General Information

Overview

Be prepared for a variety of roles in the dynamic media and communication industry. Learn how to be strategic and gain the practical skills to flourish across the diverse settings in the industry. Graduates will be well qualified for roles in agencies, not-for-profits, government departments, small business and corporate organisations.

Study structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 375 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
Advertising major units
Cinema and Screen Studies major units
Creative Writing and Literature major units
Digital Advertising Technology major units
Journalism major units
Media Industries major units
Professional Writing and Editing major units
Public Relations major units
Social Media major units

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

†Honours merit unit – results are used in the honours merit calculation

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 125 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

A second major can be chosen in addition to your first major and will be named on your testamur certificate. Please note you cannot choose the same major as your first major. To see specific units for the second major go to Major units accordion.

  • Advertising 
  • Cinema and Screen Studies 
  • Creative Writing and Literature 
  • Digital Advertising Technology 
  • Journalism 
  • Media Industries 
  • Professional Writing and Editing 
  • Public Relations 
  • Social Media 

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.

  • Accounting 
  • Animation 
  • Biotechnology 
  • Business Analysis 
  • Business Analytics and Analysis 
  • Cinema and Screen Studies 
  • Climate and Social Justice 
  • Computer Science 
  • Criminology 
  • Data Analytics 
  • Entrepreneurship and Innovation 
  • Environmental Science 
  • Environmental Sustainability 
  • Ethics and Technology 
  • Finance 
  • Financial Planning 
  • Games and Interactivity 
  • Global Studies 
  • History 
  • Human Resource Management 
  • Indigenous Studies 
  • Information Systems 
  • Logistics and Supply Chain Management 
  • Management 
  • Marketing 
  • Media Industries 
  • Neuroscience 
  • Perspectives on Globalisation 
  • Philosophy 
  • Politics and International Relations 
  • Politics, Power and Technology 
  • Professional and Creative Writing 
  • Psychology 
  • Screen Production 
  • Screen Studies and Popular Culture 
  • Space Technology 
View co-major units

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

  • Advertising 
  • Applied Psychology 
  • Branded Environment 
  • Cinema and Screen Studies 
  • Computer Science 
  • Creative Writing 
  • Criminology 
  • Data Analytics 
  • Digital Advertising Technology 
  • Editing 
  • Entrepreneurship 
  • Games and Interactivity 
  • Indigenous Studies 
  • Innovation 
  • Journalism 
  • Literature 
  • Marketing 
  • Media Industries 
  • Public Relations 
  • Social Media 
  • Web Development 
View minor units

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.

Advertising major
  • DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20005 User Experience Design
  • DIG20011 Digital Mobility
  • DIG30003 Advertising Technology
  • GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
  • HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
  • HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10008 Global Media Industries
  • MDA20003 Networked Selves
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
  • MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
  • MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
  • MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
  • MKT20021 Integrated Marketing Communication
  • PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
  • PUB10001 Introduction to Public Relations Theory and Practice
  • PUB30001 Events Management
     
Cinema & Screen Studies major
  • ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
  • COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
  • DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
  • FTV20005 The Australian Screen
  • FTV30001 Breaking the Screen
  • FTV30005 Hollywood Cinema
  • JOU10004 News Writing
  • JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
  • LIT20002 Australian Writing: Mapping Diversity
  • LIT30002 Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10006 Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science and Technology
  • MDA10008 Global Media Industries
  • MDA20001 Business of Media
  • MDA20003 Networked Selves
  • MDA20009 Digital Communities
  • MDA20011 Sports/Advertising/Media
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
  • MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
  • MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
     
Creative Writing and Publishing major
  • ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • FTV10006 Genre and the Moving Image
  • GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
  • HIS10003 Global History
  • HIS30012 History, Politics and Human Rights
  • JOU10004 News Writing
  • LIT20002 Australian Writing: Mapping Diversity
  • LIT30004 Literary Industry Practice
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
  • MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
  • MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
  • MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
  • MDA30012 Researching Social Media Publics
  • MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
  • PHI10007 What is Power?
  • POL10001 Australian Politics
  • PWR10002 Editing for Writers
  • PWR20003 Writing Creative Non-Fiction
  • SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
  • SOC20020 Deviance, Difference & Conformity
  • SOC30013 Global Gender and Sex
     
Immersive Media major
  • ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
  • COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
  • DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
  • JOU10004 News Writing
  • JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
  • LIT20002 Australian Writing: Mapping Diversity
  • LIT30002 Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga
  • LIT30004 Literary Industry Practice
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
  • MDA10008 Global Media Industries
  • MDA20003 Networked Selves
  • MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
  • MDA20009 Digital Communities
  • MDA20011 Sports/Advertising/Media
  • MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
  • MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
  • MDA30012 Researching Social Media Publics
  • POL10002 International Politics
  • PUB10001 Introduction to Public Relations Theory and Practice
  • PUB20003 Public Relations Writing
  • SOC10004 Sociological Foundations
     
Journalism major
  • COS10005 Web Development
  • FTV20005 The Australian Screen
  • FTV30001 Breaking the Screen
  • FTV30005 Hollywood Cinema
  • INS10001 Connecting with Culture: Indigenous Australian Experiences
  • JOU10007 Media Content Creation
  • JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
  • MDA20001 Business of Media
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA20025 National Media in A Globalised World
  • MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
  • MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
  • MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
  • MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
  • PHI10008 Introduction to Ethics
  • POL10001 Australian Politics
  • POL10002 International Politics
  • POL20008 Australian Foreign Policy
  • PUB20003 Public Relations Writing
  • SOC30019 Social Science Research Methods
  • STA10003 Foundations of Statistics
     
Public Relations major
  • DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20005 User Experience Design
  • DIG20011 Digital Mobility
  • DIG30003 Advertising Technology
  • GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
  • HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
  • HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10008 Global Media Industries
  • MDA20003 Networked Selves
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA30006 Media and Communications Project A
  • MDA30007 Media and Communications Project B
  • MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
  • MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
  • MKT20021 Integrated Marketing Communication
     
Social Media major
  • ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
  • COM10007 Professional Communication Practice
  • DIG10004 Digital Video and Audio
  • DIG20001 Digital Narratives
  • DIG20011 Digital Mobility
  • DIG30003 Advertising Technology
  • GAM20004 Writing for Interactive Narratives
  • HEA10001 Introduction to Health Sciences
  • HEP20002 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
  • JOU10004 News Writing
  • JOU20006 Media, Law and Ethics
  • MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
  • MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
  • MDA10008 Global Media Industries
  • MDA20001 Business of Media
  • MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
  • MDA20014 Media and Social Impact
  • MDA30009 Radio, Audio and Podcasting
  • MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
  • PHI10003 Critical Thinking
Find more detail about elective units

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional), graduates will be able to:

  • demonstrate knowledge, conceptual understanding, technical skills and expertise in the broad field of media and communication 
  • formulate arguments that draw on and critique the differences between relevant theories and evidence as they pertain to the field of media and communication 
  • exercise initiative and judgement in planning, problem-solving and decision-making in professional practice and/or scholarship, individually and in collaboration with others 
  • demonstrate critical analysis, creativity and problem-solving in relation to a range of media and communication activities and processes 
  • recognise and reflect on social, cultural, legal and ethical issues relating to media and communication industries in local and international contexts 
  • apply a broad understanding of an audience through interpreting and communicating ideas, problems and arguments in a range of media and communication contexts and formats, using the English language 
  • reflect critically on their performance and/or scholarship and use this to improve their own creative and productive outcomes 
  • apply research methodology relevant to the field of media and communication. 

Career opportunities

Graduates will be well qualified for positions in media, communication and cultural professional roles in agencies, not-for-profits, government departments, small business and large organisations. These include roles as media content creators, media managers, social media channel and platform specialists, journalists, publicists, radio producers, archivists, writers, and curators.

Course rules

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional), students must complete 375 credit points comprising of:

  • 4 Core units of study (50 credit points) 
  • 8 units of study from the Media and Communication discipline majors (100 credit points) 
  • 4 units of study from the Professional Placement Co-Major (100 credit points) 
  • 10 units of study (125 credit points) comprising of a second major, and/or co-major, and/or advanced minor/s, and/or minor/s, and/or electives. 

Note: For students enrolled in this course completing a major in Cinema and Screen Studies, Digital Advertising Technology, or Media Industries – if they also enrol in a co-major in Screen Production there is an alternate co-major sequence of units in that co-major, see Accred info under co-majors. Students may not complete more than 150 cps (normally 12 units) at Introductory Level.

A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

Academic Progress - special requirements

In addition to the standard academic progress rules, this course has the following additional academic progress rules which are established in accordance with Academic Courses Regulation 62(2):

  1. A student is classified as 'at risk' of unsatisfactory progress if they:
    (a) fail any unit of study
    (b) behave in a manner which breaches the Swinburne Student Charter whilst on a professional placement
    (c) are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Placement two months before Week 1 of their final year of study.
  2. A student is classified as 'unsatisfactory progress' if they:
    (a) fail any unit of study in the next Progress Review period after being classified as being 'at risk'
    (b) fail a Professional Placement or Work Experience in Industry unit
    (c) have their professional placement terminated early by an industry partner. In the case of early termination of an industry placement by an industry partner, the student will be deemed as having 'unsatisfactory progress' and a progress review hearing may be convened within two weeks of the cessation of the placement.
    (d) are unsuccessful in securing a Professional Placement two months before Week 1 of their final semester of study.

Students in this situation may be invited to transfer to an alternative undergraduate course. Students who are identified as having unsatisfactory progress will be subject to the show cause provisions in the Progress Review section of the Academic Progress Policy.

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.

Guaranteed ATAR: if you receive an ATAR of 80 or higher and meet all the essential requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer.

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 any Business, any Humanities, Literature, Interactive Digital Media C, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I or Theatre Studies equals 2 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 2022

ATAR-Based offers only, across all offer rounds ATAR
Excluding adjustment factors		 Selection Rank
ATAR + any adjustment factors
Highest rank to receive an offer 97.2 97.9
Median rank to receive an offer 75.1 80.7
Lowest rank to receive an offer 63.55 63.85

B. Applicants with higher education study

Educational history

This course only accepts applicants who have just completed Year 12 or have not commenced any studies after completing Year 12 (ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered).

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent.

C. Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Educational history

This course only accepts applicants who have just completed Year 12 or have not commenced any studies after completing Year 12 (ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered).

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent.

D. Applicants with work and life experience

Entire academic record

This course only accepts applicants who have just completed Year 12 or have not commenced any studies after completing Year 12 (ATAR results from the last seven years can be considered).

Meeting course prerequisites

As for Year 12 or equivalent

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, 2022
Applicant background Number of students Percentage of all students
(A) Higher education study (includes a bridging or enabling course) N/A  N/A 
(B) Vocational education and training (VET) study N/A  N/A 
(C) Work and life experience (admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories) 0 0%
(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) N/P N/P
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) <5 <5
International students <5 <5
All students 41 100%

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

Interested in the Bachelor of Media and Communication (professional)?

From state-of-the-art facilities to opportunities to engage with industry – this course is designed with your future in mind. Let's get started.

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