Master of Communication

Study the only qualification of its kind in South Australia and gain specialised skills and advanced knowledge to prepare you for management roles within communications, media and the creative industries.

The Master of Communication combines fundamental and advanced training in planning, implementing and evaluating communications strategies with a strong focus on the impact of digital disruption across the communication and media sector.

Explore areas of social media management, public relations and digital entrepreneurship, providing you with key management skills that will be complemented by critical analysis of the possibilities and impacts of big data, artificial intelligence and the emergence of Industry 4.0 and how these impact on your sector.

Study in a workshop-based environment with connections to industry partners, real-world projects, and placement and networking opportunities.

You will have the option to select either a specialised research thesis or a professional project/placement pathway during your studies.

This qualification is nested with the Graduate Certificate in Social and Digital Media Management, Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication and Graduate Diploma in Communication.

This qualification is also linked with our short courses in Executive Certificate in Social Media Management and Executive Certificate in Digital Design Management.

You can use the courses complete through the short courses to gain credit into the Master of Communication.

Entry requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the program will normally have:

• A completed Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution; or
• A completed Graduate Certificate from a recognised higher education institution; or

Graduates of this postgraduate qualification will have advanced management and writing skills, along with knowledge of contemporary practice, social and digital media management, ethical communication, strategic communication plans and practices.

The first year of the Master of Communication comprises eight industry relevant and informed courses covering emerging communication discipline areas including:

• Communication, Media and Creative Industries
• Social Media Management
• Industry 4.0 and Society
• Digital Design
• Communication Contexts
• Content Creation
• Campaigns and Crisis Management
• Digital Entrepreneurship.

In your second year, you will undertake either a Masters Research or an industry-focused Professional Project or placement.

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums. So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

This degree is offered both on campus and online. For the online offering, you will:

• study online, including accessing access videos and course resources
• participate in an interactive online learning environment
• submit your assignments and get feedback online
• use discussion forums for team work and communication

Your career

Communication is at the core of everything we do – and skilled communicators are essential in every organisation. Graduates of this qualification can gain careers as a:

• Strategic communications manager
• Social media manager
• Marketing manager
• Public relations manager
• Media adviser
• Online editor
• Content creator
• Copywriter

Applying to study with us:

• go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
• you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, tech zones, and areas that simulate real work environments. You’ll also find student gyms and campus sport activities to keep you active. We also offer flexible study options, with online resources available for accessing lecture recordings, virtual classrooms, library resources and learning support.

Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, a perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Our student support services can make your life at university easier. We provide a full range of support services including academic and personal counselling. You can also access a range of services through our students association, USASA. When you become a UniSA student you can contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and any other questions you might have.

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.