Creative Arts

Enter the media and communication industry

Enter the media and communication industry

Enhance your creative skills by studying the links between media, communication, and society, and complement your creative practice with a deep understanding of how people engage with media.

UFV offers a minor and extended minor in Media and Communication Studies as part of a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree. Tailor the program to meet your creative talents by combining your minor or extended minor in Media and Communication Studies with a major in Visual Arts; or, take a double minor or extended minor in Creative Writing, Graphic Design, or Theatre.

Explore the complex worlds of mass media, advertising, and pop culture, from traditional forms to new media. Investigate how various forms of communications and media impact your life and the world around you, and learn how to target audiences with impactful messages.

To gain real-world experience, try your hand at broadcasting right on campus by volunteering with CIVL radio, UFV's student radio station. Or get yourself published by becoming a contributor to the Cascade, UFV student newspaper. You can also take advantage of optional paid work placements with the UFV Co-operative Education program or an unpaid practicum to graduate with real work experience, a network of contacts, and references for other employment or graduate school.

Career Outlook for Media and Communication Studies

In a global knowledge economy, skilled communicators are in hot demand. A BFA with a minor or extended minor in Media and Communication Studies can help you find work with design or marketing agencies, copywriting firms, publishers, community organizations, and production companies. You may also work in gaming, web design, interactive media, creative writing, film production, or public relations. Or you may opt to pursue graduate studies.

There are no shortage of opportunities: Creative BC reports that the motion pictures and video industry is booming, with annual revenues for film, TV, and digital media adding up to $3.4 billion. As for the interactive and digital media sector, it is one of the fastest growing in B.C., at a rate of 11% per year. The industry features average salaries of $84K and $2.3 billion in sales.

WorkBC also lists advertising, marketing, and public relations jobs as top opportunity occupations. With median salaries of $30.77 an hour — going up to $33.65 an hour for managers — 6,900 openings are expected in B.C. from now to 2025.