The Bachelor of Public Relations and Integrated Communication (BPC) has public relations and advertising, and integrated communication as its key pathways. The main targets will be successful BGCSE graduates who would be interested in developing skills, competencies and knowledge in public relations, advertising and integrated communication in order to:
The normal minimum entrance requirements shall be the Botswana BGCSE or equivalent with a minimum grade of C or better in English Language.
Candidates who do not meet the normal minimum entrance requirements but have a credit in English Language and work experience of minimum two years in the media industry may be admitted into level 100.
Candidates who have the BGCSE or equivalent and the certificate in media related field from a recognized institution may be admitted directly to Level 100 of the programme.
Candidates with a diploma in a media related field or its equivalent may be admitted into either level 200 or 300 of the program on the basis of accumulated credits in the areas of advertising, communication, and public relations.
Graduates of this programme can expect to fill skills gaps in the government, private sector and non-governmental organisations where they can assume or serve in roles such as public affairs, public relations, advertising and public campaigns, marketing, writing, PR research, executive officers, communication strategy design, applied communication, and branding.
To be awarded the “Bachelor of Public Relations and Integrated Communication” qualification, a learner must complete all the required cores, optional, GEC and electives, and language courses.
Assessment in the revised BPC programme includes both summative and formative.
Assessment in the theory-based courses includes 100% Continuous Assessment comprising of some of the following: short answer tests, essays, presentations, tutorials, computer-based tests). Assessment in practical based courses include the following:
The BPC full-time programme extends over eight semesters. The programme comprises of the digital video/film, communication design and computer animation courses, and electives from other Departments. Other courses include basic language proficiency courses offered in the Departments of African Languages and Literature, Chinese Studies, English and French.
The total minimum credits required to complete the programme is 124 and all students enrolled in the programme are expected to complete all the required GEC (10 credits), Language options (6 credits), Cores (78 credits), other optional courses (15 credits) and electives courses (15 credits).
At level 300, students are provided with an opportunity to do an attachment in UB during semester 6 (BMS341 - Media Practice 1), and then externally during semester 7 (BMS451 Media Practice 2).
Two final project/dissertation courses (BMS441 and BMS451) are offered in two semesters, the first being a proposal writing stage and the second a dissertation writing /project production stage.
BDM110 Basics of Digital Media (3) CORE
BPC101 Introduction to PR & Integrated Communication (3) CORE
COM111 Communication & Academic Literacy Skills 1 (3) CORE
ICT121 Computer Skills Fundamentals 1 (3) CORE
ENG121 Introduction to English Language, Description & Usage (3) CORE
ALC121 Introduction to the Study of Language & Linguistics (3) OPTIONAL
CHN105 Basic Practical Mandarin 1 (3) OPTIONAL
ENG113 Introduction to Literature and Prose (3) OPTIONAL
FRE217 French Language 1 (3) OPTIONAL
17 CREDITS
BPC110 Introduction to Advertising & Marketing (3) CORE
BMS113 Theories of Mass Communication (3) CORE
COM112 Communication & Academic Literacy Skills 11 (3) CORE
ICT122 Computer Skills Fundamentals 2 (3) CORE
ENG131 Writing in English (3) CORE
ALC141 Introduction to Oral Literature & Indigenous Knowledge (3) OPTIONAL
CHN106 Basic Practical Mandarin 11 (3) OPTIONAL
ENG123 Introduction to Literature, Drama & Poetry (3) OPTIONAL
FRE227 French Language 11 (3) OPTIONAL
17 CREDITS
BPC202 PR & Advertising in Botswana (3) CORE
BPC203 Understanding Behaviours of Media Consumers (3) CORE
BPC204 Issues in Crisis Management (3) CORE
BPC205 Social Media Management for PR (3) OPTIONAL
BPC206 Interpersonal Communication (3) OPTIONAL
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS
BMS226 Ethics for Media Professionals (3) CORE
BPC210 Advocacy and Speech Writing (3) CORE
BPC211 Corporate Social Responsibility (3) CORE
BMS230 Writing for PR and Copy Writing (3) OPTIONAL
BPC216 Public Sector Communication (3) OPTIONAL
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS
BMS320 Media & Society (3) CORE
BMS321 Media Law (3) CORE
BPC302 Event Planning & Management (3) CORE
BMS326 Research for PR & Advertising (3) OPTIONAL
BPC315 Strategic communication (3) OPTIONAL
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS
BMS328 Communication Research Methods (3) CORE
BMS341 Media Practice 1 (6) CORE
BPC316 Product Marketing (3) OPTIONAL
BMS329 Development Communication (3) OPTIONAL
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS
BPC401 Corporate Communication (3) CORE
BMS441 Media Project / Dissertation 1 (3) CORE
BMS442 Media Practice 2 (6) CORE
BMS426 Economic & Social Issues in PR & Advertising (3) OPTIONAL
BPC406 Political Communication (3) OPTIONAL
15 CREDITS
BMS434 Public Communication Campaigns (3) CORE
BMS451 Media Project / Dissertation 2 (6) CORE
BMS429 Media Management & Entrepreneurship (3) CORE
1 Elective Course (3)
15 CREDITS