Overview
The PhD in Communication program offers a unique interdisciplinary path for individuals who are interested to explore the dynamic intersections of human communication, media, technology, social sciences, and cultural studies. Leveraging on the expertise of faculty members across the School of Communication and Media Studies, this program develops academic and professional excellence in graduates equipped to tackle regional and global challenges in communication and media. Through rigorous research supervision and mentorship from researchers at the forefront of their fields, graduates emerge as next generation of changemakers — driving innovation and impact across academia, industry, and society.
Programme Structure
Research Methods
This will be a course that is offered in April or September semester. Students will need to enroll for this course in Year 1, regardless of which month they are admitted into the program.
Thesis
During the course of their studies, the students will independently design and carry out an extensive research project with the assistance of the supervisor. The emphasis between theory and practice will vary according to the project. Students will develop significant research outcomes that are of national and international significance, and publicly disseminate these results to engage with the scholarly community.
Research Areas
- Environmental and Political Communication Studies
- Human Communication
- Organisational and Employee Communication
- Interpersonal Communication
- Strategic Communication
- Cross-Cultural Communication
- Small Group and Nonverbal Communication
- International Business Communication
- Integrated Marketing Communication
- Communication and Psychology
- Computer/ Mobile-Mediated Communication
- Digital Media and Politics
- YouTube Studies
- Online Communities
- Transnational Education
- Global Media Flow
- Mobile Technologies
- Social Media
- Technology-Enhanced Learning
- Social Media Marketing
- Digital Marketing
- Radio and audio media
- Pop culture and emerging media
- Advertising and marketing
- Journalism
- Southeast Asian cinema
- Media literacy
- Advertising design
- Propaganda and disinformation
- Brand identity
- Issues and crisis communication
- Brand experience
- Brand and reputation management
Entry Requirements
- A Master’s Degree (Level 7, Malaysian Qualifications Framework) in Media and Communication with a minimum CGPA of 3.00 or equivalent, as accepted by the Institution's Senate; OR
- A Master’s Degree (Level 7, Malaysian Qualifications Framework) in Media and Communication with a minimum CGPA of 2.75 can be accepted. The candidates must undergo rigorous internal assessment as determined by the Institution, OR
- A Master’s Degree (Level 7, Malaysian Qualifications Framework) in Media and Communication with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 can be accepted subject to a minimum of FIVE years of working experience in the related fields and rigorous internal assessment as determined by the Institution; OR
- Other qualifications equivalent to a Master’s Degree (Level 7, Malaysian Qualifications Framework) in the field of Media and Communication or related fields recognised by the Government of Malaysia must undergo rigorous internal assessment as determined by the Institution.
- Bachelor’s Degree graduate may be considered for admission provided to meeting the following requirements:
i. A Bachelor’s Degree in the Media and Communication or its equivalent with first-class (CGPA of 3.67 or higher);
ii. Undergo internal assessment; and
iii. Approval by Sunway University Academic Senate - Any other qualifications will be considered on a case-to-case basis
English Language Requirements
- IELTS 6.0 or equivalent
Contact Information
For more information, please email:
Application Procedure
Applicants are requested to send the completed application with the following supporting documents to @email :
- Sunway Postgraduate application form
- Curriculum Vitae
- Bachelor's and Master’s Degree transcripts
- Bachelor's and Master’s Completion certificate
- Report from 2 academic or professional referees
- Sample of individual academic written work
- Research Proposal
Please submit a 2,000-word research proposal that includes the following:
- Introduction
- Problem statement
- Research questions
- Research objectives
- Literature review
- Methodology
- Proposed timeline
- Potential proposed main supervisor
Scholarships and Financial Aid
For more information about the scholarships and financial aid, please visit the SEG Scholarships website.
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