Master of Arts in Visual Communication and Media Studies
Sunway College Johor Bahru · Johor Bahru, Malaysia
QS World University Ranking: N/A
Quick Overview
Apply Now📘 Program Overview
The Master of Arts in Visual Communication and Media Studies is an MA by coursework that explores how media messages are formed, transmitted, and how they affect society and culture through narratives, theory, and practical creative work.
The programme is delivered through core modules in media theory, professional practice, research methodologies, and a research-creation project, alongside two electives chosen from a list that supports study in either theory, practice, or both.
🎯 Course & Curriculum
Course structure
- Interactive Communications
- Media Theory
- Narratives in Media
- Professional Practice & Ethics
- Research Methodologies
- Strategic Concept and Design
- Electives (choose 2): Emerging Media; Technology, Development and Media; Brand Identity and Narrative
- Research-Creation Project
- Create a research-based thesis project with an original visual work expressing knowledge gained through research
Curriculum
Credit hours programme total: 40 credit hours. Core modules plus electives (choose 2) and a Research-Creation Project as the final component.
| Semester | No. of modules | Module / subject category | credit hours | Semester total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Core modules | Interactive Communications | 0 | 0 |
| Media Theory | 0 | |||
| Semester 2 | Core modules | Narratives in Media | 0 | 0 |
| Professional Practice & Ethics | 0 | |||
| Research Methodologies | 0 | |||
| Strategic Concept and Design | 0 | |||
| Semester 3 | Electives (choose 2) and final project | Emerging Media | 0 | 0 |
| Technology, Development and Media | 0 | |||
| Research-Creation Project | 0 | |||
| Total | Core modules, elective modules (choose 2), and Research-Creation Project | 40 credit hours | ||
Career outcomes
- You build advanced expertise in how narratives shape media messaging, supporting career pathways in communication design and media production roles.
- You develop research-led creative capability that fits careers in film-making, broadcasting, and digital content development where strong conceptual thinking matters.
- You gain practical understanding of professional practice and ethics, helping you prepare for workplace-ready roles in corporate communications and advertising.
- You develop skills aligned to emerging media and new media design, supporting your readiness for roles in AR/VR design and production & media teams.
- You strengthen your strategic and design approach through research methodologies and strategic concept work, preparing you for digital marketing & strategy and identity branding.
- You graduate with a research-creation project that demonstrates both academic thinking and original visual output, giving you a credible portfolio for interviews.
Employability rate
International students studying media and visual communication typically see an employability rate of around 78% and an unemployment rate of about 22% after graduation, reflecting competitive hiring in creative and communications roles.
Overall, this outlook is generally stable for graduates who can demonstrate a strong portfolio aligned to media practice and industry needs in Malaysia.
✅ Entry Requirements
Academic qualification
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Bachelor's degree | International applicants need a Bachelor's degree or its equivalent with a minimum CGPA of 2.75. The university also states that a minimum CGPA of 2.50 may be accepted subject to a rigorous internal assessment or subject to a minimum of 5 years working experience in a relevant field. |
| Portfolio and personal statement (as part of eligibility check) | For eligibility check, the university requests a portfolio of 5 to 15 examples of original creative work and a personal statement (500 to 750 words) explaining your interest and goals for graduate study. |
| APEL.A (Recognition of Prior Learning) | The programme page states that an APEL.A Certificate (APEL T-7) can be considered for entry as part of the admissions pathway described by the university. |
Language requirements
English language requirements are published for international applicants to this programme. Accepted evidence includes IELTS or its equivalent (including TOEFL as listed by the university).
IELTS Academic
MOI (Medium of Instruction)
MOI waiver details are not published for this programme. See the English test requirements above.
💶 Fees & Funding
| Item | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition | MYR 49000 / total program | Estimated Total Course Fee (Year 2026): RM49,000 for Malaysian students. International students must pay fees in RM equivalent (USD amount is indicative/estimation). |
Proof of financial resources
To study in Malaysia as an international student, you must be able to meet course fees and living expenses. The Student Pass process depends on your financial capability to cover your course fees and other study-related expenses.
- Financial capability to meet course fees and other expenses for studying in Malaysia (Student Pass criteria)
- Estimated tuition payment in Malaysia ringgit as instructed by the university for international students
Important dates
Application window
| Milestone | February - Winter intake | April - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application portal opens | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (final submit) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Application deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Recommended apply-by | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Semester begins | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Pre-application & reviews
| Milestone | February - Winter intake | April - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| VPD request - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| VPD result expected | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| APS - recommended | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Start eligibility check | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Document submission deadlines
| Milestone | February - Winter intake | April - Summer intake | September - Winter intake |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application submission deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Document submission deadline (Non-EU students) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Language certificate deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Official transcripts deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Certified translations deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Postal / hard-copy documents deadline | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Missing documents (if requested) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
📝 How to Apply
Check the programme and intakes
Review the programme and the listed intakes to confirm the study mode and timing that fits you. If you have enquiries, the university directs applicants to check for any upcoming preview session or contact the programme team.
Send documents for an eligibility check
Compile your documents for the eligibility check and submit them via the university’s eligibility check portal. The university states that you will receive an outcome via email within 7 working days. Your eligibility check documents include items such as transcripts, completion certificate, CV/resume, reference letters, portfolio, and personal statement as listed on the programme page.
Attend the interview arrangement
After you pass the eligibility check, the university will contact you to arrange an interview. Complete the interview process as arranged by the faculty/administrator.
Proceed to enrol and apply for enrolment
After passing the interview, you may proceed to enrol at the university. The programme page indicates that you then move to enrolment using the university’s online application system.