Media

Why Media at Sunderland

The institution’s media programs consistently rank among Britain’s best: Film Studies and Media Studies placed 3rd nationally in the Guardian University Guide 2025, with Film Production and Photography matching this position in 2026, while Journalism rose to 2nd in the country and 1st in the north-east. Students gain hands-on experience at the David Puttnam Media Centre—where BBC Newcastle and Tyne & Wear TV operate—write for Sunderland Echo, contribute to award-winning Spark Sunderland radio, and attend masterclasses led by BAFTA and Oscar winners.

Film and Media

The four-year BA (Hons) Film and Media with Integrated Foundation Year merges cinematic history with contemporary media theory, allowing students to apply their understanding through scriptwriting, video essays, and research projects. Faculty from the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies—many of them practicing screenwriters, directors, and media professionals—guide discussions that connect critical analysis to real-world contexts. Beyond lectures, the program offers organized trips, CineClub screenings, and opportunities to collaborate on Spark Sunderland, fostering a community where diverse perspectives on the film industry thrive.

Film Production at University of Sunderland

Accredited by ScreenSkills, this four-year BA (Hons) Film Production with Integrated Foundation Year prepares students to create short films, documentaries, or high-budget television content. Participants master directing, cinematography, editing, lighting, color grading, and screenwriting while working with professional-grade digital cameras, sound equipment, Steadicam stabilizers, and software including Avid Media Composer, Adobe Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve. Throughout the course, experienced instructors supervise practical projects where everyone rotates through roles—from producer to colorist—building portfolios that demonstrate versatility across the production pipeline.

Journalism

Professional journalists who’ve worked at Mirror, Grazia, and Private Eye teach this BA (Hons) Journalism program, turning students into active contributors from day one. They produce news stories and features, create video content, design layouts for print and digital platforms, and master social media tools—all while studying journalism’s history, principles, and ethics. Graduates earn both an honors degree and the NCTJ Diploma in Journalism, which most employers require. Publishing opportunities begin immediately through mediaHUB projects like Spark Sunderland, Fashion North, and Sportsbyte, with alumni now working at Sky News, Guardian, BBC, and regional outlets.

Media Production

BA (Hons) Media Production trains specialists for television, radio, podcasts, and online platforms—sectors experiencing unprecedented growth. Under guidance from industry veterans, students develop concepts, pitch them to professionals, and complete placements at BBC, Capital FM, Sunderland AFC, Tyne Tees Television, and production companies. What distinguishes this course is the final-year specialization option: graduates receive either BA (Hons) Media Production (TV) or BA (Hons) Media Production (Radio), allowing them to enter the market with clearly defined expertise that signals their chosen career path.

Social Media Management

Accredited by the Digital Marketing Institute, this four-year BA (Hons) Social Media Management program teaches content creation, audience engagement, brand development, and strategic planning for platforms where demand continues to surge. Students experiment with AR filters, photography, video, and live streaming while managing their own channels and executing real client projects that require analyzing metrics and measuring campaign effectiveness. Upon completion, graduates from University of Sunderland hold a degree, optional media law qualification, and the Associate Digital Marketer certificate from DMI—credentials that open paths to staff positions, freelance work, or agency ownership.