United School for Liberal Studies
Master in Communication Studies
MA
DURATION
12 months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
CHF 33,600 *
STUDY FORMAT
Blended, On-Campus
* price may be different based on location
Key Summary
Program duration: 9 up to 12 months full-time
Program format: Full-time, Part-time, On-campus, Online, Hybrid
Program language: English
Degree awarded: Master in Communication Studies
Deadline: no deadline to apply
Locations: Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, Tokyo, Zurich
Starting dates: 8
Program duration
Full-time students can earn a Master's degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.
Part-time students can earn a Master's degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection, and the course planning. Completing half the typical number of courses equals twice the typical duration of the full-time program. The more flexible your working hours, the more courses you will be able to join to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Refer to the Teaching Schedule information on this page for more details on available courses. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.
Kick-start your studies up to 8 times per year
Students can choose between multiple starting dates in the fall, winter, spring, and summer of each academic year. Our modular course design and program structure allow for optimal further education planning.
Because of the program's flexible structure and modular design, multiple starting dates are available throughout the academic year in October, November, January, February, April, May, July, or August. All campuses follow the same academic calendar.
Study destinations
Students can transfer between campuses on a quarterly basis with guaranteed program compatibility. Our quarter-based academic calendar allows for a continuous study-abroad experience across Europe and Asia.
Our 9 global campus locations are based in Amsterdam, Antwerp, Barcelona, Brussels, Geneva, Madrid, Milan, Tokyo, and Zurich.
Our campuses are all located in the city center of several exciting destinations. Students are encouraged to transfer between campuses for one or more quarters, but may also choose a single campus as their destination of choice. Students who prefer shorter periods abroad can join our seminar courses taught by visiting professors at several of our campuses throughout the academic year.
Accreditation
Upon successful completion of the study program, students receive an international private Master in Communication Studies degree awarded by the school's headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned.
Teaching schedule
Courses are available in various formats, including daytime courses typically between 8.30 and 18.30, seminar courses with visiting professors on two or more consecutive days, online and distance learning courses available 24/7, private courses, and at certain campuses also evening courses typically from 19.00 to 22.00 and weekend courses typically on Saturdays, or any combination in a blended format. Courses are scheduled usually in sessions of 3 hours each. Connect with an admissions advisor, or refer to the course planning once enrolled to find out more about course availability in specific formats throughout the academic year and at our various campuses.
Program requirements
The structure of our flexible study programs is based on the American model of higher education, allowing students to choose their courses (with some limitations) based on program requirements, previous studies, current interests, and future ambitions. Each of our programs has different "Program Requirements" that need to be met by the end of the studies. Once a minimum number of courses has been completed or a minimum number of credits has been earned in each category of these Program Requirements, a request for graduation can be submitted.
Program requirements
| Courses | European Credits (EC) | |
| Courses from the Communication Studies cluster | 6 | 12 |
| General Courses | 12 | 24 |
| Electives | 6 | 12 |
| Subtotal | 24 | 48 |
| Final Project |
| 12 |
| Total | 60 |
Courses from the Communication Studies cluster
- COM5002 - Communication Policies (2)
- COM5003 - Communication Theory and Research (2)
- COM5101 - Comprehensive Cases in Business Communication (2)
- COM5102 - Comprehensive Cases in Communication Studies (2)
- COM5004 - Digital Communication (2)
- COM5005 - Effective Public Relations (2)
- COM5007 - Political Communication (2)
- COM5008 - Professional Journalism (2)
General Courses
- HIS5001 - Classical Civilizations (2)
- CUL5001 - Comparative Cultures (2)
- REL5001 - Comparative Religions (2)
- ASI5101 - Comprehensive Cases in Asian Studies (2)
- EUR5101 - Comprehensive Cases in European Studies (2)
- POL5101 - Comprehensive Cases in International Relations (2)
- LAN5001 - Contemporary Literature (2)
- SOC5001 - Ethics in Society (2)
- INT5001 - Interdisciplinary Studies (2)
- POL5002 - Public Policy (2)
- POL5003 - Systems of Government (2)
Scholarships are limitedly available, in the form of a fee reduction of the total program fees. Students can apply for a scholarship based on previous academic merit (minimum average grade of 80% or more). Scholarships are only available for full-time, on-campus students.
Scholarships are limitedly available, in the form of a fee reduction of the total program fees. Students can apply for a scholarship based on previous academic merit (minimum average grade of 80% or more). Scholarships are only available for full-time, on-campus students.
For more information about scholarships, please visit the institute website.
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UIBS has been ranked in Tier One of the CEO Magazine Global MBA Rankings 2024, placing among the top programs in Europe. Our Online MBA holds the #14 position worldwide, reflecting its excellence in digital learning. Additionally, UIBS is featured in the 2024 Global DBA Listing, reinforcing our leadership in doctoral business education. We are also proud to be recognised by QS Stars for our outstanding performance in teaching, online learning, business studies, and employability, underscoring our commitment to academic excellence and innovation.
Upon successful completion of the study program students receive an international private Master in Communication Studies degree awarded by the school's main campus in Zurich, Switzerland, based on the recommendation of the faculty of the local campuses where credits were earned, and upon the recommendation of the school's Academic Council.
Career preparation and job placement
Our Careers Department supports our students in planning their career paths by:
- organizing several career seminars
- offering the possibility of meeting with business professionals interested in recruiting
- maintaining job and internship listings on our Careers Portal.
Our study programs are designed to meet the demands of a broad range of business professions. Students are also assisted with finding attractive internships and jobs with local as well as multinational companies and organizations. In addition, we also review our students' CVs and provide useful tips for job interviews.
Dedicated career services
With the help from our dedicated career services and our online career center, students and alumni get the career support they need to help their professional careers take off.
Our dedicated career department organizes relevant career seminars and guest speaker events on a quarterly basis, and our online career center provides 24/7 access to the latest job offers and internship opportunities and to a wide range of videos and articles with helpful tips and advice.
Professional career perspectives
Our professional study programs prepare students for a wide range of professions across a wide range of industries. Important to note is that our programs do not aim for access to regulated professions or government employment. While access to government employment may be limited because of the private nature of our degrees, several alumni do work for government authorities in a number of positions.
Program duration
Full-time students can earn a Master's degree in 1 academic year of 9 months, for a total of 3 quarters of 20 credits each, or within 12 months when spreading the workload.
Part-time students can earn a Master's degree in 2 to 3 academic years, depending on the number of courses attempted per quarter, the course selection, and the course planning. Completing half the typical number of courses equals twice the typical duration of the full-time program. The more flexible your working hours, the more courses you will be able to join to finish faster. Students are considered part-time while attempting 6 or fewer courses per quarter. Refer to the Teaching Schedule information on this page for more details on available courses. Part-time studies are available only for students with a national passport or residence permit.