Undergraduate Studies

Inquiring Minds

A smaller world. More contacts, more interplay, more exchanges, more trade. Daily life in the 21st century, shaped as it is by the effects of globalization, has at its core the art and science of communication. Through communication, humanity explores, learns, discovers. Peoples and cultures and individuals come to understand each other better.
Programs
Communication
The undergraduate program in communication combines both theory and practice, with courses offered in two main areas—media studies (effect of social media and mass media, video and multimedia production, audience research, communication policy) and organizational communication (communication in public and private organizations, interpersonal communication, health communication, crisis communication, public relations, advertising). The interdisciplinary approach of our program will provide you with a broad perspective on the interplay among mass media, human communication, cultural studies, technology, policy, political economy and public relations.

Explore the right field of communication studies in the Honours BA in Communication program. Over the course of your studies, you will ask how the media shape people`s lives and how communication functions within businesses and other organizations. Whether you wish to pursue a career in communication or further your studies, you will be well prepared.
Choose one of the four contemporary and exciting options as part of your Honours BA in Communication.
Option 1: Media and Cultural Industries
Option 2: Political Communication
Option 3: Communication, Organizations and Organizing
Option 4: Strategic Communication and Digital Design
![]() |
Co-op (Paid work terms) |
![]() |
French Immersion |
![]() |
Graduate Studies |

Explore the rich field of communication studies in the Major in Communication program. Over the course of your studies, you will ask how the media shape people`s lives and how communication functions within businesses and other organizations. Explore other areas that interest you by pairing this Major with a minor in another discipline.
![]() |
Co-op (Paid work terms) |
![]() |
French Immersion |
![]() |
Graduate Studies |

The 30-credit Minor in Communication allows you to explore organizational communication and media studies to gain the tools you will need to see how communication functions in your major field of study.

You will develop your writing skills in different organizational and creative contexts in this program. You will also develop an understanding of communication – and media-related issues associated with the dissemination of texts in the information age. (Program offered only in French)
![]() |
Co-op (Paid work terms) |
![]() |
French Immersion |
![]() |
Graduate Studies |

In this program, you will be exploring the role of communication in politics and politics in communication. In addition to course on media and organizational communication, you will take courses on Canadian politics, comparative politics, and international relations. You will be prepared for a wide range of careers in fields in the public and private sectors.
![]() |
Co-op (Paid work terms) |
![]() |
French Immersion |
![]() |
Graduate Studies |

Explore the interactions between communication and the structure and functioning of society in this program. You will explore topics on social theory and social issues in addition to your courses on media and organizational communication. You will be prepared for a wide range of careers such as in government or community affairs.
![]() |
Co-op (Paid work terms) |
![]() |
French Immersion |
![]() |
Graduate Studies |
Digital Journalism
Journalism has been transformed by digital technologies in the 21st Century, driving change in all levels of the field and forcing practitioners to develop new skills, techniques and approaches. Today's journalists need to fill a diversity of roles, requiring not only a good understanding of emerging social trends, but also specialized expertise and knowledge.
With this program, students will better understand the challenges related to journalism in the digital age and will enter the fast-changing media industries prepared for the task. Upon graduation, students are qualified for an exciting career as a journalist, researcher, presenter, media analyst, producer, social media manager, and more.
The Department of Communication at uOttawa offers an Honours Bachelor in Digital Journalism that is unique in the country. The program is offered jointly with Algonquin College (in English), with La Cité (in French), and with the CÉGEP de Jonquière (in French). Courses at the university provide theoretical, analytical and critical foundations in digital skills, while courses at the college focus on practical training. Students greatly benefit from uOttawa’s bilingual culture, right in the heart of the national capital.
Students complete two internships during the program. This program is offered in English and in French.
Upon completion of your studies at Algonquin College and at the University of Ottawa, you will obtain two certifications: the Diploma in Journalism from Algonquin College and the Honours Bachelor in Digital Journalism from the University of Ottawa.
Admission procedure
Algonquin
Application deadline: June 1st
Students coming from the University of Ottawa
Students coming from Algonquin College

Public Relations
The Department of Communication offers an Honours Bachelor in Public Relations jointly with Algonquin College (in English) and with La Cité (in French). The Department of Communication will provide theoretical, analytical and critical foundations, while courses at the college will focus on practical training. The program is ideal if you are looking for the perfect balance between public relations theory and practice.
Admission procedure

Public Relations (First Route)
Register for the Honours bachelor's degree at the University and, after completing 60 credits (four semesters), transfer to Algonquin College to complete the diploma program in public relations. Because of space limitations at Algonquin, the University can only accept 25 students in this stream. In addition, upon completion of 60 credits at the University of Ottawa, you must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 6.0/10 (70%) to be admitted to Algonquin College. At the end of 4 years most students have both an Honours BA and a College Diploma!

Public Relations (Second Route)
Start by completing two years in public relations at Algonquin College (a minimum average of 3.0 is required) and then transfer to the Honours Bachelor in Public Relations at the University of Ottawa to do four more semesters (60 credits). The University has no registration limits in this stream. At the end of 4 years most students have both an Honours BA and a College Diploma!