University of Nottingham Ningbo ChinaStudy with usUndergraduateCoursesProspectus

Prospectus

 

BA (Hons) International Communications Studies

Course prospectus hero image

Key information

Degree

BA (Hons) International Communications Studies

Types of study

Full time

Duration

Three or four years depending on entry qualifications

Start date

September 2025

Faculty

International Communications / Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences

Study model

4+0

Note: For the 2+2 study model courses, the student will spend the last two years at our UK campus. For the 4+0 study model courses, the student will spend the entire degree programme in Ningbo, China with 'study abroad' opportunities from year three.

Introductory video

VZan
566610

Entry requirements

Depending on your academic and English language qualifications, you may be eligible for a traditional three year degree programme, or a four year programme with a preliminary year enabling you to gain the subject-specific knowledge and skills required to embark on degree-level studies.

Please find the entry requirement relevant to your country of origin here. If your country is not listed, please email global@nottingham.edu.cn.  

If you are a mainland Chinese student, your Gaokao score should be in the first division as a minimum requirement, and your English test score should be no less than 115/150. For more details, please check the Chinese version prospectus.

English language requirements 

If your first language is not English or your entry qualification was not obtained in the English medium (from an approved institution) you are required to provide evidence of your proficiency in English.

Minimum requirements for the four-year programme:

  • IELTS 5.5 (no less than 5.0 in any element) or
  • PTE Academic 59 (minimum 53) or
  • TOEFL (IBT) 80 (minimum 17 in Writing and Listening, 18 in Reading and 20 in Speaking)

Minimum requirements for the three-year programme:

  • IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in writing) or
  • PTE Academic 71 (minimum 65) or
  • TOEFL (IBT) 90 (minimum 19 in Writing)

Minimum age requirements

You should be at least 18 years of age on admission to the University. The date of "admission" is defined as the first day of September in the relevant academic year. This requirement may be waived on an individual basis if your parents or guardians give their written agreement in advance to additional safeguards and requirements. Visit here for more information.

Course overview

The programme provides you 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 an Asian Language (Japanese or Korean) from beginners' to advanced level will form a core element in years two to four.

You will also have an opportunity to enrich your studies by taking modules offered by International Studies and International Business.

Special features

International Communications degrees explore the complex world of communications, media and culture. You will study different forms of visual and linguistic communication, new technologies, politics, popular and high culture, and news media.

  • Learn with expert staff who conduct internationally acclaimed research
  • Engage with objects, images and media of the past and understand how they influence us in the present
  • Develop critical tools to see and understand the world differently

Course structure

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 to the study of communications: Introduction to Information and Technology, Media and Texts: Society, Introduction to Analytical Thought, and Media  and Texts: Culture.

See Year One Programme for more information.

Year Two (Qualifying Year) 

In this first year of specialist study, 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 (French, German,  Japanese, Spanish or Korean), 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, political communications and etc.. 

Two special compulsory modules 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 ( French, German, Japanese, Spanish or Korean). 

Additionally, you will have the opportunity to participate in an exchange or study abroad programme for one or both semesters of their third year.

See Exchange and Study Abroad Programme for more information.

Year Four (Part II)

In this year you can choose from a number of optional modules. 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 (French, German,  Japanese, Spanish or Korean). 

Careers and further study

Understanding how to communicate, learn, express yourself and do business on global digital media platforms with people from all over the world is at the core of our teaching programmes. The skills and knowledge will lead you to a wide variety of industries including:

  • Media
  • Public relations
  • Marketing
  • TV station
  • Advertisement

Our students prove to be highly articulate and develop good writing, presentation, teamwork, negotiation, research and documentation skills.

Of the 168 undergraduates who graduated from the School of International Communications in 2023, 153 students sought further study. These graduates were admitted to top 100 ranked institutions in the UK, Australia, China (Hong Kong) and the US. Destinations included University College of London and Imperial College London in the UK, the University of Hong Kong in China (Hong Kong), the University of Melbourne in Australia, and New York University in the US.

Additionally, second (or third) language acquisition as part of their undergraduate degree enabled our graduates to pursue further study in Spain, France and Japan.

Fees

Chinese Mainland students

100,000 RMB / year (2024 Entry)

China's Hong Kong, Macao & Taiwan students

100,000 RMB / year (2024 Entry)

International students

120,000 RMB / year

Scholarships, sponsorships and bursaries

To encourage academic excellence, we offer a comprehensive and expanding range of full and partial scholarships. 

Historically nearly 30% of our undergraduate students were awarded scholarships for their entry. Once enrolled, current students are eligible for additional merit and/or performance-based scholarships and awards, which covers approximately 32.5% of our whole student body.

Please check here for scholarship types and policies for applicants from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and overseas countries. If you are a mainland Chinese student, please visit the Chinese language prospectus.

More information

Download a PDF version of the School Brochure.

Contact us

Student Recruitment and Admission Office

University of Nottingham Ningbo China
199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315100, China

E. admissions@nottingham.edu.cn
T. +86 (0574) 8818 0182
W.


Faculty Office of Humanities and Social Sciences

Room 306, Innovation and Enterprise Building (IEB)
University of Nottingham Ningbo China
199 Taikang East Road, Ningbo, 315100, China

E. FHSS@nottingham.edu.cn
W.


Ready to apply? Browse our how to apply page to find our more on how to prepare and submit your application.

Related courses