Undergraduate
Media Studies
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- Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
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- Peterborough & Durham GTA
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- Paid Co-op Available
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- Fall & Winter & Summer
- Humanities & Social Sciences (Arts)
At a glance:
- Degree Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)
- Campus Peterborough Durham GTA
- Work Experience Paid Co-op Available
- Program is Offered Fall & Winter & Summer
- Study Options Part time/Full time
- OUAC Codes RAM - Peterborough RMH - Peterborough co-op ROM - Durham
- Apply Now Stay in Touch
The Trent Advantage
Study media from both critical and creative perspectives, exploring its influence on culture and society while gaining hands-on and paid experience across diverse media and emerging technologies.
Understand the ideas and forces behind the media you consume and create. Trent’s multidisciplinary Media Studies program brings together the arts and sciences to examine advertising, ideology, media corporations, and the environmental impact of technology. Practical experience is a major part of the degree, giving you opportunities to apply your learning, build your portfolio, and gain experience beyond the classroom.
- Earn credit as you put ideas into practice and build your portfolio, working across 3D printing, bending circuits, 16mm film, virtual reality and in Trent’s Critical Making Studio.
- Explore everything from game design and music production to podcasting and photography through practical workshop courses.
- Put your learning into practice through internships and community-based research opportunities with organizations like Artspace or Global TV.
Accelerated Masters
Fast-track your education, by earning your Master’s degree in Cultural Studies in only 12-20 months of graduating from your Honours B.A.
Program Possibilites
Add an Option to your Media Studies degree to explore an additional area of interest
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Digital Humanities
Electronic media has become an integral part of how we view and explore the world. Through this new option you will bring a human-centred perspective to the innovations that continue to transform our shared digital landscape.
Working alongside Trent’s world-renowned faculty, including Canada Research Chairs, you will gain a deeper understanding of how digital tools are applied to solve research problems, and how research within the humanities impacts developments in the digital world.
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Visual Arts
Have a budding interest in drawing, photography, film or graphic arts? Express yourself with this option and study the visual arts through both theory and practice. In addition to workshop classes in drawing, photography, film, and other visual media, you can take courses in theoretical, historical, and contemporary issues in the visual arts from a range of departments. This option is particularly appropriate for future primary and secondary school teachers.
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Creative Writing
The ability to think creatively, write effectively, and craft interesting stories are extremely valuable skills for any degree major to possess. Through workshops and writing assignments, this fun and practical option helps you develop new writing techniques, create invaluable writing communities, and build a growing portfolio of work in fiction, poetry, creative non-fiction, and script writing.
Career experience while you learn
Every Media Studies student has a guaranteed route to paid, credited experience before they graduate.
Paid Co-op Available
- Graduate with paid work experience completing three 12–16-week work terms in the summer of years two and three, and the fall of year four, all as part of your four-year degree.
- Work with local news media, marketing agencies, or a variety of other arts, entertainment, business, and culture organizations.
Research Opportunities
- Work alongside media and cultural organizations to explore how media is created, distributed and experienced.
- Apply your learning through collaborative, community-based research; past organizations include Artspace, Global TV, Trent Radio, ReFrame Film Festival, and the Royal Academy of Dance.
Field Schools and Hands-On Courses
- Work with Unity, VR, 3D printing, ArcGIS StoryMaps, smartphone apps and digital animation.
- Produce interviews, advertisements, PSAs and radio shows, and explore emerging technologies in Trent’s Critical Making Studio.
Study Abroad
- Take your Trent education global. Spend a semester or year studying at one of Trent’s 50+ international partner universities, participate in a summer field course, or gain international experience through a placement or internship.
- With opportunities in more than 35 countries, you can broaden your academic perspective, experience new cultures, and build skills that prepare you for a global career.
Internships
- Gain professional workplace experience working within a business or organization on a paid internship, building career-ready skills, making industry connections, and exploring potential career paths.
- Past Trent students have earned prestigious opportunities such as the CBC Radio Peter Gzowski Internship, working alongside professionals in radio journalism.
Career Paths
- Internet, TV, and Radio Production Manager
- Media Executive
- App/Web Developer
- Music Industry Consultant
- Journalist
Admissions
Whether you're graduating from an Ontario high school, looking to study in Canada, or training for a second career, Trent has clear pathways for students to apply and be admitted to study at either of our campuses.
Requirements
If you are coming straight from high school in Ontario or are a recent grad, the general admission requirements are:
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
- A minimum of six Grade 12 4U or 4M courses, including program-specific prerequisites
- ENG4U with a minimum of 60%
| Admission Requirements | Recommended Admission Requirements | Estimated Admission Average | Co-op Admission Average |
|---|---|---|---|
| ENG4U | 70-75% | 80-85% |
Requirements
Students from across Canada can use their grades from their home province to apply to Trent.
Requirements
International students from outside Canada can apply based on the curriculum of their home country.
Requirements
Mature students can apply to Trent based on previous education and professional or volunteer experience.
Requirements
With many transfer agreements and flexible pathway options, Trent University makes it easy for students to make the most of the credits you have already earned.
Tuition Estimate
Estimate your tuition, ancillary fees, and potential entrance scholarships based on your program, residency status, and academic average.
Tuition
Base Tuition Fee
$6,240.85
Ancillary Fees
Ancillary Fees (non-tuition costs supporting student services, such as athletics, campus safety, college fees, etc.)
$2,122.22
Total:
$ 8,363.07
* The tuition details and scholarships listed are for domestic students only. International applicants should contact the financial aid office directly for equivalent guidance.
Scholarships
If you’re a top scholar with an average of 80% or higher, you qualify to automatically receive an entrance scholarship to Trent. Scholars with 95% or higher? You earn free first-year tuition – no application required.
| Entrance Average | Maximum Scholarship Potential | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 95%+ | $18,241 | $6,241 first year Full Tuition + $4,000 x 3 years |
| 90-94.9% | $12,000 | $3,000 x 4 years |
| 85-89.9% | $8,000 | $2,000 x 4 years |
| 80-84.9% | $6,000 | $1,500 x 4 years |
* Available to Domestic students only. Based on 2026/27 tuition for a general arts and science program
Explore additional funding for domestic and international students