Providing degree level qualification in Communication for international (3 year) diploma graduates seeking progression to BSc Honours.
BSc Hons Communication provides you with a strong theoretical and empirical basis in communication, conceived of as a social science and covering strategic internal (organisational) and external (political, media) communication. The course will equip you to plan and undertake research in the field of communication and to develop your capacity for critical, analytic and independent thinking in both theoretical and applied contexts.
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Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
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In this section
The BSc Hons Communication is suitable for International students seeking advanced entry to level 6 in Communication. All students will complete a compulsory module in core communication theory (Rethinking Communication) and a compulsory applied communication module (Organisational Communication) as well as completing an independent supervised research project. Compulsory Research Methods at level 6 ensures that all students with advanced entry are supported to have the necessary skills and understanding of research methods in communication to complete their final year dissertation. The optionality in semester two provides a curriculum that reflects key strands in the international communication curriculum: social psychology of communication; mass communication and representation; advertising communications.
1 year full time.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module builds on students' appreciation and understanding of research by examining more advanced techniques of design and analysis. It has been designed to enable students to develop their skills in designing, executing and writing up quantitative and qualitative research projects. This module will provide an important foundation for the Project.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module offers a theoretical and practical insight into traditional, relational, cultural and network communication strategies used by organisations to address current challenges and achieve organisational goals. Such understanding forms the basis for an appreciation of a range of issues including challenges of leadership, organisational uncertainty and conflict, change and crisis management. Students undertaking the module will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to assess the effectiveness of strategies adopted by organisations and to offer proposals for improved communication, innovation and performance
Year: 1
Status: C
Rethinking Communication considers the theoretical and conceptual trends that have shaped, and are shaping, the study of communication. The module builds upon students' experience of communication concepts and pop-culture by drawing on a range of communication, media and cultural theory. This enables them to engage with historical and contemporary disputes and debates relating to the field, and to critically evaluate methods of and developments in communication. Assessment is by two pieces of coursework.
Year: 1
Status: C
The project enables students to apply methods and techniques to exending and applying their knowledge and understanding of Communication and allows them to further develop their conceptual, rational and creative thinking within the field of Communication. It incorporates all aspects of completing a research project, from topic selection through to writing up and builds upon research skills acquired in Years 1 and 2.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
Communication & Social Justice aims to advance knowledge and understanding of self, social identity and the effects of group membership, and the subsequent influence on relationships with, and treatment of, others. It aims to increase and enhance understanding of what social justice means, and in doing so explore Racism, Sexism, Ageism, Ableism & Homophobia in more detail. It will explore the history and contemporary examples of social movements & social change/action as well as awareness raising campaigns, related to these concepts.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
The module considers how we 'read' the messages communicated by commodities, how we use those commodities to communicate our own messages and construct our identities, and how the media discourses surrounding commodities reinforce or challenge those messages. The schedule falls into three parts which each build on the last. It begins by using semiotics to analyse brands and adverts in detail, moves on to bring wider theoretical considerations to bear on the marketplace in general in order to see the 'bigger picture', and culminates in student-facilitated seminars that use the material from the first two parts to examine any aspect of the marketplace that interests the facilitating group.
Status: O
Year: 1
This module is optional
This module introduces students to a cultural studies approach to examining the role of popular media forms (in film, television, advertising and photography) in the construction of gendered identities (masculinity and femininity). It does this through key examples and case studies from the 1960s to the present day and post feminism. It also provides students with examples of alternative feminist practices.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
This programme is for International students with direct entry into final year and thus not suitable for entrants directly from A Level.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Admission is based on:
Successful completion with a minimum score of 70% on a three year, post-secondary qualification from an institution recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Education Bachelor degree from a regular degree- granting or Junior Colleges and adult higher education institutions.
Successful completion (minimum score of 70%) of a three year, post-secondary qualification from an institution recognised by the Chinese Ministry of Education Bachelor degree from a regular degree- granting or Junior Colleges and adult higher education institutions is required for advanced entry to Level 6 of this programme.
In this section
The Communication degree prepares you for a career in communication roles in the public, private and voluntary sectors. You will be supported to develop a professional identity, knowledge and skills to enhance your prospects for employment, academic progression and continuing professional development.
£4,750.00
£9,250.00
£16,320.00
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
