Goals, Objectives and Content of Professional Training for International Communication Specialists in The UK

Abstract The article analyzes the goals, objectives and content of professional training for international communication specialists in the UK universities. It is found that professional training of international communication specialists aims to prepare a competent and competitive expert under the rapidly changing requirements of British society and the international labour market. They are expected to have the relevant basic professional knowledge, practical abilities and skills (leadership and managerial skills, high-level political and information culture, active social position, high responsibility, willingness and capacity for self-study). It is indicated that British degree programmes mainly seek to train specialists based on interdisciplinary and competency-based principles, focusing on learning outcomes. Upon the successful completion of the degree programme, the graduate must possess not only theoretical knowledge but also special and general abilities and skills, which are necessary for effective functioning in various contexts of public life. It is specified that in the context of competency-based approach, the UK higher education aims to develop future specialists’ ability to independently acquire new knowledge throughout life, identify and realize their own intellectual and creative potential, strive for self-determination, social integration and self-development, which creates relevant conditions for acquiring high-level professional competency in general and nurture professional culture in particular. It is concluded that British degree programmes in international communication consist of compulsory and optional modules. Each university is entitled to choose the number and content of compulsory and optional modules in accordance with the directions of scientific research of the department and scientific interests of students and lecturers.