Virtual University BS Mass Communication

The Virtual University’s Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication program is a unique academic program and it provides students with an exciting and varied learning environment. This program encourages students to take risks and explore topics related to human values, cultural differences, and social issues.

The primary goal of this program is to prepare students for careers in the media industry. The Students can choose to specialize in either Print or Electronic Media. It is depending on their interests and career goals. The Print Media specialization focuses on the production of written and graphic content for newspapers, magazines, and other print publications. The Electronic Media specialization prepares students to work in television, radio, and other forms of electronic media.

In this program the students also learn about media law and ethics, media theory and research, writing and production, and media management. They also gain practical experience through internships and other hands-on opportunities.

The Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication program is an excellent choice for students, who are interested in pursuing a career in the media industry.

BS Mass Communication Objectives

Provides the students with a diverse and stimulating learning environment of Mass communication.
Encourages them to the exploration of human values, cultural differences, and social issues
Prepares students for careers in the media industry
Covers the mass media law and ethics, theory, and research, writing, and production, and media management
Offers practical experience to students through internships and hands-on opportunities
Ideal for students who are interested in joining the media industry as a career.

Eligibility

Candidate has 12 years of Education, minimum 45% marks, FA/FSC/ICS/I.COM can apply for admission
Candidates with less than 45% marks can be admitted after completing the “Zero Semester“.
Candidates with “A” level certification must show an equivalent certificate issued by the Inter Board Committee of the Chairman in Islamabad (http://www.ibcc.edu.pk/).

Course Exemption

Students who have already completed 14 years of education and those wishing to transfer their credit hours from other universities are allowed for course exemption.

Degree Duration

This program is a four-year full-time course, divided into eight semesters, each semester has at least 18 weeks for teaching and examinations.

Assessment of Study Progress

Student’s academic progress is assessed continuously during the semester through assignments, online quizzes, Graded Discussion Boards (GDBs), midterm exams, and final exams. The midterm and final exams, which make up 80-85% of a course, are managed at the locations of the virtual university’s designated exam centers all over Pakistan as well as overseas.

Study Scheme

Semester 1

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Credit Hours
CS101	Introduction to Computing	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM101	Introduction to Mass Communication	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
ENG101	English Comprehension	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MGT502	Organizational Behavior	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
PSY101	Introduction to Psychology	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
PAK301	Pakistan Studies	Required	2 (Theory:2), Practical:0)
VU001	Introduction to e-Learning	Required	1 (Theory:1), Practical:0)

Semester 2

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Credit Hours
MCM401	Fundamentals of Public Relations	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
ENG201	Business and Technical English Writing	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MGT211	Introduction To Business	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
SOC101	Introduction to Sociology	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
URD101	Urdu	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
ETH202	Ethics (for Non-Muslims)	Required	2 (Theory:2), Practical:0)
ISL202	Islamic Studies	Required	2 (Theory:2), Practical:0)

Semester 3

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Credit Hours
GSC101	General Science	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM301	Communication skills	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM601	Media Management	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MGT301	Principles of Marketing	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MTH100	General Mathematics	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)

Semester 4

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Credit Hours
ECO401	Economics	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM304	Mass Media in Pakistan	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCMP310	Journalistic Writing	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MTH302	Business Mathematics & Statistics	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
SOC401	Cultural Anthropology	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)

Semester 5

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Credit Hours
MCM431	Development Communication	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM511	Theories of Communication	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM604	International Communication	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM610	Mass Communication Law & Ethics	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MGT503	Principles of Management	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
STA301	Statistics and Probability	Required	3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)

Semester 6

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Credit Hours
MCM520	Contemporary Mass Media	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCMI619	Internship Report-Mass Communication	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCMP501	Advertising for Print and Electronic Media	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCMP517	Online Journalism	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
SOC610	Electronic Media & Virtual Community	Required	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
STA630	Research Methods	Required	3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)

Semester 7

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Pre Requisite	Credit Hours
CS204	Cyber Law	Required		3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
IT430	E-Commerce	Required		3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM499A	Final Year Project	Required	STA630	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM611	Seminar on Contemporary Issues in Media	Required		3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCMP531	Community Journalism	Required		3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
PSC201	International Relations	Required		3 (Theory:3, Practical:0)

Semester 8

Course Code	Subject Title	Type	Pre Requisite	Credit Hours	Specialization
MCM499B	Final Year Project	Required	MCM499A	3 (Theory:3), Practical:0)
MCM620	Specialized Project	Required		3 (Theory:2), Practical:1)
MCMP311	Reporting and Sub-editing	Elective		3 (Theory:2), Practical:1)	Print Media
MCMP411	Introduction to Broadcastings	Elective		3 (Theory:2), Practical:1)	Electronic Media
MCMP514	Feature & Column Writing	Elective		3 (Theory:2), Practical:1)	Print Media
MCMP515	Radio News Reporting & Production	Elective		3 (Theory:2), Practical:1)	Electronic Media
MCMP516	TV News Reporting & Production	Elective		3 (Theory:2, Practical:1)	Electronic Media
MCMP532	Magazine Journalism	Elective		3 (Theory:2, Practical:1)	Print Media

Rules for Final Year Project:

The Final Year Project will be worth 6 credit hours, split equally between the 7th and 8th semesters, with each semester carrying 3 credit hours.
To enroll in a Final Year Project, students must have

a cumulative grade point average (CGPA) that is at least 2.
earn at least 101 credit hours
and pass the STA630-Research Methods course.

If a student does not meet the requirements for the Final Year Project, he/she will receive an “F” grade.

Rules for Specialized Project

In the final semester, students must complete a 3-credit-hour Specialized Project (MCM620).
To enroll in the Specialized Project

Earned 118 or more credit hours

Students majoring in electronic media will undertake projects in video production, music video, or documentary making, while those majoring in print media will create a Newspaper or Magazine Website, engaging in the writing of Articles and Features

Rules for Internship

Students must complete a 6-8 week internship in a media organization, advertising agency, or public relations department to fulfill the requirements of the Internship Report (MCMI619) and receive an Internship Completion Certificate issued by the organization.
Students must submit a comprehensive report on their internship, followed by an oral presentation.
To be eligible for the Internship course, a student must have obtained 82 or more credit hours.

Award of Degree

To be awarded a Bachelor of Mass Communication degree, a student must complete at least 134 credit hours of coursework with a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 2.0 out of 4.

Fee Structure

Degree Program	Admission Fee	Registration Fee	Security Fee	Admission Processing Fee	Semester Enrollment Fee	Per credit hour fee	Fee of Convocation	Fee payable at admission
BS	3,000	2,500	2,000	500	1,000	935	2,000	11,905

Semester Fee

Semester fee Approximately Rs. 17000/-

Fee Structure for Overseas

Disclaimer

The courses are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up-to-date with those taught at top universities, taking into account the needs of local industry and the job market.
The University may change its fee structure from time to time