Overview

Media and business – they’re two worlds that are intrinsically linked. Learn how to conquer both in our Bachelor of Media and Communication/ Bachelor of Business. Investigate the influence of social networking data, ownership and privacy, the digital economy, and more. Gain broad business knowledge and cutting-edge communication skills. Emerge ready for a captivating career in almost any industry.

Course prerequisites have changed

The English and EAL study scores have been updated for Semester 1, 2025 entry. Please see the Entry requirements tab for updated information.

Looking to start in Semester 1, 2025?

Whatever stage you're at – from browsing courses to starting an application – our Study Expo is your one-stop-shop for info and advice.

Your industry experience

Bolster your CV with real industry experience while you study through our Work Integrated Learning programs – a guaranteed part of all our bachelor degrees. This double degree includes an industry-linked consulting project and an industry-linked project related to your major study area.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Media content creation
  • Communication for influence and impact
  • Critical and analytical thinking
  • Communication skills
  • Teamwork skills
  • Broad-based business knowledge

Your career opportunities

  • Business analyst
  • Business development officer
  • Entrepreneur
  • Communications strategist
  • Marketing communications specialist
  • Content marketing manager

Key codes

CRICOS course code
088392G
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210863
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210861
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.

Professional accreditations

Why Swinburne?

Top 200 for Communication

#1 in Melbourne for overall experience

Top 5% of the world’s higher education business schools

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary one year out

  • Natalie's placement story

    Bendigo Bank

    Natalie's placement gave her a significant competitive edge, in the transition from graduation to professional work.

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 certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

60

Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]

61.7

You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.

If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements. 

*Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the STAT test.

Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.

Course prerequisites

These prerequisites have been updated for Semester 1 2025 entry
  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 20 in any English (except EAL) or 25 in English as Alternate Language (EAL) or equivalent
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:

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. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

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.

Add your major

Add your major for a more personalised experience.

How credit points work

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication/ Bachelor of Business 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.

12
Core units
+
16
Major units
+
4
Elective units
=
4-year double degree

What your course could look like

These are some examples of the units currently in this course. Your sequence may vary depending on unit availability, prerequisite requirements and the semester in which you commenced your course.

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Media Studies
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10001
Global Media Industries
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10008
Communicating with Data
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10012
Content Creator Lab
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10018
Professional Communication Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
COM10007
Media Content Creation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
JOU10007
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Financial Information for Decision Making
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ACC10007
Economics for Business Decision Making
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
ECO10005
Contemporary Management Principles
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MGT10009
Marketing and the Consumer Experience
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MKT10009
Business Digitalisation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
INF10024
Business Consulting Project
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BUS30032
Creative Mindset and Entrepreneurship
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
BUS10015
Business Practice Core Option*
Core unit, 12.5 credit points

*Upon enrolment you will choose your Business Practice electives; these include Sustainable Business Practice, Future Work Skills, internships, and study tours.

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
Option 1
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
MDA20016
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
MDA20017
or
Option 2
Work Experience In Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20001
Integrated Professional Placement A - Business
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
BUS20010
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points
WEI20002
Integrated Professional Placement B - Business
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points
BUS20011

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$16,323

Total fee* ($AUD)

$65,292

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$37,940.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply to 2024 unit enrolments for HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) 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. International tuition fees are generally inclusive of Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF). 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.

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.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

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.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown in the capped amount for 2024.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2024 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 20 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.

Professional placement fees

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
BB-MCMNBUS1
Search for agents

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.

Course code
BB-MCMNBUS1
Apply directly
Course code
BB-MCMNBUS1
CRICOS code
088392G
Apply directly

Apply through VTAC

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. 

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.

Applying through Early Entry Program?

If you are applying through the EEP Program you will need a special code to apply.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400210861
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400210863
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024