Psychology, Sociology & Media Studies Foundation Course

The Bellerbys Humanities Foundation course is ideal for students wishing to study Psychology, Sociology and Media related degrees at university, including Geographical Studies, English Literature, Media Studies, Politics, International Relations, Psychology and Sociology.  The course is carefully designed to focus on the academic areas most useful to your future study intentions.

Academic Structure

You will study core subjects, will all other Foundation students, plus two of the three modules below - Psychology, Sociology and Media Studies. 

Psychology 1 (Available at all centres)
Students will consider the five main theoretical approaches to psychology and consider the leading figures in its history and development. They will also learn how psychological research is conducted and embark on their own research project.

Psychology 2 (Available at all centres)
The focus of this module will be on social, cognitive and developmental psychology. Students will study human behaviour within the society and the main influences on such behaviour. They will also look at human memory and key developmental theories.

Psychology 3 (Available at all centres)
In the areas of bio-psychology and abnormal behaviour students will focus on issues such as stress, schizophrenia and eating disorders. Students will also look at the ethical issues involved in conducting research into socially sensitive areas.

Sociology 1 (Available Brighton & Cambridge)
Students are introduced to key areas, such as sociological concepts and methodology. Research methods are considered in depth as a preparation for the students’ own research projects and there is a focus on the key topic of the family.

Sociology 2 (Available Brighton & Cambridge)
Students look at two major issues affecting contemporary society, the influence of the mass media and the impact of globalization.

Sociology 3 (Available Brighton & Cambridge)
In considering deviant behaviour in society, students look at sociological and nonsociological theories of criminal behaviour and consider the impact of such behaviour on society as a whole. Students also complete their major project.

Media Studies 1 - Film (Available Cambridge, London & Oxford)
Students are introduced to the key skills behind film analysis, where a variety of films are viewed, discussed and analysed. The course is assessed in two ways - a coursework essay on a film of their choice, and a practical project in small groups, where students are taught how to plan, shoot and edit their own films using digital cameras and Pinnacle Studio editing software.

Media Studies 2 - Advertising & Marketing (Available Cambridge, London & Oxford)
Students learn how to analyse an advertising campaign, and study the persuasive power of advertising and marketing. The students will also work on a practical project in which they must market their own product and produce an avertising campaign and pitch.

Media Studies 3 - Newspapers & Magazines (Available Cambridge, London & Oxford)
Students study the influence of the media on society through looking at British news, topics include moral panics and bias. Students also use Adobe Photoshop and Microsoft Publisher to create a selection of their own magazine pages.

Comments from Bellerbys Humanities Students

 “What I really enjoy about Media is that I have an opportunity to do something I've never tried before, like filming, editing, making stories and storyboards.  Moreover, it has changed my mind somehow...I feel like I've got new eyes: after our theory classes I started to notice and pay attention to effects, sounds and understand hidden meanings in every film I watch, whether it's a Hollywood blockbuster or even TV.  As for me, the easiest, but still the most enjoyable part of Media is theory classes: to be more precise, analysing films.  I feel myself to be like an explorer while discovering something completely new in the films I've watched before.  To tell the truth, I find the most difficult in Media working in groups on filming and editing and especially planning our small films.  It can be often quite hard to find a decision everyone in the group can be satisfied with, however, it still teaches us to cooperate.  I think cooperation skills are absolutely necessary for working in Media.  No matter what you choose as your future profession: film making, printing and publishing, advertising or public relations - these are all team jobs.  For me, Media is a perfect choice.  It is an ideal combination of creativity in all its aspects and also includes some marketing and other skills. Such selection gives you a chance to find a well-paid job that you will really enjoy which is quite rare I think”.  Alexandra Chervotkina from Russia

“Watching films and discussing them is the best part of the lesson.  Shooting a film is also so enjoyable.  It’s important to study Media as those who wish to work in the industry should be well educated to shape new generations” Huriye Atilgan from Turkey

“I've enjoyed everything so far in Media, from theory to practical lessons (filming and editing).  The easiest thing for me is understanding the theory with its terms and expressions, however it is harder to transfer this theory to practical work; while filming it's hard to remember about every tiny detail, make it more professional.  Filming and editing are the most interesting parts of the first term.  It's great to start from nothing and in the end of the work see the progress, and evaluate all the details of your work.  I think future students should choose the Media course, not just because it's interesting, but also because it's a excellent way to express yourself through the work.  Furthermore Media is a very creative course in contrast to accounting or economics.  When you do Media, you feel yourself to be a very creative person, not calculator!” Ksenia Kassoni from Russia

“I enjoy making movies in class.  At first, your film starts without any images, sound effects, an so on.  After you edit, the movie becomes totally different and the feeling is just like having a new born baby.  I also love to share my ideas or comments with my classmates and listen more to what people say.  Media is plays an important role nowadays and what our society needs in the future is creative people, not just people who dig into books.  Studying Media can develop your own creativity and help you to think deeply about the world and our society”.  Ka Wai Yu from Hong Kong

Where Next?

Students who successfully complete the Humanities Foundation course can join the following Bachelor Degree programmes with our university partners.

Aberystwyth University
Anglia Ruskin University
Bangor University
University of Bath
University of Brighton
University of Bristol
University of Buckingham
Cardiff University
University of Chester
De Montfort University Leicester
Durham University
University of Essex
University of Exeter
University of Hertfordshire
Keele University
University of Kent
Lancaster University
University of Leeds
University of Leicester
University of Liverpool
Liverpool John Moores University
Loughborough University
Brunel University*
City University*
University of East London*
Goldsmiths, University of London*
University of Kingston, London*
London Metropolitan University*
Middlesex University, London*
Queen Mary College, University of London*
Roehampton University*
Royal Holloway, University of London*
London South Bank University*
St Mary's University College*
University of Manchester
Newcastle University
Northumbria University
University of Nottingham
Oxford Brookes University
University of Portsmouth
University of Reading
University of Sheffield
University of Southampton
University of Surrey
University of Sussex
University of Sunderland
Swansea University
University of York

* Universities in the London area

Class of 2009

Our top Humanities Foundation graduates in 2009 include:

Student Name	Home Country	Final Grade	Degree Course	University
Gexian Olive Lai	China	87%	Media Practice & Theory	Sussex
Mei Qi Ong	Singapore	86%	Psychology	York
Kateryna Lazoryshynets	Ukraine	85%	Media & Communications	Goldsmiths
Evangeline Grosrenaud	Luxembourg	78%	Sociology with Law	Durham
Jamile Ayazbekova	Kazakhstan	77%	Film with Television Studies	Warwick