Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication

BAUndergraduateMedia & Communications

About This Programme

AURAK's Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication combines media and communication theory with creative practice, professional skills and media ethics. Students study how media systems work, how audiences engage with content, and how communication works across digital, organisational and public contexts. The degree carries two internship placements and a two-term senior project, and students choose between two concentrations, one in digital media production and one in strategic communication.

Course Highlights

  • Two concentrations: digital media production and strategic communication
  • Two internship placements and a two-term senior project
  • Arabic for Media taught in native and non-native streams
  • 121 credit hours over four years

What You'll Study

AURAK publishes this as a sample study plan; the actual sequence a student follows depends on placement, transfer credit and course availability. Where AURAK's own plan totals fewer credit hours than the degree's published credit count, the published count is authoritative.

Freshman Year

  • COMM 111 - Introduction to Communication3 credits
  • ENGL 101 - Composition3 credits
  • ITEC 103 - Fundamentals of Information Technology3 credits
  • GEN ED - Humanities and Fine Arts Elective3 credits
  • GEN ED - Social and Behavioral Science3 credits
  • UNIV 100 - University First-Year Transition1 credit
  • COMM 116 - Public Speaking and Communication Etiquette3 credits
  • COMM 114 - Media Ecosystems3 credits
  • ENGL 202 - English for Workplace Communication3 credits
  • UNIV 200 - Innovation, Entrepreneurship and Sustainability (Writing Intensive)3 credits

Writing-intensive requirement - students take one of the following:

  • PHIL 100 - Critical Thinking and Reasoning3 credits
  • ENGL 200 - Advanced Composition3 credits
  • MEST 100 - Introduction to Islam in World Culture3 credits

Sophomore Year

  • UAES 200 - Survey of United Arab Emirates Studies3 credits
  • GEN ED - Mathematics Course3 credits
  • COMM 211 - Data and AI Literacy3 credits
  • COMM 217 - Storytelling3 credits
  • COMM 229 - Basics of Photography3 credits
  • COMM 216 - Principles of Visual Communication3 credits
  • COMM 210 - Communication for Sustainability3 credits
  • COMM 220 - Writing for Screen3 credits
  • COMM 228 - Video Production Techniques3 credits
  • COMM 290 - Internship in Media and Communication I3 credits
  • COMM 231 - Principles of Public Relations3 credits
  • COMM 230 - Basics of Advertising3 credits
  • COMM 232 - Strategic Communication3 credits

Arabic for Media - students take one of the following:

  • ARAB 211 - Arabic for Media: Non-Native Speakers3 credits
  • ARAB 210 - Arabic for Media: Native Speakers3 credits

Junior Year

  • GEN ED - Natural Science Course3 credits
  • COMM 313 - Contemporary Issues in Media and Communication (Seminar)3 credits
  • COMM 311 - Media Law and Ethics3 credits
  • COMM 325 - Video Editing Techniques3 credits
  • Media and Communication Elective3 credits
  • COMM 310 - Communication Research Methodology3 credits
  • COMM 320 - Podcasting and Radio Production3 credits
  • Free Elective3 credits
  • COMM 390 - Internship in Media and Communication II3 credits
  • COMM 331 - Media Planning and Buying3 credits
  • COMM 330 - Integrated Marketing Communication3 credits

Senior Year

  • COMM 411 - Audience Understanding3 credits
  • COMM 423 - Interactive Multimedia3 credits
  • Media and Communication Elective3 credits
  • COMM 410 - Professional Practices in Media3 credits
  • Free Elective3 credits

Senior project - students take the two-part project for their chosen concentration:

  • COMM 429 - Senior Project I (Digital Media Production)3 credits
  • COMM 428 - Senior Project II (Digital Media Production)3 credits
  • COMM 437 - Senior Project I (Strategic Communication and Management)3 credits
  • COMM 438 - Senior Project II (Strategic Communication and Management)3 credits

Entry Requirements

Academic: UAE curriculum Advanced (Scientific) 65% or General (Literary) 65%. AURAK recognises other curricula and converts grades to the equivalent. No additional testing is required.
English: Academic IELTS 5.0, TOEFL paper-based 500, TOEFL internet-based 61, Duolingo English Test 80, or a pass at the required score in the Oxford Online Placement Test (OOPT) taken at AURAK.

Applications are made online. AURAK's admissions application deadline for Fall 2026 is 30 August 2026 and for Spring 2027 is 3 January 2027.

Careers

AURAK lists digital media specialist, content creator, social media manager, public relations specialist, video producer, multimedia specialist, advertising specialist, brand communication specialist, corporate communication specialist, creative project coordinator, journalist, media relations officer and strategic communication specialist as destinations for this degree.

Accreditation & Professional Recognition

Accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the UAE Ministry of Higher Education and Scientific Research. AURAK is also institutionally accredited by SACSCOC (US) and QAA (UK).

Programme Details

Award

Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication

Start Date

Fall (August/September) and Spring (January), with an optional Summer (June) start

Typical Offer

UAE curriculum Advanced (Scientific) 65% or General (Literary) 65%. AURAK recognises other curricula and converts grades to the equivalent. No additional testing is required.

Duration

4 years

Qualification

BA

Subject Area

Media & Communications

Tuition Fee

AED 60,260/yr

Applications are made online through AURAK. Fees shown exclude the separate non-tuition charges: an AED 400 application fee (AED 500 for graduate programmes), an AED 4,000 seat reservation fee credited against first-semester tuition, and per-semester technology, service and medical fees.

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