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.
I enrolled at Goldsmiths, University of London as a Master’s student in 2022. Currently I’m studying MA Digital Journalism. This course is definitely overall a great learning experience because the course is multi-disciplinary. The course has many different modules that are needed to be studied to get into Digital Journalism. From Multimedia Journalism (including written and Mobile/Video Journalism) to Digital Sandbox and Interactive Data Visualisation, we were taught everything that is required to become an independent journalist. I would highly recommend this course.
View moreI like Goldsmiths, and proud of being a student of Goldsmiths. I learnt much in the last year and met many good people and friends. However, the strikes that happened during my one-year programme impacted my studying life so much, and most in a bad way. I lost many courses and tutorials and much time to communicate with professors and classmates. And I got little compensation from the college compared to my loss. I hope the management team of my colleagues can change more in the future because Goldsmiths is such a good university to study in.
View moreGoldsmiths is one of the best creative and independent thinking universities in the world. This is a place that makes you think out of the box as a part of the curriculum. Diversity is appreciated and encouraged. Tutors encourage you to go for independent research.
The library is amazing and is a home to many. The sense of freedom that one gets here makes this place great.
However the teaching staff have not been treated well by the University Management. This lead to two strikes which shut the college by around 8 weeks. This was upsetting. I wish the management understood the need for better employment conditions for the teaching staff.
View moreI am currently enrolled as a MA Digital Journalism Student and will share my opinion as a part-time one. Firstly, I went there in order to attend an Open Day event – I was extremely impressed by the size of the University, plus organization, equipment and cleanliness. Staff is always helpful and friendly, which is a major plus. Location is also very good, as New Cross (South East London) is easily accessible from Central London. My course per se is a mix of traditional Journalism practices and brand new ones, like Data Visualization and Social Media elements – for someone who is looking for a brand new context of the field, I find my programme extremely interesting and unusually good. Comparing to options back in my native Brazil, for example, Goldsmiths seems to be much more forward when it comes to Communications. My lecturers are all very experienced and currently active, always available through classes and office hours during the week. Even though Goldsmiths took part in a nationwide dispute over pensions recently, all academic representatives and Student Union were always keeping us posted through major meetings and weekly updates. Education is taken very seriously over there and I absolutely love my experience so far – I just wish I had the chance to study full-time. I still have a lot to experience, but I can already say that I highly recommend Goldsmiths if you are eager to learn and develop your intellectual skills in London.
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