BA International Communications Studies

Introduction to the Program

The Bachelor’s in International Communications Studies at The University of Nottingham Ningbo China (UNNC) is a three or four year undergraduate 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

This interdisciplinary degree programme aims to develop a soundly based understanding of the various factors which influence the way communications now take place in an increasingly interconnected world at the same time as giving an insight into the skills and knowledge required by the contemporary international communications industries. As such, the programme provides students with an opportunity to study a wide range of subjects, including contemporary mass media, journalism, new digital communications, the history of European and American societies, communications theory, the psychology of communications, arts and communications and cultural studies. In addition, the study of a European language (French, Spanish or German) or Japanese from beginners’ to advanced level will form a core element in years two to four. Students will also have an opportunity to enrich their studies by taking modules offered by International Studies and International Business.

Course Structure

In order to graduate with a degree in International Communications Studies, students must obtain a minimum of 260 credits in modules offered by the BA in International Communications Studies with additional credits obtained through optional modules offered by other BA programmes based in Ningbo.

Year One (Preliminary Year) 

The first year comprises a special programme of English for Academic Purposes designed by staff from the highly experienced Centre of English Language Learning (CELE) at the University of Nottingham. This is carefully integrated with the content programmes offered by each academic division so as to prepare students fully for years 2-4 of the degree. Three of the content modules on year 1 are specifically related top the study of communications: British Media and Culture; British Film and Society; and Inter-Cultural Communications.

Year Two (Qualifying Year) 

In this first year of specialist study there are core modules covering communications and technology, media and society, communications and culture, and the cultures of everyday life. These extensive twenty-credit modules are structured around a student-centred learning approach to learning with extensive reading set alongside practical exercises intended to familiarise students with contemporary communications theory and practice. These modules will also give you an opportunity to practice the study skills needed for more independent research later on in your degree. You will also begin your language studies (Spanish, French, German or Japanese), which are designed to foster the multi-lingual communication skills needed to be successful in the international arena today.

Year Three (Part I)

During this year, you will build on the skills and knowledge you have acquired so far by applying them to a more in-depth study of issues relating to contemporary international communications in a variety of core and optional modules. Optional topics include global media and communication, cultural analysis, cultural industry, political communications, translating cultures, and public relations and propaganda. These are largely ten credit modules. Two special compulsory modules, Researching Communications 1 and 2, will deepen your understanding of the role and importance of research in the field and help you develop a research dissertation project for the final year. You will also continue your language studies at a second higher level in (Spanish, French, German or Japanese). 

Year Four (Part II)

In this year you can choose from a number of optional modules, such as Arts and Cultural Policy; Psychology, Communications and the Self; Critical Communication; Ideology, Culture and Post-modernity; Deviance, Subcultures and Cinema; and The New Media World. Besides taught modules the focus of your study in this final year is an individual dissertation project. This is on a topic of your own choice and consists of guided research spread over the whole academic year. You will also complete your language training with a third more advanced level in (Spanish, French, German or Japanese). 

Modules

Entry Requirements

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.

To ensure that you can fully benefit from your studies at UNNC, you will need to demonstrate a required level of English language proficiency.

For Preliminary year (year one) entry

• IELTS 5.5 with the writing band no less than 5.0 or
• PTE Academic 55 (minimum 51)

For Qualifying year (year two) entry

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

Students who have completed a recognised degree, or completed the whole of their secondary education in one of these countries within the last 10 years are not normally required to take a separate English language test.

Otherwise, in addition to the more common language qualifications – such as IELTS, TOEFL, (I)GCSE, O level, IB and A and AS level English – the University also considers a number of other English language qualifications for admission.

The minimum English language requirement for BA English Language and Applied Linguistics, BA English Language and Literature, and BA English with International Business is:

• IELTS 7.0 with each band no less than 6.0 or
• PTE Academic 67 (minimum 55)

Start Date of the program

September

Application Deadline

31 May

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees are RMB80000 per year. The total for the 4 year program is 320000 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.