Bachelor of Media and Communication
with a major in Social Media – Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
Selected major: Social Media
Gain a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms within social, cultural and industry contexts. Learn how to analyse new and emerging media technologies and drive their use and innovation across industry.
The Bachelor of Media and Communication focuses on developing key skills in professional communication and media content creation.
Swinburne’s strong industry connections ensure this course links theoretical knowledge with practical, experiential learning relevant to growing areas of employment.*
Learn how the media sector is evolving through an examination of issues such as diversity, the influence of social networking data, ownership and privacy, and automated media and the digital economy.
You’ll also benefit from Swinburne’s partnership with Adobe which gives you free access to, and coaching in, the Adobe Creative Cloud while studying.
This flexible degree will help prepare you for a career you’ll be passionate about. Select a major from ten options, and then tailor your degree to suit your interests with a second major or co-major and a wide range of minors or electives.
All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity, which could be a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In this degree, you’ll work on an industry-linked project relevant to your major area of study. For example, in units Media and Communications Project A and B (MDA30006 and MDA30007), students design and implement a product of their choice e.g. a radio documentary, short story, website, short film, or game. Or, in units Digital Marketing Project 1 and 2 (DIG30001 and DIG30002) students work in teams on a significant digital advertising or marketing project.
* The Australian Government’s Job Outlook shows that sectors related to this degree are expecting strong future growth. This includes advertising, public relations, multimedia specialists and media producers. Other sectors, such as journalism and writing, are expecting a future of stable to moderate employment growth.
You can also study Media and Communication in a double degree with Business, Design, Health Science, or Laws. If you like Media and Communication, you may also like to explore our Bachelor of Arts.
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I’ve had amazing internships with incredible companies. I’m working in an industry placement as a Social Media Response Specialist at Optus. I’ve been able to use the skills learnt in my major, and have worked with the Digital Content team to create content for the Optus website.
Chloe
Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional), majoring in Social Media
Studying Cinema and Screen Studies allowed me to critically look at popular film and television and explore the ways in which they have succeeded and why. I have really enjoyed the chance to learn from experienced tutors and lecturers who were constantly there for support and feedback. Getting advice has really helped me to grow as a writer and feel more confident in my own work.
Annika
Bachelor of Media and Communication, major in Cinema and Screen Studies
Becoming a Global Citizen
It's not every internship that gives you the chance to see Beyoncé or meet Oprah.
But they were just some of the incredible opportunities Politics and International Relations student William experienced during his internship with Global Citizen in New York.
"It gave me a behind-the-scenes look at how an NGO such as Global Citizen operates,” he says.
Course details
- Course structure, work integrated learning and professional recognition.
Course structure
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication requires students to complete units of study to the value of 300 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
View course rules and special requirements
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Professional Communication Practice | COM10007 | 12.5 |
| Media Content Creation | JOU10007 | 12.5 |
| Introduction to Media Studies | MDA10001 | 12.5 |
| Global Media Industries | MDA10008 | 12.5 |
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Selected major: Social Media
Gain a comprehensive understanding of social media platforms within social, cultural and industry contexts. Learn how to analyse new and emerging media technologies and drive their use and innovation across industry.
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Innovation Cultures: Perspectives on Science and Technology | MDA10006 | 12.5 |
| Networked Selves | MDA20003 | 12.5 |
| Digital Communities | MDA20009 | 12.5 |
| The Media in Australia | MDA20010 | 12.5 |
| Sports/Advertising/Media * | MDA20011 | 12.5 |
| Media and Communications Project B * | MDA30007 | 12.5 |
| Researching Social Media Publics * | MDA30012 | 12.5 |
| Media Analytics and Visualisation * | MDA30017 | 12.5 |
*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes
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Other studies
12 units (150 credit points)
Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 150 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).
Work Integrated Learning
Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.
Choose a professional placement option:
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 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.
The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Media and Communication
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication | MDA20016 | 25 |
| Work Experience in Industry B | WEI20002 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication | MDA20017 | 25 |
You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 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.
The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.
Professional Placement in Media and Communication
| Units | Unit codes | Credit points |
|---|---|---|
| Work Experience in Industry A | WEI20001 | 25 |
| Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication | MDA20016 | 25 |
A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!
You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.
Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.
- 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
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication, graduates will be able to:
- develop 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 judgment in planning, problem-solving and decision-making in professional practice and/or scholarship, individually and in collaboration with others
- critically apply 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
- critically evaluate and apply research methodology relevant to the field of media and communication.
Professional recognition
On completion of the Public Relations major students may be eligible to become a member of the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and should confirm eligibility with the Institute.
The Advertising major is professionally accredited by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).
Fees
- Fees for 2021.
Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.
| 2021 rate* | Estimated total cost of the course | Estimated cost of the course per year if studying full-time* | Amenities fee per year if studying full-time* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) |
$43,500 | $14,500 | See how your SSAF is calculated |
How do I pay my fees?
HECS-HELP is a loan and discount scheme available to eligible students enrolled in a Commonwealth supported place. A HECS-HELP loan can cover all or part of the student contribution amount.
Find out more about fees.
Scholarships
At Swinburne scholarships are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. Scholarships are available for both commencing and current students.
How to enter this course
- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
How to apply
Find out more about how to apply.
View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.