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Studies & Degrees in Communication Skills

Communication skills are the abilities people use to get a message across and to understand others: speaking clearly, listening, writing, presenting to a group, asking good questions, negotiating and handling conflict. Courses in this subject train those abilities through practice. They are short and applied, and most are aimed at people who already work or study something else.

The subject is different from a degree in communication, which prepares students for professions such as journalism, public relations or corporate communication. Both appear in the directory, and this page explains how to tell them apart.

What students learn

Course content depends on the provider, but the same themes come back. The programmes of Growman Group, a training company in Madrid, give a good picture of a typical course:

  • Interpersonal communication: active listening, asking questions, empathy and conflict resolution
  • Public speaking: structuring a presentation, using the voice, holding attention and answering difficult questions
  • Persuasion and motivation: conveying conviction, using evidence, and controlling emotions
  • Related skills taught as separate courses, such as negotiation, assertiveness, leadership and running meetings

Teaching is practical. Participants speak, present and receive feedback, often in small groups. Growman Group limits its public-speaking course to six participants and its communication course to ten.

Qualifications and levels

Three kinds of programme exist.

Short courses and workshops last from a few hours to a few days. Growman Group's public-speaking course has 16 hours of training, and its communication course lasts two and a half days; both are taught in person in Madrid. EFEM Escuela de Formación Empresarial, an online school, lists courses in teamwork, negotiation, conflict resolution, active listening, assertiveness and professional presentations.

Professional diplomas and certificates take longer and cover communication as a profession. The Irish Academy of Public Relations, founded in 1991 in Dublin, offers professional diploma and certificate courses, online continuing professional development courses, and training for companies and NGOs.

Bachelor's and master's programmes treat communication as a field of study. ESEI International Business School in Barcelona lists a Bachelor in Communication and a Master in Marketing and Communication, and its programmes are taught in English. ESDEN Business School offers a Máster en Comunicación, Eventos y RRPP that lasts one academic year, in Spanish, in a hybrid format or part time on Fridays and Saturdays.

Recognition varies a great deal in this field. Before enrolling, students should ask the school what certificate or qualification the course leads to and what recognition it has, especially if they need it for further study or for an employer.

Where to study it

The directory lists 12 active schools for communication skills: ten in Spain, one in Ireland and one in Canada. In Spain they are mainly in Madrid and Barcelona, with others in San Sebastián and near Valladolid.

Courses in Spain are mostly taught in Spanish. An exception is ESEI International Business School, whose programmes are taught in English. Online courses, such as those of EFEM, are not tied to a city.

For students whose first language is not Spanish, communication skills start with the language itself. El Aula Azul, a Spanish language school in San Sebastián certified by the Instituto Cervantes, describes its teaching method as based on communication. CanPlural, in Mississauga, helps students find English language schools in Canada.

Several providers work mainly with companies. Criteria, a human resources consultancy in Barcelona and Madrid, designs tailor-made training for client organisations. It also helps Spanish companies manage their training credit through FUNDAE, the state foundation that subsidises employee training through reductions in social security contributions.

Careers

Communication skills courses do not lead to one profession. They support work in almost any field where people present ideas, lead teams, sell, negotiate or deal with the public. Growman Group directs its courses at professionals, executives and middle managers of any sector, and also offers a course for teenagers.

Diplomas and degrees in communication point to more specific roles, such as public relations, corporate communication, event organisation and marketing. Employment prospects depend on the country and the sector, and no official figure covers the field as a whole.

Frequently asked questions

How long does a communication skills course last?

Most are short. Growman Group's public-speaking course in Madrid has 16 hours of training, and its communication course lasts two and a half days. A master's programme such as the one at ESDEN Business School lasts one academic year.

Is a communication skills course the same as a degree in communication?

No. A skills course trains practical abilities such as public speaking and listening. A degree in communication is a longer academic programme that prepares students for professions such as public relations or corporate communication.

Can I take a communication skills course in English in Spain?

Most short courses in Spain are taught in Spanish. ESEI International Business School in Barcelona teaches its programmes in English.

Will I get a recognised qualification?

That depends on the course. Ask the school what certificate or qualification it awards and what recognition it has before enrolling.