Bachelor of Design/ Bachelor of Media and Communication | Courses | Swinburne University

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BB-DESMCMN Double degree Hawthorn Send me a link to this course

Majors for Bachelor of Design:

Branded Environments Communication Design Motion Design Photomedia UX Interaction Design

Majors for Bachelor of Media and Communication:

Advertising Creative Writing and Publishing Major Immersive Media Major Journalism Social Media

The Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Media and Communication is designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills to harness creativity in design, and bring designs to life in professional communication industries.

Students will gain in-depth knowledge across the discipline of design, as well as additional skills in management, writing, business, media planning and more – making graduates well-prepared for a wide variety of both creative and managerial opportunities in creative communications and media.

All our bachelor degrees include a guaranteed Work Integrated Learning opportunity, which could be a placement, internship or industry-linked project. In this double degree, you’ll work on industry-linked projects relevant to your major areas of study.

ATAR 70 2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR

Start dates

Hawthorn campus

Semester 1 - 26 February 2024
Semester 2 - 29 July 2024

View application and start dates

Duration

4 years full-time or equivalent part-time

Full-time, Part-time

VTAC codes

3400211231 (CSP)
3400211233 (IFP)

Course details

- Course structure, work integrated learning, career opportunities and professional recognition.

Course structure

Successful completion of the Bachelor of Design/ Bachelor of Media and Communication 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.
View course rules and special requirements

Core studies for Bachelor of Design

8 units (100 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Concepts and Narratives	DCO10001	12.5
Digital Design	DCO10002	12.5
Photography for Design	DCO10004	12.5
Typography	DCO10005	12.5
20th Century Design	DDD10001	12.5
Brand and Identity Design *	DCO20001	12.5
Web Design	DCO20004	12.5
Contemporary Design Issues	DDD20004	12.5

*Outcome unit – completion demonstrates the attainment of course learning outcomes

Core studies for Bachelor of Media and Communication

4 units (50 credit points)

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Introduction to Media Studies	MDA10001	12.5
Global Media Industries	MDA10008	12.5
Communicating with Data	MDA10012	12.5
Content Creator Lab	MDA10018	12.5

Major for Bachelor of Design

7 units (100 credit points)

Choose a major:

Choose a major

Branded Environments Communication Design Motion Design Photomedia UX Interaction Design

Major for Bachelor of Media and Communication

8 units (100 credit points)

Choose a major:

Choose a major

Advertising Creative Writing and Publishing Major Immersive Media Major Journalism Social Media

Other studies

4 units (50 credit points)

Choose from a combination of the following course components to complete 50 credit points of other study. Students may also select elective units (12.5 credit points each).

– Work Integrated Learning + Minors + Elective units + Signature Series

Work Integrated Learning

Swinburne's Work Integrated Learning program provides additional opportunities for you to gain valuable skills and real industry experience in the form of placements, internships or study tours - all while earning credit towards your degree.

Choose a Work Integrated Learning option:

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 12 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement co-major has four 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Design

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience In Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A – Design	DDD20031	25
Work Experience In Industry B	WEI20002	25
Integrated Professional Placement B – Design	DDD20032	25

Professional Placement in Media and Communication

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication	MDA20016	25
Work Experience in Industry B	WEI20002	25
Integrated Professional Placement B - Media and Communication	MDA20017	25

You'll get paid to work in an area related to your field of study for 6 months, where you'll combine hands-on learning with academic submissions, workplace reflection and feedback from your host organisation. Most students undertake their placements in the third year of their degree, so you’ll want to map out your electives as soon as you can and register for a placement at least 6 months before your preferred start date.

The Professional Placement minor has two 25 credit point units.

Professional Placement in Design

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience In Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A – Design	DDD20031	25

Professional Placement in Media and Communication

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Work Experience in Industry A	WEI20001	25
Integrated Professional Placement A - Media and Communication	MDA20016	25

A Professional Internship is all about gaining valuable real-world skills in your area of study all while earning credit points towards your degree. Plus, it looks great on your CV as it shows you’ve had real industry experience before you’ve even graduated!

You might choose to complete your internship part-time over a semester or in a more intensive block during Summer or Winter terms.

Travel overseas, discover other cultures, enrich your professional experience and enhance your CV all while gaining credit towards your course.

Minors (50 credit points)

Minors are a structured set of 4 units or 50 credit points and may be chosen from any field of study.

Elective units

Any of the following units may be undertaken.

Units	Unit codes	Credit points
Principles of Advertising	ADV10001	12.5
Introduction to Animation	ANI10001	12.5
Introduction to Character and Environment Design	ANI10004	12.5
Professional Communication Practice	COM10007	12.5
Web Development	COS10005	12.5
Introduction to Programming	COS10009	12.5
Creating Web Applications	COS10011	12.5
20th Century Design	DDD10001	12.5
Introductory Design Studio	DDD10006	12.5
Product Visualisation 1: 2D and 3D Exploration	DID10001	12.5
Digital Presentation and Computer Ideation	DID10002	12.5
User Centered Design	DID10004	12.5
Digital Video and Audio	DIG10004	12.5
Introduction to Digital Imaging	DIG10007	12.5
Screen Literacy and Contemporary Cinema	FTV10003	12.5
Genre and the Moving Image	FTV10006	12.5
Introduction to Health Sciences	HEA10001	12.5
Database, Analysis and Design	INF10002	12.5
Introduction to Business Information Systems	INF10003	12.5
Information Methods	INF10014	12.5
News Writing	JOU10004	12.5
Media Content Creation	JOU10007	12.5
Writing Fiction	LIT10002	12.5
Reading and Writing Genre Texts	LIT10003	12.5
Introduction to Media Studies	MDA10001	12.5
Screen Studies, Movies, Television, and Ourselves	MDA10003	12.5
Innovation Cultures: Perspectives On Science & Technology	MDA10006	12.5
Global Media Industries	MDA10008	12.5
Fundamentals of Marketing	MKT10007	12.5
Introduction to Philosophy	PHI10002	12.5
Critical Thinking	PHI10003	12.5
Australian Politics	POL10001	12.5
Psychology 100	PSY10003	12.5
Psychology 101	PSY10004	12.5
Editing for Writers	PWR10002	12.5
Sociological Foundations	SOC10004	12.5
Identity and Social Change	SOC10013	12.5
Foundations of Statistics	STA10003	12.5
Advertising Issues: Regulation, Ethics & Cultural Considerations	ADV20001	12.5
Concept Development and Copywriting	ADV20002	12.5
Digital Narratives	DIG20001	12.5
User Experience Design	DIG20005	12.5
Digital Mobility	DIG20011	12.5
Writing for Interactive Narratives	GAM20004	12.5
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention	HEP20002	12.5
Mobile Business and Social Media	INF20011	12.5
Big Data Management	INF20016	12.5
Media, Ethics and Law	JOU20006	12.5
Australian Writing and Cultural Change	LIT20002	12.5
Business of Media	MDA20001	12.5
Networked Selves	MDA20003	12.5
Screen Franchising and Innovation	MDA20007	12.5
Networked Selves	MDA20009	12.5
The Media in Australia	MDA20010	12.5
Sports/Advertising/Media	MDA20011	12.5
Media and Social Impact	MDA20014	12.5
Integrated Marketing Communication	MKT20021	12.5
Consumer Behaviour	MKT20025	12.5
Public Relations Theory and Practice	PUB20002	12.5
Writing Creative Non-Fiction	PWR20003	12.5
Deviance, Difference & Conformity	SOC20020	12.5
Advertising Media Planning and Purchasing	ADV30001	12.5
Advertising Technology	DIG30003	12.5
Breaking the Screen	FTV30001	12.5
Graphic Narratives: Comics, Graphic Novels, and Manga	LIT30002	12.5
Media and Communications Project A	MDA30006	12.5
Media and Communications Project B	MDA30007	12.5
Radio, Audio and Podcasting	MDA30009	12.5
Researching Social Media Publics	MDA30012	12.5
Events Management	PUB30001	12.5

Signature Series

A Swinburne education prepares you for life. That’s why we’ve developed the Swinburne Signature Series. It’s a suite of study opportunities that embody Swinburne’s ethos – of confidence, clarity and adventure. These opportunities give our students something extra; whether that’s a new perspective on the world through a Study Tour unit, an expanded sense of possibilities through our Innovation Minor, or a deeper understanding and respect for culture through our Indigenous Minor. Like Swinburne University itself, our Signature Series will grow and adapt to reflect the evolving issues of the day.

Full-time study: 100 credit points/eight standard units of study per year
Part-time study: 50 credit points/four standard units of study per year
One credit point is equivalent to one hour of study per week per semester (including contact hours and private study)
See the course planner for an example degree structure

Course learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course the student will be able to:

Bachelor of Design - Demonstrate knowledge and cognitive skills to review critically, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge and apply this with initiative and judgement in planning, problem solving and decision making in professional practice and/or scholarship
Bachelor of Design - Demonstrate technical and practical skills, and a broad understanding of key concepts in their chosen field of study
Bachelor of Design - Demonstrate knowledge and cognitive and creative skills to exercise critical thinking and judgment in identifying and solving problems independently and collaboratively, in diverse contexts
Bachelor of Design - Apply communication skills to present a clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas to different audiences and stakeholders
Bachelor of Design - Apply cognitive and technical skills and to principles of sustainability and respectful design to their knowledge and development of their design solution with responsibility and accountability
Bachelor of Design - Exercise organisational and leadership skills, and demonstrate the ability to plan and execute a project and/or piece of research with groups that may include academics, industry professionals and students
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Identify and contextualise the impacts of digital transformation on media and communication industries, audiences and professional and creative practices
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Analyse diverse socio-cultural influences on media and communication practices and their impact on audiences in Indigenous, local and global contexts
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Demonstrate critical thinking, including theoretical, practice-led and decolonised approaches, within a specialised media and communication discipline
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Initiate professional approaches to planning, problem-solving and decision-making in a range of media and communication activities and processes, both individually and in collaboration with others
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Design creative and professional media and communication artefacts that focus on examining the relationship between people and technology for social impact
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Explore innovative use of new media and communication technologies to engage, influence and build communities for next generation media futures
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Engage ethical approaches to research methodologies for socially responsible, just and fair content creation strategies
Bachelor of Media and Communication - Apply learning from Indigenous, global and cross-cultural communication contexts to support accountability, self-assessment and independence in lifelong learning

Career opportunities

Bachelor of Design graduate careers may include junior level designer positions working in communication/graphic design, user experience design, motion design, branding and environments as well as photomedia design. Bachelor of Media and Communication graduates will be well qualified for positions in professional roles in agencies, not-for-profits, government departments, small business and large organisations. These include roles as media content creators, media managers, social media channel and platform specialists, journalists, publicists, radio producers, archivists, writers, and curators.

Professional recognition

On completion of the qualification, students may be eligible to become members of the following industry and peak bodies, and should confirm their eligibility with the association:

Melbourne Art Directors Club (MADC)
Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA)
Design Institute of Australia (DIA)

Students completing the Public Relations major will be able to apply for student membership of the Public Relations Institute of Australia and apply for full membership immediately on completion of their program.

Fees

Find out more about fees.

How to enter this course

- Entry requirements, pathways, credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Entry requirements

2023 Guaranteed Entry ATAR: 70

One of:

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

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 20 in one of Art, Product Design and Technology, Media, Interactive Digital Media C, Creative and Digital Media (VCE VET) I, Studio Arts or Visual Communication Design or equivalent

Or, via Early Entry Program – range of criteria with school recommendation. Head here for more info on this program and the VTAC code associated with this entry pathway.

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee offer of a place. See Admissions at Swinburne, for general information about admission process

Pathways

Pathways allow students to progress from one qualification to another where the first course is recognised as an entry requirement and/or provides advanced standing to the second.

Successful completion of Bachelor of Design/ Bachelor of Media and Communication allows you to progress to this course	Maximum amount of credit available
Master of Media and Communication	4 units

This information should be used as a guide for those who have completed a course and are seeking credit into another course. For those yet to commence their course, during the time taken to complete, this information may change. Credit available may vary depending on the major selected within any given degree. Progression to professional degrees may be subject to additional criteria or academic performance.

Learn more about pathways.

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.

How to apply

Applications for Semester 1 for courses listed on the VTAC Guide are generally made through VTAC. Under certain circumstances, some students (e.g. Non-Year 12) may apply directly to Swinburne. Find out more about how to apply.

Applications for all other intakes should be made directly to Swinburne.

View the Course Admission Information, which includes the ATAR and Student profiles for this course. Swinburne’s general admissions information is also available here.