Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours)
Course handbook
4 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Hawthorn campus
Semester 1:
27 February 2023
Semester 2:
31 July 2023
BH-FTV2
3400236321 (CSP)
3400236323 (IFP)
092513B (CRICOS)
General Information
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.
Study structure
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.
Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure.
- FTV10002 Production Management
- FTV10003 Screen Literacy and Contemporary Cinema
- FTV10004 Scriptwriting and Directing: Short Narrative Film
- FTV10005 Sound Design and Acquisition
- FTV10006 Genre and the Moving Image
- FTV10007 Post-Production and Editing
- FTV10008 Production Techniques
- FTV10009 Experimental Screen Production
- FTV20002 Cinematography and Lighting: Film Production
- FTV20004 Cinematography and Lighting: Broadcast Video
- FTV20005 The Australian Screen
- FTV20010 Scriptwriting and Directing: Non-Fiction Production
- FTV20011 Scriptwriting and Directing: Short Film Production
- FTV30004 Film and Television Research Project: Development
- FTV30005 Hollywood Cinema
- FTV30007 Short Form Screen Production (Music Video and TVC)
- FTV30013 Major Project: Directing and Development for the Screen
- FTV30014 Major Project: Screen Writing
- FTV40003 Screen Research and Writing *
- FTV40005 Movies and Research Methods *
- FTV40010 Major Project: Production *
- FTV40011 Major Project: Post-Production and Distribution *
* Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 100 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
A co-major is a major in a field of study outside this course. You can choose one in addition to a first major. Co-majors will not be named on your testamur certificate however will be shown on your transcript of results.
- Animation
- Cinema and Screen Studies
- Creative Writing and Literature
- Digital Advertising Technology
- Games and Interactivity
- Indigenous Studies
- Journalism
- Media Industries
- Motion Design
- Professional Writing and Editing
- Screen Production
Advanced minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points in a field of study which builds upon your first major. Advanced minors can only be taken in conjunction with specific majors.
3D Modelling and Animation
- DDD20022 3D Modelling for Objects and Environments
- DDD20023 3D Character Modelling
- DDD30028 3D Character Design and Animation
- DDD30018 3D Animation Project
Visual Effects
Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.
- Cinema and Screen Studies
- Digital Advertising Technology
- Entrepreneurship
- Games and Interactivity
- Indigenous Studies
- Innovation
- Journalism
- Marketing
- Media Industries
- Motion Design
- Photomedia
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for either 6 or 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.
These recommended elective units can deepen your understanding of your chosen major or an area of interest. A full list of available elective units can be found upon enrolment.
- ANI10001 Introduction to Animation
- ANI10003 History of Animation
- ANI10004 Introduction to Character and Environment Design
- DDM10005 Imaging for Narrative and Storyboards
- DDM10006 Typography for Screen and Motion
- FTV20007 Digital Postproduction Techniques
- FTV30001 Breaking the Screen
- FTV30015 Pre-Visualisation for Screen
- FTV30016 Sound Design For Screen
- FTV30024 Visual Effects Production
- GAM10002 Principles of Game Design
- JOU20004 Broadcast News Reporting
- JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
- LIT10003 Reading and Writing Genre Texts
- LIT20001 Reading, Writing and Criticism
- LIT20002 Australian Writing: Mapping Diversity
- LIT30004 Literary Industry Practice
- MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
- MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
- MDA20009 Digital Communities
- MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
- MDA30017 Media Analytics and Visualisation
- MDA30018 Media Futures
- MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
- PWR10002 Editing for Writers
- PWR10004 Writing Short Non-Fiction
- PWR20003 Writing Creative Non-Fiction
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:
- analyse, evaluate and apply critical thinking and knowledge to articulate creative concepts and solve problems in the field of Film and Television and in preparation for higher degrees, whilst taking responsibility and accountability for their own learning and practice
- apply cognitive and technical skills to demonstrate a broad understanding of theoretical concepts in Film and Television, in addition to an advanced understanding of film production, research and scholarship in the production of cinema, broadcast and media content
- apply research principles and methods to exercise critical thinking and judgement to develop new understandings of Film and Television
- demonstrate tacit knowledge, creative and technical skills to embed research practice through independent research into a professional project and/or piece of scholarship with some independence
- demonstrate communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in the development, production and management of Film and Television project work
- exercise critical thinking in adhering to the principles of sustainability and respectful production principles and knowledge to new and diverse contexts in Film and Television production.
Career opportunities
You may wish to explore a career in scriptwriting, directing, cinematography, editing or sound design with the opportunity to work in film production companies, post-production facilities and freelance production roles within the film and television industry. A diverse range of opportunities for graduates may also be found in advertising agencies, online content providers, broadcast networks and television studios.
Professional recognition
On completion of this qualification students may be eligible to become members of the following industry bodies and should confirm their eligibility with the association: Australian Cinematographers Society (ACS), Australian Directors Guild (ADG), Australian Screen Editors Guild (ASE), Australian Writers Guild (AWG), and Screen Producers Association of Australia (SPAA).
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours), students must complete:
- 8 core units of study (100 credit points)
- 14 major units of study (200 credit points); and
- 8 units of study (100 credit points) comprising a co-major, advanced minor, minor, and/or electives.
Students cannot use more than 150 credit points of Level 1 units towards the award outcome.
A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternative.
Students also have an opportunity to undertake a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) Professional Placement.
Professional placements
Professional placements are subject to a competitive selection process. International students may be eligible for a professional placement where a relevant professional degree exists. International students who successfully gain a placement through the selection process will be required to change courses to the relevant professional degree, in order to complete a placement and should consider any visa and extended study duration implications prior to applying.
Students who undertake a 12-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 475 credit points comprising:
- 8 core units of study (100 credit points)
- 14 major units of study (200 credit points); and
- 4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points); and
- 6 units of study (75 credit points) comprising an advanced minor, minor and/or electives.
Students who elect to undertake a 6-month professional placement are subject to the following course rules and must complete 437.5 credit points comprising:
- 8 core units of study (100 credit points)
- 14 major units of study (200 credit points); and
- 2 units of study from the Professional Placement Minor (50 credit points); and
- 7 units of study (87.5 credit points) comprising an advanced minor, minor and/or electives.
Honours merit calculation
An honours merit calculation will be based on the averaged results of 100 credits points of major discipline Film and Television units of the course with the following descriptive outcomes:
- Bachelor of Film and Television (Hons) with High Distinction; for students who achieve 80 or above
- Bachelor of Film and Television (Hons) with Distinction; for students who achieve 70 – 79
- Bachelor of Film and Television (Hons) with Credit; for students who achieve 60 – 69
- Bachelor of Film and Television (Hons); for students who achieve less than 60.
For students who enter with exempted credits, a minimum of at least 100 credits within discipline units is required to be eligible for an award and for an honours merit calculation. At least 75 out of the last 100 credits comply with AQF level 8.
This honours merit calculation will be based only on units completed at Swinburne. If a student has not completed the specified units, they will graduate with a Bachelor of Film and Television as an award title, but not be eligible for a merit based honours description.
The following units will be used in the Honours merit calculation:
- FTV30014 Major Project: Screenwriting
- FTV30013 Major Project: Directing and Development for Screen
- FTV40007 Major Project: Production
- FTV40005 Film Theory and Research Methods
- FTV40001 Major Project: Post-Production and Distribution
- FTV40003 Screen Research and Writing
Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Bachelor of Film and Television (Honours) is 200 credit points (normally 16 units).
Admission criteria
Information about Swinburne's general admission criteria can be found at Admissions at Swinburne - Higher Education webpage.
Entry requirements
A. Applicants with recent secondary education (within past three years)
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Minimum ATAR including selection adjustments: 85.
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course.
Selection rank adjustments
Selection ranks for this course will be calculated based on your ATAR with adjustments to overall study scores based on subjects studied, location of your home address, SEAS application, and participation In Swinburne's Early Leaders program. For further details about selection rank adjustments, see Admissions at Swinburne.
Subject adjustments
A study score of 25 in Art, Drama, Literature, Media, Interactive Digital Media C, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Studio Arts, Theatre Studies or Visual Communication Design equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 15 points.
Meeting course prerequisites
VCE units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in any English (except EAL) or at least 30 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent.
ATAR profile for those offered places wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in Semester 1 2023
| ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds | ATAR Excluding adjustment factors |
Selection Rank ATAR + any adjustment factors |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer | 88.85 | 99.7 |
| Median rank to receive an offer | 86.97 | 91.05 |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer | 70.8 | 76 |
B. Applicants with higher education study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history, including results from previous higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. If previous higher education qualifications are incomplete, results must have been obtained in the last seven years.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study
Educational history
An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including complete and/or incomplete post-secondary VET studies, will be considered for entry into this course. Only graded results will be considered.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
D. Applicants with work and life experience
Entire academic record
This course uses an applicant's entire academic record as part of its selection considerations, including an applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered for entry into this course.
Meeting course prerequisites
As for Year 12 or equivalent.
STAT/Bridging courses
Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can sit STAT Written English. STAT results are valid for two years.
Student profile
The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students who commenced in this course in the most relevant recent intake period, including those admitted through all offer rounds and international students studying in Australia.
| Semester 1, 2023 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Applicant background | Number of students | Percentage of all students |
| (A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) | 6 | 6% |
| (B) Vocational education and training (VET) study | N/P | N/P |
| (C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) | <5 | <5 |
| (D) Recent secondary education: | ||
| Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR (regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points) | 85 | 86% |
| Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered (e.g. portfolio, audition, extra test, early offer conditional on minimum ATAR) | N/A | N/A |
| Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor (e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement) | N/A | N/A |
| International students | <5 | <5 |
| All students | 99 | 100% |
Notes:
“<5” – the number of students is less than 5.
N/A – Students not accepted in this category
N/P – Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students.
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