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Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

Approved Abbreviation: DComm/BScrMedArtProd

Western Sydney University Course Code: 6015.4

AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 096974G

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 2022 or later.

For commencement Year 2021 - please refer to 6015.3 - Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

For commencement Year Term 2, 2019 to 2020 - please refer to 6015.2 - Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

For commencement Year 2017 to Term 1, 2019 - please refer to 6015.1 - Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

The Bachelor of Screen Media degree is hands-on and future-focused. This comprehensive program mirrors the growth of screen content as an industry, an art form and a means of global communication. You will learn to apply independent thinking and creativity to the latest storytelling techniques, and develop your craft in high-end studio and editing facilities. Award-winning academics will work with you to develop conceptual, storytelling and technical skills that cover the breadth of film, television, online and interactive media. You’ll develop the skills to oversee the complete production of a screen media project, from developing creative ideas, to identifying funding sources, organising workflows, scoping production, collaborating with the different roles on a set, producing and editing content, and finally, marketing the finished product.

This program integrates theory and practice in a way that helps build critical thinking and creative problem-solving, which will enhance your approach to creating unique content and responding to real client briefs. In your first year, you will develop fundamental skills and knowledge in screen media. In your second and third years, you will build on your screen media skills and choose either the Design stream (to enhance visual and interactive skills) or the Journalism stream (to complement your investigative, storytelling and documentary skills).Throughout the degree, you will have opportunities to attend industry events and network with Australia’s most successful practitioners. When you graduate, you will be equipped with a web-based professional portfolio to showcase your skills and expertise, and will be prepared for a bright future in the screen content/communication industry.

The first year of this course is delivered by Western Sydney University The College, as an agent of Western Sydney University, via extended face-to-face hours in smaller learning environments. A Diploma in Communication exit point is also available at the end of the first year of the course.

For more information on Western Sydney University, The College, please refer to their web site.

Western Sydney University, The College

For course advice during your first year of study, please use the contact below under ‘Course Advice’. For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production).

Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

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

Admission

Domestic students are required to have:

An ATAR identified prior to the offer of a place, OR

Completed an English unit at a pass level or above in the NSW Higher School Certificate, OR

Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent (unless a native speaker) OR

Passed The College English test with 70% or higher OR

Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English unit at C grade level or higher.

Met other entry requirements such as:

Completed The College Foundation Studies course with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

International students must satisfy one of the following language requirements:

IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each sub band OR

Completed the College EAP 4 course with a 50% pass OR

Passed The College English test with 70% or higher OR

Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English unit at C grade level or higher for which advanced standing can be applied for.

Academic Entry Requirements vary according to country of origin. However, in general:

Completion of Year 12 or its equivalent is the minimum entry requirement OR

Completed The College Foundation Studies course with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

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 an optional work component available in this course. Please contact the Course Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the course but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation. For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 260 credit points which include the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

The early exit College Diploma consists of 100 credit points which includes two College Preparatory units.

Western Sydney University The College Units

Term 1 Intake

Year 1

First Term of Study

700056

Academic English (WSTC Prep)

700324

Communication Practices (WSTC Prep)

700325

Introduction to Screen Media (WSTC)

Second Term of Study

700193

Graphic Design: Understanding the Principles (WSTC)

700326

Screen Media Fundamentals (WSTC)

Third Term of Study

700187

Web and Time-based Design (WSTC)

700182

Introduction to Journalism (WSTC)

700327

Digital Narrative (WSTC)

700328

Animation and Visual Effects (WSTC)

Term 2 Intake

Year 1

First Term of Study

700056

Academic English (WSTC Prep)

700326

Screen Media Fundamentals (WSTC)

700324

Communication Practices (WSTC Prep)

Second Term of Study

700182

Introduction to Journalism (WSTC)

700327

Digital Narrative (WSTC)

700328

Animation and Visual Effects (WSTC)

Third Term of Study

700193

Graphic Design: Understanding the Principles (WSTC)

700187

Web and Time-based Design (WSTC)

700325

Introduction to Screen Media (WSTC)

Students may exit at this point and graduate with the Diploma in Communication following a passing grade in all of the above units. Students who progress onto Year 2 may also be awarded the Diploma if they gain a passing grade in all of the above units.

Students must pass all College Preparatory units before progressing to the Year Two units.
Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level units in Year 1 before progressing to the Year 2 units.

Qualification for this award then requires the successful completion of a further 160 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Western Sydney University Units

For course advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production).

Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

Parramatta (Victoria Road) Campus

Students must complete the Screen Media major.

M1135

Screen Media

The Screen Media major requires the completion of eight units which are included in the recommended sequence listed below.

Students must follow either the Journalism stream or Design stream from year 2 onwards.

Recommended sequence

Year 2

Autumn session

102829

Narrative: Fictional Screen Media