Alex Glen

Publishing with English

"I came to Brookes because it's one of very few places with a dedicated publishing course. Oxford's full of publishers and living so close to London with a good 24-hour bus service means you can also make the most of what the capital has to offer.

"Brookes has a really good reputation, and I've found that the level of support from the University is pretty special"

"I've done work placements at two different publications. The magazine publishing module is extremely helpful, but the only way to really understand how things work is to do it for yourself. I gained a lot of contacts and have ended up working freelance for Mixmag."

Media and Communications

How do media representations inform our sense of identity? If cinema is the most powerful medium in popular culture, then what does the dominance of Hollywood mean for Europe? Will printed books and magazines survive the online revolution, and what will these industries look like in the future?

These questions go to the heart of how we communicate, not just academically but in a day-to-day context. Studying media and communications at degree level will give you fascinating insights into everything from the power of the press to state-of-the-art publishing, inter-cultural communication to cinema in the developing world and these wide-ranging subjects will prepare you for a broad sweep of careers.

Why choose Oxford Brookes?

The best thing about media and communications at Brookes is our connections. Read more…

Our academics know their relevant industries and professions inside and out, not only through their research but through their consultancy and their wider careers.

For example, our publishing course is kept relevant and up-to-date by an industry advisory board, who come from all sectors of the industry, from children's and magazine publishing to trade and educational publishing.

Whichever area you choose, you'll be joining an academic community that is right at the leading edge of their discipline.

Another of Brookes' benefits is that we're at the centre of a media and communications hotspot. Oxford is home to some of the world's leading publishers, as well as some internationally important cultural icons such as the Ashmolean Museum. OVADA (Oxford Visual Arts Development Agency), Modern Art Oxford, Oxford Contemporary Music and Oxford Film and Video Makers all contribute to the buzz, and Harry Potter (and his film crew) even makes an appearance from time to time.

This concentration of media and communications talent brings real benefits both for work experience and once you graduate and start your career. We even run our own job and work placement bulletin board for publishing students, listing opportunities supplied by the publishing industry.

How we teach and how you'll learn

We use a wide range of teaching methods from traditional lectures and seminars to online and video communication. Read more…

We have our own fully equipped TV studio with an industry-standard newsroom suite from Avid, the same quality as that used by Sky or ITN. The studio is home to Brookes TV which gives students an excellent opportunity to develop practical skills in journalism and presenting – in the past year student journalists have interviewed Jon Snow and Boris Johnson.

Our new publishing IT suite is equipped with an interactive whiteboard and the latest Adobe professional software.

Film studies students will master the art of film analysis and criticism, but will also experience several practical and vocational components such as technical studies for filmmakers, digital video production and undertake work placements in the industry. Students have access to professional quality resources and facilities including camera, lighting and sound equipment, and continually updated digital editing suites.

Publishing students learn practical skills and develop an in-depth understanding of the business and culture of international publishing, from books and magazines to the latest digital developments.

Whichever area you choose, you'll benefit from our student-centred teaching which means that you’ll get all the help and support you need to make the most of your time at Brookes.

Your career prospects

A Brookes degree is an excellent starting point for your career, because employers recognise that our graduates have excellent workplace skills as well as a strong academic background. Read more…

Communications skills are a key issue for employers and a communications degree will certainly identify you as a potential employee with real expertise in that area.

Our graduates can be found in all areas of publishing, journalism, public relations, advertising, film and other media production, and in film and TV research. Brookes' combination of solid academic grounding, practical experience and industry contacts makes our media and communications graduates a sought-after commodity.

Which courses can I study to start in 2012?

Learn more about the courses you can study to start in September 2012. Read more…

Which courses can I study to start in 2013?

Learn more about the courses you can study to start in September 2013. Read more…