Bachelor of Communications & Media

Program Overview

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Bachelor of Communications & Media

Program Overview

The University of Notre Dame Australia's Bachelor of Communications & Media is a three-year full-time or equivalent part-time degree that covers the specialist professional Bachelor of Communications & Media program and provides a broad range of skills and knowledge applicable to many workplaces.

Why Study This Degree?

Media and communications are an exciting and inescapable part of modern life. With the advent of social media, the 24-hour news cycle, and the development of citizen journalism, the traditional media landscape has changed beyond recognition. This has presented new opportunities and avenues of communication for journalists, filmmakers, advertising agencies, and other media practitioners.

A Bachelor of Communications & Media from Notre Dame effectively prepares you for many jobs. Our degree gives you a unique opportunity to learn everything from journalism to scriptwriting and digital communication.

Program Summary

To complete a Bachelor of Communications and Media, you will study 24 courses. These include the core curriculum and a compulsory academic writing course, twelve Communications and Media courses, and elective courses:

• 1 course in academic writing
• 4 Communications and Media courses
• 8 courses for your Journalism or Screen Arts Major
• 8 elective courses from the School of Arts and Sciences, which can be used to form a second Major (8 courses), Minor (6 courses), or Photomedia Specialisation.

Core Curriculum

• CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
• CORE II: Elective
  • Electives in philosophy and/or theology
  • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and/or theology
  • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
  • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
  • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Majors & Minors

Majors (8 courses)

Students must complete at least one of the following Majors. Each Major is comprised of eight courses – some required and some electives.

• Advertising (Sydney)
• Film and Screen Production
• Journalism (Sydney)

Second Majors (8 courses)

Students may use elective courses to form any of the following second Majors:

• Archaeology
• Behavioural Science
• Business Studies
• English Literature
• Environmental Management
• History
• Journalism
• Marketing and Public Relations
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Politics and International Relations
• Social Justice
• Theology

Minors (6 courses)

Students may use elective courses to form any of the following second Minors:

• Archaeology
• Behavioural Science
• Business Studies
• English Literature
• Environmental Management
• History
• Journalism
• Marketing and Public Relations
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Politics and International Relations
• Social Justice
• Theology

Specialisations (4 courses)

Students may use elective courses to form any of the following Specialisations:

• Photomedia (Specialisation)

Entry Requirements

WA

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

• Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank* of 70

OR

• International Baccalaureate (IB) score of 25

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

• Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

• Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

• Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

• Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

• Completion of STAT with scores of at least 135 in the Multiple Choice section and 140 in the Written English section*.

OR

• Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

NSW

Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency. We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

• Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

OR

• Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

Applicants with Higher Education

• Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*

OR

• Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

*Applicants who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

• Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry. This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums. To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:

• Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry. Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies. The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

OR

• Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.

OR

• Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Communications and Media, graduates will be able to:

1. Analyse the cultural, political, ethical, and aesthetic contexts of media production including relevant international and intercultural perspectives
2. Evaluate practical and theoretical knowledge with depth in the underlying principles and concepts in one or more communications and media discipline areas
3. Apply analytical, creative, and practical skills in one or more media and communications industry contexts
4. Integrate theory and practice in media and communication projects
5. Communicate arguments and/or ideas in a range of forms
6. Create innovative and practical solutions to communications problems, independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others; and
7. Exemplify the creative and practical skills, and the ethical, legal, and professional standards relevant to their chosen discipline area in the creation of media.

Practical Component

While not a requirement, internship courses and work-integrated learning opportunities are available to enable you to gain on-the-job experience with professionals in your chosen field.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; the following careers are open to graduates: if you major in journalism - journalist, digital marketer, communication consultant, sports reporter, social media marketing specialist, media and communications advisor, PR advisor, events coordinator, campaign officer, research officer, photographer, editor, travel writer, and videographer. A Screen Arts major will give you further options - director, writer, filmmaker, producer, social media content creator, editor, sound recordist, special effects supervisor, production manager, and videographer.

Real-World Experience

You will learn from academics who are industry leaders, and through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

Honours

An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Communications and Media (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Arts & Sciences.

Opportunities and Experiences

At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education. We offer various opportunities for students to study abroad and become active global citizens. These opportunities include exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals, and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed, or caring for a sick loved one.

Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

Fees and Costs

This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

• The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.
• The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

International Full-Fee Paying

Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

Student Profile Data

ATAR and selection rank profile

The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median, and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.