

Communications is a universal degree, which explores the traditional forms of communication such as verbal, physical, visual and written communication but also extends beyond that to cover mass communication and social media. There are different types of communications degrees depending on the degree level.
Overall, Communications focuses on teaching effective communication through social media, web, print, mass media and verbal communication. However, there are two types of Communications degrees that exist. For instance, a Bachelor of Arts in Communications in the US is focused on preparing students for careers that are connected to writing, marketing, promotions, journalism and public relations. In contrast, Bachelor of Science in Communications is dedicated to the technology used in the science behind modern communication and prepares students for careers in production or sound engineering.
A Communications degree teaches students about how media and communication influences cultures, societies and people’s identities. It involves a significant amount of critical writing and research and covers different disciplines such as journalism, public relations, entertainment production, marketing, event planning and so many more disciplines, which are somehow connected to exchanging information and conveying messages. There are also different specialization options associated with this degree, including political communication, mass media, journalism, health communication, etc.
It is worth noting that a Communications degree has many intersection points with psychology, sociology, linguistics and in some cases politics.
The main benefit of a Communications degree is its universal nature. It applies to almost any subject or professional setting. For example, some of the top careers in the field of Communications include announcers, art directors, editors, broadcast and sound engineering technicians, reporters, correspondents, broadcast analysts, technical writers, writers and authors, interpreters, translators, etc. Therefore, it keeps students’ career options open and doesn’t require them to have a predetermined career path that they want to follow.
Communications degrees prepare students to make an impact from the start of their careers unlike other degrees, which require further training. This is possible thanks to the multitude of professionally accredited degrees in Communications, which develop students’ abilities based on the established standards in the field. Moreover, there are many Communications courses, which offer work placement opportunities that enable students to gain the required professional skills before they have even started their career.
Another benefit associated with Communications degrees is the fact that they develop students’ written and verbal communication skills significantly.
A major advantage of Communications over other degrees is that in most cases there are no prerequisites required to study Communications.
The duration of a Communications degree varies depending on the country and degree level. For example, Higher Education Institutions in the UK offer 3-year Bachelor’s courses. In some cases, the course may extend to four years if students are given the opportunity to spend a year abroad or in industry between the second and third year through a sandwich course. Bachelor’s degrees in Communications in the US usually take around four years to complete.
Over the duration of a Bachelor’s Communications degree, students are expected to learn and be able to apply the established communications theories by developing the technical skills required to work in a professional setting. In the first year of their studies, students learn predominantly how media and communication influences cultures, societies and people’s identities. Optional modules may introduce them to professional communication, journalism, documentary, film-making, marketing, etc. In addition to the introductory topics, this degree allows students to learn about more complex areas of communications such as interpersonal relations, brand management and linguistics at a later stage. For instance, the second and third years enable students to get a deeper understanding of theoretical concepts related to media and culture and develop practical skills in research and communications. Additionally, students may have the opportunity to take optional modules and pursue their interests in different areas related to Communications such as gender, race, youth, culture, digital media, political communication, public relations, etc.
The most common duration of a Master’s degree in Communications is between 1 and 2 years depending on the mode of study (full-time or part-time) and country.
PhD and MPhil degrees in Communications require students to dedicate anywhere between 3 and 6 years to their studies depending on the mode and country of study.
Studying Master’s at Glasgow Caledonian University is a lifetime achievement.
It is a great school that promotes excellency and reward hardwork.
If not for GCU who awarded me the tuition free scholarship (Postgraduate Ambassador), I would not have been able to do a Master’s degree in Multimedia Journalism.
I would recommend the school for anyone looking to develop their skills and impact their community.
Glasgow Caledonian University is a fantastic institution located right in the heart of the city. One of its standout features is its excellent communication regarding course information, ensuring students are well-informed. Additionally, the readily available support systems and the helpfulness of the staff create a welcoming and conducive learning environment. It’s a top choice for those seeking a central, well-supported university experience.
View moreThe standard of education I receive at Glasgow Caledonian University on the Multimedia Journalism course is to industry standard and is providing me with a well-rounded skill set. The lecturers on this course all have industry experience and are keen to share their knowledge with us. However, the communication between staff and students can sometimes be disappointing, confusing or unclear. Although, the lecturers are quick to sort out any issues that students have which is much appreciated. I would recommend my course for those interested in a serious journalism career.
View moreI completed two semesters at GCU during 2016-17 as part of an international exchange programme. I was rather disappointed when only a small selection of courses were made available for us to choose from, as these did not match my interests, and barely resembled my programme back home. Overall, seminars were rarely successful because students were not being motivated to participate, and there was very little interaction between professors and students. As an international student, this learning environment felt extremely alienating at times. The course content was too superficial, and there was never a chance to go in depth on a specific topic. I did like the evaluation system, with very little to no exams and mostly based on research papers. This allowed me to expand on what was being touched on in class by delving into the specific literature.
The facilities were modern and spacious, the campus was extremely close to the city centre. I specifically liked the library. Although their collection on film studies (my field) was not extensive, I found it to be a great place to go study as it is was not often busy.
I absolutely loved the international atmosphere in the students’ accommodation, and the student life overall, with endless possibilities to meet new people and make friends with other international students.
View moreI moved from Spain to Glasgow in 2016 to study Media Communication at GCU. I was quite afraid because even if I had a good level of English, I knew the Scottish accent could have been an obstacle. However, everyone was involved in the foreign students, and could not have found more support from the teachers.
The modules were very interesting and very dynamic. They were divided into different parts, theory, seminars and practical. We had no final exam, but we had to hand in a final essay, which was very interesting because you had to look for information on your own, and I learned lots of interesting things. Also, the building of the university was very new and beautiful. ¡I would recommend everyone to study at this University!
On the other hand, I was staying at the GCU accommodation, which was right in front of the university, this was absolutely perfect because you could go home during the breaks and have lunch there. It also was an opportunity to meet new people, and live university life. ¡I found a real family there!
View moreI would definitely recommend this course because it helps you develop your skills through the practical work and experiences you get to do through the university modules. This is something that not many courses can offer you. I also like the fact that you get to work individually and in teams as well, which gives you the opportunity to gain skills such as leadership, communication, teamwork, time management, organisation and the ability to work under pressure, which are all important in the workplace.
View moreI liked the variety of subjects you can choose to study; however, I would have liked more opportunities to discover digital marketing such as PPC, Google Ads training, paid social ads – online advertising strategies, and how to actually use the marketing tools necessary to successfully execute digital marketing campaigns.
View moreWas an exchange student and first time out of my home country. Glasgow Caledonian took the time and effort to really understand my needs as a student and work to ensure I would be satisfied in my classes and outside in the city centre. Absolutely enjoyed studying there because of the culture and the different backgrounds each of my profs had. Would study here again if given the opportunity.
View moreStudying Media at Glasgow Caledonian was brilliant as they have an abundance of links to industry professionals making the next step after graduating a lot less daunting. They have high-quality equipment and software allowing students to have a hands-on approach to what life is like in the media industry. The building itself is situated right in the centre of the city allowing for easy access. I’d recommend the uni to anyone due to their expansive module lists and attentive lecturers! 🙂
View moreI enjoyed my programme a lot! It allowed me to tailor my studies to my career interests and offered a valuable blend of practical and theoretical learning which helped equip me for my future and knowing what the best route was for me post-graduation.
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