Bachelor of Communication

Study On Demand – a 100% online communication degree designed specifically for online learning.

Take full control over your study - access support seven days a week, plan your study to fit around your life, view learning resources 24/7, and log into the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.

Powerful communication is about crafting the right message, at the right time to disseminate knowledge and information to a variety of audiences, across various channels and media.

This degree will equip you with the knowledge and skills to create and deliver effective communication strategies across a range of traditional and emerging media platforms.

Along with your flair for writing, you’ll learn to build effective social media strategies, manage reputations in a crisis, as well as evaluate and improve communication practices.

You’ll be able to swiftly apply your skills well before you graduate and will come out as a savvy communication professional ready to build your career in this fast-paced and dynamic industry.

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:

Higher education study

• Successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider

OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)

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

OR Work and life experience (for domestic students only)

• Passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience, or
• Completed a UniSA Foundations Studies program or equivalent, or
• Qualify for Special Entry

OR Recent secondary education

• Completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge

UniSA Online’s Bachelor of Communication prepares you to work across a vast, technologically diverse media landscape. Graduates will come out with the knowledge and skills that employers are looking for, no matter what industry you choose to work in.

You’ll develop expertise in core communication areas such as public relations, marketing, communication research, promotional communication and strategic communication planning – and you’ll graduate with specialist knowledge in journalism and social media, with the skills to deliver effective communication strategies across a range of industries and media platforms.

This degree allows you to apply what you’ve learned to real-world scenarios. In your final year, you’ll complete a comprehensive, industry-standard communication plan that you can add to your resume.

Studying 100% online means you can engage with course materials at your own pace, whenever it suits you – there is no need to be online at a particular time. It’s flexible around your life so you can control your study schedule week by week. As a general rule, we recommend 10 to 15 hours of study a week for each course.

All assessments, including exams (if required) are 100% online, meaning you’ll never need to travel to submit an assignment or find an exam venue.

Some of your assessments may include:

Your career

Communication gives students a wide range of employment options, both in terms of the type of work they undertake and the industry sectors in which they can be employed.

From healthcare, financial services, IT, community organisations to not-for-profit and government, the opportunities are endless. And the industry is constantly changing. A decade ago, the role of a social media manager might not have even existed. Today, however, almost every organisation is involved in social media in one way or another.

A UniSA Online Communication degree can help you pursue the following careers:

• Communication officer:
• Convey an organisation’s internal and external messages; plan and write content for promotional publications, websites, blogs and social media profiles; prepare media releases and liaise with journalists; develop advertising material for print, radio and television; and coordinate events.
• Content creator and writer:
• Develop compelling content, creative concepts and copy for a range of marketing and communication materials including email campaigns, long-form articles, style guides, social media, written scripts, and landing pages; work closely with designers, web developers, photographers, and videographers; and use insights and analytics to continually optimise content.
• Digital and social media manager:
• Build and execute social media and digital strategies; generate, edit, publish and share daily content on a range of platforms; create editorial calendars and distribution schedules; moderate all user-generated content; and continuously improve and optimise campaigns by analysing social data and metrics.
• Media liaison officer:
• Act as the point of contact for members of the press, journalists and other media representatives; develop communication materials including media releases, fact sheets, website copy and briefing notes for the media; coordinate media events; and undertake media monitoring.
• PR coordinator:
• Generate media coverage to help raise the profile of the organisation; deliver creative solutions and new ideas across traditional and social media; develop crisis communication strategies and manage reputation issues; and build long-term relationships with journalists, influencers and bloggers.
• Marketing and communications officer:
• Plan, develop and produce marketing and communication materials for online and print; monitor social media activity and respond to comments and enquiries; write and distribute media releases; develop reports and track ROI for marketing and advertising campaigns; develop EDM communications and landing pages; and ensure all marketing and communication activities align with an organisation’s brand style guide.
• Corporate communication adviser:
• Prepare communication strategies and materials including media releases, briefing notes, thought leadership pieces, and speeches; build and develop strong relationships with key media and other external stakeholders; provide crisis and issues support when needed.
• Online editor:
• Write, edit and proof-read compelling content across a range of online channels; engage with stakeholders across the organisation to collate and produce a range of topics; manage and monitor workflow to meet deadlines; publish website content using content management systems (CMS).

Learn more about your career in Communication >

Our online career-focused degrees give you full control and ultimate flexibility over your study. It’s Study On Demand, on your schedule, on your terms.

• Study 100% online - no need to come onto campus
• Choose from four start dates in January, April, June and September
• Learn in 10-week blocks
• Get support seven days a week - including on weeknights
• Access learning resources 24/7
• View course content before your term starts
• Work while you study
• Plan your study schedule ahead of time
• Fast-track your studies and receive credit for past study and/or work experience.

Our graduates get jobs

You will be studying with a university known for its employment outcomes. Your UniSA degree is more than just a piece of paper – it will prepare you to start your career, or take it to the next level. In fact, UniSA undergraduates studying online have graduate employment rates well above the national average1.

Specifically designed for online learning

Our team of academic and online experts have created interactive and media-rich course material using innovative digital technology and state-of-the-art teaching and learning resources. Every degree has been specifically designed for online learning to ensure you graduate with the skills and knowledge for your future career.

As a general rule of thumb, any desktop or laptop computer purchased in the past three years should be capable of meeting your online learning needs. While mobile devices such as tablets and smartphones will be able to access most of your online course content, there are likely to be elements of most courses where we recommend you use a desktop or laptop computer. Your computer should be able to:

• run a modern browser (Internet Explorer 10, Firefox 24, Safari 5, or Chrome 32 or later versions)
• run Java, and in some cases Flash (devices running on Apple's iOS operating system, such as iPads, iPhones, do not run Flash)
• run programs to create documents, spreadsheets and presentations
• use a web camera and headset (or ear pods with microphone)
• Some UniSA Online degrees require an online exam. The online exam software – Remote Proctor Now – has specific capability requirements. Please refer to the system requirements prior to conducting your exam to ensure your computer is compatible.

Access free IT software and resources

As a UniSA Online student, you'll:

• Get free access to the full Office 365 ProPlus suite, which includes full versions of Word, PowerPoint, Excel, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher, Access and Lync software. Install the full suite on up to five different devices (PC and Mac compatible).
• Get 1Tb of personal storage that syncs with your PC or mobile device through OneDrive - it's like an extra hard drive that allows you to open any of your files from any of your devices, whenever you need them.
• Get free access to LinkedIn Learning - Access more than 5000 video courses on a broad range of topics such as: the Microsoft Office suite, time management and study skills, health and wellbeing, communication and presentation skills, photography, film making and designing your own games or mobile apps.
• Be able to connect with others using Skype for Business, Yammer and the Outlook Web App.

There are some degrees that have specialised software requirements. We've made this software available to students to access for free - you'll be able to download and install any of the required programs on your own device anywhere and anytime. See if your degree requires specialised software.

Check your device

Our computer system test will determine if your device has the base system resources and software required to study online. It'll also check the speed of your internet connection.

See if your computer, laptop or device is all set up and ready to go – it takes just a few seconds.

The application process is easy – just follow these simple steps:

1. Check your eligibility
2. Take our eligibility checker and answer a few short questions to see if you’re eligible. You’ll be given an option to continue your application, save it for later or request a call back from a Degree Adviser if you have any questions.
3. Gather your relevant documents
4. If you're eligible, you'll receive an email outlining the entry requirements and the relevant documentation you need in order to be considered.
5. In order to verify your academic qualifications, you'll need to upload relevant documents like your official parchment, certificates or transcripts. If you have work experience, you will need to upload your CV as well as any other documents like work references, professional recognition or accreditation or your training certification.
6. Your email will contain information on the specific documents you need to provide as well as a link to log in to your application. You'll be asked to create an account and set your own password.
7. Complete your application and send through your documents
8. In order to proceed with your conditional offer, you’ll need to complete your application and provide required evidence of your previous study or work experience.