Undergraduate Overview

Student working with virtual reality equipment.

Turn the media you love into the work you do

You already understand media. You scroll it, stream it and share it every day. At the University at Buffalo, you will learn how to create it, analyze it and shape the culture around it. Media Study brings together filmmaking, digital production, critical analysis and game studies so you can turn curiosity into real creative skill.

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Why choose Media Study at UB?

Media shapes how we think, connect and tell stories. Studying it means learning both how it works and how to build it.

At UB, you will:

Create films, videos, games and interactive media
Study how media influences culture and society
Build technical skills in editing, sound, web design and programming
Develop strong writing, research and analytical abilities
Graduate with a portfolio of real work

You do not need prior experience. We meet you where you are and help you grow.

Degree options

Choose the path that fits your goals.

BA in Film Studies
4/21/26
Study film history, theory and world cinema at UB. Build strong analytical and writing skills for careers in media, culture and graduate study.
BA in Media Study: Critical Studies
4/21/26
The BA in Media Study: Critical Studies Concentration at the University at Buffalo is for students who want to understand how media works and why it matters. You will study film, digital media, games and social platforms as art forms and as powerful forces in modern life. Along the way, you will build strong analytical, writing and research skills that prepare you for a wide range of careers.
BA in Media Study: Production
4/21/26
The BA in Media Study: Critical Studies Concentration at the University at Buffalo is for students who want to understand how media works and why it matters. You will study film, digital media, games and social platforms as art forms and as powerful forces in modern life. Along the way, you will build strong analytical, writing and research skills that prepare you for a wide range of careers.
BA in Media Study: Critical Studies/ MA in Arts Management
4/21/26
Study film history, theory and world cinema at UB. Build strong analytical and writing skills for careers in media, culture and graduate study.
BA in Media Study: Production / MA in Arts Management
4/21/26
Study film history, theory and world cinema at UB. Build strong analytical and writing skills for careers in media, culture and graduate study.
Minor in Media Study
4/21/26
Pair your primary field with media literacy and creative production. Whether you are majoring in business, engineering, social sciences, arts or sciences, a Minor in Media Study helps you understand how media shapes culture—and how to create it thoughtfully.
Certificate in Game Studies
4/21/26
Whether you are majoring in Media Study, Computer Science, Art, English or another field, this certificate adds focused expertise in game design, game culture and interactive media. The Certificate in Game Studies at UB gives you the tools to both create games and analyze their social, cultural and technological impact.

What is it like to study at UB?

You will move from foundational courses into advanced work in production, theory and history. Along the way, you will:

Produce documentaries, short films and digital projects
Study global cinema and media history
Analyze popular culture and emerging technologies
Experiment with interactive and game-based storytelling
Collaborate in small production classes, typically 15 to 18 students

Classes take place in screening rooms, production studios and digital labs. You will learn by doing. For full requirements and policies:

Check out the Undergraduate Course Catalog

Get an inside look of an average day of a media study student

Who you’ll learn from

Our faculty are artists, filmmakers and scholars who are active in their fields. They exhibit work internationally, publish research in leading journals and create award-winning media.

You will learn from experts in areas such as:

Virtual reality
Social media and digital culture
Sound design and filmmaking
Experimental art and media history

Professors are accessible and invested in your growth. They bring real world experience into the classroom and mentor you as you build your portfolio and professional goals.

Meet our faculty

Beyond the classroom

Students expand their experience through:

Film screenings and festivals
The Buffalo Film Seminars
Conferences and public events
Internships and creative collaborations
Study abroad opportunities

Buffalo’s arts community and UB’s R1 research environment give you room to experiment, connect and grow.

Learn about experiential learning

Life after graduation

Media skills travel across industries.

Graduates pursue careers such as:

Film director or editor
Game developer
Digital marketer
Production coordinator
Web developer
Professor

Alumni work in film, broadcasting, advertising, nonprofit organizations and emerging technology fields. Some continue to graduate school.

You will graduate with a portfolio, technical expertise and critical thinking skills that employers value.

See careers in Media Study

Take the next step

If you are ready to create, question and contribute, Media Study at UB gives you the tools and community to do it.