Bachelor in Strategic Communication

Webster Vienna Private University runs a Bachelor of Arts in Strategic Communication as a full-time, in-person degree taught in English. It sits in the Communications Department and carries 240 ECTS over four years, eight semesters. The programme looks at how organisations communicate with the people around them, and trains you to build messages, campaigns and reputations on purpose rather than by instinct.

What you study

The curriculum is organised into five modules plus a thesis. The Common Core Module (72 ECTS) gives you a foundation in scientific reasoning and the social impact of science, with courses such as Global Cornerstone Seminar: Scientific Reasoning and Society, Descriptive Statistics, Contemporary Europe 1945 to Present and Global Social Problems: Justice and Inequality.

The two Discipline Core Modules (108 ECTS) carry the subject itself. Foundation courses include Media Foundations, Media Writing, Fundamentals of Strategic Communications and Public Relations, New Media Messaging, Ethics in the Media, Introduction to Marketing Communications, Persuasion and Writing for Public Relations. Later you take Public Relations Case Studies, Media Law, Ethics and Policy, Digital Culture and Media, Media Relations, Political Communications, Global Strategic Communication Campaigns, Conflict Resolution and Communications Theory. The Methods side covers Introduction to Measurement and Statistics and Media Research.

The Practical Training Module (16 ECTS) is where you apply it: Independent Study, Crisis Communications and Issues Management, and Global Media Practice. The Enrichment/Electives Module (36 ECTS) lets you choose from Webster Vienna's course offerings, with a recommended list that includes Visual Communications for Advertising and Public Relations, Culture and Communication, Media, Diversity and Society, Digital Marketing, Management of Integrated Marketing Communications, Organizational Internal Communication, Presentations for Media Professionals and Rhetoric. You finish with a thesis (8 ECTS).

How the programme is organised

Full-time students usually take five courses per semester, about 30 ECTS. Most courses run over 12 weeks with 36 contact hours and roughly 114 hours of self-learning. Teaching mixes interactive lectures, seminars, practical training and colloquia, and the page notes frequent exposure to real-world cases and practical exercises, plus interaction with external lecturers and faculty research. Internships and study abroad are encouraged but not required. There are two entry points, September and February, and the maximum intake is 25 students per year.

Who it suits

This suits someone who wants to write, argue and plan for organisations: public relations, advertising, campaigns, corporate and crisis communication. You should be comfortable with research and statistics, because methods run through the degree and the thesis is original work. It also fits students aiming at leadership roles or a later master's, since the programme is built as scholarly training as well as professional preparation.

Admission, language and next steps

Teaching is in English. Applications go directly to Webster Vienna, not through a central portal; contact the Admissions Office for the application period and requirements. As a private university it sets its own tuition fees, shown separately on the institution's page. The degree is accredited by the Agency for Quality Assurance and Accreditation Austria under the Private Universities Act, and U.S.-accredited Webster University requirements may differ slightly, so ask an advisor.

The bachelor’s programme in Strategic Communication imparts skills and knowledge for leadership positions in advertising, public relations, promotions, campaigns, corporate communication. The programme combines knowledge management, public relations, problem solving, negotiation, leadership, persuasion, media skills, communication theory, corporate and crisis communication, promotions and communication campaigns.

There is no central application portal in Austria: you apply to the institution, here Webster Vienna Private University. Private institutions set their own application periods, admission procedures and fees, so read them on the programme page. Entrance examination, as the register states it: No. Entry requirements and language tests are set by the institution, so start from the official programme page. Our guides cover tuition fees, the student residence permit and housing.