Enrolment & Admission
What are the admission criteria for Communication Studies?
To gain admission, you should have excellent A-Level grades, and possess good oral and written linguistic skills. We welcome students from all streams as long as you meet the standards set by the Office of Admissions.

If I have a diploma from a polytechnic, am I eligible for enrolment?
Top students from polytechnics are encouraged to apply for admission to our course. However, competition is very keen because we only have 180 places each year.

Are subject exemptions offered?
SCI has no mandate for subject exemptions. However, Poly graduates may look forward to converting the subjects taken at the Polytechnic to academic units at the School. Poly graduates may take a shorter duration, possibly three years, instead of the usual four to complete the Honours degree.

Exemptions from subjects are granted on a case-by-case basis.

Do I have to be good in English?
It is important for candidates to be proficient in English. Proficiency in a second language is also encouraged.

The Course
How is our course different?
The Bachelor of Communication Studies (Honours) offers much more than the technical training one receives at a polytechnic. We help students realise develop analytical skills and their creative potential.

Our curriculum provides a well-grounded and broad-based education. Subjects of various disciplines are offered, giving students a broader perspective, and at the same time, suit the needs of the industry.

Chances for advancement are greater for degree holders. Therefore, you can expect to move beyond the technical level of employment and be prime candidates for managerial and executive positions.

What is the advantage of our course over an overseas course?
Our course is a direct entry Honours degree. Our students will graduate with a Bachelor of Communication Studies (Honours). In most courses overseas, students will only receive a Bachelor’s degree, with the option to continue onto Honours only available to students who have achieved outstanding grades.

During the course, there is a compulsory 24-week professional internship, where students will have the added advantage of networking with the organisations they are likely to work with after graduation.

Our course content is more relevant to the Singapore and regional context, and there is also the opportunity for students to participate in exchange programmes with universities in Europe, North America, Australia and Asia.

Will I have a choice of subjects in each semester?
You will be able to select subjects within specified concentrations to a certain extent. For instance, you may select prescribed electives and general electives. The modular structure of the curriculum gives you the freedom to select subjects from other specialisations as well.

I have heard that your course is very much theory-based. Is that true?
It is important for you to develop conceptual and analytical skills through theory building. Hence, some of the courses will necessarily be theoretical.

However, you will also receive essential technical training. For example, you will have to undergo an internship and a practicum. The practicum enables you to develop hands-on training in journalism, radio and television broadcasting.

The Curriculum
Will I have a choice of subjects in each semester
You will be able to select subjects within specified concentrations to a certain extent. For instance, you may select the prescribed electives and general electives. The modular structure of the curriculum gives you the freedom to select subjects from other specialisations as well.

What minors can I take?
Minors are optional and you have a choice of a minor from any School at NTU, on the condition that prerequisites are completed.

What sort of professional training will I undergo during my course of study?
You will undergo a 24-week professional internship, where you will get hands-on experience working in the industry. The internship will also allow you to network with prospective employers.

Can I replace some core subjects with prescribed electives or general electives from
other schools?
You will need to read the required number of academic units (AU) for the core, prescribed and general electives within a particular year of study. However, you can take extra AU for general electives.

What happens if I fail a subject?
If you fail a Core subject, you will have to repeat it since Core subjects are mandatory. But if you fail a general or prescribed elective, you can register for another general or prescribed elective from that particular year of study to replace the subject that you failed.

Is there an option to continue my studies to a Master’s degree?
We offer a Master’s and Doctoral programme by research, as well as by coursework. To be eligible, you would need a good Honours degree from a recognised university with one year relevant working experience, or a bachelor's degree from a recognised university with at least two years of relevant working experience.

It generally takes 1½ years full-time or 2-3 years part-time to complete the course. The maximum time allowed for degree completion is 4 academic years.

Career Prospects
What sort of careers does SCI prepare me for?
You can expect to find outstanding career opportunities in journalism, book and magazine publishing, broadcasting, advertising, public relations, and communication research.

All job market indicators in the field of communication studies are positive, because the trend towards regionalisation and globalisation of business means an increase in the demand for media and communication support.

Which of the four divisions should I major in to make me most employable?
There are 4 divisions that you can major in in your third year of study, namely Journalism and Publishing, Electronic and Broadcast Media, Public and Promotional Communication, and Communication Research.

There are ample job opportunities in all the divisions. The rapid growth of new technologies makes it impossible to predict which division will have the most job opportunities in five years. The broad-based curriculum aims to progressively broaden your knowledge base and prepare you to pursue a career outside of your specialisation.