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How good are you at saying exactly what you mean? The ability to communicate effectively and responsibly is what will set you apart in the 21st century. Whether you are on social media, in a one-on-one conversation, in front of a large audience or even communicating to a mass audience through various platforms, the basic ability to deliver a powerful message in an efficient way is crucial. Since 1971, the Department of Communication Science at the UFS has been the catalyst for the fire that brightly illuminates the myriad of possibilities available to graduates in the field of Communication Science.

For any information about the programmes of the Department of Communication Science, please contact the Programme Director:

Dr Willemien Marais
T: +27 51 401 2872
E: MaraisW@ufs.ac.za
Theology Building, room 211

UNDERGRADUATE

The Department of Communication Science is home to three exciting and dynamic undergraduate qualifications, namely BA (Communication Studies), BA (Integrated Organisational Communication) and BA (Journalism). Students may register for any of these programmes if they meet the general requirements to be admitted to the University of the Free State. All three these qualifications require at least three years of full-time study. More information about the specific degrees is available in the Rulebook of the Faculty of Humanities.

BA (Communication Studies)

The BA (Communication Science) degree equips students with in-depth knowledge of general communication science, health communication, intercultural communication, leadership communication, visual communication, organisational communication and knowledge management.

The purpose of the programme is to educate students to become skilled communication practitioners and to be able to seek employment in a wide range of communication and corporate communication-related areas including private corporations, public agencies, civil service institutions, media-related industries (local or transnational), and health organisations.

A graduate from this programme will be able to seek employment as, among others, a trend analyst, customer service representative, content manager, health communication official, company spokesperson, media manager, and information/knowledge manager. UFS Department of Communication Science

BA (Integrated Organisational Communication)

The BA (Integrated Organisational Communication) degree equips students with in-depth knowledge of Integrated Organisational Communication as a contemporary approach to communication in organisations and involves the planning, management and integration of corporate communication, marketing communication and managerial communication.

The purpose of the programme is to educate students to become skilled practitioners in organisational communication, strategic communication or marketing communication. Students will be able to seek employment in the strategic communication sections of an organisation with a focus on internal communication activities such as media liaison, internal publications, management of internal social media platforms, and strategic communication strategies to build and enhance the corporate reputation of an institution.

Students that prefer marketing communication could build a career in brand management, advertising, public relations or digital media management.

BA (Journalism)

The BA (Journalism) degree is aimed at training journalists for the unique circumstances of a society in transition. This is achieved by equipping students with the required theoretical and practical knowledge of the practice of journalism.

The purpose of the programme is to equip students to work as journalists – with specific knowledge of the South African context and the requirements of a transitional society – in various media contexts, ranging from community media through commercial media to public broadcasting, and across platforms, including print, broadcast and online/multimedia.

POSTGRADUATE

The Department offers the following postgraduate qualifications:

Honours:

• BA Hons (Communication Science) with a specialisation in Leadership Communication
• BA Hons (Communication Science) with specialisation in Corporate and Marketing Communication
• BA Hons (Communication Science) with a specialisation in Media Studies and Journalism

Master’s

• MA (Communication Science)
• MA (Communication Science) with a specialisation in Corporate and Marketing Communication
• MA (Communication Science) with a specialisation in Media Studies and Journalism

Doctorate

• PhD

More information about the specific degrees is available in the Rule Book of the Faculty of Humanities.

Communication Science Master’s and PhD information 2018

Physical Address:
Department of Communication Science
Theology Building, top floor
Senate Street South
UFS
Bloemfontein

Head of Department
Prof Colin Chasi, Head of Department
T: +27 51 401 2867
E: chasict@ufs.ac.za

Programme Director
Dr Willemien Marais
T: +27 51 401 2872
E: MaraisW@ufs.ac.za