BA (Hons) Global Communication Studies (Top-Up)

Where changes are made to material information contained in this course description or a decision is taken to suspend a course between the offer of admissions and enrolment, we will inform applicants at the earliest possible opportunity and will outline the various options available to the applicant.

This course prepares you for roles where advanced use of English, alongside strong communication, cultural awareness and critical thinking, is essential. Graduates develop the ability to use English confidently and effectively in professional, digital and academic contexts, while also understanding the complexities and nuances of language in practice, shaped by culture, power and context.

The BA (Hons) Global Communication Studies Top-Up equips graduates for work across a wide range of sectors, including business, media, education, public services, marketing, computing and engineering, as well as community and third-sector organisations. Graduates progress into roles involving communication, analysis, research, content creation and stakeholder engagement, or continue to postgraduate study in communication, education and related fields.

What can I do with this qualification?

Alternative career options

Graduates may also progress into a range of alternative career paths, depending on prior experience, interests and further training. These roles typically value strong English, communication, analytical and research skills, and may require additional professional experience or postgraduate study, examples include:

• Project coordination and management
• Policy, research and analysis roles
• Consultancy and advisory roles
• Technical communication and documentation
• Human resources and organisational development

Home/EU Fees

International Fees

Bursaries

Click here for more information about the scholarships and bursaries available to University of Greater Manchester students.

Important note regarding tuition fees: EU nationals who meet residency requirements (have settled or pre-settled status) may be eligible for 'Home' fee status. If you do not meet these residency requirements, overseas fees will apply. Irish citizens living in the UK or Ireland will be eligible for 'Home' fee status under the Common Travel Area arrangement. Please read the student finance for EU students web page on www.gov.uk for information.

Home Undergraduate Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The tuition fee set is based on the regulations and guidance in force at the time of offer but remains subject to adjustment in accordance with any government-approved inflationary increase. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for all years of study, including the first year, by no more than the maximum increase permitted under legislation and regulatory guidance issued by the UK Government and the Office for Students.

Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

This approach ensures that tuition fees remain compliant with applicable legislation, proportionate to inflationary changes, and consistent with government policy linking permitted fee uplifts to the maintenance of high-quality education and outcomes. For more information, please refer to the government guidance at: gov.uk – Universities to deliver better outcomes in return for full fees.

Postgraduate and International Tuition Fee Adjustment

The tuition fee applicable to the first year of your programme of study is confirmed in your offer letter. The University reserves the right to amend tuition fees for subsequent years of study in accordance with its Course Fees Policy. Where such increases are approved, they will not exceed the rate of inflation, as measured by an appropriate index such as the Consumer Prices Index (CPI), or any successor measure specified by government. The University will apply any adjustment consistently across affected student cohorts and will give reasonable notice to students of any confirmed change to the published fee before the start of the relevant academic year.

Teaching on this course is interactive, applied and research informed. You will take part in seminars, workshops and guided activities that encourage discussion, collaboration and the practical application of ideas. Teaching is organised through a block model, with focused 5-week modules that build on each other to support sustained development of knowledge, skills and confidence.

Alongside taught blocks, the course includes enrichment weeks that provide additional opportunities for learning and professional development. These weeks may include guest speakers from relevant industries, specialist workshops, and trips linked to language, communication and cultural diversity in the local and wider region. Enrichment activities allow you to extend your learning beyond the classroom and connect theory to professional practice.

Assessment is innovative and practice based. Rather than traditional exams, you will complete authentic tasks that reflect real communication challenges, including analytical work, research-informed projects and digital or professional communication outputs. Assessments support the development of advanced academic and professional English, critical thinking and research skills, while enabling you to apply theory to your own subject area or industry.

Alongside timetabled sessions, you will be expected to engage in independent and guided study. Online learning materials support preparation, reflection and consolidation of learning throughout each block. Academic staff provide structured feedback to support your development across the course and prepare you for graduate employment or postgraduate study.

Modules

The modules listed below may be a mixture of compulsory and optional. You may not have the opportunity to study all the modules shown as part of the course.

• Advanced English for Academic and Global Communication
• English, Culture and Intercultural Communication
• English in Global and Digital Media
• Language in Action: Research Methods and Analysis
• Investigating Global Communication Practices
• Independent Project

Assessment methods

Learning Activities

The university will use all reasonable endeavours to deliver your course as described in its published material and the programme specification for the academic year in which you begin your course. The university considers changes to courses very carefully and the university will minimise any changes. Please be aware that our courses are subject to review on an ongoing basis and changes may be necessary due to legitimate staffing, financial, regulatory and academic reasons. The content of course modules and mode of associated assessments may be updated on an annual basis. This is to ensure that all modules are up-to-date and responsive to employment and sector needs. The published course material and the programme specification contain indicative ‘optional modules’ that may be subject to change due to circumstances outside of our control. For this reason, we cannot guarantee to run any specific optional module.