Bachelor of Arts (Communication and International Trade) – Full-time

Programme Overview

Developed and awarded by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US.

Candidates who have outstanding academic results may apply for direct entry into the double major program at the point of application. Alternatively, if students are enrolled in a single degree program and have done well ie. have been accepted into the major and are considered to be in academic good standing, they are eligible to apply for the double major program.

In the double major program, students can graduate with two majors and within the minimum of 120 credits. They will be awarded with one degree with two majors, not two degrees, regardless of how many credits are earned. 

Communication skills crucial to career advancement

Learn insights and skills in the art and process of inter-personal communication with an international focus.  

Founded in 1964 and ranked among the top 25 communication programs in the US, UB’s BA (Communication) provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of human communication, its media, and its effects.

As a Communication major, you will:

• Learn the finer points of interpersonal communication
• Apply critical thinking to the use of mass media
• Discover the complexity of delivering information in organisational and mediated communication situations
• Broaden your horizon through the study of international and inter-cultural communication   

Expose yourself to globalization and trade 

Learn the insights and skills in the art and process of global restructuring and new patterns of uneven development.

The international trade program aims to prepare students to critically assess the process of globalization operating in the world today. Critical social, economic, and environmental challenges are being faced by corporate or government policy makers and organizations.

As an International Trade major, you will:

• Understand the growth of multinationals and foreign direct investments, international trade, the internationalization of capital and financial markets
• Learn to handle the new international divisions of labor, and the rapid development of technology and innovation.
• Expose yourself to a wide-range of perspectives on the global economy
• Develop important skills in policy and data analysis at various geographic scales

More than 50% of modules are taught by US /overseas visiting faculty, covering the full semester throughout the entire program. The rest of the modules are taught by qualified local faculty with the experience and academic expertise approved by UB.

The program is taught by engaged, committed faculty. Coursework includes hands-on experience, active class presentation and participation, projects and all the best practices of American college education. 

Further Education

Graduates have also gone on to graduate schools for further studies.

Career Prospects

With these double major qualifications, you have better job opportunities in

• Public relations consultants and advertising agencies
• Mass media
• Corporate communication & marketing communication
• Civil and social agencies
• Research
• Local investment and trade promotion agencies
• Trade and location consulting firms
• Governmental agencies
• Brokerage firms
•  International banks
• Transport carriers, and international trade management companies
• International service providers (e.g. freight forwarders, customs)
• Other professions 

Why Study at SIM-UB

Distinctive features of SIM-UB programs

• High quality and interactive American education
• Students admitted are regular UB students (no distinction between Singapore and Buffalo)
• Admission standards and academic expectations are the same as UB
• Accreditation and recognition of UB degrees
• Quality assurance mechanisms
• Students can continue studies in UB’s home campus
• Full-time Resident Director and Assistant Resident director
• Full-time Academic Advisors
• Full-time, regular UB faculty and visiting faculty teach in the program covering the full semester
• Excellent value with lower tuition costs here than studying in the US 

Other full-time UB programmes offered at SIM:

Bachelor of Arts (Communication)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Economics)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Psychology)
Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (Economics)
Bachelor of Arts (Economics and International Trade)
Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Psychology)
Bachelor of Arts (Economics and Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (International Trade)
Bachelor of Arts (International Trade and Psychology)
Bachelor of Arts (International Trade and Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Bachelor of Arts (Psychology and Sociology)
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Communication)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Economics)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (International Trade)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology)
Bachelor of Science (Business Administration) and Bachelor of Arts (Sociology)

Programme Structure

Teaching Faculty

More than 50% of modules are taught by US /overseas visiting faculty, covering the full semester throughout the entire program. The rest of the modules are taught by qualified local faculty with the experience and academic expertise approved by UB.

Delivery Mode

Lectures, discussions, presentations, activities and consultations.
Each lesson consists of 1.5 hours of lecture and 1.5 hours of consultation.

Academic Calendar

Full-time course is over 12 semesters (3 per year) and can be completed in 4 years for double major programmes.

Each semester is 12-15 weeks

Spring semester: Jan - Apr
Summer semester: May - Aug
Fall semester: Aug / Sep - Dec

For more details on semester start and end dates, please Click here to get a copy of the tentative schedule

Candidature Period

Maximum allowed period to complete:

Single degree program – 6 years
Double major / double degree program – 8 years
If a student fails to complete the course within the candidature period, they will not be entitled to any recourse or refund.

Minimum Class Size

Minimum class size to commence: 25 students. Students will be informed at least one month prior to course commencement if class cannot commence due to low take up rate.

Modules

Prerequisite Modules for Communication 

• COM 101 Principles of Communication (3 credits)
• COM 217 Communication in Organizations (3 credits)
• COM 225 Interpersonal Communication (3 credits)
• COM 240 Survey of Mass Communication (3 credits)
• COM 337 Communication Theory (3 credits)
• CSE 111 Great Ideas in Computer Science (4 credits)
• SOC 294 Basic Statistics for Social Sciences (4 credits)

Required Modules for Communication 

• COM 125 Introduction to the Internet (3 credits)
• COM 205 Research Methods (3 credits) or
• SOC 293 Social Research Methods (3 credits)
• COM 300 Written Communication (3 credits)
• PSY 101 Introductory Psychology (3 credits)
• PSY 323 Community Psychology (3 credits) or
• PSY 331 Social Psychology (3 credits) or
• PSY 333 Psychology of Work in Organizations (3 credits) or
• PSY 341 Cognitive Psychology (3 credits) or
• PSY 342 Introduction to Cognitive Science: Concepts of the Mind (3 credits) or
• SOC 371 Individual And Society (3 credits)
• SOC 101 Introduction to Sociology (3 credits)
• 8 Communication Electives (24 credits)

Prerequisite Modules for International Trade

• Any two Geography or Management modules

Required Modules for International Trade 

• ECO 181 Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 credits)
• ECO 182 Introduction to Microeconomics (4 credits)
• GEO 100 World Regions & Issues (3 credits)
• GEO 103 Global Economic Geographies (3 credits)
• GEO 120 Maps and Mapping (3 credits)
• GEO 211 Univariate Statistics in Geography (4 credits)
• GEO 330 Dynamics of International Business (3 credits)
• GEO 333 International Trade (3 credits)
• GEO 334 International Business Cultures (3 credits)
• GEO 425 Industrial / Business Geography (3 credits)
• GEO 460 Geography of Development (3 credits)
• MGQ 201 Introduction to Statistics for Analytics (4 credits)²
• 3 300/400-level Geography Electives (9 credits)

UB Curriculum (click here for details)

• UB Seminar (3 credits)
• Foundations (21 credits)
  -  Communication Literacy I (4 credits)
  -  Communication Literacy II (3 credits)
  -  Mathematical and Quantitative Reasoning (4 credits)
  -  Scientific Literacy and Inquiry (7 credits)¹
  -  Diversity Learning (3 credits)
• Pathways (18 - 19 credits)
  -  Thematic Pathways (9 credits)
  -  Global Pathways (9 - 10 credits)
• UBC 399 Capstone (1 credit)

Free Electives(from any major)
0 credit

Please click link below to retrieve the description of the modules.
Module Description     

1. These are online modules.  Local resource persons may conduct weekly sessions for selected module.
2. These are digital access modules. “Digital Access” is the phrase used by UB School of Management to designate what is known generically as electronic platform (EP) module. EP module delivery refers to a technological platform through which existing lecture-based modules are distributed to a wider constituency of students. The actual delivery of the class is captured on digital video as it happens, and the resulting Window Media Player file is immediately posted to UBLearns. Students use the internet to access lectures and print module materials at times convenient to their individual schedules.

Note: The modules offered are subject to change.

Entry Requirements

Applicants will be assessed based on all the qualifications they have submitted. Meeting the minimum requirement does not mean automatic admission.  

Qualifications

• Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-Level)
• Polytechnic Diploma
• SIM Diploma

The above qualifications may be considered for admission with advanced standing credits.  Singapore Citizens and Permanent Residents with at least 10 years primary and secondary education in Singapore in an English-medium government school, and completed their GCE 'O' level with a grade 'C' (6 or better) in the English Language, are exempted from the English Language proficiency requirement.
 

International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma

Most recent 3 years of high school grade of 'B' equivalent to IB score 4.5.  IB Diploma holders can expect up to 30 credit exemptions with a minimum of 30 total scores.
 

Others

• SIM Management Foundation Studies (MFS)
• Qualifications equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.  Average grade of 'B' or better.

International Students 

Click here for the admission criteria of international students 

English Language Proficiency 

All applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English in one of the following ways:

 
Only scores from tests taken within 2 years prior to the time of enrollment are acceptable.

Course Fee

S$577.80 per credit (inclusive of prevailing GST).

Single Degree (Minimum 120 credits)

• Polytechnic Diploma holders with transfer credits: S$34,668 - S$63,558 (60 - 110 credits)
• SIM Diploma holders with transfer credits: S$43,912.80 - S$57,780 (76 - 100 credits)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma holders: S$52,002 - S$69,336 (90 - 120 credits)
• A-Level students with advanced standing credits: S$46,224 - S$63,558 (80 - 110 credits)
• Students with no credit exemption: S$69,336 (120 credits)

Double Major (Minimum 120 credits)

• Polytechnic Diploma holders with transfer credits: S$58,935.60 - S$77,425.20 (102 - 134 credits)
• SIM Diploma holders with transfer credits: S$58,935.60 - S$77,425.20 (102 - 134 credits)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma holders: S$58,9356 - S$77,425.20 (102 - 134 credits)
• A-Level students with advanced standing credits: S$57,780 - S$77,425.20 (100 - 134 credits)
• Students with no credit exemption: S$69,336 - S$77,425.20 (120 - 134 credits)

Double Degree (Minimum 150 credits) 

• Polytechnic Diploma holders with transfer credits: S$73,380.60 - S$91,870.20 (127 - 159 credits)
• SIM Diploma holders with transfer credits: S$73,380.60 - S$91,870.20 (127 - 159 credits)
• International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma holders: S$73,380.60 - S$S$91,870.20 (127 - 159 credits)
• A-Level students with advanced standing credits: S$75,114 - S$91,870.20 (130 - 159 credits)
• Students with no credit exemption: S$86,670 - S$91,870.20 (150 - 159 credits)

Fees are charged based on the number of credits taken during the semester.

Note: Advanced standing and transfer credits granted are subjected to final approval by UB. UB reserves the right to change credit articulations at any time.

The fees do not include textbooks.

First semester course fees are payable prior to commencement of semester. Subsequent semester course fees are billed after the commencement of semester. Each semester typically has 4-5 modules (12 to 15 credits).

Application Fee applies

All fees inclusive of prevailing GST

Scholarships & Awards

• SIM GE scholarships are available
• SIM-UB scholarship

The SIM-UB scholarship allows two deserving students at SIM to spend one semester at the UB’s New York campus. The merit-based award covers tuition fees, lodging, and a round trip air-ticket. The scholarship is offered twice per academic year for the Fall and Spring semester.

Exemption Eligibility

Academic Profiles

To ensure parity in standards, rigors of the program, integrity of the UB degree, more than 50% of modules are taught by US /overseas visiting faculty, covering the full semester throughout the entire program. The rest of the modules are taught by qualified local faculty with the experience and academic expertise approved by UB.

Average teacher-student ratio = 1:16.

Lecturers and their Teaching Modules

Assessments & Exams

The normal module load for students is 12 to 15 credit hours a semester.

Students may register for modules and make changes to their class schedule. Students who choose to drop or resign from any modules, are on official leave of absence or have to repeat any failed modules, may take more than three years to complete their studies.

Continuous assessment comprises tests, quizzes, assignments, projects, presentations, participations and activities scheduled throughout the semester.

The final exam is held in the 2 weeks after the semester ends.

Students progress through each semester till they satisfactorily complete the conferral requirements.

Attendance Requirements

Local students – Minimum attendance requirement as stipulated by UB or 75%, whichever is higher.

International students - Minimum attendance requirement is 90% as mandated by the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore (ICA).

Award & Graduation

Completion of min. of 120 credits with a min. overall and UB GPA of 2.0 to be awarded the degree.

With the credit exemptions, students may be able to complete the course of study in less than 3 years.

Students who successfully complete all the requirements of the program will be awarded Bachelor of Arts (Communication and Sociology) degree by the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, US.

Latin Honors

Students earning baccalaureate degrees are eligible to receive Latin Honors based on their UB cumulative GPA on the following scale:

Average (based on 4.0 = A)

• 3.20 cum laude (Distinction)
• 3.50 magna cum laude (High Distinction)
• 3.75 summa cum laude (Highest Distinction)

To qualify for Latin Honors, students must present a minimum of 60 credits of UB undergraduate coursework, at least 54 of which must be graded credits (i.e. not satisfactory or unsatisfactory - grades of 'S' or 'U')