Malaysia is a popular choice for international students who want a career in media, journalism, public relations or advertising. Students can choose from Malaysian public universities, private universities and international branch campuses from the UK, Australia and China. Many programmes let you specialise from your first year.
But choosing a Mass Communication degree is about more than tuition fees. In this guide, we compare Mass Communication fees across Malaysian universities, look at QS Communication & Media subject rankings, explain the main specialisations and show what a typical degree looks like year by year.
Summary
A Mass Communication or Communication bachelor’s degree in Malaysia usually takes 3 years. Total tuition fees range from approximately RM35,000 to RM156,000.
Students can choose from 95 Mass Communication, Media and Communication programmes across 26 Malaysian universities, with specialisations in Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Broadcasting, Digital Media and Film Production, and Strategic Communication.
QS-Ranked Universities for Communication & Media
Students in Malaysia can study at universities represented in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Communication & Media Studies.
| University | QS Communication & Media Ranking 2026 |
|---|---|
| Monash University | #40 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | #101–150 |
The ranking for Monash University is for the parent university. Students at Monash University Malaysia receive the same degree.
Related creative subject rankings, QS 2026: UCSI University is #24 in the world for Performing Arts, which suits students interested in media, performance and production.
Mass Communication Fees in Malaysia
Tuition is one of the biggest differences between Mass Communication programmes in Malaysia. Students can find programmes at very different price points across public universities, private universities and international branch campuses.
Here are examples of Mass Communication programmes and their approximate total tuition fees:
| University | Programme | Duration | Approx. Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Putra Malaysia (UPM) | Bachelor of Communication with Honours | 3.5 years | RM35,000 |
| Lincoln University College | Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (Honours) | 3.2 years | RM56,603 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Bachelor of Social Sciences in Media Communication with Honours | 3.5 years | RM57,400 |
| University of Cyberjaya | Bachelor in Mass Communication with Honours | 3 years | RM59,000 |
| UTAR | Bachelor of Communication (Honours) Journalism | 3 years | RM60,410 |
| City University Malaysia | Bachelor of Communication (Hons) Mass Communication | 3 years | RM60,500 |
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Bachelor of Communication with Honours | 3 years | RM60,600 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Bachelor of Media Studies | 3.5 years | RM66,600 |
| Multimedia University (MMU) | Bachelor in Communication (Honours) (Strategic Communication) | 3 years | RM71,000 |
| Management and Science University (MSU) | Bachelor in New Media (Honours) | 3 years | RM71,550 |
| MILA University | Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours) | 3.6 years | RM72,500 |
| UNITAR International University | Bachelor of Mass Communication | 3 years | RM72,830 |
| TAR UMT | Bachelor of Communication (Honours) in Media Studies | 3 years | RM74,400 |
| UCSI University | BA (Hons) Mass Communication | 3 years | RM75,160 |
| MDIS Malaysia International College | BA (Hons) Media, Culture and Communication | 3 years | RM77,200 |
| KLUST | Bachelor of Communication (Honours) in Integrated Marketing Communication | 3 years | RM78,080 |
| INTI International University | Bachelor of Mass Communication (Hons) (Nilai) | 3 years | RM79,640 |
| Xiamen University Malaysia | Bachelor of Arts in Journalism (Honours) | 3 years | RM87,000 |
| University of Wollongong Malaysia | Bachelor of Communication (Hons) | 3 years | RM97,250 |
| SEGi University | Bachelor of Mass Communications (Hons) (Kota Damansara) | 3 years | RM97,649 |
| Sunway University | BA (Hons) in Communication | 3 years | RM102,000 |
| Asia Pacific University (APU) | Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Media and Communication Studies | 3 years | RM108,500 |
| Swinburne University Sarawak | Bachelor of Media and Communication | 3 years | RM118,320 |
| Taylor’s University | Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours) | 3 years | RM123,000 |
| Monash University Malaysia | Bachelor of Digital Media and Communication | 3 years | RM149,760 |
| University of Nottingham Malaysia | BA (Hons) International Communications Studies | 3 years | RM156,000 |
Good to know: Malaysia’s public universities offer some of the lowest Mass Communication fees in the country. UPM‘s Bachelor of Communication with Honours costs approximately RM35,000, and USM‘s costs approximately RM60,600. Public universities usually have fewer intakes, though. UM and USM list an October intake only for these programmes.
Mass Communication Specialisations in Malaysia
Mass Communication is a broad field. Most Malaysian universities let you focus on one area of the media industry, either through a specialised degree or a major.
Journalism
What you learn: news writing, reporting, editing, investigative and digital journalism, and media ethics.
Where to study it: UTAR (from RM60,410, including Journalism in Chinese Media), City University Malaysia (RM60,500), TAR UMT (RM74,900), Xiamen University Malaysia (RM87,000) and SEGi University (Journalism major, from RM97,649).
Public Relations & Corporate Communication
What you learn: reputation management, media relations, crisis communication, event management and corporate messaging.
Where to study it: 17 programmes at 8 universities, from approximately RM60,410 to RM123,000, including UTAR, City University Malaysia, TAR UMT (Bachelor of Public Relations, RM73,000), MSU (Public Relation & Entertainment, RM72,540), KLUST (Corporate Communication, RM81,130), UOW Malaysia (RM98,570), SEGi and Taylor’s (PR and Event Management, PR and Marketing, RM123,000).
Advertising & Branding
What you learn: creative strategy, copywriting, brand management, digital marketing and campaign planning.
Where to study it: 19 programmes at 9 universities, from approximately RM60,910 to RM123,000, including UTAR, UCSI (Branding and Advertising, RM73,920), TAR UMT, Xiamen University Malaysia, INTI (with the University of Hertfordshire, UK), SEGi, Sunway (Advertising and Branding, RM102,900), APU (Digital Advertising, RM108,500) and Taylor’s (Advertising and Brand Management, RM123,000).
Broadcasting
What you learn: TV and radio production, presenting, scriptwriting, studio operations and broadcast journalism.
Where to study it: UTAR (RM61,210), TAR UMT (RM74,700), UCSI (Digital Media Production and Broadcasting, RM80,490), MSU (Bachelor in Broadcasting, RM84,140) and SEGi (Broadcasting major).
Digital Media & Film Production
What you learn: video production, digital storytelling, film-making, content creation and post-production.
Where to study it: Lincoln University College (Digital Film Technology, RM56,604), MSU (New Media, RM71,550), INTI (Digital Media, RM79,640), Sunway (Digital Film Production, RM98,700), UOW Malaysia (Media Production, RM98,570), Taylor’s (Digital Media Production, RM123,000), Monash (Digital Media and Communication, RM149,760) and University of Nottingham Malaysia (International Communication Studies with Film and Television Studies, RM156,000).
Strategic & Integrated Marketing Communication
What you learn: combining PR, advertising and digital marketing into one communication strategy.
Where to study it: Multimedia University (Strategic Communication, RM71,000) and KLUST (Integrated Marketing Communication, RM78,080).
Media Studies
What you learn: media theory, culture, society and the role of media in a changing world.
Where to study it: UTAR (Media and Creative Studies, RM61,010), Universiti Malaya (Bachelor of Media Studies, RM66,600), TAR UMT (RM74,400) and MDIS (Media, Culture and Communication, RM77,200).
Flexible Routes & Intakes
International and dual degrees in Malaysia:
- UK degrees: INTI with the University of Hertfordshire (BA (Hons) Mass Communications, from RM77,704)
- Australian degrees: INTI with Swinburne University (Bachelor of Media and Communication, from RM76,700), Swinburne Sarawak, Monash University Malaysia and University of Wollongong Malaysia
- US degree: INTI with Southern New Hampshire University (BA in Communication, 4 years, RM102,920)
- Dual award: SEGi University‘s Mass Communications majors (Dual Award) — read more about dual-award degrees in Malaysia
- Year 2 entry for diploma holders: SEGi University‘s 2-year Year 2 Entry options
- Online learning: SEGi University‘s Bachelor of Mass Communication (Honours) (Online) costs approximately RM58,399.
Intakes:
- Public universities: usually March and October. UM‘s and USM‘s programmes list October only.
- Private universities often have 3–5 intakes a year. Examples: University of Wollongong Malaysia (Jan, Apr, Jun, Sep, Oct), KLUST (Mar, Jun, Sep, Oct), Taylor’s University (Feb, Apr, Sep)
What Does a Mass Communication Degree Look Like?
Mass Communication programmes in Malaysia usually take 3 years. They move from communication theory to hands-on media production and real industry experience.
The exact curriculum varies by university, but a typical journey may look like this:
Year 1: Communication Foundations
Students learn how media and communication work. Subjects may include Introduction to Mass Communication, Communication Theory, Media Writing, Visual Communication, Photography Basics and Media and Society.
Year 2: Core Skills & Specialisation
Students build practical media skills and choose their focus area. Subjects may include News Reporting, Public Relations Principles, Advertising Copywriting, Video and Audio Production, Digital and Social Media, Media Law and Ethics, and Communication Research Methods.
Year 3: Advanced Practice & Industry Experience
The final year focuses on professional practice. Students may work on campaign planning, documentary or broadcast production, crisis communication and portfolio development. Most programmes include an industrial training or internship placement with media companies, PR agencies, advertising firms or broadcasters, plus a final-year project.
This is a general example of how a Mass Communication degree may be structured. Subjects, production facilities, internships and the timing of each component vary by university.
Entry Routes: How to Get Into Mass Communication in Malaysia
Most international students enter a Mass Communication degree in one of three ways:
- Foundation in Arts / Communication (1 year) → Bachelor’s degree. Foundation programmes range from approximately RM12,000 (Multimedia University, Foundation in Communication) to RM37,868 (SEGi University, Foundation in Arts, Kota Damansara).
- Diploma in Mass Communication or Communication → Bachelor’s degree. Diplomas range from approximately RM25,550 (City University Malaysia, Diploma in Corporate Communication) to RM61,570 (University of Wollongong Malaysia, Diploma in Communication & Media). Some universities offer Year 2 entry for diploma holders.
- Direct entry. Students with A-Levels, STPM, a recognised foundation or an equivalent pre-university qualification may enter Year 1 directly.
General entry requirements: Most universities ask for a recognised pre-university qualification and proof of English proficiency, such as IELTS or an equivalent test. Strong English is especially important for communication degrees. Exact grades and English scores vary by university and programme. A TJS StudySteps counsellor can check your high school certificate (for example, from Saudi Arabia or Qatar) against each university’s requirements.
Next Step: Master’s in Communication & Media
Students can choose from 33 Master’s programmes in Communication and Media across 20 Malaysian universities, from approximately RM6,100 to RM66,240.
| University | Master’s Programme | Duration | Approx. Total Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) | Master of Communication | 1.5 years | RM20,000 |
| UTAR | Master of Strategic Communication | 1 year | RM24,440 |
| Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) | Master (Coursework) Communication Management | 1 year | RM33,250 |
| Sunway University | Master of Arts in Communication (Full-Time) | 1 year | RM43,000 |
| Taylor’s University | Master of Communication (Full Time) | 2 years | RM47,760 |
| Universiti Malaya (UM) | Master of Media Studies | 1.5 years | RM48,100 |
| University of Wollongong Malaysia | Master of Arts (Communication Management) | 16 months | RM52,350 |
| Monash University Malaysia | Master of Communications and Media Studies | 1 year | RM66,240 |
Frequently Asked Questions About Studying Mass Communication in Malaysia
How much does it cost to study Mass Communication in Malaysia?
Total tuition for a Mass Communication bachelor’s degree in Malaysia ranges from approximately RM35,000 (Universiti Putra Malaysia) to RM156,000 (University of Nottingham Malaysia). Most private university programmes cost between approximately RM56,000 and RM125,000.
How long is a Mass Communication degree in Malaysia?
Which universities in Malaysia are QS-ranked for Communication & Media?
In the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 for Communication & Media Studies: Monash University (#40) and Universiti Malaya (#101–150).
What specialisations are available in Mass Communication in Malaysia?
What is the cheapest Mass Communication degree in Malaysia?
Universiti Putra Malaysia‘s Bachelor of Communication with Honours, at approximately RM35,000. Lincoln University College (approximately RM56,603) and UKM (approximately RM57,400) are also among the lowest.
Can international students study Mass Communication in Malaysia?
Yes. Public universities, private universities and international branch campuses all accept international students into Mass Communication programmes.
What are the entry requirements for Mass Communication in Malaysia?
Usually a recognised pre-university qualification (foundation, A-Levels, STPM or equivalent) or a communication diploma, plus proof of English proficiency. Requirements vary by university.
What jobs can I get with a Mass Communication degree?
Graduates commonly work as journalists, PR executives, advertising and brand executives, content creators, social media managers, broadcasters, producers and corporate communication officers.
