International Year Zero - Media

This course introduces you to a wide spectrum of topics. From politics to production, you will study everything you need to get a solid foundation in media and progress to your media-related degree.

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Course Overview

Whether you aspire to a career in the high-pressure world of journalism, want to create films or need the skills to develop, design or operate the latest broadcasting technology systems, the International Year Zero (IYZ): Media is the perfect start.

Media covers a huge range of subjects, from the highly practical to the theoretical. The IYZ gives you an excellent grounding in all aspects of Media and Communications study before you continue at DMU’s Leicester Media School, one of the UK’s leading centres for the creative industries.

You’ll build your own digital portfolio working on industry-standard equipment at DMU and gain a solid understanding of how the technology underpinning media production and broadcast works.

As well as the technical knowledge you will develop transferable skills such as project management, team working and problem solving. You can further develop your media experience by joining DMU’s award-winning student media team, DEMON Media which is open to all students.

Topics covered:

  • Create a digital portfolio to showcase your own work and ideas
  • Learn on industry-standard equipment
  • Develop new skills such as basic computing, animation and photography

Key Information

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Duration

4 years:

9 months pathway + 3 years degree

Start Dates

January | September

Pathway Tuition Fee

£13,400.00£15,995.00

Course English Language Requirement
Minimum IELTS 5.5 with no less than 5.5 in each component
+6 week Pre-Sessional English IELTS 5.0 with no less than 4.5 in each component
+12 week Pre-Sessional English IELTS 4.5 with no less than 4.0 in each component

What you will study

Alongside core modules, you will study subject-specific modules that will equip you with a foundation of knowledge for your chosen field of study.

Modules you will study

This module aims to introduce you to the key concepts in print and web-based media including; newspapers (both online and traditional), advertising, magazines, music (videos, CD/Covers, advertising), social media, online gaming and film advertising or promotion. You will explore through textual analysis and evaluation how the media functions in the world today and how media affects people on both a local and global scale. You will also write a case study in an area that relates to your specific continuation route in media.

This module aims to show you both the theoretical and practical aspects of film making. You will learn critical theoretical aspects including: the theory of film, key concepts in film, media production techniques such as camera angles, cinematography, camera functions, script writing and film analysis. You will also apply these skills to create a film where you will be taught how to storyboard, present a script with camera direction, direct actors, use locations, use different camera angles and techniques and edit the film on digital software to present your film for assessment.

This module helps you to develop an ongoing critical understanding of contemporary, historical and cultural influences to inspire and inform your own practice. You will also use this module to reflect and inform your choice of degree and continuation on to the next stage of your undergraduate degree programme. You will study other artists’, designers’ and media producers’ work and examine contextual links to your own work which will form the major element in assessing the module.

This module helps you to develop an on-going critical understanding of contemporary, historical and cultural influences in which to inspire and inform your own practice. You also use this module to reflect and inform your choice of degree and continuation onto the next stage of your undergraduate degree programme. You will study other artists’, designers’ and media producers’ work and examine contextual links to your own work which will form the major element in assessing the module.

You will learn new skills at a basic level producing a range of practical projects. These include creative writing, film editing, photography, and you can choose your own project in podcasting, music production, digital design, promotional film, or writing.

In this module you will have a choice of client briefs to work from that will include creating digital media, publishing, advertising, and film. You will be able to choose to work collaboratively or individually and you will use a video presentation to show your process and research.

Continuation degrees

This study route offers you a pathway to the following degree courses

BSc (Hons)
Music Production
If you dream of a career in music production, audio engineering, programming, mastering or mixing, DMU’s course in Music Production is designed specifically for you.
BA (Hons)
English Literature with Mandarin
Study an exciting range of English literature from writers across the globe and from different eras or movements, such as Victorian literature and Romanticism, as well as classic and renowned authors including William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. Learn how texts work, and debate literature’s role in society both now and throughout the course of history. You’ll be taught by internationally renowned academics and experts who will encourage and support you to articulate your ideas with confidence while writing with fluency and flair.  We produce world-leading research in areas ranging from medieval to contemporary literature, language, creative writing and digital humanities.
BA (Hons)
Photography
On this course, you’ll discover the full breath of the field of photography. Explore areas such as the history of photographic images, moving image, contextual studies and digital media, with professional practice at the heart of your learning.
BSc (Hons)
Media Production
Gain and develop the technical foundations and practical skills needed for a role in digital broadcasting or social media production across a range of video, image-making, photography, audio and web formats.
BA (Hons)
Music Technology
Carefully designed to expand your creative vision and develop a deep technical understanding by blending half of your modules from arts-oriented BA options and half from technology and science-oriented BSc options, to hone your expertise in the full spectrum of Music Technology.
BSc (Hons)
Visual Effects
A highly industry-focused course that will provide you with the skills needed to gain a leading role in visual effects for video and film.
BA (Hons)
Creative Music Technology

Carefully designed for imaginative, innovative students who want to focus on music composition and production and explore the extraordinary musical possibilities offered by new technologies.

BA (Hons)
Acting
Mostly practical, this carefully designed course immerses you in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary practice, preparing you to enter the 21st-century performing arts industry.
BA (Hons)
Media and Communication with Modern Languages
Gain knowledge and skills that will prepare you for a successful career in media with key practical research and critical perspectives combined with the study of a language. Taught by DMU's experts in media, television and cultural studies as well as experienced practitioners in the field of public relations and new media.
BA (Hons)
Media and Communication
Dynamically and carefully designed course that will provide you with practical research skills and critical perspectives in media, television and cultural studies to set you up for a career in the industry.
BA (Hons)
Film Studies
Gain the skills to become a professional film-maker, critic, event organiser, writer or industry analyst through the academic study of cinema, and prepare yourself for a career in the creative industries.
BA (Hons)
English Literature
DMU English Literature course combines classic and contemporary literature, from Chaucer and Shakespeare to 21st century fiction and film adaptations
BA (Hons)
English Language with TESOL

(TESOL) is an English Language with Teaching English to Speakers of Others course. It is a stimulating, thought-provoking course designed to make you think about how language functions in the world today.

BA (Hons)
English Language with Mandarin
English is now of the most spoken languages worldwide. This programme will enrich your understanding of the form, culture and function of today’s use of the English language, alongside teaching you a second language of Mandarin.
BA (Hons)
Creative Writing
DMU's innovative creative writing course will challenge you to write using new forms and ideas in a wide range of genres, while being pushed to experiment with new creative outlets.
BA (Hons)
Drama
Gain the chance to engage creatively and critically with drama, theatre, acting and performance and adopt contemporary methods, develop collaborative skills and be supported to find your own artistic vision.
BA (Hons)
English Language
Learn and imbue yourself in the form, culture and analysis of a global language rich in history by exploring writing styles, linguistics, acquisition, and even learn an additional language.
BA (Hons)
Fashion Buying with Merchandising
Choosing to specialise in Fashion Buying with Merchandising will teach you how these specialisms work together and prepare you to enter the dynamic world of fashion retail
BA (Hons)
Fashion Buying with Marketing
This versatile degree course, with its emphasis on buying, business and marketing, prepares studnets for a range of careers in the fast-paced fashion industry.
BA (Hons)
Arts and Festivals Management
A visionary and contemporary course designed to prepare students for employment in the quickly expanding and dynamic markets of the cultural industries.

As DMUIC is situated in England’s most vibrant and multicultural city, I had the opportunity to make friends from different countries. The most amazing thing was that the DMUIC staff including all teachers and the office persons were very motivational and welcoming. They provide the best routes for study to every individual.”

Syed Asim Hussain Pakistan, De Montfort University International College (DMUIC)

I’ve enjoyed studying at DMUIC, the tutors are excellent and have helped me settle into life as a university student. They are also really supportive and have helped myself and other students with other issues outside of the classroom such as accommodation.

Nafisa Bangladesh, De Montfort University International College (DMUIC)

I have successfully progressed onto my degree course at the University of Bradford because of UBIC's reliable policies and teaching programme. To the new students, those who just started their foundation at Bradford International College, I must say you are going to pass the class, the only thing required is your attention and leave the rest on UBIC's staff because they are the one that are going to lead you to a brilliant future as it is a pathway to success.

Shoaib Khan Pakistan, University of Bradford International College (UBIC)

I have a lot of international friends here at BUIC, and I’ve learnt so much from them. There is always a lot to do together both on and off-campus.

Sagar Nepal, Bangor University International College (BUIC)

I would recommend UGIC because it is based on the main University of Greenwich campus, a cosmopolitan university. At UGIC, there are students from all around the world, and I've made a lot of friends from exciting places."

Gozel Turkmenistan, University of Greenwich International College (UGIC)

I think one of the main reasons the IIM (pre-masters) has been so helpful is because the staff are so supportive and are always able to help me. Whether it is understanding a module or finding out how to sort accommodation, they will help you with everything. I’ve enjoyed studying at Bangor, the people are friendly, and the environment is also really peaceful and safe. It’s given me the best opportunity to succeed in my studies here in the UK.

Tong Tong China, Bangor University International College (BUIC)