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Bachelor of Communication

Approved Abbreviation: BComm

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1696.4

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 074452D

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 2017 or later.

Commencement Year 2014 and 2016 - 1696.3 Bachelor of Communication

Commencement Year 2013 and 2014 - 1696.2 Bachelor of Communication

Commencement Year 2012 - 1696.1 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 Screen Media. 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 - Jacki Montgomery

Study Mode
Three years full-time or six years part-time.

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). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

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/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International 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.

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline. This course includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 240 credit points as per the recommended sequence below.

The Bachelor of Communication is a three year degree. The course has four major sequences in Advertising, Journalism, Public Relations and Screen Media 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.

Recommended Sequence - Parramatta Campus and Online students

Click here for the recommended sequence at Sydney City Campus.

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

101920Writing Ecologies
101926Media Cultures and Industries
100556Introduction to Journalism
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice

Spring session

101921Visual Storytelling
102421Data, Mediation, Power
100706Advertising: An Introduction
102825Introduction to Screen Media

Year 2

Autumn session

101928Media Law and Ethics

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102697Pitch: Podcasting Essentials

Spring session

101929Professional Writing and Editing

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102705Communicating for Sustainability

Year 3

Autumn session

101930Communication Research Project

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102780Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile

Spring session

101931Media Memory

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102780Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile

Recommended Sequence - Penrith campus

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

101920Writing Ecologies
102825Introduction to Screen Media
100706Advertising: An Introduction
101926Media Cultures and Industries

Spring session

102421Data, Mediation, Power
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice
100556Introduction to Journalism
101921Visual Storytelling

Year 2

Autumn session

101928Media Law and Ethics

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102697Pitch: Podcasting Essentials

Spring session

101929Professional Writing and Editing

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102705Communicating for Sustainability

Year 3

Autumn session

101930Communication Research Project

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Spring session

101931Media Memory

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102780Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile

Recommended Sequence: Mid-year Commencement (Spring) - Parramatta Campus and Online students

Full-time

Year 1

Spring session

101921Visual Storytelling
102421Data, Mediation, Power
100706Advertising: An Introduction
102825Introduction to Screen Media

Autumn session

101920Writing Ecologies
101926Media Cultures and Industries
100556Introduction to Journalism
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice

Year 2

Spring session

101929Professional Writing and Editing

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102705Communicating for Sustainability

Autumn session

101928Media Law and Ethics

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102697Pitch: Podcasting Essentials

Year 3

Spring session

101931Media Memory

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102780Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile

Autumn session

101930Communication Research Project

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102780Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile

Recommended Sequence: Mid-year Commencement (Spring) - Penrith Campus

Full-time

Year 1

Spring session

102421Data, Mediation, Power
100212Public Relations Theory and Practice
100556Introduction to Journalism
101921Visual Storytelling

Autumn session

101920Writing Ecologies
102825Introduction to Screen Media
100706Advertising: An Introduction
101926Media Cultures and Industries

Year 2

Spring session

101929Professional Writing and Editing

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102705Communicating for Sustainability

Autumn session

101928Media Law and Ethics

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102697Pitch: Podcasting Essentials

Year 3

Spring session

101931Media Memory

Two units from a selected major

And one elective which may include

102780Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile

Autumn session

101930Communication Research Project

Two units from a selected major

And one elective

Equivalent Core Unit

The core unit listed below counts towards completion of this course for students who passed this unit in 2020 or earlier.

101927 - Foundations of Media Arts and Production

Majors

Penrith and Parramatta On-campus students must select from one of the following four majors

Note: the Screen Media Major/Sub-major is only available at the Parramatta campus.

M1121Advertising
M1067Journalism
M1094Media Arts Production

Please note: M1094 Media Arts Production has been replaced by M1135 Screen Media for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in M1094 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

M1135Screen Media
M1122Public Relations

Sydney City On-campus students and Online students must select from one of the following three majors

Please note the following units in these majors are not offered online until further notice: 102518 Digital Communication, 102057 Digital Journalism Production and 102063 News Teams. Students will be able to enrol in the on-campus offering of these units. Please contact enquiriesHCA@westernsydney.edu.au using the link at Course Advice above for further options.

M1121Advertising
M1067Journalism
M1122Public Relations

Sub-majors

Penrith and Parramatta On-campus students may also elect to take a sub-major in one of the four major sequences

Note: Please plan enrolment in sub-major units carefully - units at Level 2 and Level 3 may have pre-requisites. Students should consult their Academic Course Advisors if they require further information.

SM1123Advertising
SM1088Journalism
SM1113Media Arts Production

Please note: SM1113 Media Arts Production has been replaced by SM1143 Screen Media for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1113 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1143Screen Media
SM1122Public Relations

Sydney City On-campus students and Online students may also elect to take a sub-major in one of the three available major sequences

Please note the following units in these sub-majors are not offered online until further notice: 102518 Digital Communication, 102057 Digital Journalism Production and 102063 News Teams. Students will be able to enrol in the on-campus offering of these units. Please contact enquiriesHCA@westernsydney.edu.au using the link at Course Advice above for further options.

SM1123Advertising
SM1088Journalism
SM1122Public 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 note: the Indonesian major will no longer be available from 2021. Please see the link below:

Inherent Requirements

SM1077Arabic
SM1078Chinese
SM1116Creative Writing
SM1070Cultural and Social Analysis

Please note: SM1070 Cultural and Social Analysis has been replaced by SM1138 Culture and Society for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1070 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1138Culture and Society
SM1117Digital Cultures
SM1071English
SM1072History and Political Thought

Please note: SM1072 History and Political Thought has been replaced by SM1145 History and Political Thought for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1072 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1145History and Political Thought
SM1049Indigenous Australian Studies
SM1112Indonesian

Please note: the Indonesian sub-major will no longer be available from 2021.

SM1120International English

Please note: SM1120 International English has been replaced by SM1132 International English for students who commence this course from the 2019 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1120 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1132International English

Please note: SM1132 International English has been replaced by SM1139 International English for students who commence this course from the 2021 academic year. Continuing students enrolled in SM1132 are able to remain in and successfully complete the unit requirements of this specialisation.

SM1139International English
SM1073International Relations and Asian Studies
SM1074Islamic Studies
SM1080Japanese
SM1119Linguistics
SM1065Musicology
SM1047Music Performance Studies
SM1076Philosophy
SM1115Psychological 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

Global 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)



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