BTS studies offer their graduates two options: enter the professional world, or continue their studies in the third year of a bachelor’s degree or Bachelor program in order to specialize their profile and build skills while gaining experience through the possibility of work-study.
Definition of a BTS in Communication
The BTS (Brevet de Technicien Supérieur, Advanced Technician’s Certificate) in communication is a diploma prepared over two years; it is one of the short programs, known as first-cycle programs (Bac+2/3), and aims to train communication professionals who are operational in designing and implementing communication actions in different contexts (companies, organizations, institutions).
The BTS in Communication offers versatile training that lets students discover most communication tools and actions: written and oral communication, graphic design, multimedia, public and press relations, advertising, etc.
The program focuses on learning operational skills: content creation, planning, task management. However, it does not offer a managerial or strategic approach, nor specialization by field, which are reserved for the next stage of the study path at the Bac+3 level or in a Master’s, after acquiring basic practical and theoretical skills.
It is thus possible to start working upon graduating, as a communications officer or communications assistant, for example. Continuing one’s studies nevertheless remains a very interesting choice for motivated students, as it opens up other professional opportunities and makes it easier to get hired.
Why Continue Your Studies After a BTS?
The BTS diploma corresponds to 2 years of higher education and can be a short program perfectly suited for people who want to enter working life as soon as possible. Many graduates, however, decide to continue their studies toward a 3-year degree:
- in a professional bachelor’s degree
- in the 3rd year of the Bachelor
The decision to continue one’s studies has many advantages:
- It allows a better match with the levels and categories modeled on the LMD (international system dividing higher education into 3 years / 5 years / 8 years-doctoral thesis), and to hold the first level of 3 years Licence/Bachelor.
- It offers the opportunity to specialize after a first, general stage. Choosing a preferred field brings added value that is valued on a CV and influences how the recruiter perceives the profile.
- Some programs offer the option to complete this third year as work-study and the opportunity to gain rich experience, entering the working world while continuing one’s studies. It is also a very effective way to build a professional network or to test out a company with a view to being hired.
Specializing in Cultural Communication After a BTS
After a BTS in communication, it is possible to move toward various specializations: commercial, digital, event, strategic, public and cultural communication.
Communicating and promoting a product, project or service requires highlighting its qualities, interest and benefits: it is essential that you be motivated by your subject in order to be the best in your role!
Why Specialize in Culture After a BTS in Communication?
Culture and cultural communication are very attractive fields for people who want to serve message-driven projects, commit to developing a conscious, caring society oriented toward sharing, knowledge, the pleasure of being together and the discovery of the arts.
Professional environments in culture and the arts are known to be rich and exciting: meeting artists, working collectively (collaboration, co-production), welcoming the public, engaging colleagues, etc.
It is a sector that offers a real sense of purpose and unparalleled motivation to lovers of culture and the arts, who are entrusted with an important mission of daily outreach and audience awareness. Cultural communication offers many directions and makes it possible to develop a diverse and flourishing career path: fine arts, film, performing arts, public events, international projects, etc. The venues, subjects and types of organizations are extremely varied and offer immense specialties and opportunities!
In short, choosing cultural communication means:
- choose a motivating, meaningful professional environment,
- discover artworks and meet artists throughout your professional life,
- go behind the scenes,
- work toward a society more open to the world,
- share your passion with as many people as possible
- open up many opportunities for career progression and mobility
What Training to Take to Specialize in Cultural Communication?
After the BTS, two paths are possible to specialize in cultural communication:
- the professional bachelor’s degree at university
- the third year of Bachelor specialization at a specialized culture careers school.
Joining a Bachelor in Cultural Communication in the 3rd Year After a BTS
Choosing to join a 3rd-year Bachelor program at a specialized school guarantees:
- a diverse and high-quality teaching staff: professional speakers, specialists, and sector players,
- a professional approach centered on culture: workshops, projects, meetings,
- total immersion in the world of culture: a campus entirely dedicated to arts and culture careers, building a personal and professional network,
- A rich network of partners tied to the school, its reputation, and its longevity, as is the case for IESA.
Deepen your knowledge at the Bac+5 level with a Master in Cultural Communication Strategy
Those who wish to can also continue their studies at the Master level after the Bachelor degree.
- of responsibility
- of strategic and managerial skills
- of pay
- of experience through work-study
Career opportunities in cultural communication
Cultural communication offers a wide range of career opportunities, given how many projects and organizations there are:
- Cultural centers
- Cultural associations
- Institutions: museums, venues, institutes, municipalities
- Production companies
- Cultural communication agencies
- Cultural events
- Performance venues and cinemas
- Music labels
- Galleries and foundations
- NGOs
- Cultural communication departments of large groups or companies
Salaries in cultural communication
Like the career opportunities, salaries and pay levels are highly varied.
Statuses (employee, freelance, seasonal) and the different organizations and their funding systems (grants, sales, sponsorship, etc.) offer positions and pay ranging from the French minimum wage (SMIC), for beginners working in nonprofits, to monthly salaries of up to 4 000 euros gross per month for experienced communications directors (Source Apec, 2025).
The average salary for a non-entry-level communications officer is generally 3 000 euros gross per month (Source Apec, 2025).