BA (Hons) in Communications and Media Production
Course Overview
Take the first steps in your media career on this varied and exciting course
This honours degree course enables students to gain practical media skills and build an industry-class portfolio across a range of media.
Why Study Communications and Media Production at Griffith College?
Communications is a fast-paced and, in today’s technology-driven environment, growing industry that offers a huge variety of job roles. Griffith’s BA (Hons) in Communications and Media Production is a full-time, three-year programme that aims to give students a foundation in an array of communications platforms including social and digital media, photography, radio, investigative journalism, TV and video. The course is heavily project-based and the introduction of specialised streams in Years 2 and 3 allows learners to influence the path their studies take them down depending on where their interests lie. In this course students will:
- Develop practical skills through work on traditional media (newspaper, TV and radio) and new media (digital, social media and mobile journalism).
- Gain a solid understanding of media theory, media communication and media production.
- Contribute to the college newspaper, radio station and digital portal.
- Build a portfolio of work and gain knowledge of the most up to date technologies.
- Influence your career path with specialisation in four elective choices.
- Have access to state-of-the-art facilities on campus including radio station, photography studio and film and TV studio.
- Be able to access a National Union of Journalists press pass.
Graduates of the programme will also have the option to progress onto any of Griffith's three specialist media master's degree programmes.
Intake Dates
- Dublin - Full-Time - February 2025
- Dublin - Full-Time - February 2025
- Dublin - Full-Time - September 2025
Testimonials
Course Details
In first year, all students take the same core modules.
In second year, students choose to either continue their study in Stream A (journalistic media) or Stream B (visual media).
In third year, students choose three electives suited to their stream to accompany their mandatory modules. They may also choose from the common electives list. Stream A or B modules in year three are only available if students have completed the respective modules in year two.
Year One
This module provides learners with an in-depth understanding of its visual communication photographic techniques, and ethical considerations. Through a comprehensive curriculum that blends theory, practical exercises, and group workshops, learners will embark on a transformative learning experience.
The module aims to make learners aware of how society affects the opinions and actions of groups and individuals. It examines the origins of the study of society, the changes brought about by the industrial revolution in western society and their impact on the rest of the world. The module explains the practical relevance of sociological research into groups, events and issues in society.
The module aims to enhance the learner’s ability to perform and produce across the three elements of the module title. Key lacks among school leavers have been identified in areas such as punctuation, grammar, structure and syntax, as well as an ability to attribute, cite and reference sources, within the realm of writing
This module aims to equip learners with foundation skills in video in the following key areas:
• Research, concept and story development.
• Visual storytelling technique (image and sound), approach, and visual sequencing.
• Editing (technical skill and basic craft).
The module aims to introduce learners to a range of journalistic writing styles in order for them to develop the relevant skills to come up with interesting content ideas and write to a professional standard across a range of mediums for a variety of audiences.
This module equips learners with an overview of the evolution of human communication, providing the necessary context for the understanding of communications as technology, economy and social practice. Learners are introduced to the pivotal moments, key events and powerful social forces that have influenced the progress of human communications from cave drawing to algorithmic content curation.
The module aims to provide learners with the ability to use graphic design and related software as well as develop an online digital media space that provides the platform to host and promote the digital creative content the learner has produce now and into the future.
The aim of this module is to develop an understanding and knowledge of the ethical and legal principles underpinning the media landscape. Learners will assess contemporary legal and ethical issues facing media practitioners and will be enabled to make informed decisions during their own practice.
The module aims to provide learners with a foundational understanding of key media theories and concepts, enabling them to critically analyse and interpret media texts and cultural phenomena. It will introduce learners to qualitative and quantitative research methods used in media studies, particularly content analysis.
This module is designed to introduce learners to the basics of radio and podcasting with an emphasis on news and current affairs to enable learners to gain a command of the skills necessary to work in Radio and Podcast production, research, reporting and presentation
Year Two
This module introduces learners to some of the major theories, ideologies and issues that shape contemporary society. Through in-depth exploration of the more significant socio-economic and socio-political strains of thought that have emerged in late modernity, it aims to promote a more critical understanding of and engagement with both domestic and international politics.
The aim of this module is to equip learners with the core principles, concepts and practical applications of digital marketing. This module will introduce learners to key digital marketing platforms and build learners’ skills in creating content for a digital environment.
This module concentrates on the history of the medium of Photography and traces its development within the visual arts. Designed to build on the skills already developed in stage one Media Studies modules, learners are guided through various movements in photography with an emphasis on its documentary capabilities.
The course aims to familiarise learners with the main research theories and concepts and to enable learners to acquire skills in the research process including planning, data collection and analysis. The module also addresses the issue of ethics in research and the role and responsibilities of the researcher as distinct from a journalist
This is a project-led, hands-on practical module that aims to build upon the skills and knowledge gained as part of Video Storytelling 1 and develop learners' overall creative and technical and production abilities.
The aim of this module is for learners to build on the skills learned in stage 1 of the programme in relation to the production of written digital content. These include practical skills such as idea generation, research, interviews, writing and editing. It also aims to cultivate a critically reflective understanding of the role of news media in a democratic society.
This module aims to:
• Expand the learner’s knowledge of creating broadcast quality radio and podcast programmes, including a thorough grounding in and an understanding of radio news and current affairs.
• Expose learners to the skills, techniques, research and editorial standards necessary for a professional radio working environment.
The module aims to impart learners with an understanding of the practical skill set required to undertake modern day investigative reporting, and develop and boost confidence in the learner’s genre-specific media production skills, including research capacity, story identification, investigative writing, interview techniques and writing as well as content promotion
This module aims to significantly increase the learners' skills base. Building on the learning from Photography 1, the learners bring their work to commercial standards of expertise and artistry.
This module will provide participants with comprehensive instruction in the techniques and theories of building meaning and messages through visual design. To do this, the module analyses how we express our experience and communicate our intentions through both the reading of images and the process of image making.
To give learners the skills necessary to produce websites and understand the key issues of online communication. The learners are taught through the practical application of various computer applications and studying existing media. Learners are required to produce a high-quality website
Year Three
Building upon the acquired knowledge and analytical skills developed in Understanding Society (stage 1) and Contemporary Politics 1 (stage 2), the overall objective is to facilitate learners deeper understanding of the main political and economic forces which shape modern Irish, European and global society
The module aims to teach learners a range of the basic principles of sociology, to allow them to apply these to a sociological analysis of the role, function and power of media in contemporary society. It aims to instil in learners an understanding of how a sociological perspective of the media reveals the media’s role in human socialisation, and its influence on crafting, as well as reflecting, the values of our society
The objective of this module is to enable learners to practice as journalists covering conflict, to familiarize themselves with works of classic reportage, to develop a theoretical understanding of the origins of war and conflict, and to consider the ethical implications of conflict reportage
This module explores the nature of creativity in writing and develops skills in the complimentary processes of developing, structuring and editing prose, theatre, film and television drama texts/scripts.
The module seeks to enable learners to undertake primary research in the area of media and/or communication through the production of: A dissertation in writing that poses and answers a specified question or questions relating to media content, or a dissertation by practice that explores a specified topic or topics, utilising appropriate techniques.
This module aims to equip learners with the knowledge and skills necessary to effectively collect, analyse, and visualize data for journalistic storytelling. It fosters critical thinking and ethical considerations in learners when working with data, promoting responsible and accurate reporting.
The module aims to provide learners with the ability to use graphic design and related software as well as develop an online digital media space that provides the platform to host and promote the digital creative content the learner has produce now and into the future.
This module aims to provide learners with an overview of the history of cinema, from its origins to contemporary developments. It focuses on understanding the language of cinema, including cinematography, editing, sound, and narrative structure. It will introduce learners to the diversity of global cinema.
The module explores the scope of online content creation, giving the learner hands-on experience of every element of individual content creation. On completion, learners will be versed in all aspects and elements of content creation, with the ability to be self-sufficient or confidently play a lead role in a content team
The aim of this module is to equip learners with the necessary skills required to identify, source and secure potential employment opportunities as well as guidance on how to present themselves in a professional manner, in preparation for entry into a variety of media industry roles.
This module explores the significance of culture; what as human beings we do with it and what it does to us. It raises a number of questions including how we as individuals, and as groups, make sense of the world, and our place within it, and analyses these phenomena in terms of ‘cultural processes’.
The Commercial Photography module aims to provide learners with an introduction to the technical skills and industry knowledge required to enter the field of commercial photography professionally.
This module will address how governments, journalists, businesses, non-profits and community activists are utilising digital communications to influence public understanding of environmental issues. Additionally, the rise of mis- and dis- information and scepticism, as key challenges for environmental communicators, will be analysed.
The module aims to enable learners to possess the advanced investigative journalistic skills of research, conception, relevance, planning and implementation of investigative work. It also aims to empower learners to be able to deliver on-time, self-directed, peer-reviewed, lecture-facilitated, professional quality investigative-based journalism.
The aim of this module is to offer learners the opportunity to study and produce industry standard photography in one of the following two genres: Advertising Still Life Photography or Conceptually Based Photographic Practice.
The aim of the module is to facilitate an understanding of the theory and principles of public relations within the dynamic communications environment. Its ultimate aim is to equip learners with the practical skills and knowledge to make the transition from third-level learning to the working environment.
Throughout the module, learners recognise best practices by establishing and reinforcing the process of briefing, research, idea development and execution, together with exercises and in- studio radio workshops covering the techniques and processes involved in radio production
This module aims to hone the learners’ critical faculties with regard to the broader aspects of sport and its effect on society. To give learners the necessary tools to become a sports journalist, including sports writing, broadcast experience, interview skills and a taste of practical, in-the-field work, and submitting pieces to tight deadlines
This module is designed to equip you with the necessary skills to perform the roles and responsibilities of people working in a television studio and to effectively use industry-standard equipment techniques employed in a television studio.
To facilitate the education of learners with writing skills that allow them to create in-game text with a powerful impact and to create the written content required in the production and promotion of a computer game (pitch documents, design documents, game description, app store text, marketing and advertising text, etc.).
Timetables
Timetables coming soon.
How to Apply
Entry Requirements
2 H5 and 4 O6/H7 grades, to include a language (English, Irish or another language) and maths or equivalent.
English Language requirements
Griffith College is accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.
For more information, please visit here.
How to Apply
Applicants under 23 years of age:
Applicants under 23 years of age on 1st of January of the year they wish to enter must apply through the CAO. Please consult the CAO website for information on important dates for applications.
CAO Code
- Dublin - GC450
Applicants over 23 years of age (Mature students):
If you are 23 years of age on or before the 1st January of the year you want to enter, you may apply as a mature student. Mature and part-time applicants must apply directly. Mature students will be asked for a copy of their passport. Part-time applicants under 23 years on 1st January will be asked for a copy of their passport, Leaving Certificate results / FETAC qualifications or equivalent and must meet the minimum entry requirements for the programme.
When our Admissions team receives your application they will be in contact with you directly.
If you wish to apply for advanced entry onto the course, please apply directly and a member of our team will be in contact with you to discuss your application.
Fees
For purposes of fee calculation, residence is counted from the time of application.
Please note that not all study modes may be offered at all times; for confirmation, refer to the Intake dates on the Overview tab.
Tuition Fees
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin: EUR 6,500.00
Study Mode: Full-Time
Dublin
Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.
Non-EU students: a Student Services and Administration fee of EUR200 is payable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted below.
An Academic Administration Fee of €250 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, €125 is payable in February, and then €250 will be payable each September from then onwards.
A 2% Learner Protection Charge is applicable each academic year in addition to the fees quoted. The fees above relate to Year 1 fees only.
Flexible payment options
Students wishing to pay their fees monthly may avail of our direct debit scheme. Please view our Fees information page for more information and assistance.
Sponsorship
Is your company paying for your course?
They will need to complete a Griffith College Sponsorship Form and send this to the Student Fees Office:
- Post: Student Fees, Griffith College Dublin, South Circular Road, Dublin 8
- Email: [email protected]
2% Learner Protection Charge
All QQI accredited programmes of education and training of 3 months or longer duration are covered by arrangements under section 65 (4) of the Qualifications and Quality Assurance (Education and Training) Act 2012 whereby, in the event of the provider ceasing to provide the programme for any reason, enrolled learners may transfer to a similar programme at another provider, or, in the event that this is not practicable, the fees most recently paid will be refunded.
QQI Award Fee
Please note that a QQI Award Fee applies in the final year of all QQI courses. To find the relevant fee for your course level, please see the Fees page.
Progression
Academic Progression
Graduates of this course have the option to continue their studies at Griffith College. We offer a number of options including:
- MA in Journalism and Media Communications
- MA in Journalism and Public Relations
- MA in TV and Radio Journalism
- MSc in Applied Digital Media
- Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Media Communications
You can contact our admissions team to discuss what progression options are available to you.
Career Progression
Through the BA (Hons) in Communications & Media Production, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio and covered a diverse range of media. There is a wide range of career options for our graduates including:
- Video production
- Photography
- Web Design
- Graphic Production
- Online Campaign Manager
- Researcher and Journalist
- Multimedia Specialist
- Broadcast Journalist
- Technical Writer
- Advertising Account Manager