Bachelor of CommunicationApproved Abbreviation: BComm
Western Sydney University Course Code: 1696.3
AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 074452D
Course Status: CONTINUING
This version of the course is available only to continuing or completing students.
Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2015 or later.
Commencement Year 2013 and 2014 - 1696.2 Bachelor of Communication
Commencement Year 2012 - 1696.1 Bachelor of Communication
Commencement Year 2010 and 2011 - 1613.4 Bachelor of Communication
The Bachelor of Communication encompasses a range of studies in the fields of communication, media and design including specialised studies in the major fields of Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations and Media Arts Production. Teaching includes both theory and practice with reference to real world contexts highlighting future career opportunities in a convergent digital media world. Through classwork, independent study and engagement with the multicultural nature of our communities, students develop an understanding of the local and international relevance of their chosen studies, with opportunities to develop and produce a range of media outcomes as applied research and professional projects throughout their studies. Through self-directed, team-based and problem-based learning strategies requiring active participation in the community and professional contexts, graduates learn to reflect and value ethical and intellectual conduct as well as respect for diversity and social justice principles.
- Director of Academic Program - Dr Rachel Bentley
Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.
Course Advice
Location
| Campus | Attendance | Mode | Course Advice | | Online | Full Time | Online |
See above
|
| Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road | Full Time | Internal |
See above
|
| Penrith Campus | Full Time | Internal |
See above
|
| Sydney City Campus | Full Time | Internal |
See above
|
Accreditation
The Bachelor of Communication is accredited by professional organisations including the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).
Admission
Students are admitted on the basis of their ATAR score.
Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.
http://www.uac.edu.au
International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office Office.
International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.
International Office
Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Communication is a three year degree with an additional year for Honours. The course has four major sequences in Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations and Media Arts Production from which students select one at the end of their first year and each of the major sequences is also available as a sub-major.
Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.
Recommended Sequence - Penrith Campus
Full-time
Year 1
Autumn session
| 101927 | Foundations of Media Arts and Production |
| 100706 | Advertising: An Introduction |
| 101926 | Media Cultures and Industries |
Spring session
(From 2016 unit 101925 Mediated Mobilities has been replaced by 102421 Data, Mediation, Power)
(Note: 101925 Mediated Mobilities counts toward course completion for students who have already completed this unit)
| 100212 | Public Relations Theory and Practice |
| 100556 | Introduction to Journalism |
Year 2
Autumn session
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Spring session
| 101929 | Professional Writing and Editing |
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Year 3
Autumn session
| 101930 | Communication Research Project |
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Spring session
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Recommended Sequence - Western Sydney University Online and Parramatta Campus
Full-time
Year 1
Autumn session
| 101926 | Media Cultures and Industries |
| 100556 | Introduction to Journalism |
| 100212 | Public Relations Theory and Practice |
Spring session
(From 2016 unit 101925 Mediated Mobilities has been replaced by 102421 Data, Mediation, Power)
(Note: 101925 Mediated Mobilities counts toward course completion for students who have already completed this unit)
| 100706 | Advertising: An Introduction |
| 101927 | Foundations of Media Arts and Production |
Year 2
Autumn session
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Spring session
| 101929 | Professional Writing and Editing |
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Year 3
Autumn session
| 101930 | Communication Research Project |
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Spring session
Two units from a selected major
And one elective
Majors
Penrith and Parramatta On-Campus students must select from one of the following majors
Western Sydney University Online students
Students studying the course through Western Sydney University Online must select a major from Advertising, Journalism or Public Relations.
| M1094 | Media Arts Production |
Sub-majors
Penrith and Parramatta on-campus students may also elect to take a sub-major in one of the four major sequences
Please note the Media Arts Production Major/Sub-major is only available at the Penrith campus. Students based at Parramatta campus are required to submit rule waivers to complete the units from this Major/Sub-major at the Penrith campus.
Western Sydney University Online Students
Students studying the course through Western Sydney University Online may also elect to take a Sub-major in one of the three major sequences available - Advertising, Journalism or Public Relations.
Elective spaces
Students have the option to take electives in Design (Visual Communication) and Music subject to successful completion of any required pre-requisite units.
Elective units may also be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major from the Bachelor of Arts (40 credit points).
Note: The Sub-majors in a Language have inherent requirements - Arabic, Chinese, Japanese and Indonesian. Please see the link below:
Inherent Requirements
| SM1070 | Cultural and Social Analysis |
| SM1072 | History and Political Thought |
| SM1049 | Indigenous Australian Studies |
| SM1073 | International Relations and Asian Studies |
Sub-Major elective studies
Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.
Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major
Business Sustainability Sub-major
Note: not all Sub-majors are available on all campuses, and enrolment may be subject to pre-requisite unit study. Students are advised to seek advice from their Academic Course Adviser for Sub-major elective options.
Search for a sub-major
Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR.
MyStudentRecords (MySR)