UCAS code WN23
Whether you want to work in Communication, Media or Popular Music, research their impact or simply understand more about our relationship with these areas, this programme provides a thorough introduction with plenty of opportunities to develop specialist skills. There is scope for specialisation within a coherent and integrated framework that ensures academic progression, allows for increasing specialisation year on year, and emphasises synergies between the disciplines.
The Communication and Media side of the programme examines how media shape our understanding of what we know and what we consume. A range of optional modules selected to emphasise synergies between communication, media and popular music, allow students to pursue their own interests and focus on particular media and communication forms. The Popular Music side of the programme provides students with a comparative understanding of Western Popular Music’s varied and diverse significance in a range of different cultural contexts, and caters for both students who would like to concentrate on more historical and theoretical study and those who would like to engage with more practical studies.
This programme can also be studied over four years with the third year spent on a relevant, salaried work placement. Students can transfer to the Year in Industry version of the programme after their first year if they wish.
Discover what you'll learn, what you'll study, and how you'll be taught and assessed.
You must take 60 credits each semester – 30 credits from Communication and Media and 30 credits from Popular Music. All first year Communication and Media modules are compulsory. In Popular Music, one module in semester one (MUSI140) is compulsory. The other three Popular Music modules are selected from the options offered. If you opt for MUSI104, you must satisfy the induction audition requirements for entry.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Year two offers a chance to begin to specialise in areas that particularly interest you. Again, you must take 60 credits from Communication and Media modules and 60 credits from Popular Music in year two – this comprises 30 credits in Communication and Media and 30 credits from Popular Music each semester.
All students must take COMM207 and COMM208. This allows for one additional Communication and Media module per semester from the list provided. You must also choose two optional modules each semester from Popular Music, of which at least one must be MUSI261, MUSI220 or MUSI263. Students opting for performance in popular music must satisfy the induction audition requirements for entry to the modules (MUSI203, MUSI204).
SOTA260 is required for students taking Year in Industry and optional for other students. SOTA260 can be taken either as a Communication and Media selection or as a Popular Music selection.
| Compulsory modules | Credits |
|---|---|
| COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA RESEARCH I (COMM207) | 15 |
| COMMUNICATION AND MEDIA RESEARCH II (COMM208) | 15 |
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
You must take 60 credits from the Communication- and Media modules and 60 credits from Popular Music modules in year three (except Year in Industry students who will take these credits in year four). Students are required to take one of the Capstone modules which are COMM335, COMM342, COMM401, MUSI399 or SOTA300 – they must take no more than one of these modules. If you choose COMM335, COMM342, COMM401, this leaves room for one optional Communication and Media module per semester from the list provided. If you choose MUSI399 this leaves room for one optional Popular Music module per semester from the list provided. If you choose SOTA300, this leaves room for one optional Popular Music module per semester and two optional Communications and Media module per semester from the list provided or vice versa, depending on your preferences.
Students opting for performance in popular music must satisfy the induction audition requirements for entry to MUSI303.
SOTA600 Year in Industry (120 credits) is mandatory in year three for Year in Industry students. Students who take SOTA600 (Year in Industry) may not take SOTA300.
Programme details and modules listed are illustrative only and subject to change.
Weekly lectures and seminar discussions may be supplemented by screening sessions, presentations and opportunities for group work where appropriate. We regularly invite expert speakers and practitioners to speak to our students about their work. Some modules also make use of our specialist equipment or software.
Dissertation and work placement modules involve more independent study, but always under the careful individual supervision of a member of academic staff.
We are committed to using a range of different forms of assessment, so types of assessment vary widely from module to module. Depending on your choice of modules, these may include coursework projects, essays, blogs, reports, literature reviews, writing exercises, presentations, online tests and unseen examinations.
We have a distinctive approach to education, the Liverpool Curriculum Framework, which focuses on research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment to ensure our students graduate as digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
The Liverpool Curriculum framework sets out our distinctive approach to education. Our teaching staff support our students to develop academic knowledge, skills, and understanding alongside our graduate attributes:
Our curriculum is characterised by the three Liverpool Hallmarks:
All this is underpinned by our core value of inclusivity and commitment to providing a curriculum that is accessible to all students.
Studying with us means you can tailor your degree to suit you. Here's what is available on this course.
University of Liverpool students can choose from an exciting range of study placements at partner universities worldwide. Choose to spend a year at XJTLU in China or a year or semester at an institution of your choice.
Immerse yourself in Chinese culture on an optional additional year at Xi'an Jiaotong Liverpool University in stunning Suzhou.
Broaden your world by spending an additional year of study at a partner university abroad following your second year of study.
Take a semester of your second year of study at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Spend a summer abroad on a study placement or research project at one of our worldwide partner institutions.
Year in industry placements give you an in-depth workplace experience where you can develop your skills and apply your learning.
You don't need to decide now - you can choose to add a year in industry after you've begun your degree.
To spend a year in industry, you'll need to secure a placement with an organisation. If you're unable to find a placement, you'll continue with the standard version of the course without a year in industry.
Every student at The University of Liverpool can study a language as part of, or alongside their degree. You can choose:
We are two friendly, close-knit Departments with well-established systems to support you to make the most of your abilities. As such, we will get to know you and treat you as an individual, providing support and guidance from your very first day.
Want to find out more about student life?
Chat with our student ambassadors and ask any questions you have.
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Full-time place, per year - £9,535
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £1,430 (applies to year in China)
Full-time place, per year - £24,100
Year in industry fee - £1,905
Year abroad fee - £12,050 (applies to year in China)
The tuition fees shown are correct for 2025/26 entry. Please note that the year abroad fee also applies to the year in China.
Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Learn more about paying for your studies.
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any course-related costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this course.
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition and living expenses.
If you’re a UK student joining an undergraduate degree and have a household income below £35,000, you could be eligible for a Liverpool Bursary worth up to £2,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Apply for an Asylum Seekers Scholarship and you could have your tuition fees paid in full and receive help with study costs. You’ll need to have applied for asylum in the UK, or be the dependant of an asylum seeker, and be joining an eligible undergraduate degree.
If you’ve spent 13 or more weeks in Local Authority care since age 14, you could be eligible for a bursary of £3,000 per year of study. You’ll need to be a UK student joining an eligible undergraduate degree and be aged 28 or above on 1 September in the year you start.
Are you a UK student with a Black African or Caribbean heritage and a household income of £25,000 or less? You could be eligible to apply for a Cowrie Foundation Scholarship worth up to £8,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
If you’re a UK student identified as estranged by Student Finance England (or the equivalent UK funding body), you could be eligible for a bursary of £1,000 for each year of undergraduate study.
Joining a School of Biosciences degree and have a household income of less than £25,000? If you’re a UK student, you could apply to receive £4,500 per year for three years of your undergraduate course.
Do you live in the Liverpool City Region with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a Nolan Scholarship worth £5,000 per year for three years of undergraduate study.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? If you’ve participated in an eligible outreach programme, you could be eligible to apply for a Rigby Enterprise Award worth £5,000 per year for three years of your undergraduate degree.
Are you a UK student with a household income of £25,000 or less? Did neither of your parents attend University? You could be eligible to apply for a ROLABOTIC Scholarship worth £4,500 for each year of your undergraduate degree.
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
Joining a degree in the School of Electrical Engineering, Electronics and Computer Science? If you’re a UK student with household income below £25,000, you could be eligible to apply for £5,000 a year for three years of study. Two awards will be available per academic year.
If you’re a young adult and a registered carer in the UK, you might be eligible for a £1,000 bursary for each year of study. You’ll need to be aged 18-25 on 1 September in the year you start your undergraduate degree.
The qualifications and exam results you'll need to apply for this course.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| A levels |
ABB Applicants with the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) are eligible for a reduction in grade requirements. For this course, the offer is BBB with A in the EPQ. You may automatically qualify for reduced entry requirements through our contextual offers scheme. Based on your personal circumstances, you may automatically qualify for up to a two-grade reduction in the entry requirements needed for this course. When you apply, we consider a range of factors – such as where you live – to assess if you’re eligible for a grade reduction. You don’t have to make an application for a grade reduction – we’ll do all the work. Find out more about how we make reduced grade offers. |
| T levels |
T levels considered in a relevant subject. Applicants should contact us by completing the enquiry form on our website to discuss specific requirements in the core components and the occupational specialism. |
| GCSE |
4/C in English and 4/C in Mathematics |
| BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma | BTEC applications are encouraged. We evaluate each BTEC application on its merits and may make offers at DDM. |
| International Baccalaureate | 33 points, with no score less than 4 |
| Irish Leaving Certificate | H1, H1, H2, H2 |
| Scottish Higher/Advanced Higher | ABB in Advanced Highers, combinations of Advanced Highers and Scottish Highers are welcome |
| Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced | Grade A plus BB at A level |
| Access | Applications considered. Pass Access with 30 Level 3 credits graded at Distinction and 15 Level 3 credits graded at Merit. |
| International qualifications |
Many countries have a different education system to that of the UK, meaning your qualifications may not meet our direct entry requirements. Although there is no direct Foundation Certificate route to this course, completing a Foundation Certificate, such as that offered by the University of Liverpool International College, can guarantee you a place on a number of similar courses which may interest you. |
You'll need to demonstrate competence in the use of English language, unless you’re from a majority English speaking country.
We accept a variety of international language tests and country-specific qualifications.
International applicants who do not meet the minimum required standard of English language can complete one of our Pre-Sessional English courses to achieve the required level.
| Qualification | Details |
|---|---|
| IELTS | 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 |
| TOEFL Paper | Grade 7 at Standard Level or grade 6 at Higher Level |
| Duolingo English Test | 125 overall, with speaking, reading and writing not less than 105, and listening not below 100 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 61 overall, with no component below 59 |
| LanguageCert Academic | 70 overall, with no skill below 60 |
| Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0500 | Grade C overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking and listening. Speaking and listening must be separately endorsed on the certificate. |
| Cambridge IGCSE First Language English 0990 | Grade 4 overall, with Merit in speaking and listening |
| Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0510/0511 | 0510: Grade B overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0511: Grade B overall. |
| Cambridge IGCSE Second Language English 0993/0991 | 0993: Grade 6 overall, with a minimum of grade 2 in speaking. Speaking must be separately endorsed on the certificate. 0991: Grade 6 overall. |
| Cambridge ESOL Level 2/3 Advanced | 176 overall, with no paper below 162 |
| LanguageCert | Grade 5 at Standard Level or grade 5 at Higher Level |
Do you need to complete a Pre-sessional English course to meet the English language requirements for this course?
The length of Pre-sessional English course you’ll need to take depends on your current level of English language ability.
If you don’t meet our English language requirements, we can use your most recent IELTS score, or the equivalent score in selected other English language tests, to determine the length of Pre-sessional English course you require.
Use the table below to check the course length you're likely to require for your current English language ability and see whether the course is available on campus or online.
| Your most recent IELTS score | Pre-sessional English course length | On campus or online |
|---|---|---|
| 6.0 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 6 weeks | On campus |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 5.5 | 10 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no more than one component below 5.5, and no component below 5.0 | 12 weeks | On campus and online options available |
| 5.5 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 20 weeks | On campus |
| 5.0 overall, with no component below 4.5 | 30 weeks | On campus |
| 4.5 overall, with no more than one component below 4.5, and no component below 4.0 | 40 weeks | On campus |
If you’ve completed an alternative English language test to IELTS, we may be able to use this to assess your English language ability and determine the Pre-sessional English course length you require.
Please see our guide to Pre-sessional English entry requirements for IELTS 6.5 overall, with no component below 5.5, for further details.
Have a question about this course or studying with us? Our dedicated enquiries team can help.
Last updated 27 March 2025 / / Programme terms and conditions