Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Philosophy, Religion and Ethics

at University of Hertfordshire - De Havilland Campus United Kingdom

Modern media is becoming more and more influential in every aspect of our society, from politics and economics to the way we communicate with our closest friends. The way language is used varies for different media, but you can also look at how language reflects society, and how it changes over time.

Our BA English Language and Media degree introduces you to the scientific study of the English Language and allows you to examine human communication in different media contexts. You’ll explore the theory, historical contexts and modern practices that make up our global media landscape. You’ll examine the emergence of new media in an increasingly media-centric world, discovering the different ways the media communicates, how its industries are connected and how it influences us as individuals and societies.

In your first year you’ll be introduced to media communications in general as well as consider the relationship between media and society alongside core English Language modules. You’ll also explore the diversity of use of the English language including regional variants, pidgin and creole English, language and ethnicity, and slang and street English.

Core modules in your second year focus on English grammar and the sounds of English. You can explore theories of how and why language developed and study language-related real-life problems such as plagiarism and crime investigation in forensic linguistics. You’ll develop an in-depth knowledge of specialist areas such as public relations, advertising and digital media, as well as broader transferable skills like the ability to critically analyse media content.

In your final year you can follow modules in different topics, including child language and communication, clinical linguistics, gender and language, and formulaic language, informed by our academics’ own research specialisms. You’ll also have opportunities to work with fellow students to create media products, go on a work placement, hear from industry speakers and build a network of contacts.

This degree involves a practical workshop programme, establishing and refining your understanding of the tactile qualities and properties of materials and how they can be manipulated to express your ideas. In the First Year you’ll learn contemporary approaches to designing and making across a range of 2D and 3D media. Then, in the Second Year, you’ll focus your interests in order to reach the high level of refinement necessary for the professional marketplace. Our students produce a richly diverse range of artefacts, such as tableware, experimental objects, sculptures, architectural pieces, tiles and conceptual pieces for exhibition or commission.

• Contemporary Design Crafts Ceramics and Glass degree encourages fresh ideas, inventive use of materials and techniques, and awareness of contemporary markets.
• You establish and refine your interests in the field of ceramics and glass to reach the high level of skills demanded by the professional marketplace.
• Placements develop a versatile understanding of the workplace, establishing our graduates as contemporaries in a competitive professional market.

This course is ideal if you have an interest in technology and software development and how they can be applied to benefit individuals and organisations.
Core topics include foundations of computation, programming, multimedia, networks, databases, operating systems, software engineering and professional issues. In addition, you’ll choose from a wide range of specialist modules to tailor your degree to your interests. As well as gaining an understanding of the wider context in which systems operate, you’ll develop your communication and team-working skills. Thanks to the nature of this degree, you’ll develop the broad skills many employers are looking for while keeping your career options open.

Work placement/study abroad year: You may choose to undertake a paid work placement or study abroad at one of our worldwide partner universities.

Indicative course structure

Economics drives business, informs policy and affects everyone’s lives. With its applied business focus, this course emphasises the economic analysis of key business functions and the industrial structure of market economies and the global environment. It will give you a detailed understanding of the principles of economics and teach you how to apply these principles to support decision making. As well as developing an understanding of the nature of pricing, investment, employment and many other decisions businesses have to take, you’ll have the option to study modules in marketing, accounting finance and human resource management.

You can also study a language with this course. You can be awarded the degree ‘with language’ in the title if you choose to study a foreign language in all years of study. 

• To receive a broad intellectual learning experience by studying economic issues within the wider political and social environment;
• to develop a critical understanding of the principles of economic theory;
• for an appreciation of different approaches to economic problems and their relevance for real life circumstances; 
• to develop the ability to apply the theories of economics to a range of decision making problems in business;
• to become equipped with a set of subject specific and transferable skills needed to pursue a successful career.

This course covers the three main disciplines of sport science: physiology (including nutrition), biomechanics and psychology. You’ll gain a fundamental understanding of physiology, anatomy, psychology, biomechanics, sports performance, biochemistry, nutrition, and strength and conditioning – and then apply your knowledge through practical classes and research. During your studies you’ll have many opportunities to use our state of-the art human performance labs, where you’ll learn to assess and improve sporting performance, as well as gain invaluable knowledge on the role exercise plays in improving health and wellbeing.

You’ll also develop the analytical, written and verbal skills expected by employers. The course is also aligned to  a vocational qualification accredited through the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) with the option after year one of becoming a qualified fitness instructor. Furthermore, this course is a National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) recognised undergraduate programme, allowing students to complete the Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist qualification near graduation.

Our excellent facilities ensure we can deliver a comprehensive programme of practical work to support lecture material. A focus on Personal Transferable Skills throughout the first and second year enables you to develop competence in a range of skill areas which will be of benefit professionally and personally and which are essential to success in a competitive employment market.

Other additional opportunities include

• Guest lecturers: e.g. GSK, HSV, Felicity Aston (first woman to walk the Antarctic solo)
• Work Experience: including local, national and international employers taking students for their work experience module in final year (e.g. football, rugby clubs, hospitals, other universities)
• Opportunities for students to support applied testing and research in the labs
• Opportunities to gain internationally recognised qualifications:
• Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (NSCA)
• ACSM Certified Exercise Physiologist

The School has a strong international reputation for research in this area and this expertise influences this course which explores current research and practice in data science and analytics, extending your knowledge and understanding of the principles and practice of obtaining data from various sources, the essential methods for pre-processing and cleaning data, data analytics and modelling. This MSc can lead to a career such as a data scientist.

Graduates obtaining this award will be equipped to pursue research to PhD level, or to enter specialist employment in technically advanced and unpredictable working environments requiring sound judgment and the exercise of personal responsibility and initiative.

This course provides an opportunity to experience and develop the skills and processes involved in the professional practice of product and industrial design. Approaches are centred around consumer goods, where issues covering everyday manufactured products are developed and explored. The degree investigates the cultural, technical and commercial factors which influence the development of innovative new products, and introduces the creative and professional strategies which underpin design.

This Product and Industrial Design degree provides an opportunity to experience and develop the skills and processes involved in the professional practice of product and industrial design. Approaches are centred around consumer goods, where issues surrounding everyday manufactured products are developed and explored. The degree investigates the cultural, technical and commercial factors which influence the development of innovative new products, and introduces the creative and professional strategies which underpin design.

The study includes branding and methods of identifying consumer needs and aspirations as an approach to creating the right product. Industry partners include Ford, Xerox and Herman Miller, with strong working relationships with Imagination Ltd., Conran & Partners and London Associates. The staff team is drawn from nationally and internationally experienced designers who bring their research and professional interests directly into the student environment.

This programme brings together the disciplines of advertising and digital communications, recognising the integrated nature of contemporary marketing communications. It is designed to enable students to acquire the knowledge and skills for a career in advertising and digital marketing either client side or in creative agencies. This programme has a balance of the academic underpinning and the creative and digital skills required for employment. Students will be expected to operate at a strategic campaign planning level, whilst also acquiring practical skills such as copywriting, video editing and basic digital design as well as a knowledge of and practical application of marketing technology

• New degree launching in 2020/21 embedding the latest in contemporary advertising and digital marketing techniques
• Strongly focussed on students employability needs, students will acquire transferable skills and attributes sought after by employers
• Gain digital skills in content creation, as well as for general office settings (eg Excel)
• Gain practical industry experience of advertising and digital marketing through live projects, industry speakers, events and employability modules
• Enhance your CV further through an optional year’s study abroad, placement or short internship
• Strong links with the Chartered Institute of Marketing; the Business School is a CIM Strategic Partner and hosts the regional CIM Club
• Learning for professional qualifications embedded into the curriculum, with the chance to gain a professional CIM qualification within the first year
• Dedicated programme tutors to look after the pastoral and academic needs of students

Software engineering is a discipline that applies professional engineering techniques to the construction and evolution of large and complex software systems. This course adds a specialism in software engineering to a broad base in computer science. In the first two years there is an emphasis on software development, professional programming, the modelling and design of systems and data, the principles of networking and the user experience. Building on this foundation you’ll study software engineering in depth and learn how to analyse, design, develop and evaluate computer-based systems. You’ll also learn the application of engineering techniques, such as those relying on software metrics.

• Choose this course with an emphasis on Software Engineering building on a base of mainstream Computer Science, or change to one of the others in our flexible programme.
• Be taught by highly qualified staff, most with a PhD or other advanced degree plus research, teaching, or professional experience.
• Be part of a highly regarded well established computer science department with excellent facilities, a strong research background, and links to business and industry.
• Prepare yourself for a career in the IT sector through a mix of academic, professional and practical study, with opportunities for industry certifications and a paid placement year. Previous students have worked placements at companies including Intel, Microsoft, and Apple
• Recent graduates from Computer Science have gone on to work at amazing organisations including Ticketmaster, BAE Systems, and Ocado

Why do we carve pumpkins, blow out birthday candles or leave ‘love-locks’ on bridges? When and where did these customs start? From urban myths to local legends, the stories we tell and the traditions we follow are part of our folklore, the shared beliefs and oral traditions that are handed down through generations.

The University of Hertfordshire’s MA Folklore Studies explores legend, ritual, belief and tradition in British society, providing students with a thorough grounding in the history of the discipline of Folklore Studies and examining current work in the field.

Aimed at recent graduates in related subjects such as literature, history, archaeology, anthropology or religion, who have perhaps touched on folklore in their dissertations and want to develop this further, this MA also offers opportunities for mature students looking to turn their interest in local folklore into an academic qualification.