Overview

Help shape society and the world we live in with a Bachelor of Arts / Bachelor of Applied Innovation. Learn to make impactful strategic decisions that solve complex challenges. Immerse yourself in subjects that teach you analytical thinking, cultural competency and digital literacy. These sought-after skills will lead to a career as a journalist, political correspondent, campaign coordinator and more.

Get more for your ATAR

Looking for a uni with state-of-the-art facilities, guaranteed industry experience and a supportive community? Find your dream course and make Swinburne your #1 VTAC preference.

Your major

Screen Studies and Popular Culture

From smartphones, to streaming services and VR, in this innovative major you’ll develop a sound understanding of the ways entertainment and screen technology interact.

Chart the history of screen technologies and use your creativity and initiative to anticipate what the future of entertainment will be. Then it’s over to you to create next-generation entertainment projects in real-world industry collaborations with screen industry experts.

Your industry experience

Bolster your CV with real industry experience through our Work Integrated Learning opportunity – a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In the Skills and Strategies for Social Change core unit, you'll collaborate with students and community, civil society and industry partners to create real campaigns for social change.

Skills you’ll learn

  • Conceptual understanding
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Creative problem-solving
  • Adaptability
  • Collaboration

Your career opportunities

  • Production coordinator
  • Broadcast presenter
  • Film festival manager
  • Strategic designer
  • Start-up founder
  • Transformation lead

Key codes

CRICOS course code
108347J
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400212513
VTAC Code (CSP)
3400212511
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 400 for arts and humanities

5 stars for overall experience

5 stars for teaching quality

#1 in Melbourne for graduate salary 

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
  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).


Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test.

Guaranteed Entry ATAR

60

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 adjustments, equity schemes or other factors. 

Subject adjustments: 

  • A study score of 25 in any Humanities, Literature or any LOTE equals 2 aggregate points per study.
  • A study score of 30 in any Humanities, Literature or any LOTE equals 3 aggregate points per study.

Overall maximum of 10 points. Subject adjustment points are applied to the aggregate, not the ATAR. 

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.

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
  • completion or partial completion of an approved tertiary qualification (including certificates IV (completed), diplomas, advanced diplomas, associate degrees and degrees).


Applicants without a formal qualification may be considered for entry if they have significant and relevant work experience and/or upon completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test.

Course prerequisites

  • VCE Units 3 and 4: a minimum study score of 25 in any English (except EAL) or 30 in English as Alternate 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 Alternate 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:

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 Arts / Bachelor of Applied Innovation requires students to complete units of study to the value of 400 credit points. All units of study are valued at 12.5 credit points unless otherwise stated.

14
Core units
+
8
Major units
+
8
Elective units
=
4-year bachelor degree

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
Core units
Technology and Society
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
ART10002
Skills and Strategies for Social Change
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
ART20003
Changemakers in Action
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
ART30004
BA Professional Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
ART30005
Major units (Screen Studies and Popular Culture)
Introduction to Game Studies
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
ART10004
Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
MDA10003
Popular Culture, Social Change and Technology
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
SOC10014
Screen Franchising and Innovation
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
MDA20007
Popular Culture of the Asia Pacific
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
MDA20018
Screen Technology and Culture
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
MDA30016
Screen Sounds and Music
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
MDA30019
Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga
Major unit , 12.5 credit points
LIT30002
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Exploring Creativity and Innovation
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
INV10001
Fundamentals of Innovation Practice
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
INV10002
Innovation Sandpit
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
INV10003
Responsible Innovation Futures
Core unit , 12.5 credit points
INV10004
Want to see the full range of electives?

Learn about all the electives you can take in the course handbook.

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$16,992

Total fee* ($AUD)

$67,968

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$34,880.00

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.

Professional placement fees

Students who participate in a six- or 12-month professional placement will be subject to an increase in total course fees.

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.

Representatives and agents
BB-ARTAIN
Search for agents

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.

Course code
BB-ARTAIN
Apply directly
Course code
BB-ARTAIN
CRICOS code
108347J
Apply directly

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.

VTAC Code (CSP)
3400212511
Apply through VTAC
VTAC Code (IFP)
3400212513
Apply through VTAC
Start dates
Location
Last date to apply
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
26-February-2025
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Last date to apply
30-July-2025
Start dates
04-August-2025
Start dates
Location
Start dates
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
03-March-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start dates
04-August-2025
Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
21-January-2025