Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional)
Majoring in Journalism
75.0
Choose your major
Advertising
Gain vital skills to succeed in the creative world of advertising. Explore effective design and strategy, advertising development and implementation. Create ads that hit the mark with audiences.
Cinema and Screen Studies
Explore the wide variety of film and TV genres, industry perspectives, and production styles. Benefit from a range of industry links with leading Screen Culture organisations.
Creative Writing and Publishing
Gain an understanding of creative text and popular culture in literature. Develop models for your own writing and critiquing skills in literature, while exploring subjects such as self and society.
Immersive Media
Learn how to develop content for the future of entertainment, business and advertising with a major in immersive media. Engage in 360, VR (Virtual Reality), AR (Augmented Reality), and MR (Mixed Reality) interactive experiences.
Journalism
Combine traditional journalistic skills with online publishing and multimedia production. Learn the skills required for interacting with audiences, social networking and building online communities.
Public Relations
Influence the public perception of an organisation through engaging content, targeted messaging and strategic campaigns. This degree is accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia.
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.
Overview
Immerse yourself in the latest tech, surround yourself with the brightest minds and kick-start your career with the Bachelor of Media and Communication. Our refreshed course prepares you for today’s media sector from day one. Through collaborative media production, you'll master the skills demanded by today's dynamic environment, engage in cross-disciplinary media labs and co-create for endless possibilities. Through industry projects, work placements, and internships, we’ll nurture your professional growth and help you discover your true passions.
Change of Preference Expo
Looking for your #1 VTAC preference? Explore your options and get personalised advice from course experts, based on your Year 12 results. Friday 13 December, Hawthorn campus.
Our refreshed course focuses on creativity, innovation, and excellence, meaning you’ll gain:
- hands-on skills and training in augmented, virtual and mixed reality
- strong connections with industry experts that last a lifetime
- relevant and robust theory of today's media and communication environment.
Your major
Journalism
Combine traditional journalistic skills with online publishing, multimedia production and the skills required for interacting with audiences, social networking and building online communities.
Publish and broadcast work in online, television, radio and print outlets.
Your industry experience
All our bachelor degrees include guaranteed Work Integrated Learning. This Professional Degree includes a mandatory 12-month paid work placement. Benefit from Swinburne’s unique industry partnerships and earn credit towards your degree. In your final year, apply your learning in an industry-linked project relevant to your major study area.
Skills you’ll learn
- Communication
- Digital literacy
- Ethics
- Research
- Storytelling
- Writing
Your career opportunities
- Editor
- Journalist
- Radio producer
- Television presenter
- Publisher
- Social commentator
Key codes
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.
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)
Qualifications
One of the following:
- successful completion of the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or its equivalent, such as an interstate or international Year 12 qualification
Guaranteed Entry ATAR
75.0
Lowest ATAR to receive an offer in 2024 [after adjustment factors]
78.25
You’ll be guaranteed a place in this course if you meet or exceed the ATAR Guaranteed Entry Score, provided you meet the course prerequisites.
If your ATAR is below the guaranteed entry score, you can still be offered a place as your ATAR may be adjusted based on subject bonuses, equity schemes or other factors. Use the above ATAR as a guide on your eligibility, and see the course handbook page for more information on entry requirements.
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.
Successful completion of Australian Year 12, or equivalent overseas qualification.
Course prerequisites
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.
- VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or equivalent.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. Check admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
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.
Apply for a pathway course
Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides credit (advanced standing) to the second.
How credit points work
Successful completion of the Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional) requires students to complete units of study to the value of 375 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.
What your course could look like
This is the indicative sequence for Semester 1, 2025 only. You are advised to use the study plan template available via your student portal in conjunction with your course planner to plan your studies. Sequence may also vary depending on advanced standing and exemptions. The unit offering information is correct at the time of publication, however changes may occur.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Introduction to Media Studies
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10001 |
|
Global Media Industries
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10008 |
|
Transforming Journalism in the Digital Era
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
JOU10004 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Communicating with Data
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10012 |
|
Content Creator Lab
Core unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA10018 |
|
The Journalist's Toolkit
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
JOU10008 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
Want to see the full range of electives?
Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Media, Law and Ethics
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
JOU20006 |
|
Interactive Storytelling
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
JOU20007 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Media Analytics and Visualisation
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA20026 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Professional placement - 12 months | |
|
Work Experience in Industry A
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20001 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
MDA20016 |
|
Work Experience in Industry B
Practical unit, 25.0 credit points |
WEI20002 |
|
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication
Academic unit, 25.0 credit points |
MDA20017 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | |
|
Radio, Audio and Podcasting
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
MDA30009 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
| Semester 2 | |
|
Video Documentary Project
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
JOU30009 |
|
Live Journalism Lab
Major unit, 12.5 credit points |
JOU30012 |
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
|
Elective
Elective unit |
|
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$16,992
Total fee* ($AUD)
$63,720
2025 fees
Yearly fee* ($AUD)
$39,280.00
Fees are estimates only
Published student tuition fees for 2025 unit enrolments in HE Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) and Undergraduate Full Fee Paying (FFP) are subject to change based on individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees may vary for units studied in future years, with part-time fees being proportionally lower depending on the number of units taken per semester. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
Fees are estimates only
The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.
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 2025.
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 is the capped amount for 2025.
Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
SSAF fee* ($AUD)
$365
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 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.
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! Remember, you cannot apply direct if you have an active VTAC application.
Apply through VTAC
International students currently studying Year 12 in Australia must apply through VTAC. VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.
VTAC is the central office that administers the application processes for places in tertiary courses, scholarships and the Special Entry Access Scheme at universities, TAFEs and independent tertiary colleges in Victoria.