Overview

The major combines hands-on production with a rich grounding in media and communication theory and history that focuses on power, difference, and injustice. MCS students develop the intellectual capacities and skills needed to use media and communication effectively and ethically.

Learning objectives

The Media and Communication Studies curriculum at the University of Washington advances the five core IAS learning objectives. Students taking courses and/or majoring in Media and Communication Studies:

Develop communication literacies across different genres, mediums, and social contexts
Recognize and name how different populations experience power, difference, and injustice in relation to media organizations and representational practices
Engage with media and communication scholarship in order to research and analyze diverse communication processes
Apply media and communication scholarship to the processes of producing ethical media and communication content in a variety of contexts and for a range of purposes
Analyze the role, practices, histories, rules, and regulations of media and communication technologies in contemporary societies

Profession

Graduates from this major go on to become strategic communicators and media production practitioners. Students in the MCS major pursue careers in the media industries and cultural studies, as well as community organizing and social justice work.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Media and Communication Studies
Making Media
Public Speaking and Communication
Time-Based Media Art
Video Art
Photography and Digital Art
Literary & Arts Journal
Image and Imagination
Media and Communication Techniques

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 48 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2027-09-24 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-11-15 00:00:00

Language

English

Duolingo English Test

110

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Credits

180 alternative credits

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

Seattle, United States

Disciplines

Communication Studies Media Studies & Mass Media View 907 other Bachelors in Media Studies & Mass Media in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

Required

English requirements

Duolingo English Test

110

Take A Free Practice Test!

TOEFL^® IBT

Schedule TOEFL®

IELTS

Prepare for Your English Test

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Learn your IELTS Score

AI-powered IELTS feedback. Clear, actionable, and tailored to boost your writing & speaking score. No credit card or upfront payment required.

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98 accuracy using real exam data
4.9/5 student rating

Other requirements

General requirements

All freshman applicants will self-report their courses on the application. A minimum level of preparation in six subject areas must be met for admission.

The writing section is a required and important part of your application. Please note that the UW essay questions must be answered within our application. For the Common App, that means within our UW questions. We do not consider the Common App essay.

The UW no longer requires SAT or ACT scores for most applicants. Homeschooled applicants and applicants who come from schools with non-standard grading practices that do not have letter or numeric grades are still required to submit SAT or ACT scores.
Do not send high school or college transcripts unless you receive a request from the Office of Admissions. The application asks you to provide a detailed account of your academic coursework, and that’s all we need to review your application.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

43209 USD / year

≈ 43209 USD / year
Out-of-State

43209 USD / year

≈ 43209 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

12973 USD / year

≈ 12973 USD / year

Living costs

Seattle

United States

1480 - 2580 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Bachelor's scholarship opportunities for Media and Communication Studies.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

About

Overview

Learning objectives

Profession

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Living costs

Seattle

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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