BSc (Hons) Business with Media Communications

Entry year:
2025/26
Start date:
September
Study mode:
Full-time
Course duration:
3 years Placement year, 3 years FullTime
Campus:
Mt Pleasant
UCAS Code:
NP12
Grades/points required:
BBC - ABB (112 - 128)

Why study Business with Media Communications at Liverpool John Moores University?

  • Approved by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)
  • Exciting year-long work placements with high-profile companies like General Motors, the Volkswagen Group and Airbus
  • Sessions and guest lectures delivered by media comms and PR practitioners
  • 91% of students surveyed said the teaching staff on our business courses were good at explaining things (National Student Survey 2024)
  • Study abroad opportunities in China, the USA and across Europe following your second year of study
  • This programme is also available as a Top-Up Level 6 entry degree
  • Shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Awards 2024 Business School of the Year
This course is also available as a Foundation Year
99% of graduates are in full-time work within a year
Study abroad at 100+ partner universities worldwide
2,000+ PCs and loan laptops on campus

About your course

The CIPR-accredited BSc (Hons) Business with Media Communications at Liverpool John Moores University is the ideal preparation for a successful career in public relations and offers exciting placement opportunities.

The Business with Media Communications degree will prepare you for a career in a public relations role within corporate communications, internal communications, event management or areas relating to online public relations, such as search engine optimisation and social media strategy development.

The teaching team are PR practitioners who deliver sessions and invite guest lectures from industry so you have the opportunity to learn about real issues and to make the link between theory and practice.

This programme is part of the 'Business with' suite, which allows students to transfer to a different specialism, such Finance, International Business Management or Digital Marketing, at the end of their first year of study.

Another advantage of this degree is the optional sandwich year in which you spend 48 weeks on a paid work placement in the UK or overseas. This will enable you to put into practice many of the concepts and techniques developed in years one and two as well as developing your personal skills and enhancing your CV.

Students who complete the placement year in the School's more established degrees tend to experience a significant improvement in their academic performance and many go on to gain first class honours degrees, often returning to work for their placement company after graduation.

Liverpool Business School has partnerships with business schools at universities and colleges across Europe, in the USA and in China. Students on this programme are able to spend a semester in their second year at a partner university abroad as part of their studies. Students can also choose to spend an additional year of study at one of our partner universities between the second and third years. All study abroad opportunities are in English. There are also many supported opportunities for activities at partner universities during summer vacations and Liverpool Business School provides places on language skills courses.

Live Consultancy Project

Through LJMU's Liverpool Business Clinic, students have a unique opportunity to work on real client briefs with local organisations putting academic theory into real world practice. This live consultancy projects is an optional module to a traditional final-year dissertation. 

Business and Media Communications Top-Up

This programme is available as a Level 6 entry top up degree, that joins the Level 6 cohort of BSc (Hons) Business with Media Communications. For more details please email courses@ljmu.ac.uk.  

Course modules

What you will study on this degree

Further guidance on modules

Modules are designated core or optional in accordance with professional body requirements, as applicable, and LJMU’s Academic Framework Regulations. Whilst you are required to study core modules, optional modules provide you with an element of choice. Their availability may vary and will be subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Where changes to modules are necessary these will be communicated as appropriate.

Core modules

Academic Skills and Digital Literacy
20 credits

Introduces students to aspects of career management and the skills necessary to be effective learners at university, applying academic and digital skills in their academic study.

Foundation of Marketing
20 credits

Understand the underlying principles of marketing, including the range of specific marketing activities and their influence on organisations.

Economics
20 credits

Introduces students to economic ideas and their relevance to business decisions.

Accounting and Finance
20 credits

Provides students with an understanding of essential finance and accounting terminology and methods to enable them to perform effectively and efficiently within their future workplace. Using practical examples, students will gain confidence to be able to financial modelling skills using Excel.

Global Business Management
20 credits

Provides the essential frameworks to understand current issues in global business and management and their impact on companies and society.

Media Communications
20 credits

Introduces, defines, places and provides practical applications of the communication and media management functions in organisations

Core modules

Media Production Management
20 credits

Provides students with an opportunity to produce media according to client needs and then plan its distribution.

Business Research
10 credits

You will develop a detailed understanding of the design and process of research in business and management.

Business Analytics
20 credits

Students will learn and use valuable analytics skills, and understand the need for analytics in the modern workplace.

Media Event Management
20 credits

Appraises key issues and develop strategic planning for effective media event management.

Writing for Audiences
20 credits

Students will develop the application of appropriate writing styles, using appropriate formats for diverse audiences.

Employability Skills
20 credits

This module provides you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in the graduate employment market.

Optional Modules

Managing People and Organisations
10 credits

Develop a critical understanding of key factors relating to the effective management of people and processes in order to achieve positive organisational outcomes.

Modern Language for Business
10 credits

Develop a very basic competence in reading, writing, listening and speaking a modern foreign language as well as develop an understanding of basic foreign language grammar.

Study Semester Abroad - Business with
60 credits

This module will provide you the opportunity to spend a semester of study at an approved overseas partner that will replace one semester of your LJMU programme at level 5.

Study Year Abroad - Business with
120 credits

This module will provide you the opportunity to spend an additional year of study at an approved overseas partner that will complement your programme at LJMU.

Sandwich Year - Business with
120 credits

This module will provide you with an extended period of work experience at an approved partner that will complement your programme of study at LJMU. This will give you the opportunity to develop professional skills relevant to your programme of study as well as the attitude and behaviours necessary for employment in a diverse and changing environment.

Core modules

Sustainable Futures
20 credits

Recognise and critically evaluate the global challenges we face and the role of business and organizations in addressing them.

Strategic Management
20 credits

Recognise and evaluate the wider importance of strategic decision making and the competitive advantage to business.

Business Consultancy
20 credits

Develop an understanding of business problems and issues and provide students with the opportunity to apply key academic theories and models in the development of a solution that meets the client's needs. In addition students will reflect on their personal development and consider next steps post-graduation.

Integrated Marketing Communications
20 credits

Analyses a range of strategic marketing communication theory and, from this, understand how to develop an integrated marketing communications plan.

Issues in Crisis Management
10 credits

To comprehend and critically examine the approach media communications executives take when dealing with a crisis scenario.

Corporate Communications
10 credits

Critically evaluate the role of strategic internal communication in enabling organisations to be more effective from both a theoretical and practitioner perspective.

Digital Communication Management
20 credits

A framework for understanding and evaluating the landscape in digital communication and the impact on the PR function.

Your Learning Experience

Excellent facilities and learning resources

We adopt an active blended learning approach, meaning you will experience a combination of face-to-face and online learning during your time at LJMU. This enables you to experience a rich and diverse learning experience and engage fully with your studies. Our approach ensures that you can easily access support from your personal tutor, either by meeting them on-campus or via a video call to suit your needs.

The course is delivered via lectures and seminars combined with online learning, placements, workshops, action learning sets, social media and problem-based learning. This combination of teaching methods provides a varied and fulfilling learning experience and increases your chances of achieving higher grades.
 

Work-related Learning

Early in your second year of study you can decide whether to undertake a paid 48-week work placement in the UK or overseas.  You would do this placement between your second and third year of study.

Placements give you experience of what it’s like to work in the fast paced PR sector as well as giving you a chance to put your learning into practice, develop personal skills and enhance your employability.

Students who complete the placement year often experience an improvement in their academic performance and many go on to gain first class honours degrees, often returning to work for their placement company after graduation.

Liverpool Business School's Placement Support Unit will  help you find suitable vacancies and support you during the application process and whilst on placement.

Previous Business and PR students have completed placements with organisations as diverse as Coty, Cream, Disney and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

Whether you choose to undertake a work placement or not, some options on this course give you a taste of what it’s like to work in the PR industry as they require you to make contact and work with real companies.

Dedicated personal tutor, plus study skills support

The Liverpool Business School is a supportive environment in which to study and the ‘student-centred approach’ of your tutors will ensure that you are given the support and guidance you need. You will be assigned a personal tutor. They will set up one-to-one tutorials with you to discuss a piece of coursework or to work with you on your personal development plan.

Throughout the assessment process support is available in the form of guidelines, hints and tips and revision and recap sessions, as well as study support classes and one-to-one support from your personal tutor and module leader.

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose, but will usually include a combination of exams and coursework.

We understand that students perform differently depending on the way they are assessed, which is why we offer a combination of assessment methods. These include written work (essays, etc), presentations (group/individual), formal examinations, practical assessments, portfolio work (including e-portfolios) and project work e.g. planning and implementing your own 'live' event. 

Where possible we will try and base assessments on real-life scenarios, for example, students on the ‘Online PR’ module work in a team with a real company to develop and evaluate a social media strategy and ‘Event Management’ students conceive, plan and implement a real event.

Once you have completed an assessment, feedback is given within 15 working days of submission, so that you can promptly discuss your marks with your tutor and establish where you are performing well and areas for improvement.

Where you will study

What you can expect from your School

The School is based in the Redmonds Building, in the heart of the bustling Mount Pleasant Campus and Liverpool’s growing Knowledge Quarter. The building is home to high quality lecture theatres and seminar rooms, social spaces, a café and a roof terrace with far reaching views of the cityscape and welsh hills. It is only a short walk from LJMU’s Aldham Robarts Library, which contains all the resources you will require for your studies, and is open seven days a week. 

Course tutors

Our staff are committed to the highest standards of teaching and learning

Career paths

As a Business with Media Communications graduate you will enjoy varied career opportunities both in the UK and overseas.

Liverpool Business School has historically had an excellent employment record with graduates securing graduate-level positions with leading employers in public and private sectors.  These include Everton Football Club, Kellogg company, Santander and Deloitte. 

You could find yourself working in a wide variety of PR settings, from PR departments in large multi-national organisations, to PR agencies, search engine optimisation companies and specialised event management companies. Some of our students have graduated with the confidence and ideas to set up their own successful businesses.

Student Futures - Careers, Employability and Enterprise Service

A wide range of opportunities and support is available to you, within and beyond your course, to ensure our students experience a transformation in their career trajectory. Every undergraduate curriculum includes Future Focus during Level 4, an e-learning resource and workshop designed to help you to develop your talents, passion and purpose.

Every student has access to Careers Zone 24/7, LJMU's suite of online Apps, resources and jobs board via the LJMU Student Futures website.

Professional accreditation/links

This Chartered Institute of Public Relations accredited degree gives you an appreciation of traditional business functions which work closely with aspects of media communication functions in organisations such as marketing, combined with the study of the tactics, tools and strategies of PR and communication management.

Fees and funding

Tuition Fees:

Home fee:
£9,535
Placement year:
£1,905

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students

Fees

The fees quoted above cover registration, tuition, supervision, assessment and examinations as well as:

  • library membership with access to printed, multimedia and digital resources
  • access to programme-appropriate software
  • library and student IT support
  • free on-campus wifi via eduroam

Additional costs

Although not all of the following are compulsory/relevant, you should keep in mind the costs of:

  • accommodation and living expenditure
  • books (should you wish to have your own copies)
  • printing, photocopying and stationery
  • PC/laptop (should you prefer to purchase your own for independent study and online learning activities)
  • mobile phone/tablet (to access online services)
  • field trips (travel and activity costs)
  • placements (travel expenses and living costs)
  • student visas (international students only)
  • study abroad opportunities (travel costs, accommodation, visas and immunisations)
  • academic conferences (travel costs)
  • professional-body membership
  • graduation (gown hire etc)

Funding

There are many ways to fund study for home and international students. From loans to International Scholarships and subject-specific funding, you'll find all of the information you need on our specialist funding pages.

International fee:
£17,750
Placement year international:
£3,830

International Scholarships and payment plans

Liverpool John Moores University is committed to supporting international students by providing a range of scholarships and flexible payment plans to help students manage their tuition fees.

Scholarships

LJMU provides a variety of scholarships to support international students. Scholarships are available to self-funded students who have accepted their offer and met all the conditions outlined in their offer letter. Students must also demonstrate that they can cover living costs, travel, and other expenses associated to studying at the university. Postgraduate scholarships include tuition fee reductions and are often offered in partnership with external funding organisations.

All self-funded international students are eligible for an automatic scholarship worth up to £4,000. For more details and to view our full list of scholarships, visit the international scholarship webpages.

Deposit

All students must pay a £5,000 deposit before they can receive their CAS letter.

For more information view our deposit page.

Tuition Fee Payment Plan

After paying their £5,000 deposit, students have the option to pay their fees in full or in three equal instalments minus any internal scholarships and discounts. There are two payment options available for international students. You can either pay your tuition fees in full before enrolment or opt for a payment plan. With the payment plan, you can pay your fees in three instalments after making your £5,000 deposit. The first instalment is due before enrolment.

All payments should be made through Flywire. Full details can be found in the How to Pay Guide.

Early Bird Tuition Fee discount

We are excited to introduce a £500 Early Payment Discount to all self-funded international students. Eligible self-funded students who pay their fees by the required deadlines will get a discount which will be automatically deducted from the 1st year of tuition fees.

To see the required deadlines please visit the webpage

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Grades/points required from qualifications: BBC - ABB (112 - 128)

Work out how many UCAS points your qualifications are worth using the UCAS Tariff Calculator.

Qualification requirements

GCSEs and equivalents

Grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics/ Numeracy.

GCSE Equivalences accepted:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number

A levels

BBC-ABB
Minimum Number of A Levels: 2
Maximum AS UCAS Points: 20

BTECs

Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM

Access awards

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Pass overall with a minimum of 112 points

International Baccalaureate

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

OCR Cambridge Technical

Extended Diploma: DMM-DDM

Irish awards

Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications.

Additional requirements

  • Interview required

    Applications are welcomed from mature and non-standard applicants, who will be considered on an individual basis. These applicants may be required to submit an essay and/or attend an interview, and should demonstrate potential and motivation and/or have relevant experience. .

International requirements

IELTS

6.0 overall with no component below 5.5, taken within two years of the course start date.

https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/courses/international-entry-requirements

Other international requirements

International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications. Holders of the BSc Business Administration awarded by CBS Cyprus, will be considered for entry into level 5 of the programme.

International entry requirements

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check.

How to apply

Securing your place at LJMU

UCAS is the official application route for our full-time undergraduate courses. Further information on the UCAS application process can be found here https://www.ljmu.ac.uk/study/undergraduate-students/how-to-apply.

We are looking for students with the potential to:

Understand and critically evaluate the theory, concepts and principles that underpin the practical techniques of business.

Demonstrate their understanding by communicating effectively, both orally and in their written work.

Possess the self-discipline to manage their time and tasks effectively throughout their time here at LJMU.

Your student experience

There's so much more to university than just studying for a degree

Talk to our students

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The university reserves the right to withdraw or make alterations to a course and facilities if necessary; this may be because such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the university. Where this does happen, the university operates a policy of consultation, advice and support to all enrolled students affected by the proposed change to their course or module.
Further information on the terms and conditions of any offer made, our admissions policy and the complaints and appeals process.