School: School of Humanities and Social Sciences

Digital Media and Communications – Specialisations: 1. Journalism and Social Media Publishing, 2. Public Relations and Advertising in Networked Society

Academic year

2022-2023
Taught Language: English

Course Summary

The programme is designed to be completed in one calendar year (12 months), over a fall, a spring and a summer semester of 13 weeks. Working professionals have the part-time study option which may take longer. The programme consists of core courses, specialisation requirements and electives. Students are required to attend lectures and seminars and engage in individual as well as group-based learning activities.

Aims

What role does digital media, particularly social media, play in the economy, politics and everyday life? How has social media changed the practice of journalism, public relations and advertising? The MA in Digital media and Communications addresses these and similar questions that have emerged out of the rise of social media and its increasing domination of the media and communication professions. This programme offers a critical analysis of the operation, functions, use, embeddedness and ramifications of social media in a globalised, networked society. It is aimed at people who wish to acquire a critical understanding of social media and learn how to analyse and mobilise them strategically. The programme places emphasis on an evidence-based, scientific examination of current and emerging digital media practices and trends and  on helping students develop their ability to successfully utilise social media in the practice of journalism, public relations, marketing and advertising.

Objectives

The objectives of the MA in Digital Media and Communications are to provide a critical understanding of current theories, key concepts and new research methods related to social media, investigate institutional, social and technical factors shaping social media practices, examine social media practices as utilised by a variety of actors, including journalists, businesses, politicians and public figures, and enable students to develop effective social media strategies in the practice of journalism, public relations, political lobbying, marketing and advertising.

Career Prospects

Graduates of the programme can be employed as online programme directors, social media strategists or public relations officers, reporters and producers in the mass media such as newspapers and magazines, public relations and advertising agencies and state and private radio and TV channels. This programme will also prepare students to embark on careers in political communication, research and consultancy.

Modules

Section: A – Core Courses

Min. ECTS Credits: 30  Max. ECTS Credits: 30

Course ID Course Title ECTS Credits
MCOM-501 Digital Media Innovation and Social Transformation 10
MCOM-502 Digital Communication, Culture and Society 10
MCOM-503 Digital Media Content 10

Section: B – Journalism and Social Media Publishing Specialization

Min. ECTS Credits: 30  Max. ECTS Credits: 30

Course ID Course Title ECTS Credits
MCOM-510 Digital Production and Publishing 10
MCOM-511 Digital Journalism and Citizen Media 10
MCOM-512 Digital Sports, Health and Lifestyle Communication 10

Section: C – Public Relations and Advertising in Networked Society Specialization

Min. ECTS Credits: 30  Max. ECTS Credits: 30

Course ID Course Title ECTS Credits
MCOM-520 PR and Advertising in the Digital Age 10
MCOM-521 Risk and Crisis Management 10
MCOM-522 Social Media Management 10

Section: D – Electives

Min. ECTS Credits: 30  Max. ECTS Credits: 30
Notes: Or any specialization course not taken as a required course.
Course ID Course Title ECTS Credits
MCOM-571 Integrated Marketing Communication and Digital Media 10
MCOM-572 Law, Ethics and Digital Media 10
MCOM-575 E-Business 10
MCOM-574 Interactive Multimedia Development 10
MCOM-576 Strategic Marketing 10
MCOM-582 Relationship Marketing 10
MCOM-585 Special Topics in Digital Communication 10
MCOM-590 Research Methods in Media and Communications 10
MCOM-594 Practicum 20
MCOM-595 Thesis 20

Assessment Method

Course assessment usually comprises of a comprehensive final exam and continuous assessment. Continuous assessment can include amongst others, mid-terms, projects, and class participation.

Letter grades are calculated based on the weight of the final exam and the continuous assessment and the actual numerical marks obtained in these two assessment components. Based on the course grades the student’s semester grade point average (GPA) and cumulative point average (CPA) are calculated.

How to apply

Students come to UNIC from around the world, blending a diverse range of academic backgrounds, experiences, interests, talents and cultural heritage.

Admission to our University is granted under different categories, depending on the student’s qualifications and educational objectives.

Our general admissions policy relies on the student’s previous academic performance, including their high school grades. The Medical School has separate admissions policies and procedures outlined on the Medical School website.

Admission Requirements

The minimum admission requirement is a recognized High School Leaving Certificate (HSLC). Students with a lower HSLC grade than 7.5/10 or 15/20 or equivalent, depending on the grading system of the country issuing the HSLC, are provided with extra academic guidance and monitoring during the first year of their studies. Some programmes have higher entry requirements.

Application deadline

Students may begin their studies in September or February. Applications must reach the Office of Admissions together with all the required documents by:

Studies from Deadline
Fall Semester (September to January) Late June
Spring Semester (February to May) Late October
Summer Session (June to July) Late February
Application Deadlines for European and Local students Please call the Office of Admissions on +357 22841528

Entry requirements

Qualification requirements
  1. Completed Application Form
  2. A copy of your passport (page with your personal details and photo)
  3. Academic Records (True copy of the original)
    • For Bachelors Degree applicants: High School Leaving Certificate and mark sheet
    • For Masters Degree applicants: Bachelors Degree and transcripts
    • For Doctorate applicants: Bachelors and Masters Degree, including transcripts
  4. Two Letters of recommendation/reference from professors or employers (for Masters and Doctorate applicants only). Certain programmes have additional requirements
  5. Curriculum Vitae–CV (for Masters and Doctorate applicants only)
  6. Personal Statement (for Masters and Doctorate applicants only)
  7. Research proposal (for Doctorate applicants only)
  8. Evidence of work experience (where applicable)
  9. Portfolio (for selected programmes of study)
Additional entry requirements

Admission Policy Statement

The University adheres to a policy of non-discrimination in admitting students without reference to race, colour, religion, gender, age, handicap or national origin. Admission to the University is granted under different categories depending on student qualifications and educational objectives. The University admissions policy relies on the student’s past records, including high school grades.

 

Once we review your application you will be contacted by an Admissions Counsellor guiding you through the rest of the application process and, if necessary, the procedure for issuing your student visa.

English language requirements

The table below provides the minimum English Language Requirements (ELR) for enrollment on a programme of study offered in English. Students who do not possess any of the qualifications or stipulated grades listed below and hold IELTS with 4.5 and above, are required to take UNIC’s NEPTON English Placement Test (with no charge) and will receive English Language support classes, if and as needed, from UNIC’s International Gateway Centre (IGC).

English Qualification ELR Equivalent to IELTS 6
TOEFL 525 and above
Computer-based TOEFL 193 and above
Internet-based TOEFL 80 and above
IELTS 6 and above
Cambridge Exams (First Certificate) B and above
Cambridge Exams (Proficiency Certificate) C and above
GCSE English Language 'O' Level or IGCSE C and above
Michigan Examination of Proficiency in English (CaMLA) Pass
Pearson PTE General Level 3 and above
KPG (The Greek Foreign Language Examinations for the State Certificate of Language Proficiency) Level B2 and above
Anglia Level B2 and above
IEB Advanced Programme English Pass
Examination for the Certificate of Proficiency in English (ECPE) Michigan Language Assessment by: Cambridge Assessment English & University of Michigan 650 average score for ALL skills and above

Master students satisfy the English requirements if their first degree was taught in English. Otherwise, they would need to present a minimum TOEFL score of 550 paper-based or 213 computer-based, GCSE “O” Level or IGCSE with minimum “C”, IELTS with a score of 6.5, or a score placement at the ENGL- 100 level of UNIC’s NEPTON. The University offers English courses at various levels to help students reach the required standard for admission to a graduate programme.

Fees and funding

Application Fees

Full program tuition fees:

International / Non EU Students: 13.860 Euro

 Local / EU Students; 9.450 Euro

 

Additional Fee information

OTHER FEES

ON-CAMPUS PROGRAMMES

ONLINE/DL PROGRAMMES

Application fee (one-off/nonrefundable payment)

55

55

Visa application (one-off/nonrefundable payment)

86

0

Registration fee (per semester)

26

0

Health & accident insurance (per year)

175

0

Student activities fee (per semester)

20

0

Technology fee – Internet use etc. (per semester)

15

0

International student guarantee (one-off / refundable payment)

400

0

Transcript fee (per copy)

5

5

Evaluation fee (transfer credits / ECTS)

52

52

Second exam fee (per course)

65

65

Graduation application fee

60

60

Total 

959

273

Provider information

Main Contact

46 Makedonitissas Avenue, CY-2417

Contact Person: UNIC

Phone: +35722841500