Diploma in Mass Communication

Course Overview

Oprah Winfrey, Ellen DeGeneres, Brad Pitt, Matthew McConaughey – these household names (and countless others) all have backgrounds in communications. It is no coincidence that numerous creative, talented personalities chose to venture into communications. If you have similar aspirations, coupled with an imaginative mind, perhaps a career in communications is for you! 

This programme hones and nurtures your process of communication to prepare you for the creative industry. Fully accredited by the Malaysian Qualifying Agency (MQA), this Diploma is accepted by 124 different programmes in 6 different countries.

Learning Outcomes

• Hone and nurture your communication process. 
• Prepare yourself to be future-ready by basing assessments on industry-standard, real-world client projects.
• Gain advance standing into Year 2 of the BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication or for broadcasting track students, the BA (Hons) Film Production programmes from University of Sunderland.
• Gain advance standing into the BA (Hons) Creative Film, Television and Digital Media Production offered by the University of Northampton.
• Also obtain a Diploma from the International Advertising Association (IAA), New York.

COURSE MODULES

Year 1

Principles of Advertising

In this module, you will cover basic advertising concepts and study the roles that advertisers, advertising agencies, the media and other related professional bodies play in the industry, as well as how the industry works to reach its target audience.

Communication English

This module aims to help you develop and enhance your reading, writing, listening and speaking skills to express your opinions and views in English and write academic essays confidently. 

Communication English 103

This subject aims to further help you express your opinions and views in English and to further improve reading comprehension as well as writing academic essays confidently. 

Presentation Skills

You will learn the skills needed for effective presentations. This module encourages you to think critically about your audience and the purpose of presenting when planning for and delivering the presentation.

Public Relations

Public relations is an aspect of media relations applicable to media outlets in the industry. You will study brand building, marketing principles and techniques that can be used to promote film, print, events and so on. Its over-arching usefulness makes public relations a critical subject within the programme. 

Media and Culture

You will explore a range of concepts, approaches and media forms including music, television, film and social media. 

Computer Graphics

You will be introduced to the most basic design softwares used today and taught to handle simple and basic computer design functions and applications.

Creative Thinking

This module invites you to change your creative mindset by helping you understand creativity, what it takes to be creative and how to be a creative thinker. It also helps in honing your analytical skills.

Introduction to Sociology

This module will expose you to the discipline of sociology, its theories and its research methods. It discusses the relationships between individual cultures and society, and how social and cultural forces influence personal experiences and group behaviours. 

Mass Communication

This module encourages reflection upon the relationship between mass communication and our society. You will be taught the various communication elements and processes in order to better understand media messages and the impact of media content on audience attitudes and behaviour.

Principles of Journalism

This module takes you through the fundamental process of news writing – information gathering, interviewing skills, media ethics and publication - at an introductory level.

Photography and Digital Imaging

This module provides you with a basic introduction to photography and digital imaging. It covers a range of related topics from display design to basic knowledge on how to use a DSLR.

Year 2

Convergent Journalism

This is an advanced level, post-internship module, where you will be exposed to writing for real clients and expected to showcase your maturity and ability to produce publish-ready articles.  You will be made to understand the business, cultural and technological importance of media convergence for future employment. 

Media Ethics and Regulations

Personal ethics play an important role in maintaining the health and stability of the media industry and society at large, thus making this module central to the programme. Rules and regulations in Malaysia are taught to help you identify some of the industry's legal boundaries and to ensure you are well-equipped with the relevant do's and dont's within the media diaspora.   

Media Criticism

This module is a key component for developing critical thinking.  It teaches you the different techniques that can be utilised for analysing media products and discerning their meanings and perspectives. It is also a critical module in raising your awareness on the importance of multiple perspectives.

Publicity and Media Relations

This module provides you with an understanding of the media’s role in publicity and promotions. It also allows you to engage with the media.  

Video Production

This module introduces you to the procedures and techniques of video production. You will learn the technical practices and creative skills required to produce a video through practical workshops, supervised exercises, screenings and discussions.

Writing for Different Media

This introductory module teaches you a broad range of relevant writing techniques used in the media industry today. Both fiction and non-fiction writing methods will be explored.  

Research Methods

This module introduces you to the importance of research in today’s world, and helps you think critically about society.

In-Company Practical Training

You will learn the development of strategies which will extend your learning beyond educational institutions. This module is structured to provide an opportunity for students to critically reflect on the relationship between their academic studies and advertising, marketing and communication practices.

Final Semester

Idea Conceptualisation

This module focuses on the cultivation of ideas and problem-solving strategies for the moving image. It will combine idea generation, designing, conceptualising,  directing, editing and sound, culminating in the final project. It encourages you to think out-of-the-box.

New Media Studies

You will be taught critical concepts and hands-on skills related to ‘new social media’. We will consider the significant shifts of new media in the reading, viewing and listening experiences while remaining mindful of new media’s connections with the older media.

PR Campaign Strategies

This module provides you with a step-by-step checklist of planning and implementing PR campaigns.  It emphasises on building socially responsible relations.  You will also be taught the essential elements and cutting-edge tools needed to execute events that form part of a campaign.

ELECTIVE MODULES

Choose any 2 modules below:

Corporate Communication

In this elective module, you will study the internal and external aspects of corporate communication - employees, communities, finances and government PR.

Corporate Crisis Management

You will develop an understanding of corporate crisis anticipation, methods of response and the general future of crisis management and technologies used.

Print Journalism

This is an advanced module designed to challenge those of you who are keen on print journalism. It focuses on feature writing and news reporting. You will be tested on your journalistic acumen and ability to source and write credible articles that are publish ready. You will be required to conduct independent work, interviews, and pitching story ideas to publishers.

Fundamentals of Publishing

You will hone the basic desktop publishing skills needed to publish a book or a periodical according to industry and international printing standards. You will also learn the fundamentals of designing an aesthetically-pleasing newspaper, magazine or book cover. This module offers an insight into the ever-changing role of a print publisher.

Broadcast Portfolio

This module looks at the creative process and basic disciplines of creativity in video production for broadcast. You will be exposed to the use of creative thinking in planning a production, the creative process and its applications, creative approaches and styles, as well as the art direction in production. 

MPU MODULES

Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1 or Pengajian Malaysia 2

Bahasa Melayu Komunikasi 1 teaches international students the basics of the Malay language to help in their daily communication. You will also learn to read, write and understand simple sentences and paragraphs in Malay. Pengajian Malaysia 2 discusses history and politics, the Constitution, administrative systems and structures, community and unity, nation-building and religious beliefs. You will foster a strong sense of national identity and patriotism

Study of Religions

This module aims to develop your understanding of living religions of the world with emphasis on fundamental doctrines and beliefs, historical development, institutions, teachings and also practices.

Bahasa Kebangsaan A or Problem Solving and Decision Making

Bahasa Kebangsaan A helps in grasping the national language to effectively communicate, and express thoughts clearly and creatively through verbal and written communication. Problem Solving And Decision Making introduces you to the concepts and strategies in problem solving and decision making. Students are expected to apply these concepts and processes to a variety of problems and scenarios within the creative communications industry.

Serving Our Society (S.O.S.)

S.O.S  is a student-run society that supports both local and international community work, as well as strengthens the bond between students and staff through community activities.

You can also earn a microcredential from:

University of Amsterdam​

• Introduction to Communication Science
• Media Ethics & Governance​

University of Colorado Boulder​

• Principles of Public Relations​
• The Nuts and Bolts of Public Relations​
• Fandom, Social Media and Authenticity in the Digital Age​

Michigan State University

• Become a Journalist: Report the News!​

Wesleyan University​

• Creative Writing​

University of California, Irvine​

• Project Management & Other Tools for Career Development​

Northwestern University ​

• Content Strategy for Professionals​

The State University of New York​

• Disaster, Crisis, and Emergency Preparedness Communication​

University of Michigan​

• Good with Words: Writing and Editing​