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
Communication Science Building, Office number 15
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 (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 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 through 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 specialisation in Leadership Communication
- BA Hons (Communication Science) with specialisation in Corporate and Marketing Communication
- BA Hons (Communication Science) with specialisation in Media Studies and Journalism
Application for Honours degree 2025
Master’s
- MA (Communication Science)
- MA (Communication Science) with specialisation in Corporate and Marketing Communication
- MA (Communication Science) with specialisation in Media Studies and Journalism
Doctorate
More information about the specific degrees is available in the Rule Book of the Faculty of Humanities.