Bachelor of Communication and Media (Visual Communication Design)

Students who graduate with a Visual Communication & Design degree will be ready to join the creative industries workforce as designers, creative specialists, animators or advertising specialists. You won’t be tied down to one particular industry or company. All businesses and companies need designers, all departments need design specialists on their team. This demand isn’t going to subside anytime in the near, or distant, future. You’ll also graduate with an extensive, professional portfolio of your work, making you an extremely employable candidate for any design related job.

* Academic Admission Requirements

Admission eligibility is determined by your high school curriculum and academic results. Depending on your qualifications, you may be eligible for either the 3-Year Advanced Entry Track or the 4-Year Direct Entry Track, which includes the Integrated Freshman Year.

UAE Al-Thanawiyya Al-Aama

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Not available.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track:
  • Elite/Advanced Track: Minimum 70%.
  • General Track: Minimum 75%.

British GCE (A-Levels)

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Minimum of five IGCSE subjects at Grade D or above, plus three A-Level subjects with grades of CCD or higher.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track: Minimum of five IGCSE subjects at Grade D or above, plus two AS Levels or one A-Level at Grade D or above.

American High School Diploma

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Average grade of C (GPA 2.5/4.0) and a minimum SAT score of 1100.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track: Average grade of C (GPA 2.5/4.0).

International Baccalaureate (IB)

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Minimum 25 points.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track: Minimum 21 points.

India (CBSE / ICSE Grade 12)

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Overall score of 10.5 based on the university’s point-conversion scale.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track: Minimum overall score of 70%.

* English Language Proficiency Requirements

As the program requires extensive design presentations, design theory analysis, project collaboration, and professional communication in English, applicants must meet one of the following English language requirements.

IELTS Academic

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Overall score of 6.5, with no band lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Listening, and Speaking.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track: Overall score of 5.0.

TOEFL iBT

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Overall score of 86, with minimum scores of 18 in Reading and Writing and 17 in Listening and Speaking.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track: Overall score of 40.

EmSAT English

• 3-Year Advanced Entry Track: Minimum score of 1550.
• 4-Year Direct Entry Track: Minimum score of 1100.

* Credit for Prior Learning: If you are seeking advanced standing status, please submit an official academic transcript showing all courses studied and the grades achieved, syllabus details (including information on course content) for the courses you have completed and an explanation of the grading system.

First Year – Design Principles and Foundations

The first year develops essential design skills and introduces students to visual communication, media literacy, color theory, layout composition, and digital design tools.

First Semester

• BCM 110 – Introduction to Communication and Media Studies – 6 Credit Points
• BCM 111 – Global Media and Culture – 6 Credit Points
• BCM 112 – Emergent Media – 6 Credit Points

Second Semester

• VCD 101 – Design Studio – 6 Credit Points
• VCD 102 – Introduction to Visual Communication Design – 6 Credit Points
• General Elective – 6 Credit Points
• General Elective – 6 Credit Points
• General Elective – 6 Credit Points

Second Year – Branding, Web Layouts and Strategic Identity

The second year focuses on branding systems, publication design, vector graphics, digital innovation, and practical industry experience.

First Semester

• VCD 201 – Brand and Identity Design – 6 Credit Points
• VCD 202 – Print and Publication Design or Vector Media – 6 Credit Points
• BCM 214 – Digital and Social Innovation – 6 Credit Points

Second Semester

• CRLP 200 – Career Ready Learning and Practice (Internship) – 6 Credit Points
• General Elective – 6 Credit Points
• General Elective – 6 Credit Points
• General Elective – 6 Credit Points
• General Elective – 6 Credit Points

Third Year – Advanced UI/UX, Portfolio and Capstone Project

The final year emphasizes advanced design strategy, user experience design, interactive media, collaborative production, and the development of a professional portfolio.

First Semester

• VCD 301 – Advanced Visual Communication Project / Capstone – 6 Credit Points
• VCD 302 – Interaction and Experience Design (UI/UX) – 6 Credit Points

Second Semester

• BCM 303 – Collaborative Production Workshop – 6 Credit Points
• BCM 325 – Future Cultures – 6 Credit Points
• Advanced Elective / Industry Studio – 6 Credit Points
• Advanced Elective / Industry Studio – 6 Credit Points
• Advanced Elective / Industry Studio – 6 Credit Points
• Advanced Elective / Industry Studio – 6 Credit Points

Total Credit Points: 144 cp