Bachelor of Communication and Media

Skilled communicators are essential in every organisation and industry sector, and this adaptable degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to plan, develop and deliver communication across a range of platforms.

You will develop skills in:

writing and creating content for traditional and online media analysing social media and its role in society managing media and public relations critical and analytical thinking required for the strategic planning and management of communication and media.

Practical, real-world experience is a key component of this degree and in your final year you will complete an industry internship.

Industry and community engagement opportunities are also featured in several courses, enabling you to put your skills to practice on real communication projects.

Eligible students can gain a further competitive advantage by completing an undergraduate degree in Communication and Media with a Master of Communication in just four years.

This is a great way of elevating your career prospects.

Based on academic merit and quota, you may have the option to do the one-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours) at the end of this degree.

Honours is an intensive year of advanced study that develops your abilities in academic research.

It allows you to research a topic that interests you.

Other selection criteria may apply.

If you’re interested in studying a combined degree with the Bachelor of Communication and Media, please submit an enquiry and we’ll get in touch to discuss your options.

Current combined degree options include the Bachelor of Communication and Media and:

Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing Bachelor of Arts (any specialisation) Bachelor of Film and Television Bachelor of Business (Tourism and Event Management).

This degree offers flexible study options with all courses being available at Magill, City West or Online.

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:

Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND

• Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
• Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
• Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points

Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

OR Higher education study

• Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
• Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

• Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above

OR Work and life experience

• Qualify for Special Entry, or
• Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
• Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

You will learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate communication strategies that engage and inform target audiences using a range of media platforms. With a focus on communication for both traditional and online media, you'll study:

• writing and content creation for traditional and online
• social media strategy, engagement and content creation
• critical and analytical thinking required for the strategic planning and management of communication and media
• communication and media research
• media law and ethics
• emerging trends

Studying communication and media at UniSA gives you the flexibility to select a sub-major, so you can specialise in fields such as journalism, film and television, social media, marketing, or digital media. A social media sub-major would be highly desirable in a social media management role, while a journalism sub-major would prepare you for media advisor roles. If you're interested in digital content, then a digital media sub-major may be for you. Other popular sub-majors include marketing, film and television, tourism, and event management.

You will also select two electives, enabling you to further build on your skills and knowledge. There is a focus on professional practice, and during your final year you will get the opportunity to complete an industry placement working in a public relations, communication management or media role.

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 (independent study). 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 practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

Practical experience will be an important part of your learning and during your third year you will complete an industry internship in a communication, media, public relations, social media or advertising role in a variety of organisations. This industry experience will ensure you graduate ready for the workforce – some graduates even gain employment as a result of these internships. UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

Your career

Nine in ten large businesses, and more than four in ten small-to-medium businesses now have a strategy behind their social media and communications investment1, so there is no better time to be beginning a career in communication and media.

As a professional communicator you will be interested in current affairs, public communication in all its forms, and the communication aspects of political, economic and social issues. You will also have a passion for writing and language, a curiosity about why and how people communicate, and a desire to use communication skills to promote understanding of significant political, social, cultural and scientific issues and events. Careers to consider:

• communication officer: plan, create and write content for publications and promotional material
• content creator and writer: write for a range of channels and mediums including web, blogs, news, social media, search engine optimisation, publications and advertising
• digital and social media manager: responsible for developing and implementing marketing strategies for an organisation’s social media sites
• media liaison officer: liaise between two organisations to communicate and coordinate activities
• PR coordinator: understand and support client needs – and use all forms of media and communication to build, maintain and manage their reputation
• marketing and communication officer: coordinate advertising and public relations activities for businesses
• online editor: plan, create, edit and publish content online
• strategic communication manager: develop integrated communication and marketing campaigns, set clear communication goals and objectives, develop strategies, tactics, budgets and schedules for a campaign – and learn to measure the effectiveness of each medium to monitor success.

1 Sensis Social Media report 2017

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, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

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, an ideal 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 will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:

• academic counselling
• personal counselling
• social support services, including family support and nearby childcare

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.