staff.”

As a vibrant and prestigious School with a keen and innovative eye for creative activity and critical endeavour, Portsmouth’s world-class courses not only appeal to student demand, but also equip them with the knowledge and expertise needed to forge successful careers in the multi-disciplinary creative and cultural industries.

Courses cover the full range of Media-focused subjects, including Film Industries, Media and Digital Practice, Media Studies, Media and Communication and beyond, giving students a strong, professional foundation specifically-catered to their interests.

WESTMINSTER SCHOOL OF MEDIA, ARTS AND DESIGN – UNIVERSITY OF WESTMINSTER

The School of Media, Arts and Design at the University of Westminster boasts one of the most varied and expansive Media portfolios in Europe. Here, students are not just prepared to enter the thriving sphere of the dynamic creative industries, but also shaped and inspired by a unique and practice-led education.

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With a strong reputation matched and prestigious tradition of merit in both teaching and research, the School encourages the development of reflective and critical practitioners. With industry-standard studios, workshops and laboratories, the Westminster Media student experience is more or less identical to those found in the real-world professional workplace. As a dynamic community of artists, producers, journalists, designers and musicians, Westminster Media students benefit from the chance to merge and collaborate with colleagues on innovative team projects and creative group ventures.

“Some 65% of the School’s graduates go directly into employment in arts of media-related jobs with organisations as diverse as Sony UK, the BBC, Sky, independent production companies and a range of magazines, newspapers and websites,” the institution notes. “Other graduates are working freelance or on short-term contracts in the worlds of film, photography, fashion, multimedia, graphic design, journalism, broadcasting, fine art and animation.”

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International

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