The growing dominance of media and communications on everyday life has had a major influence on society. Many parameters within the media communications industry have changed, owing to the introduction of digital media as a core component. Media communications is an umbrella term that engulfs areas such as publishing, photography, cinema, the news media, print media, broadcasting, advertising and more. The industry is booming with job opportunities, thanks to the incorporation of digital ways of doing things in media and communications. Today, professionals can find jobs in the industry that are diverse in nature, allowing them to dip their toes in a variety of activities. The bachelor’s degree in media communications offered by Webster University introduces students to the various facets of media communications and prepares them to become job-ready to enter the dynamic media industry. This programme will help students develop crucial strategic, creative and problem-solving skills to establish a career in media communications.

  • This bachelor’s programme is offered with a flexible schedule that allows students to complete the programme within three to four years. During the course of the programme, students will have to complete 128 credit hours worth of subjects to acquire a qualification degree.

  • To get admitted into the BA Media Communications programme, students must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:
    • The applicants must have acquired a CGPA of 2.5 (on a scale of 4.0) or equivalent in all previous academic qualifications;
    • The applicants must have achieved A score of 550/80 in Academic TOEFL or 6.0 in Academic IELTS examination;
    • The applicants have to submit a 400 to 500-word essay on a topic of their choice;
    • The applicants must submit two letters of recommendation from a teacher, counsellor or employer;
    • The applicants must submit a copy of their passport’s biographical page;
    • The applicants must submit their current residence permit or visa for the Netherlands.

  • The course structure of this undergraduate programme requires students to take up nine compulsory modules worth 39 credit hours and elective courses worth 12 credit hours, of which 6 hours must be at the 3000-level or above and the remaining 6 hours must be chosen from the elective courses offered at the School of Communications. With this programme, students will gather an in-depth understanding of:
     

    Compulsory modules
    Module 1: In the first module, students have the option to choose from two subject areas – Introduction to Media Production or Introduction to Media Production for Journalists.
     
    In this module, students will be introduced to the basic principles of photography, filmmaking, audio and video production and applied media aesthetics. They will also develop skills pertaining to interactive media and acquire hands-on experience by participating in group projects. The emphasis of this module is on making students familiar with the creative and technical aspects of media production.
     
    Module 2: Introduction to mass communications
    This module will help students develop an understanding of the various factors that influence the everyday exchange of information. This may include cultural, institutional or linguistic factors that shape the way information is communicated. Students will also acquire an in-depth understanding of the history of media and its evolution over the years. Furthermore, students will develop skills that will allow students to analyse and study media and its concepts.
     
    Module 3: In the third module, students have the option to choose from two subject areas – Introduction to Media Writing or Fundamentals of Reporting.
     
    In this module, students will acquire knowledge about fundamentals related to interviewing, conducting basic research, effective expression and editing. Furthermore, students will be equipped with important reporting skills such as interviewing, taking notes, drafting and revising. This module emphasises on the need to hone observation skills, the ability to choose the right language and identify a credible source in order to appropriately communicate ideas and information to a select section of the audience.
     
    Module 4: Media Literacy
    Being well-versed in media literacy is an important attribute for professionals who want to forge a career in the media communications industry. This module focuses on honing the media literacy skills of students and cultivating their curiosity to learn more. The media literacy module introduces students to reasons why being information and media literate is important and how it helps in engaging with the digital audience. With this module, students can develop necessary skills such as critical thinking abilities, ability to create information in various forms and understand and analyse the information shared through across different media channels.
     
    Module 5: Ethics in the Media
    The primary focus of this module is to acquaint students with the strings of ethical issues that journalists and media professionals face during the course of their career. Students will acquire an in-depth understanding of issues such as privacy, the need to be the first to report news of substance and anonymous sources, by assessing the real-life case studies of journalists. Students are not only trained to handle ethical issues better but also to become better media consumers.
     
    Module 6: In the sixth module, students have the option to choose from two subject areas – Cultural Diversity in the Media or International Communications.
     
    In this module, students are familiarised with the intricate concepts of communication practices across international borders. They garner a broad perspective of international communication which engulfs social, economic, political, military and cultural concerns. The module focuses on defining the ways and components of government-to-government, business-to-business and people-to-people interactions across international boundaries and at a global level.
     
    Module 7: The Law and the Media
    This module of the BA Media Communications focuses on media law and its various facets. Students are equipped with in-depth knowledge of the competing rights and interests of individuals within a society such as the right to information, free expression and free media. Simultaneously, they will gain insights into other parallel concepts such as privacy, intellectual property, national security, confidentiality and more. In this module, students develop an understanding of the fundamental rights and responsibilities of the media as an entity.
     
    Module 8: Interpersonal Communications
    In this module, students will develop skills that can not only aid in their professional growth but can also contribute to their personal development. They will be equipped with skills that can help them become better listeners, work efficiently in teams, build healthy and productive relationships within a work environment and perform efficiently in a work setting.
    Module 9: In this module, students have to choose from two options – Senior Review/Thesis or Internship.
     
    This module is focused on helping students acquire hands-on experience in media communications in a real-world work setting. Students can practically implement the theoretical knowledge they have gathered during the course of their study.
     
    Elective modules
    In the elective modules, students have to complete 12 credit hours worth of subjects, of which they can use 6 credit hours to gain a specialisation in advertising, animation, scriptwriting, photography or any other subject of their interest.
  • The full-programme tuition fee for this bachelor of arts degree is about $72,000 (approx. Rs. 52,00,000) and comprises 128 credit hours.
     
    *The tuition fees in Rupees is subject to change as per exchange rates.
     
    * We also offer scholarships
     
    Webster Univerisity offers a provision of financial aid for students who need financial support to pay for their educational expenses. However, the amount awarded to students through the financial aid provision is at the discretion of the college authorities.

Why opt for BA Media Communications?

The dynamism of the media profession and its widespread impact on global socio-economic issues have contributed to its growing popularity among students. As we the world is becoming more accepting of digital media and related media processes, the demand for professionals trained to tend the changing dynamics has increased. The BA in Media Communications programme can help students critically analyse media messages, develop creative problem-solving skills and strategically use media in context.

Who should opt for BA Media Communications?

Students who have a keen interest in media communications can opt to take up this study abroad course. The course is tailor-made for students who want to enter the media industry and want to work in related fields.

Scope and future of BA Media Communications

Media and communications have been an integral part of the global economy and hold a strong influence on society. With new forms of information sharing methods being incorporated within the media industry, the number of media communications jobs has increased exponentially. More students are opting to pursue a course in media communications to enter the publishing, cinema, news media, print media or photography field. As the digital presence becomes more dominant, the media industry is expected to expand at a rapid rate, creating more job opportunities for the coming generations.

Career prospects after pursuing BA Media Communications

Media Buyer: As a media buyer, you will be responsible for acquiring media space and time slots for advertising clients. Media buyers must have efficient organisational skills, excellent verbal communication skills, strong numeracy and data management skills and the ability to work under pressure. Their typical responsibilities include:

  • Designing effective strategies for media buying;

  • Collaborating with different media outlets to negotiate time slots and advertising spaces;

  • Contributing to media planning;

  • Identifying target audiences and developing media campaigns accordingly;

  • Negotiating and comparing airtime, ad space and rates;

  • Experimenting with new media channels and platforms;

  • Monitoring campaign costs and return on investment (ROI);

  • Building effective relationships with clients.

Public Relations Officer (PRO): Public relations officers are expected to have strong communication and presentation skills, good planning skills and ability to prioritise, excellent interpersonal skills and extensive knowledge about different media programmes. As a PRO, you will be required to ensure that effective communication is maintained between an organisation and its stakeholders, media and the public. Your day-to-day responsibilities would include:

  • Designing PR campaigns and developing media relations strategies;

  • Building effective relationships with the media, public and stakeholders of the organisation;

  • Preparing and distributing press releases;

  • Liaising with internal teams and implementing open communication channels with the leadership team;

  • Organising PR events and acting as the spokesperson of an organisation;

  • Tracking media coverage and staying abreast with industry trends;

  • Preparing PR reports and submitting them to the management;

  • Addressing press inquiries;

  • Managing PR issues.

Social Media Manager: As a social media manager, you will be responsible for administering the social media accounts of an organisation. Your responsibilities would include:

  • Conducting research on current benchmark trends;

  • Identifying the target audience and their preferences;

  • Developing and applying social media strategies in line with business goals;

  • Setting goals and gauging the performance of strategies;

  • Monitoring website traffic and SEO metrics;

  • Liaising with internal teams to maintain brand consistency;

  • Overseeing the design and layout of social media accounts;

  • Creating strategies to enhance the brand awareness;

  • Staying abreast with the current technologies and trends in the social media industry.

If you want to enter the dynamic industry of media communications, acquiring a professional qualification that can equip you with the necessary skills can be a good idea. So, apply for the media communications degree programme and become a qualified media professional.