Master of Media and Communication

Overview

Whether it’s creating podcasts, filming documentaries, or writing, the Master of Media and Communication gives you a broad skillset to advance in the industry. Enhance your production, digital technology, research, and project management knowledge with a specialisation. Upon graduating you’ll have completed an industry-based project, connecting you to the sector.

Check the Master of Media and Communication handbook

Get a copy of our course guide

Upgrade your skills

Technical and analytical skills relevant to industry
Use technical and analytical approached to analyse contemporary media industry issues
Critically evaluate media texts
Interpret and communicate concepts and professional practice methodologies

Stretch your career further

Public relations
Web development
Journalism
Publishing

Key codes

CRICOS course code

093362D

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.

Qualifications

Applicants at the Masters level must satisfy the following requirements:

A recognised three-year Bachelor degree with a minimum average score of 60 per cent; or
A recognised AQF level 8 qualification in a cognate area, such as the Graduate Certificate of Media and Communication
Completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (International Applicants only) with a minimum average score of 60%.

Applicants at the Masters level must satisfy the following requirements:

A recognised three-year Bachelor degree with a minimum average score of 60 per cent; or
Completion of the Postgraduate Qualifying Program (International Applicants only) with a minimum average score of 60%.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See 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.

Book your Pearson Test of English

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.

Learn more about credit

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.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

Graduate Certificate of Media and Communication

Discover more (Graduate Certificate of Media and Communication)
Master of Marketing

Discover more (Master of Marketing)
Master of Writing

Discover more (Master of Writing)

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of Master of Media and Communication, students must complete 200 credit points comprising:

Core units

Units from specialisation 1

Units from specialisation 2

Masters Degree

Your units

Graduate Certificate

Completing 4 core units entitles you to the graduate certificate.

Core units

Graduate certificate

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Media Industries Core unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA60008
Media Ecologies Core unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA60021
Engaging Audiences Core unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA70003
Digital Cultures: Aesthetics, Markets, Industries Core unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA70005

Learn more about the Graduate Certificate of Media and Communication

Masters degree

Completing an additional 3 core units and 2 specialisations entitles you to the masters.

Core units

Specialisation 1 units

Specialisation 2 units

Masters degree

Master degree

Units of study	Unit code
Core units
Social Media Analytics Core unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA80012
Data Analytics and Visualisation Core unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA80009
Media Industry Experience Core unit, 25.0 credit points	MDA80006

Specialisation 1

Students must complete four units in one of the following specialisations:

Media Practice

Units of study	Unit code
Video Production Practice Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	JOU60004
Audio and Broadcasting Practice Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA60022
Writing for Social and Mobile Media Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA70001
Multiplatform Media Production & Practice Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA60002

Advanced Media Practice

Units of study	Unit code
Advanced Video Production and Practice Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA70006
Advanced Audio and Broadcasting Practice Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA70007
Immersive Media Experiences Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA80010
Social Media Branding and Engagement Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA80007

Specialisation 2

Students must complete four units in one of the following specialisations:

Advanced Media Practice

Units of study	Unit code
Advanced Video Production and Practice Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA70006
Advanced Audio and Broadcasting Practice Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA70007
Immersive Media Experiences Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA80010
Social Media Branding and Engagement Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA80007

Strategic Communication

Units of study	Unit code
Communications Management Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	COM60002
Public Relations: Reputation to Risk Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	PUB60001
Marketing Management Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MKT60010
Advertising in the 21st Century Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	ADV80001

Social Media Management

Units of study	Unit code
Social Media Management Project Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA60009
Marketing Management Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MKT60010
Communications Management Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	COM60002
Social Media Networks and Communities Specialisation unit, 12.5 credit points	MDA80011

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$28,480

Total fee* ($AUD)

$56,960

Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)

$16,992

Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)

$33,984

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$37,960.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

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?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

Find out more about fees

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 Finances
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.

Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

are an Australian citizen 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
are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

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

Learn more about SSAF

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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

MA-MCO

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!

Course code

MA-MCO

Apply directly

Course code

MA-MCO

CRICOS code

093362D

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Semester 2

Hawthorn

30-July-2025

04-August-2025

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Semester 2

Hawthorn

04-August-2025

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Upgrade your skills

Stretch your career further

Key codes

International student visa

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Graduate certificate

Master degree

Specialisation 1

Media Practice

Advanced Media Practice

Specialisation 2

Advanced Media Practice

Strategic Communication

Social Media Management

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Total fee* ($AUD)

Commonwealth Supported Yearly Fee* ($AUD)

Commonwealth Supported Total Fee* ($AUD)

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)