Connect our high-tech society as a flexible, futureproof communication expert
The spreading of fake news and filter bubbles that polarize society. The continuing emergence of new media applications that affect us. Innovations successfully entering the market while others fail unexpectedly. Persuasive apps or a 3D environment using virtual reality change the behaviour of its user. The digital traces we leave behind online that can be used to predict our attitudes and behaviour. It’s all human-human interaction and human-tech interaction. It’s all communication science.
As a communication scientist, you study human behaviour and interaction in the context of our high-tech digital society. At UT, you do not just immerse yourself in the theory, you also tackle practical challenges. We familiarise you with the bigger challenges of today and tomorrow, and explore the important, pervasive role of communication in solving these issues. Are you an ambitious, forward-looking student eager to make a difference through exciting, sustainable and inclusive communication?
Read more about the study programme, admission requirements, application deadline and career prospects for this English-taught programme.
Communication Science at University of twenty; 100% future proof
Study modern communication against the backdrop of three contemporary themes
We will equip you to be a communication scientist who can look at communication and relevant international changes from different perspectives. In order to prepare you for the future, we have structured our programme around three contemporary themes: Digital Society, Changing Organisations and Persuasive Tech.
Communication and technology are everywhere. We can hardly image a life without internet, apps and social media, such as WhatsApp, Instagram or TikTok. Just think of all the devices in your home that are connected to each other through the Internet of Things. Obviously, digitalisation is hugely influencing our society – with both positive and negative aspects. For example, gaming addiction, fake news, the digital divide and the fading of online privacy are some of the emerging downsides of our increasingly digitalised society. At the same time, communication is more important than ever in today’s digital, international world, offering tremendous opportunities. Courses on this theme centre on discovering ways of ensuring that, in the future, everyone in our society will be able to understand and benefit from new communication possibilities.
What impact do organisations have on society? Or, vice versa: how do our shifting needs and wants influence organisations? This powerful interaction is the focus of this theme. For companies eager to make a difference in the world, strong, coherent and flexible communication – in crisis situations too – is essential. You will learn how to tackle this in our highly globalised world. One of the things we research is what makes an innovation a success or not. You will also learn more about the importance of being resilient amidst innovation and change. Will you become a director or ‘CEO whisperer’ in a company in which robots and people work together to get the job done?
Imagine a roadside billboard that recognises your car, and adapts its advertising to your profile. Or think of apps and wearables that ‘read’ your emotions, and sensors in your smartphone that react to your heart rate and body signals. These are just a few examples of multisensory designs through which technology influences our behaviour. In this theme, we focus on the connection between people, innovation and design. Products and services are increasingly smart and more and more responsive to our senses. How can you make the best possible use of this trend to stimulate desirable behaviour? This theme will help you become a communication professional who knows how to convince people and groups for the better based on multisensory design.
Daan's vlog as communication science student
Are you curious what it is like to study this communication study programme? Daan shows you a day in his student life.
Why study Communication Science?
We can think of dozens of reasons why you should sign up for the Bachelor’s in Communication Science. Here are the five most important ones!
The number one in Communication Science Our programme has been named the 'Best Communication Science programme in the Netherlands' in the Keuzegids Universiteiten ranking for years now. This means we are the best university-level communication programme in the Netherlands. Students especially appreciate our content and organization of teaching, our teachers, the level (and combination) of scientific and practical skills, the level of internationalization, the quality of examination and assessment, and study guidance and personal contact.
Communication meets innovative tech Communication Science at UT is different. It is the only Netherlands based Bachelor’s in this field that really familiarises you with the latest innovations and their influence – and dependence – on communication. We have high-tech facilities, where we combine social science research with new technologies, and where you can directly test your design, concept or prototype with the help of a 3Dprinter, or, say with Virtual Reality glasses. All in all, UT is the ideal place to study, experiment and find your path!
Real projects, global challenges We link communication theories to the real-life, global challenges of our time. In every module, you work on a team project in which you and your (international) fellow students deal with current issues. We often look at these challenges from the perspective of today’s pursuit of sustainable, societal solutions. And in our programme, you don’t just come up with a theoretical approach, but you actually design, make, test and even pitch your ideas to organisations.
Tap into change with flexibility In the world of communication, everything changes completely almost every ten – or even five – years. Can you handle that? Our Bachelor’s focuses on both the present and the future. We will prepare you to analyse communication and human behaviour and to understand how they relate to tech, so that you can react in a flexible and resilient way to new developments. This will help you to keep any organisation’s communication fresh, focused and relevant and will give you an edge on tomorrow’s job market. Most of our students find a job within one month after graduation.
21st-century learning on a superb campus In addition to thorough professional knowledge and skills, you will develop a broad package of 21st-century skills and personal competences in this programme. Our informal, personal approach is aimed at helping you flourish both professionally and personally. We challenge you to look beyond disciplinary and cultural barriers and to work well together with others, for example, in our strong project based education. Your years of studying Communication Science at UT you will provide you with an unforgettable student experience – thanks also to our wonderful, green campus and the vibrant student city of Enschede, a city full of knowledge, innovation and fun!
Are you a typical Communication Science student?
Naturally, we want you to feel that you are in the right place during your studies. With that in mind, we’ve identified five characteristics we see in many of our students. If you recognise these qualities in yourself or some of them, you can stop doubting: you definitely have the potential to become an excellent communication professional!
- You are not afraid of challenges and change, and you are relaxed about uncertainties. You don’t know what the world will look like in ten years’ time, but you think ahead and see new opportunities.
- Analysing and interpreting? You enjoy doing both. You eagerly research how communication, in all its possible forms, can make our world more understandable and beautiful.
- You are not necessarily into programming, but the innovations and latest media applications of today certainly interest you. In our Communication Science programme you will develop good communication skills, such as speaking, writing, presenting and analysing, while also gaining in-depth insight into the major role of tech in our society.
- You are empathetic. As a communication professional, you will become an important connecting link in and for organisations. An ability to empathise with, and coordinate among, multiple internal and external parties is a major asset.
- The organisations of the future are looking for change managers and communication professionals willing to take on strategic roles. Do you see yourself doing that in a few years’ time? Then we will help prepare you academically and professionally.
Future jobs
There are all kinds of opportunities in the job market for communication scientists. During the programme, we prepare you for these opportunities by introducing you to a variety of possible future jobs. To give you an idea, you will find below twelve of the most frequently occurring positions acquired by our Communication Science graduates.
- UX (user experience) Designer
- Big Data, Search & Conversion Marketer
- Campaign Manager
- Media Designer
- Social Media Agent
- Online Privacy Specialist
- Marketing & Communication Policy Advisor
- Digital Marketing Manager
- Public Relations Officer
- Crisis Manager
- Trend Watcher
- Copywriter and SEO Marketer
Programme overview
Related programmes
Below you find a list of educational programmes which are (closely) related to Communication Science.
Business Studies and Public Policy