Master’s Degree in International Communication (MIC)

The Master’s degree in International Communication is an international Master’s degree provided by IULM University in partnership with three prestigious European universities specialised in public relations and communication. The MIC offers the opportunity to study in different universities and to acquire a specialisation targeted at global communication.

The Master’s degree in International Communication (MIC) is a postgraduate programme entirely in English lasting 18 months and aimed at graduates in the communication disciplines or related subjects. By attending the MIC Master’s degree course you will be able to study in different universities all over Europe and thus obtain dual recognition.

The MIC is a full-time programme lasting 3 semesters. The first semester (Professionalising Communication) has a core curriculum in which you will get training on the basic tools of communication and takes place in one of the three partner universities. The second semester (Communication Professional in Context) is oriented towards specialisation and is held in another of the partner universities. The specialisation depends on the programme offered by the university chosen for the second semester. The third semester involves writing a thesis, under the joint supervision of the two partner universities.

The certificate awarded on completion of the study path consists in a double recognition: a Master’s degree from each of the two partner universities and an overall certificate from the consortium.

The three European universities which, with IULM, take part in the Hofstede Geert Consortium are Metropolitan University (Leeds); Universitas Vilnensis (Vilnius); Hanze University Groningen.

The MIC trains international communications professionals who are capable of working in a multicultural context and of anticipating global changes. Experts and consultants in Corporate Communication, International Media Relations, Public Relations, Intercultural Relations and European Public Affairs.

Core Programme

The first semester introduces you to the full breadth of the profession. You can study your first semester at either Leeds Beckett University, Vilnius University, or Hanze University of Applied Sciences, where you will follow the core modules for the master.

Specialisation Programme

Each of the consortium universities has a specific perspective of the International Communication's topic and specialises in certain areas. You may choose the university that fits best your professional and personal goals.

Hanze University of Applied Sciences

• The Issues Manager: The effective management of public affairs shapes public policy, public perception and public acceptance. How can public affairs/communication strategies be used as tools for dealing with public issues and be applied to exert influence and gain an advantage? This course provides the opportunity to research and plan a major project and make a public presentation and a defence to a client in a consultancy role.
• The trusted advisor: Knowing how to conduct evidence-based research makes one a trusted advisor. This project focusses on applied communication research, specifically the empiric and analytical phase of research, in solving grand societal issues. This course provides the opportunity to perform as a researcher and to apply modern (online) research tools and learn to develop simple and concrete metaphors that help people to organise information on issues in new ways.
• The engager: An organisation working internationally needs its employees to be interculturally competent. In this course, you will learn how to train others and how to manage international projects within the context of a development cooperation. For this course, we work together with the Hanze Centre for Development Cooperation.

Leeds Beckett University

• Public relations skills: This specialisation helps you become more employable in public relations by developing their competence and confidence. With a focus on writing and professional skills, you will develop writing tactics necessary for crafting and delivering communication messages via traditional and social media. You will develop PR consultancy and managerial skills, including crisis management and the role of creativity in communication management.
• Communication audits: A thorough and effective communication audit ensures an organisation is using the best possible communication channels available. While gaining invaluable insight into the process, you will be challenged to offer creative proposals for improving communication processes and to critically evaluate the recommendations for the client.
• Digital communication management: New media is rapidly re-shaping the communication industry. The aim of this specialisation is to develop a deeper understanding of new media, in theory, and practice, and to critically analyse the implications for corporate communications.

IULM University

• Development and communication: What does it take to become a communication professional in the field of development cooperation? You will develop a critical understanding of communication theory and the practical application of media in development contexts for international organisations and/or NGOs working together with developing nations.
• Public affairs and advocacy: Explore the art and craft of the lobbying profession. You will be immersed in the strategies, tactics, methods, techniques, regulations, and ethics of those who advocate public policy options to public officials.
• Social responsibility and communication: Social responsibility is one of the major focus areas of today. What is the role of the communication professional in relation to social responsibility? How can an organisation implement a socially responsible philosophy with the support of its stakeholders?

Vilnius University

• Crisis Management and Communication: An organisation must prepare for the unexpected. The way in which an organisation responds to the unforeseen can save or even damage its reputation. You will focus on how to plan for a crisis and develop the skills needed to handle a crisis effectively.
• International Communication Campaigns: This specialisation provides you with theoretical knowledge about communication campaigns, implemented in the international arena. You will get a clear understanding of Intercultural communication aspects that are important in planning, organising and implementing communication campaigns.
• Scientific Research: This specialisation aims to expand and deepen students’ knowledge and skills in scientific research. This includes developing the capacity to assess scientific work to address both theoretical and practical scientific problems, to develop the ability to find reliable sources and the capacity to analyse scientific literature, as well as articulate findings, scientific reasoning and discussion.
• Public Diplomacy: The course gives the overview of the public diplomacy as means for foreign policy implementation. It also aims to develop students‘ understanding and ability to analyse how current means of communication influence the traditional diplomacy and determines foreign policy methods; whether and how the public diplomacy is employed by governments to achieve their foreign policy goals.

Graduate profile

Graduates of the MIC are interculturally competent communication professionals able to work in a global context from a European Perspective. They anticipate change and are able to create, offer and manage sustainable and innovative solutions to problems from the professional field at a senior managerial or consultancy level.A few examples of what could be on your business card after graduation:

• Account executive,
• PR & Communications specialist,
• Project Manager,
• Digital Strategist and Community Manager,
• Social Media Consultant,
• Global Brand Management,
• PR & Marketing Coordinator,
• Senior International Relations Officer,
• Intercultural Trainer.

Entry requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in related fields: communication, humanities, social sciences, business, management, linguistics; Extensive work experience in related fields may also be considered.
• A certificate of proof of a sufficient proficiency in the English language: either IELTS with an overall result of 6.5 and no subscores below 5.5 or TOEFL ibt total of 90 with minimum 18 in Reading, 17 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 17 in Writing. Your IELTS or TOEFL must not be older than two years.

Required documents for admissions

• MIC application form,
• Certified/legalised copy of your bachelor’s degree and transcripts/grade lists,
• Certified/legalised sworn translations of your bachelor’s degree and transcripts/grade lists (if they are not in English). The translation of your diploma and transcripts need to meet the following 4 criteria’s on every translated page:
  • Full name and signature of the translator.
  • Translator’s contact.
  • Date of translation.
  • A sentence confirming that it is an accurate translation of the original document.
• IELTS or TOEFL iBT certificate,
• Two letters of reference (for instructions, please see MIC application form page 6),
• Letter of motivation of approximately 500 words (for instructions, please see MIC application form page 4),
• Curriculum Vitae,
• Copy of your passport.