Program Overview

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Master of Strategic Communication

About the course

Develop expertise and gain highly sought-after skills in designing and managing communication strategies, projects and campaigns across a range of media platforms and professional contexts. The course advances your capacity to succeed in a range of media and communication roles and provide effective strategy and leadership for industry, government and community.

Career Pathways

Career opportunities in the communications sector are constantly growing. Almost all large organisations need a communications expert to advise on corporate communications, community liaison projects and human resources-based projects such as change management. In addition, private organisations in consumer marketing, media, public relations, advertising and digital communications require strategic communications specialists.

Employment prospects across governmental, industry and community sectors include:

• Strategic Communication Manager
• Global Reputation Manager
• Media Advisor
• Communication Specialist
• Corporate/Internal Communications Manager
• Media Planner
• Public affairs specialist
• Digital Communication Manager
• Public Relations Manager
• Media Strategist

Further Study

If you complete a dissertation as part of this course, you may choose to progress to a PhD. You may also wish to complete another postgraduate course, such as the Master of Business Administration.

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic Student Fees

For Commonwealth-supported places, student contribution amounts are charged by unit, based on area of study. For a fee estimate, go to the Fee Calculator and select “I want to price my units”. Fees are subject to annual indexation. Refer to the Handbook to identify the units required.

International Student Fees

Annual course fee

2025

$40,700.00

Onshore international students are charged an annual course fee, charged per credit point at a rate dependent on the course in which the student is enrolled. Annual course fees are calculated based on an annual study load. Check the handbook to confirm the annual study load for your course.

Scholarships

Scholarships are available to students from a diverse range of backgrounds, including academic achievement, financial need, educational disadvantage, leadership and community service, artistic or sporting achievements, and being from a rural or remote area.

Admission Requirements

(1) To be considered for admission to this course an applicant must have—

(a) a Bachelor's degree, or an equivalent qualification, as recognised by UWA;

and

(b) the equivalent of a UWA weighted average mark of at least 50 per cent; or

(2) completed a Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication at UWA.

English competency

English is the language of instruction and assessment at UWA and you will need to meet the English language requirements of the University to be eligible for a place.

Minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, with no band less than 6.0.

Course Structure

Postgraduate coursework degrees and combined (coursework and research) degrees comprise a number of units. Refer to the course structure for more information.

Conversion

Students who have not completed a Bachelor's degree with a relevant major as recognised by the University, must complete relevant conversion unit(s) up to the value of 24 points, as advised by the University.

Core

Take all units (24 points):

• COMM5104 Public Communication (6)
• COMM5701 Strategic Communications in a Digital Era (6)
• COMM5702 Digital Media: Theory and Practice (6)
• COMM5704 Global Media and Cross-cultural Communication (6)

Option - Group A

For students enrolled in a course by coursework, take a minimum 4 units (24 points) from Group A and take the remaining units (up to 4 units/24 points) from Group B. For students in course by coursework and dissertation, take 4 units from Group A (24 points) and 4 units from Group C (24 points):

• COMM5200 Digital Advocacy (6)
• COMM5501 Advanced Topics in Strategic Communication (6)
• COMM5604 Media Governance (6)
• COMM5605 Issues in Global Journalism and Strategic Communication (6)
• COMM5706 Accountability and Responsibility in the Media (6)

Option - Group B

Take units as per sequence notes in Group A.

• ASIA5001 Key Debates in the Asian Region (6)
• BUSN5003 Data Storytelling (6)
• BUSN5100 Applied Professional Business Communications (6)
• HRMT5530 Career Development and Employability (6)
• MKTG5501 Integrated Marketing Communications (6)
• MKTG5502 Social Media Marketing (6)
• POLS5503 Public Administration (6)
• WILG5001 Work Integrated Learning Internship Program (6)
• WILG5002 Work Integrated Learning Internship Program (6)
• WILG5003 Work Integrated Learning Internship Program (12)

Option - Group C

Take units as per sequence notes in Group A.

• SOCS4100 Social Sciences Research Skills (6)
• SOCS5551 Master's Dissertation Part 1 (6)
• SOCS5552 Master's Dissertation Part 2 (6)
• SOCS5553 Master's Dissertation Part 3 (6)

Why study this course?

• Gain advanced skills and in-depth understanding applicable to a broad range of communications and media roles across the sector
• Work placements provide access to real-world experience of the local and international communications environment
• This course has a number of options for completion depending on individual requirements

You'll learn to

• effectively participate in contemporary media and communication environments
• design communication strategies and projects and manage communication activities and campaigns
• apply a set of advanced practical, analytical and critical skills across media platforms and in a range of professional contexts and practices

Articulated courses

This course is part of an articulated sequence with the:

• Graduate Certificate in Strategic Communication
• Graduate Diploma in Strategic Communication

Adobe Creative Cloud

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Media and Communication, Communication and Media Studies, and the Master of Strategic Communication have access to the full named user Adobe Creative Cloud licenses during their studies. Adobe Creative Cloud has over 20 applications including Premiere Pro, After Effects, and Photoshop.