English Literature and Media Communications (Professional Placement Year)

Turn your passion for literature into a practical communications skill-set with our English Literature and Media Communications degree.

• Understand the diverse perspectives in literature and communicate these in engaging and creative ways, across multiple platforms.

• Prepare for a professional career in the thriving communications sector – whether in storytelling, journalism, marketing, PR or education.

• Gain real-world experience: respond to briefs and manage projects.

This combined English and Media degree puts literature and writing at the heart of today’s media and communication landscape.

From classic texts to new and unfamiliar writing, you'll be asked to think differently about what ‘literature’ can be and to explore original ways of reading, analysing and communicating its perspectives with wider audiences.

You’ll learn how to rethink media communications for social change, studying online influencers, diverse forms of representation, the ethics of social media platforms, and alternative approaches to journalism.

All this will build your professional and creative skills in marketing, analysis, social media management, journalism and creative strategy, preparing you for success in your communications career.

Combined Honour Awards
At Bath Spa University many of our undergraduate programmes can be combined, so you don’t have to limit yourself to one subject. If you choose to study a combined award then in Year One you’ll start by studying both subjects in equal depth. From Year Two you can choose whether to continue with equal numbers of modules from each subject, or whether you want to select additional modules in one or the other. Upon successful completion of the programme you will graduate with a joint degree.

More about the Professional Placement Year
A Professional Placement Year (PPY), traditionally known as a sandwich year, is where you undertake a period of work with an external organisation for between 9-13 months. The placement occurs between your second and final years of undergraduate study. You can engage in multiple placements to make up the total time and are required to source the placement(s) yourself, with support from the Careers team.

Year one

The first year introduces key concepts and skills that underpin the subject of English Literature and allows you to ask questions, challenge your own assumptions and a range of texts and authors.

Open your eyes to being a media activist. You’ll be introduced to analytical tools to critique contemporary media, such as gender and inequality. You’ll learn new graphic design and project development skills, alongside how to research media audiences.

Year two
You’ll focus on developing your own critical voice through the study of texts and reading practices that speak to diverse audiences.

Alongside this, you’ll deepen your understanding of the communications industry. You’ll learn marketing, influencer and branding practices, and web design skills, while exploring grassroots community media, cross-platform communication strategies, and media ethics.

Year three is your Professional Placement Year.

Final year
In English Literature we enable you to focus your studies on particular topics. You can also opt for an extended piece of writing and research or choose from a variety of practical projects (previously, students have created digital resources, worked at literary festivals, and produced educational materials, to name a few examples).

You’ll also realise your vision for a more inclusive media landscape. You’ll work beyond the borders of the university, joining The Studio, our innovation hub for creative media technology. You’ll learn how immersive media, feminist activism, AI communications and public exhibitions can all shape the future of media.

Your English Literature assessments will mainly take the form of essays and coursework, including journals, projects, portfolios and short critical pieces, seminar presentations, or web-based essays.

In Media Communications, you’ll produce the kind of media content that defines our ‘communications for change’ ethos, working on creative media campaigns, marketing strategies, investigative journalism features, political media making, social media content and PR packs.

Second and final year grades contribute towards your final degree award.