*** This programme has been discontinued as of Fall 2021. It is no longer possible to apply for it. ***
The English-taught BA in Communication and Public Relations (180 ECTS) is a long-standing programme (since 1996) that provides students with an in-depth understanding of how communications practices, theories and skills powerfully shape and inform the world we live in. The programme focuses on two key fields, namely, media studies and strategic communication, which are approached with an emphasis on intercultural differences and global trends.
Studying Communication and Public Relations in Brussels offers students the opportunity to study in one of the world’s largest business and media centres, home to the second-largest press corps. Students learn from experienced professionals from political institutions, media organisations and international corporations via guest lectures, and gain practical experience thanks to the internship programme. Our students can establish contacts and pursue networking opportunities that will be valuable throughout their careers. Vesalius College’s Communications department is an institutional member of the European Communication Research and Education Association, which allows our students to connect with other ECREA members through activities, conferences and seminars organised by the association.
Another element that sets this programme apart from its competitors, is the opportunity for students to develop, train and hone great skills to present ideas in the course of this BA, through the vast number of presentations that they will prepare and the many feedback opportunities the programme offers as a result of its small-scale, personalised approach.
Graduates of this Bachelor programme are well prepared to play a leading role in the communications department of political institutions, corporations, lobbying firms and media organisations. Our graduates have successfully completed graduate studies in a number of prestigious universities, including Georgetown University in Washington, DC, the London School of Economics, the University of Edinburgh, Boston University, the George Washington University and the University of St Andrews.
The Brussels School of Governance is an alliance between the Institute for European Studies (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Vesalius College. This BA in Communication and Public Relations is a programme of which the degree will be awarded by Vesalius College.
Key Features
- Very broad curriculum that allows students to discover aspects of communication they did not even know existed, to then further specialise in areas of preference and become a truly versatile professional
- Experienced professionals bring their expertise to the classroom
- Prestigious internship opportunities
- Small, interactive classes with practical focus (incl. Capstone project)
- Brings together students and faculty of truly versatile international backgrounds
- Fall & Spring intakes
- Supported by the extensive expertise of our Office for Teaching, Learning and Innovation to accommodate sophisticated blended teaching methods
- Individual career advice sessions offered to students throughout their academic experience and beyond
Academic Calendar
Curriculum
Internships and Careers
Study Abroad Programme
Academic Calendar
Students can start their studies in the Fall or in the Spring semester.
- The Fall 2020 semester starts on 19 August with the orientation and registration activities; the first day of classes is 24 August.
- The Spring 2021 semester starts on 13 January with the orientation and registration activities; the first day of classes is 18 January.
Curriculum
To complete this Bachelor’s degree at the Brussels School of Governance, a minimum of 180 ECTS (credits or study points) is required. Most students complete the intense and rigorous study programme within 3 years of admission to the college.
Academic Core (6 courses, 36 ECTS)
Students start with the core curriculum, a set of courses that develop the relevant skills, knowledge and abilities essential to the school’s distinctive undergraduate programme.
- Introduction to Academic Writing and Critical Thinking
- Global Ethics
- Leadership and Personal Development
- Introduction to Statistics
- Intermediate Qualitative Research Methods
- Intermediate Quantitative Research Methods
Major Requirements (16 courses, 96 ECTS)
- Introduction to Economics OR
- Introduction to Global Business
- Global Politics OR
- Introduction to International and European Law
- Human Communication
- Media and Society
- Intercultural Communication
- Persuasive Communication
- Corporate Communication and Public Relations
- Political Communication
- Lobbying in the EU
- Global Advocacy
- Communication Audiences and Effects
- Marketing Communication and Advertising
- Communication Ethics and Law
- Capstone in Communication and Public Relations
- BA Thesis in Communication and Public Relations - Seminar I
- BA Thesis in Communication and Public Relations - Seminar II
Major Electives (4 courses, 24 ECTS)
Any of the 200- or 300- level courses that are not listed as major requirements may be taken as major electives, including courses from the summer programme:
- Gamification in Politics, Business and Communications
- Global Communication
- Photojournalism
- World Cinema: History, Theory and Narration
- European Cinema: Present, Past and Future Trends
- Transmedia Scriptwriting
Free electives
Students also choose free electives from any of the Bachelor-level courses offered by the school or one of its partner institutions.
Click here for a full overview of BA courses and course descriptions offered by our School.
Internships and Careers
The School offers a variety of internships to students. Our internship partners are prestigious and internationally renowned organisations and companies, ranging from European institutions to small start up businesses, from think tanks to international corporations. Click here for more information on our BA internship programme. To assist BA students with life after college, we offer students in their final year the opportunity to attend career seminars and individual coaching sessions.
Study Abroad Programme
Our Study Abroad programme offers students a unique academic and cultural experience through the opportunity to earn credits towards your degree at partner universities around the world.
Success stories
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"I chose the BA in Global Communication to pursue a rigorous academic program based on in-depth studies that helped me develop critical thinking skills and the habit to have a high-level vision about media organizations, international institutions and corporations. The network of high-level practitioners, students, professors and alumni of VeCo helps one navigate the European bubble quite easily."
Alessandro Oshiai (Italy and Brazil)BA alumnus (2019) -
"I am currently doing my internship at Minerva Consulting and Communication, where I get to work with people who are friendly and passionate about what they do. After only a couple of weeks, I have been able to learn about several of Minerva’s projects and to contribute in a variety of ways. I am able to put a lot of the lessons that I have learned and am currently learning at Vesalius College into practice, but am also learning a number of things that you cannot learn in a classroom."
Jennifer Heavysege (Belgium)BA Global Communication Student -
“This programme, along with the study abroad and internships opportunities, have taught me not only to the theoretical part of communication studies, but also to apply those theories to the real, fast-changing media world. Studying this programme has sharpened my analytical and creative thinking and has allowed me to collaborate with fellow students on a professional and international level. Thanks to this full-time academic experience, I have gained confidence and recently started working in a competitive creative industry.”
Magali Vandenbosch (Belgium)BA alumna (2019)
News about the programme
*** This programme has been discontinued as of Fall 2021. It is no longer possible to apply for it. ***
The Brussels School of Governance seeks students who are able to meet the challenges of its academic programmes and are willing to participate fully in the intellectual and social life of the School in a spirit of openness and tolerance. Admission to the School is selective and holistic. We accept only students whose records indicate that they possess the qualities needed to achieve academic success in the degree programme of their choice. We will review not only the student’s academic records and test results, but will also put a strong emphasis on the essay and extracurricular activities.
Diploma requirements
SAT or ACT requirements
Language requirements
Diploma requirements
Applicants for admission must have graduated from a secondary school prior to beginning their studies in this BA programme. Admission decisions take into account the candidate’s secondary school performance, examination results and English language competence, as well as demonstrated personal qualities and character. Please check our guidelines on diplomas and required standardized tests.
SAT or ACT requirements
As a general rule, students who hold the IB diploma, the EB diploma or a European secondary school diploma that grants access to university, do not need to take the SAT or ACT test. Students who hold an American high school diploma (with or without Advanced Placement (AP) and/or IB certificates) will be required to take the SAT or ACT.
All other students should contact the Admissions Office to determine whether they must take these relevant test. For applicants who must take either the test, please check all the information about the SAT or ACT requirements (including addresses, instructions and minimum scores).
Language requirements
All our programmes are taught in English; hence, a good verbal and written command of the English language is essential. Results of an English proficiency examination are required for students who have studied for less than three years in a secondary school, or less than two years in a university with English as the language of instruction. Click here for an overview of accepted language test certificates and required scores.
*** This programme has been discontinued as of Fall 2021. It is no longer possible to apply for it. ***
Places in our BA programmes are limited, so we encourage students to apply well in advance to their semester of choice. Below are the application deadlines students must adhere to:
| Fall semester | Spring semester | |
| EEA citizens | 31 July | 30 November |
| Non-EEA citizens | 31 May | 31 October |
If you are interested in one of our programmes beyond these dates, and do not need to apply for a visa for Belgium, please contact our Admissions Office, who will advise you on your options.
Students in secondary school are encouraged to apply during their final year. Admission decisions are usually made within three weeks after receipt of the complete application. Once accepted, international applicants should contact the Belgian embassy or consulate in their country immediately to get a complete list of requirements specific for that country. More information on student visas is available here.
To apply, please click the ‘Apply here’ button at the top of this page, which will take you to a web page on which you can create your account in our applicaton system and then submit your application. This page also contains a checklist of the documents and information we require from you to assess your application.
The application process is as follows:
1. Pay the non-refundable application fee of 50 EUR when submitting your application. The application fee will be deducted from the tuition upon registration. You can pay this application fee by card or by bank transfer:
- By card: the School accepts MasterCard, Visa and Maestro. Payment by card can be made online. Please CLICK HERE to make a payment.
- By bank transfer:
ING Bank, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium
Account number: BE 64 3631 0290 8552
Swift code: BBRU BE BB
Account holder: Vesalius College vzw
(Please make sure that in the comments section of your payment you mention ‘BA Comm application fee’ + your name)
For international transfers, the main office of the bank is: ING Bank, Pleinlaan 2, B-1050 Brussels, Belgium.
Please allow two to three weeks for payments from abroad to arrive. It is important to retain proof of payment. Students are liable for all bank charges, including exchange costs.
2. Go to the home page of our application system, also accessible via the 'Apply here' button at the top of this page, which will take you to a web page on which you can create your account in our system and then submit your application. During the steps of this application process, you will have to submit the following documents:
- Official academic credentials and transcripts (showing courses and grades) from all secondary schools and universities attended, including public examination results and official results of any national or regional examination (usually taken in the candidate’s country of residence).
Photocopies of original documents are not accepted as official documents. However, we strongly encourage you to upload copies of any of the above-mentioned documents that you have with your online application while waiting for official credentials to be sent to us.
- A photocopy of either a passport or of a national identity card.
- Results of an English proficiency examination, required for students who have studied for less than three years in a secondary school or two years in a university with English as the language of instruction. See the ‘Admission requirements’ section for details.
- Official scores of the SAT test or the ACT test may be required. See the ‘Admission requirements’ section for details.
- A motivation letter or a personal essay on an issue of local, national or international or personal interest that is important to you. Please explain us why this issue is important to you (minimum 300 words).
- A curriculum vitae (for students who have been out of secondary school for several years)
Applicants must ensure that their names are recorded clearly on all documents. The family name or surname given in the application must then be used in all correspondence with the College and on all documents relating to the College. Note: None of the application materials submitted to Brussels School of Governance will be returned to the applicant. Candidates are advised to make copies for their own records prior to submission.
The Brussels School of Governance accepts credentials in English, Dutch, French, and German. For all other languages, official translations by a certified translator (whose signature is authenticated) are required and are accepted only when accompanied by the document in its original language.
*** This programme has been discontinued as of Fall 2021. It is no longer possible to apply for it. ***
Full-time tuition for all students (EU and non-EU) is €6.500 per semester.
Academic Excellence Scholarship (AES) – BA programmes
The Brussels School of Governance will award Academic Excellence Scholarships to students in its BA programmes who have outstanding academic records in secondary school and whose extra-curricular achievements show evidence of leadership in today’s global society. Other factors include one letter of recommendation from their secondary school and, in certain cases, standardised test scores.
The School’s merit-based scholarship system can provide a reduction of up to 50 % in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of his/her 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees.
The deadline to apply for the scholarships is 15 April for Fall entry and 15 November for Spring entry.
*** This programme has been discontinued as of Fall 2021. It is no longer possible to apply for it. ***
Which entity awards the degree of this programme?
Is this programme accredited?
Do you accept transfer students into this BA programme?
How to apply for a visa?
What happens after I applied?
When do I get my VUB student card?
Is accommodation provided by the University or should it be arranged individually?
Where can I find more information about campus and facilities?
What are the cancellation terms?
Which entity awards the degree of this programme?
The Brussels School of Governance is an alliance between the Institute for European Studies (Vrije Universiteit Brussel) and Vesalius College. This BA in Communication and Public Relations is a programme of which the degree will be awarded by Vesalius College.
Is this programme accredited?
Yes it is. The degree of this programme is awarded by Vesalius College, which is registered with the Flemish government of Belgium as an institution of higher education, and its BA and MA degrees are equivalent to fully-recognised degrees issued by a Flemish University. Vesalius College is a participant in the Bologna Process, the reform effort designed to standardise higher education throughout Europe. In accordance with the Bologna declaration, Vesalius College offers 3-year European bachelor programmes and calculates coursework in ECTS (European Credit Transfer System) credits. All our Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees have been granted accredited status by the Dutch-Flemish Accreditation Organisation (NVAO, Nederlands-Vlaamse Accreditatie Organisatie). This official organisation was established by international treaty between the Flemish and the Dutch governments to ensure the quality of higher education in both the Netherlands and Flanders. More information on the accreditation of the BA in Communication and Public Relations can be found on its relevant webpage on the official government website regarding higher education in Flanders: https://www.hogeronderwijsregister.be/opleiding?id=130249-2020 - as well as on the relevant page on the NVAO website: https://www.nvao.net/nl/besluiten/vesalius-college/bachelor-in-communica...
Do you accept transfer students into this BA programme?
Students may be considered for transfer into this BA programme if they have completed at least one semester and are in good academic standing at an accredited college or university and have not been dismissed from that institution. Transfer applicants must submit the same documents as those applying for general admission. Transfer applicants with at least one full-time semester of college credit and a minimum grade point average of 2.0 will be exempt from submitting SAT or ACT scores.
We may award transfer credits for courses taken at the university level in other accredited institutions. The minimum requirements for grades depend upon the school where the credit was earned and the student’s intended major within the Brussels School of Governance (BSoG). All transfer credits will be awarded at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. Once the transfer credits have been assessed, the file cannot be re-opened.
To apply for transfer credits, candidates must submit:
- The online transfer credit application form (please indicate on this form the equivalent BSoG course which the transferred course should replace).
- Official transcript(s) of all courses taken at the previous university.
- Detailed descriptions of the courses taken, including the number of hours per course and copies of course descriptions from the college’s catalogue.
- The full course syllabus/course outline of the course taken at another university (A syllabus is a short document, to be distributed at the first class meeting, containing the following information: the aims and content of the course, the textbook(s) and other reading materials, the progress of the course week per week, the way in which it will be assessed, the dates at which written work is due and when the mid-term and final examinations will be held, and contact information and office hours for the instructor).
Transfer credits can only be granted if:
- The course credits obtained at another university were taken in courses that are similar in terms of content, scope and academic rigour compared to BSoG courses (this will be determined by members of BSoG academic staff upon the request of the Admission Office)
- The overall course grade is not lower than an average ‘C’ grade
- The course carrying the course credits to be transferred is in line with the curriculum structure of the BSoG (i.e., fits within the categories of and available credits of the curriculum components of ‘core courses’, ‘major requirements’, ‘major electives’ or ‘free electives’).
The credit transfer fee is 40 euros per ECTS credit transferred, payable with the first semester tuition fee invoice.
How to apply for a visa?
As you will undoubtedly want to travel during your stay in Brussels, we strongly recommend that you ask for a long-stay Schengen Visa, or ‘Type D’ Schengen Visa, which will allow you to travel hassle-free to any of the countries within the Schengen region and to make multiple entries into Belgium. This type of visa is not issued by all embassies/consulates. Please contact the Belgian embassy or consulate nearest to you for details on specific procedures and requirements. Click here for more information about visa regulations.
What happens after I applied?
We aim at providing you with a decision within three weeks from receiving your complete application AND your payment of the 50 EUR application fee. You will receive our decision by e-mail. In case of acceptance to the programme, this e-mail will contain practical info about the next steps (pre-registration fee / tuition fee payment, cost of living, etc.).
When do I get my VUB student card?
Upon your registration with the academic administration, you will get a VUB student card.
Is accommodation provided by the University or should it be arranged individually?
Due to a limited number of rooms on campus, the Vrije Universiteit Brussel cannot provide housing for all international students and scholars. Hence they are advised to find other means of accommodation in Belgium, preferably prior to departure.
The Brik organisation aims to create a network of safe, reliable housing. The landlords and the accommodations linked to Brik, must meet criteria set by Brik and in case of problems between the landlord and the tenant, the Brik organisation can intervene.
Prearranged housing is only available for VLIR-UOS scholars who are registered for one or two year master programmes. All other students and scholars are advised to seek transit, short term or long term housing prior to departure. It is recommended that the search for accommodation is started as soon as the letter of acceptance or invitation has been received.
For more information, please visit: https://student.vub.be/en/housing#housing-in-brussels
Contact: international.relations@vub.ac.be
Where can I find more information about campus and facilities?
The School is located on the campus of the Vrije Univeriteit Brussel (VUB), a green campus in Etterbeek in Brussels. Modern sports facilities with sports halls, tennis and squash courts, and a swimming pool can all be found on site. Monthly gym subscriptions are available at Basic Fit, a modern and well-equipped gym right on campus. The student restaurant offers a large choice of meals and snacks at self-service counters. The campus is easy to reach by train, tram, bus or metro from the city centre or the outskirts of Brussels. Also the school offers the opportunity to attend career seminars and individual coaching sessions and psychological counselling (free of charge) as well. Click here for more informations about campus life, services & facilities and Living in Brussels
What are the cancellation terms?
In case of cancellation before the start of the academic year, any tuition fees already paid will be reimbursed, with the exception of the 1,000€ pre-registration fee. Cancellations after the start of the academic year but before 1 December will result in a reimbursement of 50% of the total tuition fee minus the 1,000€ pre-registration fee, unless the student has received a maximum waiver in which case no tuition fees will be reimbursed. Cancellations after 1 December will not be reimbursed.
The pre-registration fee (1.000€) on any Brussels School of Governance programme is non-refundable, unless cancellation in a programme is due to events beyond the control of the applicant, otherwise known as force majeure (for example, if the student applied for a visa but was unable to obtain it, or if due to medical reasons the required previous degree was not obtained). In those cases, the full pre-registration fee will be refunded.
