
Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours)
85
Semester 1 intake
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- Study structure
- Fees & Scholarships
- How to apply
Overview
Gain the essential creative skills and technical knowledge to make high-quality cinema, television and digital media productions. You'll use state-of-the-art workstations, a purpose-built green screen room, high-end cameras and more. You could also opt for an International Study Tour to attend the Berlinale Film Festival in Germany or go on a creative residence in Italy.
There's still time to get your application in for Semester 1
Haven't quite gotten around to applying direct to your chosen Swinburne course? Don't fret. There's still plenty of time to get your application in, and start in Semester 1.
Your industry experience
Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study with Work Integrated Learning programs, guaranteed in all our bachelor degrees. In Major Project: Production (FTV40010) and Major Project: Post-Production and Distribution (FTV40011), you'll produce a film in consultation with industry that replicates real-world film production.
Skills you’ll learn
- Directing
- Producing
- Cinematography
- Editing and post-production
- Sound design
- Screen storytelling and scriptwriting
Your career opportunities
- Screenwriter
- Director
- Cinematographer
- Editor
- Producer
- Post-production manager
Key codes
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Student experience
Marli shares her story of being nominated for an award at a short film festival during her first year of study. After this success, she travelled to Antarctica with National Geographic and Air New Zealand.
We'll provide you with real-world support at Swinburne.
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
- completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
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Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media - Film and Television
1 year full-time, 16 units max credit
Note: This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
- 8Core units
- +
- 14Major units
- +
- 8Elective units
- =
-
4-year bachelor degree
What your course could look like
Units are listed in a proposed sequence. However this can be amended depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Semester 1 | |
Scriptwriting and Directing: Short Narrative Film
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10004 |
Production Techniques
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10008 |
Post-Production and Editing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10007 |
Screen Literacy and Contemporary Cinema
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10003 |
Semester 2 | |
Experimental Screen Production
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10009 |
Production Management
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10002 |
Genre and the Moving Image
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10006 |
Sound Design and Acquisition
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV10005 |
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Semester 1 | |
Scriptwriting and Directing: Short Film Production
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV20011 |
Cinematography and Lighting: Film Production
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV20002 |
The Australian Screen
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV20005 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
Semester 2 | |
Scriptwriting and Directing: Non-Fiction Production
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV20010 |
Cinematography and Lighting: Broadcast Video
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV20004 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Professional placement - Major (12 months) | |
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Film and Television
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
FTV20018 |
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
Integrated Professional Placement B - Film and Television
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
FTV20019 |
or | |
Professional placement - Minor (6 months) | |
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
Integrated Professional Placement A - Film and Television
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
FTV20018 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Semester 1 | |
Major Project: Screen Writing
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV30014 |
Hollywood Cinema
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV30005 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
Semester 2 | |
Major Project: Directing and Development for the Screen
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV30013 |
Film and Television Research Project: Development
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV30004 |
Short Form Screen Production (Music Video and TVC)
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV30007 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
Units of study | Unit code |
---|---|
Semester 1 | |
Major Project: Production
Major unit, 25.0 credit points |
FTV40010 |
Movies and Research Methods
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV40005 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
Semester 2 | |
Major Project: Post-Production and Distribution
Major unit, 25.0 credit points |
FTV40011 |
Screen Research and Writing
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
FTV40003 |
Your elective unit goes here
Elective unit, 12.5 credit points |
ELECT01 |
2023 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$15,142
Total fee* ($AUD)
$60,568
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$38,960
Fees are estimates only
The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2023 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to you if you are eligible and enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of your contribution amount. You can also choose to pay your fees up front.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Financials
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for HECS-HELP
You are eligible for a HECS-HELP loan if you have been offered a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for an undergraduate degree at Swinburne or a UniLink course, and you:
- are an Australian citizen and doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens.
Note: There is a 10 per cent discount for on-time payments of your student contribution if you pay a minimum of A$500.
Student services and amenities fee
This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2023 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 30 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply directly
Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria. International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
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"I studied film because a powerful storyline in a film or TV show can make someone fall for something so completely that they would dedicate their life to it. I wanted to be a part of this. My favourite parts of the course have been meeting new people who share a passion for film and filmmaking and working with the professional equipment."
James , Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours)