Study Guide

Descriptions

Objective of education

Media studies provides students with the solid competence needed in the labor market in film, journalism, advertising design or production and project management. The students gain the prerequisites for sustainable professional development, project management and entrepreneurship.

It is possible to apply for media studies at Turku University of Applied Sciences through four different study options:
• Film
• Journalism
• Advertising design
• Production and project management

Structure of education

The studies are divided into core competence and complementary competence. The students focus on one field of specialization and deepen their competence through elective courses. Students have a diverse choice opportunity to build their own path to a future profession. With these choices, students can aim to meet the needs of working life in the field, depending on their interests.

The teacher tutor helps the student draw up an annual personal study plan (PSP). The first two years of studies mainly consist of joint studies in the field of media and professional studies in one's own field of specialization. During the third and fourth year of studies, the student's own role in the rhythm and choices of studies is emphasized. The goal is for students to complete 60 ECTS credits per academic year.

Students can also accredit previously acquired competence or learning that takes place in the professional field during their studies.

Core competencies are created in the following study modules:
• Language studies
• Joint studies in media
• Professional studies in each specialization
• Training

Complementary competencies are created in the following study modules:
• Advanced professional studies and project studies
• Thesis
• Elective studies

Studies in the field of media are partly based on working in practical learning environments. Working in a group and implementing projects are an essential part of the training. In order to graduate into the profession, students develop their working life competences. During the studies, critical thinking, initiative, creativity, teamwork, and networking are emphasized. The training takes into account the changing working life and also aims to meet future competence needs.

The strong connection between studies and working life, for example through projects and practical training, creates good opportunities for up-to-date education that meets the needs of working life, as well as opportunities for networking in the professional field during studies.

During the studies, students have the opportunity to collaborate not only with media students, but also with the entire Art Academy and other students of Turku University of Applied Sciences. Success in studies requires students to have good general education, initiative, ability to brainstorm, creativity, interaction, and teamwork skills, analytical, responsible and ready for change.

Sustainable development and ethical and responsible operations are themes that cut across all media studies.

Structure of studies

Common studies in the field of media are compulsory for everyone. These are divided into the following study modules: study and working life skills, language studies and working in the media sector.

Specialization-specific vocational studies are compulsory. In order to broaden his/her competence, students can choose between advanced professional studies, professional studies in another field of specialization or teaching in other fields of study. Students can also apply for exchange studies at a higher education institution abroad. These studies can be either professional studies or elective studies for each student.

During the practical training, the student becomes familiar with the tasks of his/her own professional field in a real work environment. Practical training is typically carried out at more than one workplace as the studies progress.

In project studies, students apply their skills in practical working life projects, research and development projects and their own productions.

Students can choose elective studies from the study offerings of universities of applied sciences or from the offerings of other higher education institutions, projects or working life.

A thesis is a combination of written work and practical or artistic work related to the student's professional field.

Objective

Common competence objectives in the Media studies
In all degree studies in the field of media, students develop general working life skills, which apply the national recommendation of the Rectors' Council of Universities of Applied Sciences (ARENE) on the joint competences of universities of applied sciences. This competence is divided into six areas: learning to learn, ethics, internationality, and multiculturalism, working life, sustainable development, and proactive development.

Competence objectives in Film studies
In Film studies, students direct and deepen their competence according to their own prerequisites and study offerings towards screenwriting, cinematography, editing, sound design or production tasks. The degree programme provides basic technical skills for working in the film industry, familiarises students with cinematic narrative and production tasks. Own student productions, various film commissions and internships in film productions offer an opportunity to deepen one's skills.

Competence objectives in Journalism studies
In journalism studies, students direct their competence towards news and editorial work, multimedia journalism or the work of a communications professional. In journalism studies, students learn to combine the means of expression characteristic of different media in an innovative way in a multimedia environment.A multimedia journalist masters ideation, responsible information gathering and interviewing, as well as filming, recording, editing and publishing.

Competence objectives in Advertising Design studies
The objective of the advertising design competence area is to provide the basic skills in visual design, copywriting and marketing communications of advertising. The studies emphasise the application of marketing communication theory to creative content, written and visual expression, project planning and teamwork. In his/her studies, students may emphasize written expression, visual expression and/or aspects related to marketing communication project management. Advertising design students prepare themselves to become marketing communications professionals and work in advertising and marketing agencies or other companies and communities or as entrepreneurs.

Competence objectives in Production and Project Management studies
Production and Project Management students choose in the joint application phase whether to pursue their studies in the field of film or advertising. The studies consist of joint studies in the field of media, studies in the chosen field (film or advertising design) and studies in project management, sales, project economics and project management. Production and project management students are prepared to work in media productions or projects in planning, coordinating or leading them. The aim of the studies is to provide the skills to be responsible for planning and financial management in the constantly changing media environments.

Thesis
Completion of a university of applied sciences degree includes a thesis in which the student demonstrates his/her professional skills and capabilities by applying the acquired competence, knowledge, and skills. The result of the thesis can be, for example, a new service, product, operating method, work of art, production, method, work practice or pedagogical project. It can also be a compilation of previous work on the subject. The process and results of the thesis can be reported in different ways: a research or functional report, portfolio, learning diary or other demonstration of competence.

The thesis is supported by the implementation of the course Methods, Structure and Supervision of the Thesis.

Development

Studying at a university of applied sciences is self-directed and practical. Working in different groups is also of great importance in studies. During the studies, students are offered opportunities for multidisciplinary working groups both within the media sector and by networking with other fields.

Professional studies and project studies are connected to media learning environments that simulate the operating practices of the professional field:
• Film: Karuselli – Audiovisual production house
• Journalism: Tutka – online media (https://tutka.pro)
• Advertising planning: Guru & Meedio – Turku UAS internal advertising and communications agency (https://gurumeedio.turkuamk.fi)
• Project studies: Project café (https://www.turkuamk.fi/fi/tyoelamapalvelut/palvelut/projektikahvila/)

Projects and projects related to research and development work are part of the studies. In these, students’ network with representatives of working life as well as Finnish and international higher education institutions. Assignments from working life are also part of media education.

The studies support entrepreneurship in the media sector and encourage students to start their own business. Students can also complete studies at other higher education institutions and speed up their studies with summer studies.

Further information

Learning is evaluated e.g. through feedback discussions, assignments, essays, reports, analyses, and exams. Feedback discussions also include peer review in groups. An online feedback system is used to collect feedback on the implementation of all courses. If necessary, experts from outside the educational institution can also be used in the evaluation of theses.

As a rule, course evaluation takes place on a scale of 1–5 / fail, some study attainments are evaluated on a scale of pass/fail.