MA International Communications Studies

Introduction to the Program

The Master’s in International Communications Studies at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is a one or two year postgraduate degree program taught in English.

About UNNC

The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) was the first Sino-foreign university to open its doors in China. Established in 2004, with the full approval of the Chinese Ministry of Education, we are run by The University of Nottingham with cooperation from Zhejiang Wanli Education Group, a key player in the education sector in China.

The University of Nottingham is in the top one percent of more than 7,500 higher education institutions worldwide and league tables consistently rank the University highly. For more info visit the page here.

About the Program

In the simplest terms, communication can be described as the production, transmission/exchange and reception of messages. In recent decades, however, the theory and practice of communications have been strongly affected by significant social, cultural, economic and technological changes that have taken place world-wide. As a consequence, a range of critical-theoretical concepts, including ‘globalisation’, ‘multi-nationalism’, ‘mass-culture’, ‘mass-media’, ‘the information society’ and ‘post-modernity’ have become increasingly important to the description and analysis of all forms of communication not only by academics, but also by the communications industries themselves.

The MA in International Communications Studies – which is designed to meet the needs of graduates from both a communications and non-communications studies background – provides an opportunity not only to study communications against the background of recent theoretical and methodological developments, but also to gain an insight into the skills and knowledge required by the contemporary communications industry sector.

Educational Aims

The aims of the MA International Communications Studies programme are to enable students to:

Enhance their knowledge and understanding of the theoretical bases of verbal and non-verbal communication
Enhance their knowledge and understanding of the cultural, social, political and economic bases of communications internationally
Acquire a high level of proficiency in an East-Asian language or in one European language other than English
Develop their intellectual skills
Make use of some of the specialised forms of knowledge in the disciplines represented on the degree
Practice and develop a wide range of transferable skills that will prepare students for further study and for employment

Outline Description of the Programme

The MA is structured around a range of compulsory and elective modules. The compulsory modules provide the core skills and knowledge needed to analyse various forms of communication in their contemporary social and cultural settings as well as an opportunity to acquire either a modern European or Asian language. Elective modules will enable students to develop a wider critical understanding of the way in which communications now take place within an increasingly interdependent world. The module Communications Theory and research Methodologies is specifically designed to provide students with a core module on advanced research skills both generic and subject specific.

Semester One

Compulsory modules provide the core skills and knowledge needed to analyse various forms of communication in their contemporary social and cultural settings as well as an opportunity to acquire either a modern European (French, Spanish, German) or East-Asian language (Japanese or Chinese). These modules include Communications Theory and Research Methodologies; Approaches to Globalisation and Contemporary Communications and Contemporary Communications society and Culture. The module Communications Theory and Research Methodologies is specifically designed to provide students with insight into how the theory and methodology of contemporary communications can be applied directly to differing forms of media production.

Semester Two

Elective modules will enable students to develop a wider critical understanding of the way in which communications now take place within an increasingly interdependent world. Students will continue to study their chosen language. During this semester students will also be required to develop a major dissertation project with the support of tutors. Students will complete this dissertation project to an agreed deadline following the taught component.

Entry Requirements

We consider applicants on the basis of academic merits. Although the entry requirements for our masters degrees vary depending on the course, as a general rule, you are expected to hold an honours degree at 2:1 level or above (or international equivalent) in an appropriate subject. Evidence of relevant personal, professional and educational experience may also be taken into consideration.

Minimum English Requirement

In addition to academic requirements, students whose first language is not English or entry qualification was not obtained in the English medium are required to provide evidence of their proficiency in English.

IELTS 6.5 with the writing band no less than 6.0 or
PTE Academic 62 (minimum 55)

*The minimum English Language requirement for MA Interpreting and Translation Mandarin and English, MA Applied Linguistics, MA Applied Linguistics and English Language Teaching and MSc Communication and International Entrepreneurship, is:

IELTS 7.0 with no less than 6.0 in any element or
PTE Academic 67 (minimum 55)

*The minimum English Language requirement for MSc Engineering Surveying and Geodesy is:

IELTS 6.0 with no less than 5.0 in any element or
PTE Academic 55 (minimum 51)

Start Date of the program

September

Application Deadline

15th July

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the 1 year masters program is RMB90000. The tuition fees for the 2 year masters program is RMB80000 per year. The total for the 2 year program is 160000 RMB.

Accommodation

The University has several buildings designated for international students, building 11, 18 and 20. All rooms are fully furnished and equipped with air conditioning and a telephone and computer point; enabling students to make and receive telephone calls and access the University’s data network from their bedrooms. For further information on the accommodation visit the accommodation page here.