Global Communication Double Degree: Master of Arts (MA) is a master's degree in Media Studies & Mass Media programme taught at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, Canada. The programme runs for 2 years, delivered on campus. Teaching is in English. Tuition for international students is CAD 4,714 per semester (CAD 4,714 per semester for local students).
At a glance
Degree:Master's Degree
Field:Media Studies & Mass Media
Duration: 2 years
Delivery: On Campus
Language: English
Local tuition: CAD 4,714 / semester
International tuition: CAD 4,714 / semester
Information for the 2026/27 academic year · Last checked September 2026 · Source: sfu.ca ·
Program details
Overview
This double-degree MA is delivered jointly with the Communication University of China: students spend their first year at SFU and their second at CUC, graduating with a master's degree from each institution, with English as the language of instruction throughout. At SFU, the 30-unit year covers courses on global power shifts, global social justice, a graduate colloquium and a research practicum alongside a survey or research-methods course, capped by an extended essay; the CUC year adds a further 38 units built around media and Chinese society, communication industries, and comparative Asian media systems. The whole program is designed to run six SFU terms, roughly two years, and a Chinese-language background is not required for admission. Applicants choose either SFU or CUC as their home institution and, if applying through SFU, must also pass an oral interview with CUC faculty and satisfy CUC's international admission standards, though some standard exam requirements are waived in that case.
Requirements
Minimum GPA:3.00 / 4.33
Admission Requirements: This joint program with the Communication University of China (CUC) applies each partner institution's usual admission standard. On the SFU side that is the University's general master's requirement under Graduate General Regulation 1.3.6a: a bachelor's degree from SFU or an equivalent from a recognized institution, with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0/4.33 (B), or at least 3.33/4.33 (B+) on the final 60 undergraduate units. Applicants apply either through the SFU admissions committee, chaired by the program director, or through CUC's own graduate-admission process; SFU-route applicants must additionally meet CUC's international-student standard and complete an oral interview with CUC faculty, though CUC's Grade 8 Mandarin requirement and national/local entrance exams are waived for them. A Chinese-language background is not required. Passport holders of the People's Republic of China, Hong Kong, Macau or Taiwan applying via the CUC route must pass CUC's national graduate entrance exam. No SFU-specific English test score is published; SFU's general graduate policy of IELTS Academic 6.5 overall (6.0 per section) or TOEFL 90 overall (20 per section) applies to non-native English speakers.
Application Details
Application Deadline:Domestic applicants apply through EducationPlannerBC, with one set of dates per applicant type rather than by citizenship. Fall 2027 entry: high-school-route applications open 1 October 2026 and close 31 January 2027, while transfer applications open 1 March 2027 and close 15 April 2027 (Education and Contemporary Arts transfer applicants may apply from 1 October 2026). Spring 2027 entry runs 1 July to 15 September 2026, and Summer 2027 entry runs 1 December 2026 to 15 January 2027. Admission documents are generally due 28 February 2027 (Fall) and offers must be accepted by 1 May. International applicants use the same EducationPlannerBC dates and portal; SFU publishes no separate international deadline. These are institution-wide dates; this programme publishes no deadline of its own.
