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Doctoral Program in Communication Sciences

school Degree

Doctor in Communication Sciences

schedule Duration

8 semesters

edit Application dates

01/08/2023 - 15/12/2023

date_range Classes start

March 2024

account_circle Modality

On-Campus

attach_money Tuition

$3.946.500 (annually)

Program Description

The Doctoral Program in Communication Sciences is based on a team of high-level, full-time academics who accumulate the highest scientific productivity in Chile. Its students are trained to interact as equals with their peers from the best universities in the world. The UC Faculty of Communication is ranked first in Latin America, according to the QS 2021 ranking.

The program is a full-time program (40 academic hours per week) with a duration of eight semesters (four years). In the first two semesters, five minimum seminars and three elective courses are taken according to the interest of each student, in agreement with the Program Director. The electives may correspond to any Doctoral Program.

During the third semester, the doctoral thesis proposal is prepared and defended before an examining committee. If approved, the Master’s degree in Communication Sciences is awarded and, the postgraduate candidates develop their thesis during the following five semesters (two and a half years). In addition, an Annual Follow-up Activity is carried out once a year. At the end of the process, the candidates take the degree exam before the respective commission. 

Years of Accreditation

  • Four years (2017 – 2021)

Program Objectives

To train researchers capable of creating new knowledge around the relevant problems of media communication, working different areas, theoretical and practical levels of the discipline. The contents of the program are related to each professor’s specialties and the research areas of the Faculty.

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will be high-level researchers, competent to contribute with new and significant knowledge in the discipline in an autonomous manner, capable of addressing communication problems with an appropriate interdisciplinary approach, with an ethical, critical, creative sense and consideration for the common good.
The Doctors of Philosophy in Communication Sciences will be able to research, collaborate in the formulation of public policies, or improve the professional practice of communications, depending on the development area of their thesis.

Research Areas

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Journalism Studies

Journalistic quality; production and effects of the journalistic message; news representation; journalistic narrative; information-disinformation and political processes.

Communication and Digital Technology

Uses, appropriations and effects of digital communication and transmedia technologies; digital convergence; storytelling and digital languages; personalization of content and uses; audiovisual as a training tool.

Strategic Communication

Corporate communication; corporate trust and reputation; strategic health communication; communication and education; crisis communication and disaster situations.

Media industry

Economic policy and management of content media and digital platform media; public policy and concentration of media ownership; comparative politics of media systems; publics and audiences.

Advertising, Consumption, and Culture

Representations in advertising; advertising and social imaginaries; visuality and consumption.

Application Requirements

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Applicants must send via e-mail to the Postgraduate Coordination, Matilde Plaza (matilde.plaza@uc.cl) the following documents:

  1. Application formDownload here
  2. Certificate of Degree or Title (notarized copy) obtained in a Chilean or foreign university. In case of foreign applicants, certificates must be legalized by the Chilean consulate in the country of origin or apostilled as appropriate.
  3. Undergraduate and graduate academic transcripts (if applicable). In the case of foreigners, the grading scale used must be clearly specified, including the minimum grade, passing grade and maximum grade.
  4. Graduation Rank Certificate(s)
  5. Two confidential letters of recommendation, written by professors with whom applicants have studied or collaborated in research work, and/or by persons who have acted as supervisors of the applicants in a professional working relationship. It is desirable that the letters come from individuals with a doctoral degree. Letters should be sent by the recommenders directly to matilde.plaza@uc.cl The format available here should be used.
  6. Statement of Purpose. It should not exceed three pages (Word document, single spaced, Times New Roman 12). The following points should be concisely explained:
    • Reasons for pursuing the PhD program and description of the applicants’ academic or intellectual interests.
    • Discussion of the impact expected in the academic or professional development by studying this PhD program, and a justification for choosing this program over others.
    • The commitments of dedication subscribed.
  7. Doctoral research proposal. Maximum three thousand words, in academic paper format, original, and with bibliographic references. It must include:
    • Problem or phenomenon to be investigated.
    • Review of the conceptual framework and bibliographic base.
    • Methodological proposal to develop the research.
    • It is important to argue how the proposal could be nourished by our research areas and, at the same time, make a contribution to them, which implies knowing the productivity of the faculty in the respective area.
  8. Certificate of the student’s level of English. ALTE level 2 or equivalent is assumed. Applicants can demonstrate their level of English through the following tests: MET (The Michigan English Test), FCE (First Certificate in English), CAE (Certificate of Proficiency in English), IELTS, TOEFL, ETAAP. (Visit the English UC website). If tapplicants are accepted, they must take an English proficiency certification test, which will allow them to follow the courses leading to obtain the equivalent level to ALTE 3, coordinated and financed by the UC Graduate School.
  9. Photocopy of both sides of the national identity card or passport.
  10. Application for Admission to the University. Download it here.

*Printed documentation (only for admitted applicants):

  • Copy of degree or title certificate notarized (national applicants, except UC alumni).
  • Copy of the degree or title certificate authenticated in the Chilean consulate of the country of origin, or apostilled, as appropriate (foreign applicants).

The program does not require an application fee.

Documents must be submitted in their entirety. Partial deliveries will not be accepted.

Graduation Requirements

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  • To have passed the study plan
  • To certify English proficiency level ALTE3 or equivalent. Students in the program must take the diagnostic test (CPD0100) to evaluate if they require English courses from the UC PhD program Direction to reach the level required by the university (CPD8000 certification). The test and the courses are free of charge for the students.
  • To have passed three cross-cutting skills workshops for doctoral students, one of which must be in ethics of scientific research (CPD0002 Workshop on Ethics and Integrity in Research).
  • To pass the mandatory non-credit activities indicated in the study plan.
  • In case of justifiably requiring more time to complete the thesis, a doctoral candidate may apply for a transitory “residency benefit” (extension). If so, at least one additional annual follow-up activity must be carried out.

Unidades académicas

For further information, please visit the website for this Doctoral Program

For further information, please visit the website for this Doctoral Program

Go to the doctorate site
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