Study strategic communication abroad

Strategic communication describes the tactical messaging strategies used by businesses, governments, and individuals to achieve targets and engage with audiences.

In an increasingly overcrowded global marketplace, organizations must build a positive reputation and position themselves favorably. You’ll study the theoretical aspects and practical applications of different communication processes, including branding, marketing campaigns, and social media. You’ll evaluate their effectiveness and use them in real-world client briefs.

Strategic communication methods are largely influenced by culture, religion, history, and geography. Studying abroad is a fantastic opportunity to see how international organizations tailor their communication strategies to suit the interests and expectations of particular audiences. These experiences will mold you into a well-rounded professional who’s ready to kickstart a career in almost any destination.

You can study a bachelor’s degree in strategic communication over three or four years, but these are only offered at a handful of universities. Most undergraduate programs are found in the US where you’ll be expected to take liberal arts modules alongside your strategic communications major.

Master’s degrees in strategic communication are much more widely available. To enroll in these programs, you’ll need to have a relevant bachelor’s degree in the social sciences or humanities. You can study a master’s degree full-time over one year, or part-time over two.

Strategic communication is a hotspot of academic interest right now, so more institutions are offering doctoral-level degrees. A PhD generally takes between four and six years to complete and challenges you to contribute to scholarly research in the field.

Teaching methods on strategic communications programs include lectures, seminars, tutorials, and group workshops. Assessment styles vary from module to module, but essays, presentations, and research projects are likely to feature.

Every university will offer a different range of elective modules for you to select from. However, most programs still require pupils to take core units in the following areas:

• Fundamentals for strategic communications
• Strategic communications management
• Digital and social media communication
• Understanding modern media
• Key debates in strategic communication
• Theories and concepts in strategic communications
• Branding strategy and communication
• Research methods in media and communications

As a strategic communications graduate, you’ll be prepared to launch a fast-paced and exciting career in sectors like advertising, marketing, broadcasting, and public relations.

Your quick thinking, excellent judgment, and audience awareness will make you a stand-out candidate for roles including:

• Advertising executive
• Marketing manager
• Brand manager
• Communications officer
• Public relations specialist
• Promotions manager
• Celebrity agent
• Fundraising manager

Volunteering at your university’s communications department, helping out with the student-run magazine, or supporting with its social media platforms is a great way to gain hands-on experience and add to your CV. Your institution’s careers office can also point you in the direction of more external work experience opportunities.