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School of Communication, HSUHK

Academic Programme

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication

Message from Programme Director

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication

Strategic Communication involves “orchestrated communication efforts with a master plan to influence a public policy or to promote an agenda”. Being “strategic” is communicating proactively the right message through right channels to the right audience with the right effect. The MA in Strategic Communication is designed to provide most updated knowledge and professional training to students who want to pursue a career and excel in it in social, political and corporate communication.

Objectives

Designed for working professionals and future-to-be experts who can embrace the rapid changing social environment and communication landscape, the MA in Strategic Communication programme provides comprehensive knowledge in communication theories, latest development in media, and current practices in social, political and business communication.

Uniqueness

  1. The Programme offers a unique blend of political communication and corporate strategic communication. It is structured into two concentrations: Public Affairs Communication and Corporate Engagement Communication.
  2. It stresses the balance between theory and practice by inviting top professionals in the field to share their experiences and insights, with integration of theories supported by the School’s full-time professors.

Who Should Study?

Those who are interested in strategic communication, including:

  1. Practitioners in corporate communication who want to gain advanced knowledge in the field, especially the public affairs and political communication areas;
  2. Practitioners in government and political related sectors such as legislators’ aides, party administrators, civil servants, and NGOs dealing with various government departments;
  3. Working professionals who are interested in strategic communication and plan to switch to a most exciting and challenging career; and
  4. New college graduates who aspire to start a career in the field of corporate, social and political communication.

Learning Outcomes

  1. Students will be equipped with the knowledge and skills in analysing complicated communication issues, becoming more effective in planning business, social, political and communication campaigns.
  2. They will be able to handle the increasing impact of digital media and the increasingly complicated social political environments with strategic insights and social responsibility.

Career Prospects

The programme is designed for those who plan a career involved in various aspects of political communication and corporate communication, from political parties to non-governmental organisations to public relations agencies. Graduates may take up the following careers:

Career Choice

  • PR Officer, Crisis Communicator
  • Journalist, Media Strategist, Political Campaign Consultant
  • Advocacy Communicator, Non-profit Organisation Campaign Strategist
  • Advertising Executive, Media Planner
  • Promoter, Speech Writer

Industries / Companies

  • Business, Political Organisations / Parties, Government Authorities, NGOs
  • Mass Media, Consultancy
  • NGOs
  • Advertising
  • Both Government and Private Organisations

Programme Information

Duration: 1 to 5 years

Study Mode: Full-time/ Part-time

Curriculum:

The Programme is structured into two concentrations:

Public Affairs Communication

  1. Public Affairs Communication
  2. Corporate Engagement Communication

Modules are grouped into (1) Cores and (2) Electives. 

The core modules are designed to nurture student’s fundamental knowledge of persuasive communication, research methodologies and professional responsibility. The elective modules are designed to provide students with knowledge and skills in communication strategies and campaigns for both the business and public sectors.

Students must complete 24 credits of modules to get the degree. Each module bears three credits. Four core and four elective modules are required for graduation. With approval by the Programme Team, no more than two electives can be taken from outside the programme. 

Admission Requirements

  1. A bachelor’s degree from a recognised university or equivalent
  2. English language proficiency requirements if the applicants’ bachelor’s degree was not obtained from a university where English is the medium of instruction:
  • TOEFL ≥ 550 (paper-based), ≥ 213 (computer-based), ≥ 79 (internet-based) / TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition @;
  • IELTS / IELTS Online / IELTS Indicator ≥ 6.5 @;
  • College English Test-Band 6 (CET-6) ≥ 430 or “Pass” if the test was taken before June 2005;
  • TEM-4 ≥ 70

@ TOEFL and IELTS results are considered valid two years from the test date.

Graduation Requirements

To be eligible for the award of the Master of Arts in Strategic Communication, students are required to:

  1. complete a minimum of 24 credits (8 modules), including four core modules and four elective modules as laid down in the programme curriculum; and
  2. obtain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5

Tuition Fee

-For 2024/25 entry

Local Students: HK$115,200 per programme
Non-local Students: HK$142,800 per programme

 

-For 2025/26 entry

Local Students: HK$120,000 per programme
Non-local Students: HK$146,400 per programme

QF Information

Master of Arts in Strategic Communication

QF Level: 6
QR Registration No.: 18/000852/L6
Registration Validity Period: 08/11/2018 – 31/08/2025

Application

We are now inviting applications for Spring admission 2024/25 (FT/PT), and Autumn admission 2025/26 (FT/PT).

Registration

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Programme Brochure

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