PhD in Communication Science

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

28

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

Others:

10%

North America:

5%

Africa:

2%

Asia:

3%

Others:

1%

Switzerland:

65%

Italy:

15%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Top recruiters

Deloitte

PwC

IBM

Amazon

McKinsey

Apple

Facebook

Dell

HP

Tesla

Instagram

Meta

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$8,000 / year

Overall Cost

$23,000 / year

FAQs

• What career paths are available after completion?
  
  Graduates often pursue academic careers as researchers and professors, or enter applied fields such as media organisations, public institutions, NGOs, international organisations, corporate communication, marketing, or consultancy.
• What coursework is required?
  
  Candidates must complete doctoral training in research methodology, theory, and transferable skills, with courses tailored to communication sciences and interdisciplinary fields.
• Is there tuition for PhD studies at USI?
  
  Yes, unlike most Swiss universities, USI charges a moderate tuition fee (around CHF 200 per semester), but many PhD candidates are employed as assistants or receive scholarships that cover tuition and provide a salary.
• What are the admission requirements?
  
  Applicants must hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in communication sciences, social sciences, humanities, or a related field, with a strong academic record.
• What are the main research areas in Communication Sciences at USI?
  
  Research areas include media studies, political communication, corporate communication, marketing and consumer behavior, health communication, digital media, datafication, journalism studies, and intercultural communication.
• What is the duration of the PhD in Communication Sciences at USI?
  
  The programme usually lasts 3 to 4 years of full-time study, depending on the research project and funding scheme.