Bachelor Communication Science

Digital society is about how our society is getting increasingly digitized (think of all the new media options and the internet-of-things in which devices in our homes are connected), but also has become dependent on technology (think of fake news and game addiction). Further, you will learn how to match innovations with people’s values, skills and needs, so that we can ensure a resilient, sustainable and inclusive society for all. Courses within this theme focus on: Game or tech addiction, fake news, serious gaming, media effects, social and digital inequalities, big data, Internet of Things, online privacy, and artificial intelligence.

Changing organizations is about how organizations can change the world but also the other way around. First, whether organizations succeed in changing the world by means of their innovations depends to a large extent on effective communication with relevant audiences involved. You will learn about the success and failures of the development and implementation of innovations focusing stakeholder-, reputation-, and crisis communication. Second, organizations themselves are changing because social robots take over some of our work, traditional organizations are being replaced by more flexible ways of organizing, while new work based technologies, ICTs, and applications are making it possible for employees to work when and where they want. Based on knowledge acquired in this theme and taking on the role of consultant, you learn how to strategically advise organizations about what the organization of the future should look like. Courses will be about: Identity, image and reputation management, leadership, crisis communication, and public relations.

Finally, the Persuasive tech theme focuses on human-technology interaction and the role of design. The products and services surrounding us become smarter every day; think of products being capable of registering our facial expressions, bodily states and expressive behaviors such as movements, intonation and body language. As another example, consider smart digital billboards along the highway which can detect the make, model and year of a vehicle and based on that can project ads specifically tailored to the driver. You will become well-versed in visual communication and the interplay of the senses and learn how to optimize human-technology interaction. Courses within this theme are about: Human-centered design, consumer psychology, multi-sensory design, techno marketing, nudging, priming and framing, and virtual reality.

Communication Science at UT is ranked as the number 1 communication programme in the 2012 Keuzegids Universiteiten study guide and is therefore rated a ‘Top Programme’. The University of Twente is ranked ‘the best technical university in the Netherlands’ by the 2018 Keuzegids Universiteiten and this is the ideal place to follow this programme. Many of the technologies that will shape our future are developed and studied here on our beautiful campus. Here, next to cutting edge facilities like the DesignLab, the Virtual Reality Lab and the TechMed center, you can enjoy numerous sports and cultural activities or just grab a coffee in one of our many bars and restaurants.

This is the only programme that really teaches and researches communication in the context of our high-tech digital global society. With a focus on three themes (Digital society, Changing organizations, and Persuasive tech) Communication Science at UT is about connecting people (through technology) and people with technology in order to bring forth a resilient, sustainable and inclusive society.

We connect communication theory with the real-life global challenges of our time. In every module, you will work on a team project in which you and your team mates will directly apply the knowledge you have gained to a current issue. Our students highly appreciate the small scale and high quality teaching in an international environment.

You will learn to consider the new ways in which people connect to the world (e.g., social media & connectedness / social interaction), develop new skills (e.g., digital learning & mastery), ‘have’ a voice (e.g., YouTube channels & agency), or manage their health and wellbeing (e.g., health apps & empowerment, autonomy). You will know all there is to know about the rise and fall of new media opportunities, and about the best ways of using them. You will learn how to use communication strategies to influence or facilitate the behaviour of individuals and organizations in a global society. You will understand the role of communication as a binding force between people, in and between organizations, and throughout society. You will have the ability to look at issues from different perspectives, to translate complex matter into meaningful information. You will understand the practical implications of policies and strategies. Framing, bridging and bonding will be among your core activities.