STUDYING MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
Faculty of Creative Arts, Technologies & Science
School of Arts and Creative Industries
FdA Media Make-up and Character Design
BA (Hons) Make-up for Fashion and Media (top up)
BA (Hons) Film Production
BA (Hons) Media Production
BA (Hons) Film and TV Production
BA (Hons) Media Performance for Film, TV and Theatre
BA (Hons) Radio and Audio
BA (Hons) Sports Journalism
BA (Hons) Media, Marketing and Public Relations
beds.ac.uk beds.ac.uk 3 2 CONTENTS Welcome to Media and Communications 4 Student Support Services 5 What to expect during Welcome Week 6 What you will study in your first year 8 How you will be assessed 10 Preparation for your first week 12 Teaching timetable 14 Frequently asked questions 16 Final thoughts 18
WELCOME TO MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS
AT THE UNIVERSITY OF BEDFORDSHIRE
Welcome to Media and Communications at the University of Bedfordshire.
We are delighted that you have chosen to study with us and we look forward to you becoming part of our caring family of diverse students where you can belong and achieve your potential. Our excellent staff will guide you through your studies and collaborative projects and inspire you to work just as you would in the creative industries. Like former students, you could go on to work with the BBC; ITV; KISS radio; Simbodies; Mouldlife; work as a freelance sports journalist; a make-up artist, filmmaker, presenter; or become a well-known director.
This booklet provides you with important information that will prepare you for your course and with taking your first steps at University. We look forward to meeting you soon.
Carlota Larrea Head of School of Arts and Creative Industries
SUPPORTING YOU EVERY STEP OF THE WAY
During Welcome Week you will meet your dedicated course coordinator, who is responsible for the overall running of your course. You will be taught by a variety of lecturers and visiting experts from industry who will help prepare you for the workplace. Unit coordinators will guide you through each unit of study and your assessments.
You’ll also have a personal tutor who is there to support you (who you’ll also meet during Welcome Week). They have weekly office hours so you can book an appointment if you need to chat to them. Remember, we will be there with you every step of the way.
STUDENT SUPPORT SERVICES
Student Information Desk (SiD) beds.ac.uk/sid sid@beds.ac.uk
Student Support beds.ac.uk/studentsupport
BedsSU (Students’ Union) bedssu.co.uk help@bedssu.co.uk
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WHAT TO EXPECT DURING
WELCOME WEEK
It is important that you have the best possible start to university life. Welcome Week is designed to help you navigate student life and your studies. It is also a brilliant way of getting to know staff and students and find out more about campus life.
The following is a typical Welcome Week schedule (the exact schedule will be available to you prior to starting).
Introduction to university life:
Day 1
Student Services, Students’ Union and Library Services
Treasure hunt
Introduction to collaborative project
Meet the Head of School and course teams
A day in the life – what to expect (including Q&A with current students)
Day 2
Who are PAT and SID?
Library and academic support
Course activities
ID and document check appointments for international students
Day 3 & 4
Freshers’ Fayre and Students’ Union activities
Course activities and PAT meeting
Ready for studies: research and support
Getting online and finding your way around
Day 5
Introduction to BREO (our online learning environment)
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WHAT YOU WILL STUDY IN YOUR FIRST YEAR
Here’s a overview of what you will be studying and some of the activities in your first year:
Academic skills
Practical skills and techniques
How to research
Industry-led professional practice
Meet visiting industry professionals who will offer expert advice and insights into what it’s like to work in the creative industries
Visit exhibitions, galleries and museums and going on study trips to design and artists’ studios throughout your course
Plus, plenty of other activities…
ESSENTIAL
LINKS
How to find your Timetable
Information about your learning with BREO
Get support with your learning and assignments Study Hub
Visit the Library
Begin@Beds Start your student journey
Thrive@Beds My Beds Life
Succeed@Beds Careers and Employability Service
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HOW YOU WILL BE ASSESSED
Our course assessment strategy is closely aligned to the University’s teaching and learning strategy which is designed to:
• Be relevant to industry practice
• Draw on expertise by experience
• Develop your individual skills and abilities through personalised feedback and formative tasks
A distinct feature of the course is the range of assessment tasks, including workplace relevant assessments that can have an immediate impact. These will help you put into practice what you learn at University and increase your confidence.
RANGE OF ASSESSMENTS
These can vary depending on the course you are studying, but here’s an example of what your assessments might include:
Portfolios
Skills based projects
Presentations
Written evaluations
In-class tests
Assessments are purposefully diverse and created to relate to industry practices.
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PREPARATION FOR YOUR FIRST WEEK
REGISTERING FOR YOUR COURSE
Once you have met the conditions of your offer, you will receive an email to complete your online registration. Keep an eye on your emails and junk box to make sure that you don’t miss it!
SOMETHING TO WATCH
Follow us on Instagram where you can meet some of our students, watch performances and see behind the scenes at Radio LAB and Beds TV.
• Radio LAB
• Beds TV
SOMETHING TO READ
Read about our recent ‘alien invasion’, when students and alumni from various creative courses took part in a collaborative showcase event.
• ‘Aliens’ invade University campus
ABOUT THE CAMPUS
Take time to familiarise yourself with the layout of our campus and the names of buildings. This will help you get around with ease when you arrive.
• Luton campus
SOMETHING TO EAT
• Eating and drinking on-campus
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TEACHING TIMETABLE
EXPECTATIONS FOR TEACHING
As a first year student, you will typically have scheduled taught sessions over four days every week, with one day free for reading and research.
Your timetable will be available online prior to arriving on campus, or you can contact your course coordinator to ask them to let you know when it is available.
To find out how to access your timetable go to beds.ac.uk/timetable
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QUESTIONS FREQUENTLY ASKED
What happens if I miss class due to illness or have difficulties with childcare or travel?
We understand that everyone will face some difficulties now and again and we aim to be flexible. You are encouraged to discuss ongoing issues with your personal academic tutor or unit coordinator.
Who can help me with my assessments?
The academic team is always available to guide you with the theory based content and you can book a one-to-one tutorial with your unit coordinator or tutor. If you need more time to complete an assignment due to specific circumstances, illness or additional learning needs, please contact the Student Engagement and Mitigation team (SEAM) who deal with extensions for assessments. Their email is: mitigation@beds.ac.uk
What support do you provide for learning differences such as dyslexia?
There is plenty of help available. You may be eligible for a Learning and Teaching Agreement, where you can discuss any reasonable adjustments needed for classroom learning and examinations. There is also help available for practice based learning, so please make us aware in advance.
Are there clubs and activities I can get involved with?
Yes! The Students’ Union can tell you everything you need to know about sports clubs, activities and events for all our students. You can even set up your own society! Contact Beds SU by emailing beds.su@beds.ac.uk
What if I’m struggling with my mental health at university?
We will support you and have a range of services offering specialist help. You can email mentalhealth@beds.ac.uk for new or ongoing mental health support needs. To access our counselling services, email counselling@beds.ac.uk
Can I talk to someone about my money worries?
Yes, we recognise the cost of living crisis is impacting significantly on students. Our financial advisors can help you. Contact studentmoney@beds.ac.uk
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THOUGHTS FINAL
We bring the creative industries to you, with regular, exciting opportunities to meet visiting, industry-active professionals, from TV producers and make-up artists to published writers and key performers.
FIVE REASONS TO STUDY MEDIA AND COMMUNICATIONS AT BEDFORDSHIRE
We run an award-winning community radio station and have amazing lecturers such as Terry Lee and his award-winning Fantastic Noise podcast.
Our media and communications research brings together world-leading researchers, practitioners and theoreticians to investigate and take forward key areas of political and cultural interest. Our work is of international importance and is funded by organisations such as the AHRC, British Academy and the Leverhulme Foundation.
Always remember, our team is here for you!
There is a lot to take in when you start university, so don’t be afraid to ask questions. Many of our teaching team have worked in industry and higher education for many years and have lots of experience to draw on and wisdom to impart. Every year, our alumni come back to share their experiences and successes with our students, so make sure you make the most of these learning opportunities.
Don’t be shy about asking for help from staff members or tutors because they are all incredibly friendly and helpful.
If you can complete your task today, do not wait until tomorrow even if you feel like you have enough time.
Most importantly, enjoy your course, have fun, and make friends, because being surrounded by people who listen to and support you will help you overcome challenges.
Tuya – Art and Design, 1st year
Graduates have gone on to work on top TV shows, films and stage productions such as The X Factor, Gogglebox, The Apprentice, Dr Who, The Graham Norton Show, Game of Thrones and My Fair Lady, and have won awards in different fields. You can too!
You will have access to the best facilities and industry equipment, including our high-spec, multi-camera television studios; industry-standard radio facilities; specialist make-up studios; newsroom; and a variety of quality equipment.
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Discover more about the University of Bedfordshire, tour our facilities, and meet some of our academics and current students at one of our Open Days.
Find out about our up-coming Open Days at beds.ac.uk/open-days
beds.ac.uk
+44 (0)300 3300 073
facebook.com/unibeds instagram.com/uniofbeds
twitter.com/uniofbeds youtube.com/uobvideos
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