Information for the student – Specialized Communication

The master's degree is addressed primarily to graduates in the arts and humanities, health sciences, social sciences and law who are interested in learning about the mechanisms and processes of human communication. English-language skills at level B2, Spanish-language skills at level C1, a good working knowledge of Catalan, and user-level computer skills are also required.

The programme may also be of interest to experts in multimedia, advertising and marketing, communication professionals and institutional interlocutors. The Coordination Committee may consider applicants from different academic or professional backgrounds who can demonstrate a particular interest in the programme; for example, professionals in fields related to the focus of the syllabus.

In general terms, and irrespective of the chosen area of specialization, candidates are suitable for the master's degree provided that they have an interest in innovation and discovery of new perspectives in the field of communication; motivation for research and enthusiasm for discovering new ways of advancing knowledge; discipline and a capacity for work; creative abilities, and the capacity for analysis and critical observation.

In accordance with Article 16 of Royal Decree 1393/29 October 2007, students must hold one of the following qualifications to access university master's degree courses:

• An official Spanish degree.
  
• A degree issued by a higher education institution within the European Higher Education Area framework that authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue.
  
• A qualification from outside the framework of the European Higher Education Area. In this case, the qualification should be recognized as equivalent to an official Spanish degree. If it is not recognized, the University of Barcelona shall verify that it corresponds to a level of education that is equivalent to official Spanish degrees and that it authorizes the holder to access university master's degree courses in the country of issue. Admission shall not, in any case, imply that prior qualifications have been recognized as equivalent to a Spanish master's degree and does not confer recognition for any purposes other than that of admission to the master's degree course.

Preferential access to the master's degree in Specialized Communication is given to holders of bachelor's degree and pre-EHEA degrees in the arts and humanities, health sciences, social sciences and law.

However, as admission is not restricted and students generally hold a range of previous qualifications, bridging courses are available for those with no prior training in communication or philology. The Committee will decide whether bridging courses are required on the basis of previous qualifications and relevant professional experience stated in the candidate's curriculum vitae.

Bridging courses
The bridging courses comprise two subjects from the bachelor's degree in Communication and the Culture Industry at the University of Barcelona:

• Genres and Formats of Written Communication (second-year subject, six credits, taught in the first semester).
  
• Analysis of Media Discourse (third-year subject, six credits, taught in the first semester).