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Bachelor of Media and Communication – Media Studies

Kick-start your career in the fast-paced world of media.

  • Craft creative content for diverse audiences
  • Sharpen your storytelling for digital, print and multi-media
  • Effectively communicate campaigns to teams and stakeholders
  • Understand the policies that shape local and global media landscapes
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100% Online

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Undergraduate

Qualification

Icon Duration

3 years full-time

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Mar, Jul, Nov

Start Dates

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23

Units

Icon Fees

$2,124*

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OVERVIEW

Captivate your audience.

Taught by industry professionals, this degree will equip you with the skills to create engaging cross-platform content, manage social media accounts, produce digital media projects and write for print, broadcast and digital media.

You will learn professional communications skills to enable you to reach audiences effectively through digital and traditional media. With this qualification, you will be ready for a range of roles within the media and communications industry, including media content creator, social media manager, communications officer and media analyst.

Final year students in the Media Studies major will undertake an internship in a professional media and communications role or create a major project of their choosing. This will give you a head start in your career upon graduation.

Key Learnings Include

  • Professional Communication: Build your skills and confidence as a professional communicator.
  • Intercultural Communication: Learn how to effectively communicate within a multi-cultural society.
  • Campaign Planning: Create engaging PR strategies and implement campaigns across multiple platforms.
  • Writing: Develop industry-specific writing skills that will allow you to effectively engage and influence your audience.
  • Digital Communities: Explore how social media and online communities impact how we communicate with each other.
  • Multi-Media: Fundamentals of media studies, with a focus on texts, contexts, and the history of media and media studies.
  • Global Media: Gain an understanding of how globalisation has impacted the media industries.
Kate-Graduation-BW

‘The benefit of studying online with Swinburne Online has allowed me to schedule my time efficiently and effectively around [my life]. I have been provided with a world-class education led by industry leaders and professionals.’

Kate, Swinburne Online graduate

11.4% ▴

As a Social Media Manager, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with at 11.4% increase expected in the next five years.

QS-World-University-Rankings-25

Our Media and Communications courses have ranked in the Top 250 by the QS Top Universities Rankings for 2025.

‘The benefit of studying online with Swinburne Online has allowed me to schedule my time efficiently and effectively around [my life]. I have been provided with a world-class education led by industry leaders and professionals.’

Kate, Swinburne Online graduate

11.4% ▴

As a Social Media Manager, you’ll have a strong future ahead of you, with at 11.4% increase expected in the next five years.

Our Media and Communications courses have ranked in the Top 250 by the QS Top Universities Rankings for 2025.

QS-World-University-Rankings-25

Swinburne Online

Your Pathway to the career of your dreams

Structure

Your course breakdown:

To be awarded the Bachelor of Media and Communication – Advertising you must complete 23 units in total made up of:

  • 5 Core Units
  • 7 Media Studies Major Units
  • 11 Elective Units

Each year is split into 3 Teaching Periods (14 weeks per Teaching Period). You can choose to study full-time or part-time depending on your preference.

What you'll study:

 

Introduction to Media Studies

Communicating with Data

Media Content Creation

Global Media Industries

Learning and Communicating Online

Innovation Cultures: Perspectives on Science and Technology

Digital Self / Digital Community

Screen Franchising and Innovation

Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood

Sports / Advertising / Media

Media and Communications Project A

Researching Social Media Publics

Entry Requirements

Non-Year 12 entry

If you’re applying to Swinburne but haven’t completed Year 12, don’t worry! You can still apply if you have:

  • Completed or partially completed an approved tertiary qualification (like a diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree, or degree).
  • Relevant work experience and English language skills, or a STAT result (Special Tertiary Admissions Test), may also be considered.
  • All students need to demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

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 of up to 16 units.

Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience and appropriate English language skills, or a suitable Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) result, will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success.

Read our applying and enrolling FAQs

Year 12 entry

If you have completed Year 12 (the Victorian Certificate of Education – VCE, or an equivalent qualification from interstate or internationally), you can apply based on that.

  • Minimum ATAR requirements may apply for some courses.

Credit arrangements

If you’ve already studied you may be able to get advanced standing (credit transfer).

  • Case-by-case assessment: Every applicant is assessed individually.
  • If you’ve completed a Diploma in a related field, you may be eligible for credit.
  • Previous tertiary studies: If your past studies meet part of the academic requirements for the course, you may get credit.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
  • Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) lets you gain credit based on skills and knowledge from your work experience, life experience, or formal training.
  • Like credit transfer, this is assessed on a case-by-case basis.

To learn more, reach out to a Course Consultant to discuss applying for credit.

Need more info?

  • We have plenty of resources to help you! Visit our Applying and Enrolling FAQs or chat with a Course Consultant for advice on your specific situation.

Fees & Scholarship

  • The estimated fee per unit is $2,124*.
  • There are 23 units in this course, each unit is worth 12.5 credit point units.

*Note: Unit fees may change each year.

There are several ways to help manage your course fees:

  • Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP): Available to Australian Citizens and eligible Permanent Residents, and this will help reduce your course fees.
  • HECS – HELP Loans: Available to Australian Citizens, which will help you defer your fees.
  • Learn more about HELP Loans

Please contact our Course Consultant to find out if you’re eligible for financial support.

There are a variety of Swinburne Scholarships to help reduce your costs.

  • University-funded scholarships
  • Government-funded scholarships
  • Private scholarships and prizes

Scholarships are available for both new and current students.

Please contact our Course Consultant to find out if you’re eligible for Swinburne Scholarships.

Credit for prior study:

  • Good news — if you’re awarded academic credit for prior study, your course fees could be lower! This means a cheaper degree!

Services & amenities fee:

For more details on scholarships and financial support, visit the Swinburne website or speak with a Course Consultant!

Career Outcomes

Career Opportunities

Let’s take a look at the wide range of roles you can pursue with a Bachelor of Media and Communication - Media Studies (average annual salaries via SEEK):

$65,000 to $80,000 Average Salary

Develop and curate engaging content for various social media platforms. You will create a variety of content types, including images, videos, written posts, and interactive content, all tailored to specific platforms and audiences.

Develop and curate engaging content for various social media platforms. You will create a variety of content types, including images, videos, written posts, and interactive content, all tailored to specific platforms and audiences.

$70,000 to $95,000 Average Salary

Manage the public image and reputation of individuals, brands, or organizations. Publicists work to create and maintain a positive public perception through various media channels, including press releases, social media, and public appearances.

Manage the public image and reputation of individuals, brands, or organizations. Publicists work to create and maintain a positive public perception through various media channels, including press releases, social media, and public appearances.

$76,000 to $93,000 Average Salary

Develop and implement media plans and strategies to help businesses achieve their marketing goals. This role requires a blend of analytical and creative skills, as well as strong communication and project management abilities.

Develop and implement media plans and strategies to help businesses achieve their marketing goals. This role requires a blend of analytical and creative skills, as well as strong communication and project management abilities.

$80,000 to $105,000 Average Salary

Create engaging and exciting social media plans for clients ranging from individuals to organisations. Oversee content creation, monitor social media channels, stay up to date with trends and format changes, and use analytics to drive marketing strategies.

Create engaging and exciting social media plans for clients ranging from individuals to organisations. Oversee content creation, monitor social media channels, stay up to date with trends and format changes, and use analytics to drive marketing strategies.

Your pathway to a successful career in Media Studies!

This bachelor’s degree focuses on the ability to create engaging cross-platform content, manage social media, and communicate effectively across digital and traditional platforms.

  • Projects: Final year students will undertake an internship in a professional role or create a major project of their choosing.
  • Skills: Equip yourself with professional skills in communication, campaign planning, and digital media.
  • Industry-led Learning: The degree ensures you stay on top of contemporary media trends.
  • Learn from the Best: Your learning advisors are professionals themselves, keeping your education aligned and connected to career opportunities.

Online Study

An online study experience designed for you

Each degree is thoughtfully designed for online learning, ensuring your experience is fulfilling and supported. At Swinburne Online, we want to ensure that your journey with us is a success. Our team of academic and online experts have developed engaging, media-rich course materials using cutting-edge digital technology and advanced teaching resources.

Your online study journey

 

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Here’s what you can expect

  • Personalise your study journey with full-time or part-time options — 100% online, no travel needed.
  • Start when it suits you with multiple intake dates.
  • Study on your terms, balancing life, family, and work — anytime, anywhere.
  • Stay connected with students and industry experts through discussion boards and virtual classrooms.
  • Get support 7 days a week for general help whenever you need it.
  • Learn with confidence with dedicated online tutors for each unit, ready to answer all your academic questions.

 

 

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Your online classroom - Canvas

Canvas is where all your classwork will take place. You’ll experience engaging lectures, tackle assignments, and connect with others on lively discussion boards. All within an easy-to-use platform. Stay on top of your progress, plan your studies with ease, and set your own pace — whether you want to fast-track your degree with up to 12 units a year or take it slow with part-time study. It’s all about balancing your studies with the rest of your life!

FLEXIBLE STUDY AT SWINBURNE ONLINE

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Your Online Campus: The Student Hub

  • The Student Hub is your one-stop online university campus where you’ll have access to course management tools, technical support, library resources, and more!
  • Find everything you need to manage your studies and university services.
  • Stay connected and empowered throughout your learning journey all from one easy to use location.
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Dedicated student support

We’re there for you each step of the way. Our dedicated Student Advisors are your go-to guides. They’ll help you through your enrolment, course planning, technical support and other questions you might have.

    • Our Online Learning Advisors (OLAs) will assist you with unit information, learning material, assignments, and referencing.
    • We strive to support you from enrolment to graduation, ensuring your success.
    • With continuous access to guidance and resources for a smooth study experience, you’re never alone with Swinburne Online.

Learn more about units, fees, entry criteria, career outcomes and more.

Download a course guide

The Swinburne Online-SEEK connection

The suite of Swinburne Online Business degrees provides students with the opportunity to forge connections within the industry. Students hear from industry leaders and work with real-life clients with demonstrated experience within their respective fields, such as SEEK.