Bachelor of Communication and Information Studies

BCISUndergraduateMedia & Communication

About This Programme

An ACEJMC-accredited media and communication degree with a shared core in global media, media economics, writing and production, then specialisation in Journalism or Digital Production and Storytelling (English and Arabic tracks).

Course Highlights

  • ACEJMC-accredited communication degree
  • Taught at AUD, ranked #620 in the QS World University Rankings 2027
  • US-accredited (SACSCOC) American credit degree taught in English
  • AUD reports around 92% graduate employment

What You'll Study

Taught full time, in person, on an American credit-hour system, in English.

Summary of degree requirements

125 credit hours in total.

  • Core23 credits
  • Major30 credits
  • Arts and Sciences Core36 credits
  • Language and Literature6 credits
  • General Electives (Excluding the MBRSC courses)30 credits

AUD publishes 2 variants of this degree in one table; each column reaches the same 125 credit hours, so they are alternatives, not additions. The credits shown are the first variant.

Arabic Track

  • MEST 301 Arabic Proficiency I (Req.)3 credits
  • MEST 302 Arabic Proficiency II (Req.)3 credits

One of 3 alternatives published for this degree; the summary table above counts this block once, so they are choices rather than additional credits.

English Track

  • ENGL 210 Creative Writing (Req.)3 credits
  • ENGL 211 British Literature I3 credits
  • ENGL 212 British Literature II3 credits
  • ENGL 221 American Literature I3 credits
  • ENGL 222 American Literature II3 credits
  • ENGL 231 World Literature I3 credits
  • ENGL 232 World Literature II3 credits

One of 3 alternatives published for this degree; the summary table above counts this block once, so they are choices rather than additional credits.

ENGL 275-278 Special Topics in Literature 3

  • ENGL 311 World Mythology3 credits
  • ENGL 312 Bibliography/Autobiography3 credits
  • ENGL 313 Children’s Literature3 credits
  • ENGL 314 Coming-Of-Age Novels3 credits
  • ENGL 315 Contemporary Female Authors3 credits
  • ENGL 316 Prize-Winning Authors3 credits
  • ENGL 475 Special Topics in Literature3 credits

Core for Both Majors

  • COMM 101 Introduction to Global Media3 credits

COMM 103* Media, Culture and Society 3

  • COMM 201 Media Economics and Research3 credits
  • COMM 202 Ethical and Legal Responsibilities in the Mass Media3 credits

Core for Digital Production and Storytelling

  • COMM 105 Introduction to Scripted and Non-Scripted TV Formats2 credits
  • COMM 106 The Language of Film3 credits

Cinematography

  • COMM 241 Introduction to Production3 credits

Core for Journalism

  • COMM 104 Introduction to Non-Fiction TV Formats2 credits

COMM 222* Multiplatform Storytelling 3

  • COMM 243 Introduction to Production for Journalism3 credits

Major Option: Digital Production and Storytelling

  • DPST 302 Media and Public Service3 credits

One of 3 alternatives published for this degree; the summary table above counts this block once, so they are choices rather than additional credits.

DPST 323* Screenwriting and Producing TV Series 3

  • DPST 340 Intermediate Production3 credits
  • DPST 361 Online Communities3 credits

DPST 422* Capstone Storytelling 3

24 credit hours required.

  • DPST 444 Capstone Production3 credits
  • DPST 461 Internship3 credits

Major Core

  • JOUR 301 Visualizing News3 credits
  • JOUR 302 Newsroom Management and Decision Making3 credits

JOUR/DPST 441* The Documentary 3

  • JOUR 461 Media and Politics in the Middle-East3 credits

JOUR 462* Capstone Project 3

27 credit hours required.

  • JOUR 463 Internship3 credits

JOUR 209* Selected Topics in Journalism 3

  • JOUR 323 * Editorial and Critical Writing3 credits

JOUR and DPST Electives for Minors*

  • DPST 209 Selected Topics in Digital Production and Storytelling3 credits

Entry Requirements

Academic: An official attested high-school transcript covering the last three years in good academic standing, with UAE Ministry of Education equivalency for non-UAE curricula. SAT Mathematics 560 or a pass in the AUD mathematics placement test.
English: IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79 or TOEFL ITP 550. Applicants scoring IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL iBT 68 / TOEFL ITP 520 are admitted as degree candidates and take ENGL 100 Developmental English.

US-style credit system; non-UAE curricula require Ministry of Education equivalency. Architecture requires a portfolio.

Careers

Graduates pursue careers in journalism, media production, public relations, digital media and communication management.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Accredited by ACEJMC; AUD holds SACSCOC (US) institutional accreditation and UAE MoHESR licensure.

Programme Details

Award

Bachelor of Communication and Information Studies

Start Date

September (Fall intake)

Typical Offer

An official attested high-school transcript covering the last three years in good academic standing, with UAE Ministry of Education equivalency for non-UAE curricula. SAT Mathematics 560 or a pass in the AUD mathematics placement test.

Duration

4 years

Qualification

Bachelors

Subject Area

Media & Communication

Campus

Dubai

Course Type

Bachelor of Communication and Information Studies

Study Pattern

Full time

Delivery Format

In person

Tuition Fee

AED 106,050/yr

Undergraduate applicants apply online at aud.edu, submit attested transcripts with a UAE Ministry of Education Certificate of Equivalency for non-UAE curricula, and provide an English score (IELTS Academic 6.5, TOEFL iBT 79 or TOEFL ITP 550) and an SAT Mathematics score, or sit AUD's English and mathematics placement tests. A non-refundable AED 420 application fee applies, with an AED 5,000 reservation deposit on acceptance that is credited to tuition.

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Next intakes
SepJan