Program Overview

Communication Studies (BA)

The Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies is a well-established and respected program in North America, combining creative media production with the study of media theory, criticism, and history. The program draws from the humanities, social sciences, and fine arts, training many influential media makers.

Program Overview

The program allows students to work with various media art forms, examining how meaning and ideas are communicated through media in different ways. In the first year, students create projects with sound, video, and intermedia, as well as study theory, criticism, and history of communications and media.

Program Highlights

• A mix of theory and practice with opportunities to learn about sound and visual media production in state-of-the-art labs
• Project-based learning with small groups of students
• The internationally-renowned Communication Studies program combines media theory, criticism, and history with creative production courses in intermedia, moving images, and sound

Program Structure

A Bachelor of Arts degree takes a minimum of three or four years (90120 credits) of full-time study, depending on the academic background.

• Major in Communication Studies (42 credits)
• Specialization in Communication Studies (60 credits)

Courses

Students learn to analyze and critique media and popular culture by integrating interdisciplinary knowledge from the humanities, fine arts, and social sciences.

Admission Criteria

This program is only available for Fall admission.

• Minimum cut-off averages and course requirements:
  • Quebec CEGEP: 24
  • High School: B-
  • International Baccalaureate (IB) diploma: 27
  • International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme (CP): 4.5/7
  • Baccalauréat français: 12
  • British system of education (GCE): At least two A-level exams
• Additional requirements for admission:
  • Application Essay (two parts uploaded as a single PDF)

Application Essay Instructions

The Application Essay provides the opportunity to demonstrate readiness and motivation to join the BA program. It consists of two parts:

1. Critical analysis of a chosen media piece, tying the analysis into examples from everyday life and ideas from previous studies.
2. Connection of the program's webpage, courses, and research strengths to future plans, including life experience, scholarly interests, and creative endeavors.

Technical Guidelines

• Both parts of the essay should be submitted together as a single PDF file.
• The essay should be formatted in 12pt Times New Roman font, single-spaced, with 1-inch margins.
• The essay must be written without the assistance of Generative AI software.

Application Deadlines

• FALL ENTRY (September): Deadline is March 1
• U.S. and international applicants: Apply no later than February 1 to allow time for immigration document processing.

After Your Degree

The program opens up many career paths in the media arts and cultural industries, such as entry-level positions in film, television, radio, animation, social media, publishing, and professional writing. It also prepares students for advanced studies at the graduate level.

Other Programs of Interest

• Communication and Cultural Studies (BA)
• Intermedia (Video, Performance and Electronic Arts) (BFA)
• Journalism (BA)