Overview

The Bachelor of Media and Communication is designed to provide you with state-of-the-art teaching, so you’re prepared for roles in dynamic, ever-changing media and communication industries.

The degree takes a strategic approach to media and communication, combining theoretical and practical content that gives you the skills to operate in diverse industry settings.

Drawing on a range of media and communication disciplines, the degree seeks to equip you with the knowledge and skills to achieve institutional/organisational objectives.

View Bachelor of Bachelor of Media and Communications course handbook
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Skills you’ll learn

  • Entrepreneurship
  • Ethical work-mindset
  • Adaptability

Your career opportunities

  • Web designer
  • Digital media producer
  • Journalist
  • Content creator
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

The median income for PG graduates one year out is $86.6K (#1 in Victoria)

  • Side view head shot of a smiling mixed race female wearing a headset, with laptop communicating via video chat.

    Study with Swinburne Online

    With Swinburne Online, the learning experience is 100% online and studied at your own pace. Our courses are built for the jobs of the future with a focus on collaboration and our flexible learning environment empowers you to study on your own terms. They are developed by leaders in the field and taught by professionals with industry experience.

Qualifications

Successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification.

VCE prerequisites: Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in English (or equivalent) or 30 in English (EAL).

Non-year 12 entry

Completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including Certificates, Diplomas, Advanced Diplomas, Associate Degrees and Degrees). Additional performance criteria and prerequisite requirements may also apply.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions, in respect of courses, to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Assess your eligibility for entry to Swinburne.

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.

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.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Media and Communication students must complete 300 credit points.

Students studying through SOL complete one online core unit of study and 11 units of Other Study. 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. Students also have an opportunity to undertake a WIL Professional Placement.

4
Core units
+
1
Online Core unit
+
8
Major units
+
11
Elective units
=
3-year bachelor degree

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Introduction to Media Studies
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10001
Professional Communication Practice
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
COM10007
Media Content Creation
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
JOU10007
Global Media Industries
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10008
Learning and Communicating Online
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
COM10003

Your major options

Units of study Unit code
Principles of Advertising
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ADV10001
Advertising Issues: Regulation, Ethics & Cultural Considerations
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ADV20001
Concept Development and Copywriting
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ADV20002
Business of Media
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA20001
Sports/Advertising/Media
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA20011
Advertising Media Planning and Purchasing
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ADV30001
Advertising Management and Campaigns Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
ADV30002
Professional Practice: Client and Agency Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
COM30002
Units of study Unit code
Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science and Technology
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10006
Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA10003
Digital Communities
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA20009
Screen Franchising and Innovation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA20007
Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA30011
Sports/Advertising/Media
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA20011
Media and Communications Project A
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA30006
Researching Social Media Publics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA30012
Units of study Unit code
Public Relations Theory and Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PUB20002
Public Relations Writing
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PUB20003
Business of Media
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
MDA20001
Global Public Relations Practice
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PUB20001
Events Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PUB30001
Professional Practice: Client and Agency Management
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
COM30002
Public Relations Project and Campaign Planning
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PUB30003
Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication
Major unit, 12.5 credit points
PUB30002
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$16,323

Total fee* ($AUD)

$48,969

2024 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$0.00

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.

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
BA-MCMNS
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! 

Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Last date to apply
30-October-2024
Start dates
04-November-2024
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Last date to apply
05-March-2025
Start dates
10-March-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Last date to apply
02-July-2025
Start dates
07-July-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Teaching Period 3
Location
Online
Start dates
04-November-2024
Teaching Period 1
Location
Online
Start dates
10-March-2025
Teaching Period 2
Location
Online
Start dates
07-July-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024