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BA (Hons) Global Communication Studies

Award

BA (Hons)

Start Date

21/09/2026

Duration

1 year

Mode

Full-time

Location

University of Greater Manchester

UCAS Code

X722

English is central to global communication, yet using it effectively across cultures, industries and contexts is complex. This BA (Hons) Global Communication Studies Top-Up explores how language, culture and power shape communication in global and professional settings. Designed as a Level 6 top-up for varied backgrounds, it enables you to apply theory to your industry, collaborate across disciplines, and develop advanced academic, professional and research skills.

Please note:
This course is 'Subject to Approval' and has not yet completed the University’s approvals process. Whilst we are confident that the course will be approved, there is the possibility that the course may not run or may be subject to alterations. This course is due to be validated by March 2026 after which we will write to all applicants who have applied for the course to let them know the outcome and of any changes. In the event that a course is not approved the University will make reasonable efforts to offer an alternative course at the University.

Course Overview

English plays a central role in global communication, yet using it effectively across cultures, industries and contexts is rarely straightforward. This course is both practical and critical. You will develop strong skills in academic and professional English, digital communication and applied research, while also exploring the ideas and theories that make global communication complex and nuanced.

The BA (Hons) Global Communication Studies Top-Up at the University of Greater Manchester examines communication as a social and professional practice. You will explore how English operates alongside other languages in different industries, including business, education, media and digital environments. The course recognises multilingualism and linguistic diversity as important resources in contemporary global communication.

Teaching is interactive and applied. You will work with real-world case studies, digital texts and professional communication tasks linked to your own subject area or industry. Alongside this, you will engage critically with research and current debates. Learning with students from different disciplinary backgrounds will help you understand how communication works across sectors and contexts.

As a Level 6 top-up programme, the course builds on your prior study and supports your transition to honours-level work. You will develop advanced skills in academic English, critical reading and writing, research and independent project work. Assessments connect theory to practice and prepare you for graduate employment or postgraduate study.
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Highlights

  • Strong focus on practical English for work and study, digital communication and applied skills
  • Apply theory to real global and professional communication contexts
  • Block teaching model with focused 5-week modules that build progressively over the year
  • Study in Greater Manchester, a linguistically diverse and globally connected UK city-region
  • Learn and collaborate with students from diverse subject backgrounds and industries
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Key Features

  • Interactive, seminar-based teaching that prioritises discussion, collaboration and the application of ideas to real communication contexts
  • Innovative assessments built around authentic professional, digital and research communication tasks
  • Strong focus on digital and multimodal communication, including the informed use of AI and other technologies
  • Structured support for developing academic English, research skills and independent project work at honours level
  • Access to the local area through trips, observation and research activities that engage with Greater Manchester’s linguistic and cultural diversity
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Entry Requirements
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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.

Career Opportunities

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?

Graduates of the BA (Hons) Global Communication Studies Top-Up go on to a wide range of roles where advanced communication, analytical and language skills are valued. Possible career pathways include:

• Professional, corporate or organisational communication roles
• Marketing, digital content and media-related roles
• Roles in education, training and academic support
• Communication-focused roles in computing, engineering and technical industries
• Research, policy and project support roles
• Community, charity and third-sector organisations

Some graduates choose to continue their studies at postgraduate level in areas such as communication, education, linguistics, media or related technical fields.

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
Fees & Funding

Home/EU Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

International Fees

No fee information is currently available, please contact the University of Greater Manchester’s Academic Fees team by emailing AcademicFees@greatermanchester.ac.uk for more information.

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.

How to apply

Home Applicants

If you wish to apply for multiple institutions or multiple courses at the University of Greater Manchester for September entry, then apply through UCAS

You can apply for up to 5 courses through UCAS (at the same or different institutions) for a fee of £27. Alternatively, if you only wish to apply for a single course at a single institution then a reduced applicant's fee of £22.50 is applicable.

The online application form and guidance notes are available on the UCAS website.

You will need the following information to complete your UCAS application form:

  • Institution Code Name: BOLTN

  • Institution Code Number: B44

UCAS - Universities and Colleges Admissions Service

Tel: 0870 1122211
Web: www.ucas.com

If you wish to apply for a single course offered by the University of Greater Manchester for any intake, you can apply directly

If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply directly to the University using our online application form shown below.

A direct application to the University of Greater Manchester provides the following features:

  • Free of charge to apply

  • Secure, simple and streamlined

  • Contact us directly for any admissions queries

  • Regular updates on your application directly from the University

  • Invites to offer holder events and taster sessions where you can meet your future tutors and get a flavour of university life

NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to the University of Greater Manchester. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to the University of Greater Manchester.

For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Greater Manchester, you agree to these terms.

If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.

Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.

If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.

Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:

  • Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates

  • Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies

  • Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role

  • Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately

  • Details including e-mail addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference

Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.

Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.

If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk

International Applicants

Thank you for your interest

In order to determine your suitability for this course as an international student and also to confirm you meet any initial eligibility criteria, we need you to answer a few short questions.

Continue

Partner Organisation Applicants

University of Greater Manchester Group Partners

Bolton College
University Collegiate School
Alliance Learning
University of Greater Manchester

For valued members of the University of Greater Manchester Group and progressing students, we try to make our application process as simple and as fast as possible.

If you have carefully considered your course and institution choices and decided that this course is the best option for you, you may apply free of charge to the University. By selecting the appropriate link from the list shown below, you will be taken directly to our online application form. Please read the user guidance before completing this, and ensure you upload all supporting documents such as certificates and your personal statement when you apply.

When you are asked to add a contact email address, please ensure you add your college/university email account address as well as your personal address. If you do not add your college address as your contact address, we will be unable to identify you as a partner and offer you the benefits of being part of our group.

NOTE: You cannot apply both through UCAS and directly to the University of Greater Manchester. Submitting an application to any university through UCAS during the same academic year will void any direct application you make to the University of Greater Manchester.

For courses starting in September, please be aware that we are required to share your information with UCAS if we accept you on this course. We will create a simplified UCAS acceptance record on your behalf and return this to UCAS. By submitting your application directly to the University of Greater Manchester, you agree to these terms.

If you are ready to apply directly, please select your chosen start date from the list below.

Before applying, please read the entry requirements section of this page.

If your course runs at multiple locations or has various start dates, please be sure to select the correct application link from the list below.

Before beginning your application, you should have the following information to hand:

  • Details of the educational establishments you attended and dates

  • Your certificates for the qualifications you are using to gain entry to the course – you will need to enter the completion date and upload copies

  • Details of any employment history, including name, address, dates and role

  • Personal statement – this can be either input into the relevant field or uploaded separately

  • Details including email addresses of two referees, at least one of which should be someone who can provide an academic reference

Please make sure any documents you wish to upload in support of your application are in pdf or jpeg format. Personal statements may be word documents.

Please ensure your data is correct at each stage of the application before you proceed to the next page. If you use the back button at any time during the application, you should check the validity of the data you have already inputted.

If you experience difficulties during the application process, contact the Undergraduate Admissions Team on 01204 903394 or admissions-team@greatermanchester.ac.uk

We look forward to receiving your application and you continuing your academic journey with us!

Teaching & Assessment

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.

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.

Programme Contacts

Disclaimer: The “Greater Manchester Way” represents our preferred teaching and learning approach; however, not all courses follow a block-teaching model. While course structures and delivery patterns may vary to meet Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) requirements, all courses benefit from the GM Way approach to curriculum design and assessment. Applicants and students should refer to individual course specifications for the most accurate and up-to-date information.