Communication Studies
Understand the role communications play in our everyday lives, and their influence on people and society through the arts and media. You'll explore the subject through theory and practice and working both creatively and analytically.
The course will give you a thorough understanding of the role communications play in local, national and international settings by teaching you how to think critically about communication in its various forms. It will also introduce you to the varied careers available to graduates and help you decide which interests you most.
The programme includes foundation, core, production and optional modules in performance, audio, imaging and video.
There is one course in Ireland that offers not just an academic education, but also professional and personal growth. From developing your own photos to scriptwriting, performing, public relations and current affairs, there is something for everyone. Your talent is there to be used, so explore your imagination, originality and creativity with the BA in Communications. Nobody has ever regretted taking this course - Jackie Fox, BA in Communication Studies
The Communications Studies course is structured around four key elements: foundation modules, core modules, production modules and optional modules.
The foundation modules in Year One provide a basic grounding in the disciplines you’ll need for more advanced work in later years.
Core modules in Years Two and Three help you develop a critical awareness of developments in the areas of communication, media and cultural studies.
The production modules ensure that you develop skills in audio, video, imaging and communication/presentation skills.
With your optional modules, you’ll develop expertise in a number of key areas that reflect your particular aptitudes and aspirations. The optional (non-production) Research Project in the final year is a piece of original academic work.
View the current course structure
Life on Campus
We have three academic campuses close to Dublin City centre - they are located in Glasnevin and Drumcondra, and can be reached by public transport (Dublin Bus).
Each campus has libraries, study spaces, restaurants, and on-campus residencies. Sports facilities are located on two of the academic campuses. We also have a dedicated sports campus in the form of St Claire’s.
Exceptional facilities
DCU students have access to exceptional teaching and learning facilities across our three academic campuses.
These include modern learning theatres, research centres, new media and TV studio, radio/podcast studios, classrooms, computer suites and advanced labs in the areas of languages, engineering, physics, chemistry and biotechnology, as well as a sports performance centre and training hospital ward. In 2021, we opened our first virtual reality ‘Leadership Lab’, which is located in our Business School.
Construction on our FutureTech building on the Glasnevin campus will get underway in 2022. Once completed, this facility will advance DCU’s international reputation for excellence in science and health, computing and engineering disciplines. It will have the capacity to accommodate an additional 3,000 STEM students on the university’s Glasnevin campus.
Campus life
DCU student facilities boast a fully equipped sports complex with a 25-metre pool, three libraries and The Helix, our renowned performing arts centre.
Our purpose built, state-of-the-art new student centre known as 'The U' serves the needs of a rapidly growing student body of 18,500. It is home to the Student Leadership and Lifeskills Centre, performing arts and cultural spaces for students and the wider community, and the Entrepreneurship and Innovation Hub.
DCU Students' Union and the Office of Student Life are also based in the U. The centre is a space for students where they can meet, with lots of charging points and isolation booths. Clubs and Socs avail of meeting rooms here and it's also home to DCUfm. NuBar, Londis and the Venue are also located here.
There are more than 140 clubs and societies for students in DCU, with ‘Clubs & Socs’ days taking place on both the Glasnevin and Drumcondra campuses at the start of the academic year.
Student Supports
We have a number of academic, professional and social supports for students.
Student Advice Centre: Offers a wide range of supports and services to students and advice
The Writing Centre - drop-in writing workshops for students through the academic year
Maths Learning Centre - provides maths support for students of all ability levels with maths modules
Student Learning: facilitate the transition from passive to active learning for students at DCU, by teaching study skills, nurturing critical thinking and building student confidence.
Careers work with students to help them on their professional journey into graduate employment.
Our student support team offers a comprehensive support programme, helping students make that all important transition into university life and focusing on building confidence and skills which are key to success at third level.
There is one course in Ireland that offers not just an academic education, but also professional and personal growth. From developing your own photos to scriptwriting, performing, public relations and current affairs, there is something for everyone. Your talent is there to be used, so explore your imagination, originality and creativity with the BA in Communications. Nobody has ever regretted taking this course - Jackie Fox, BA in Communication Studies
Communications professionals are needed in just about every industry. A Communications graduate can avail of opportunities in a range of sectors in the private, public and not for profit sectors.
Through your Communications Studies degree here in DCU, you will gain strong skills in critical and analytical thinking, the ability to question and understand our societies through media and culture, as well as how to communicate across all forms of media.
This course offers great flexibility for your future career that will allow you to work and live anywhere, move between sectors and follow your passion whether that's in a creative role, involvement in a political campaign or fundraising for a not for profit organisation; among many other jobs and careers.
Good communications are also essential to leadership positions in any business or sector. The degree also provides a strong foundation for further study.
Career Areas:
- In-House Communications
- Communications Consultancy
- Journalism
- Film-making/TV programming
- Media and Independent Production Companies
- Public Service
- Digital Media Marketing/Advertising
- Event Management
- Public Relations Internal Communications
- Publishing
- NGOs
Requirements
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:
Minimum of H4 in English.
In addition to the general entry requirements for admission to the university the following entry requirements apply:
GCE A-Level C English.
For details of QQI requirements and relevant codes please click here. Simply enter the DC code for the programme you are interested in or if you are not sure of the code enter DC in the Select by Institution option, then click on Go.
Applications are welcomed from students who have studied at Level 6, Level 7 and Level 8 in relevant areas. Applications are made via the CAO Advanced Entry route which will open on the 1st Feb to the 1st May 2022.
Such transfer students may be exempt from certain modules.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the university of their competency in the English language. For further information on international applications click here.