Clearing offers from 32 UCAS tariff points. Subject-specific requirements still apply. See the entry requirements section for details.
FYC
Media and Communications Foundation Year
Course Overview
The Media and Communication Foundation Year at the University of Lincoln is the introductory year of a four-year degree programme that prepares students for careers in the creative and communication industries. It supports entry into courses such as Creative Advertising, Film Production, Journalism, Media Production, and Media and Communication. This year-long programme offers a dynamic curriculum blending practical workshops, academic research, and theoretical learning. It is particularly suited for students who are undecided about their specialism, returning to education, new to media studies, or those who have not met traditional entry requirements. It creates a supportive environment aimed at building student confidence while developing core academic and creative competencies. The Foundation Year acts as an alternative route into undergraduate study within the College of Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities. Upon successful completion, students progress to Level 4 of designated BA (Hons) degree programmes, including Journalism, Sports Journalism, Film Production, Media and Communications (subject to validation), and Media Production. Those who choose not to continue receive a Foundation Year Certificate.
Emphasising practical skill-building in digital media and communication, the programme develops expertise in web design and deployment, audio and video production, and written and visual content creation. These skills are contextualised within contemporary media's role in society, giving students a broad and relevant foundation for future study or work in the sector.
How You Study
The Media and Communications Foundation Year at the University of Lincoln equips students with essential knowledge, practical skills, and academic confidence for progression into degree-level study. Aligned with the university's Student as Producer ethos, the programme emphasises student-led learning through research, enquiry, and collaborative knowledge creation. Divided into three progressive stages, the curriculum scaffolds students' development, gradually integrating them into their chosen disciplines via lectures, workshops, and close collaboration with specialist staff. Students undertake varied briefs and projects, building portfolios that reflect personal interests while cultivating independence, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Teaching is heavily workshop-based, supported by seminars and lectures introducing key theories, alongside access to digital tools like Adobe Creative Cloud and Blackboard. Diversity, inclusion, and student voice are central, with elected representatives and strong support networks. The programme also fosters employability and enterprise through real-world projects and marketing collaborations. Academic support includes personal tutoring, subject-specific guidance, and tailored library resources to support academic transition and success.
How you are assessed
Assessment within the Media and Communications Foundation Year is designed to evaluate students' achievement of learning outcomes while providing constructive feedback to enhance skills, knowledge, and creative practice. A range of assessment methods supports the development of diverse academic and professional capabilities aligned with degree progression and career pathways. Most modules are assessed through course-work portfolios, which may include digital assets, written work, and reflective commentary. Students receive formative feedback during tutorials, presentations, or on draft submissions to guide improvement. Summative assessments occur at key stages, with formal grading based on clear learning outcomes and criteria outlined in module briefs. Assessment formats include written evaluations, academic essays, and presentations, encouraging students to communicate ideas clearly and professionally. Group projects promote collaboration and are mainly formatively assessed, although reflections and individual contributions may be evaluated within portfolios. Timely feedback-both written and verbal-ensures students can apply insights to future work, supporting their transition into degree-level study.
Entry Requirements 2025-26
Entry Requirements
64 UCAS tariff points from 2 A Levels at grade C or above or equivalent qualification.
T Level: Pass (D or E on the Core)
BTEC Extended Diploma: MPP
3 GCSEs required at grade 4 (C) or above including English.
The University accepts a wide range of qualifications as the basis for entry and do accept a combination of qualifications which may include A Levels, BTECs, EPQ etc.
Non UK Qualifications:
If you have studied outside of the UK, and are unsure whether your qualification meets the above requirements, please visit our country pages https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/entryrequirementsandyourcountry/ for information on equivalent qualifications.
EU and Overseas students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency equivalent to IELTS 7.0 overall, with a minimum of 6.5 in each element. For information regarding other English language qualifications we accept, please visit the English Requirements page https://www.lincoln.ac.uk/studywithus/internationalstudents/englishlanguagerequirementsandsupport/englishlanguagerequirements/
Contextual Offers
At Lincoln, we recognise that not everybody has had the same advice and support to help them get to higher education. Contextual offers are one of the ways we remove the barriers to higher education, ensuring that we have fair access for all students regardless of background and personal experiences. For more information, including eligibility criteria, visit our Offer Guide pages. If you are applying to a course that has any subject specific requirements, these will still need to be achieved as part of the standard entry criteria.Career Opportunities
Typical careers in media and communications span a wide range of dynamic and evolving roles across industries. Graduates may pursue careers in journalism, broad-casting, digital marketing, public relations, content creation, and media production, working for media outlets, agencies, or as freelancers. Roles such as social media manager, video editor, copywriter, podcast producer, or communication officer are common pathways, requiring a mix of creative, technical, and strategic skills. The industry also offers opportunities in film and television production, advertising, corporate communications, and emerging areas like influencer marketing and data-driven storytelling. As digital platforms continue to grow, professionals in this field must adapt to technological changes and audience behaviours, making flexibility, innovation, and strong communication abilities essential for success.
Special Features
In the majority of currently existing programmes in media and communication, there is an emphasis on studio – particularly broadcast – work for engagement in TV, film and post-production areas. While these will form part of the Foundation Year at Lincoln, the core offering will be digital, in particular preparing students for a work-place in which generative AI has a significant role to play, providing them with fundamental tools to bring discernment and judgement to the practical deployment of such tools.
During their year, students will create a multi-platform digital site, spanning web, social media and other formats such as video and podcasting. Alongside this, writing and verbal communication will be a fundamental part of their activity, both in terms of generating their own original content and ideas and also, via regular pitching and presentation, in preparing them to work in established and emerging jobs such as brand journalism, digital content creation and marketing, broadcasting and podcasting, and public relations.
In all areas, they will be using industry-standard tools as well as new applications in generative AI to help them produce work suitable to a professional standard. Through an exploration of core elements of communications theory, students on this course will also have a greater appreciation of how to engage with their audiences, both in terms of appropriate written, verbal and visual language, and through using the best platforms to achieve their aims. In addition, the course will build on Lincoln’s Skills for Life, with key outcomes that help to pro-mote creativity, social responsibility, self-awareness and wellbeing, and a global mindset.
Fees and Scholarships
Going to university is a life-changing step and it's important to understand the costs involved and the funding options available before you start. A full breakdown of the fees associated with this programme can be found on our course fees pages.
For eligible undergraduate students going to university for the first time, scholarships and bursaries are available to help cover costs. To help support students from outside of the UK, we are also delighted to offer a number of international scholarships which range from £1,000 up to the value of 50 per cent of tuition fees. For full details and information about eligibility, visit our scholarships and bursaries pages.