Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communication)
Course summary for international students
G = Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus
S = Geelong Waterfront Campus
W =Warrnambool Campus
X = Off campus
| Award granted | Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communication) |
|---|---|
| Campus | Offered at Melbourne Burwood Campus, Geelong Waurn Ponds Campus |
| Off-campus | No |
| Length | 3 years full time |
| Next available intake | March (Trimester 1), July (Trimester 2), November (Trimester 3) |
| Indicative annual fee 2014 | $22,600* AUD |
| CRICOS course code | 048014J |
| Level | Undergraduate |
| IELTS Requirement | IELTS overall score of 6 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent |
| Deakin course code | A328 |
| VTAC Codes | 1400314293 - Waurn Ponds (Geelong), International full-fee paying place 1400514293 - Burwood (Melbourne), International full-fee paying place |
| Faculty contacts | Deakin International Tel +61 3 9627 4877 Online enquiry |
- Course overview
- Off campus studies
- Fees and charges
- Career opportunities
- Course rules
- Course structure
- Entry requirements - general
- Entry requirements - specific
- Pathways
- Credit for prior learning - general
- How to apply
Course overview
Deakin's Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communication) is specifically designed to enable you to graduate with a 'multiskilled' qualification appropriate for a rapidly evolving area in which skills, careers and job markets are increasingly transient. In this course, you can choose subjects that suit your specific interests and professional ambitions. You are encouraged to situate those interests and ambitions in a wider critical context of ideas, issues and developments in the media and communication industries in general.
The course offers you a wide range of unit choice which helps develop practical and professional communication skills within a broad context of critique and analysis.
You will learn about major research and policy debates concerning the various communication industries and integrate practical techniques in communication with a strategic overview of the industry.
The course will teach you about the range of research methodologies used to study communication texts, audiences, institutions and processes, as well as how to evaluate the social and economic significance of new technologies and existing laws affecting communication.
Specialisations offered through this course include animation, film studies, visual communication design (formerly graphic design), journalism, media and communication, photography, public relations and visual arts.
Off campus studies
Deakin offers many courses which can be studied by distance education overseas.
However, international students living in Australia must, in each compulsory trimester (that is, Trimesters 1 and 2), enrol in at least one unit that is offered as an on-campus unit and can, in addition enrol in online or off-campus units. Best practice is to enrol in mostly on-campus units in each compulsory trimester.
In a non-compulsory trimester (Trimester 3), international students may study online and off-campus units only. Note that online and off-campus units can make up no more than 25% of a total study load.
Fees and charges
Fee paying place - International (IFP)A Fee paying place is one for which the University does not receive any government funding. As such, students enrolled in these places are required to contribute the full cost of their course.
Fees for international students apply to persons living in Australia with Temporary Resident status, provided that there is no limitation on study and persons living abroad who are not Australian citizens and do not have Permanent Resident status in Australia.
Equivalent Full Time Student Load (EFTSL)
EFTSL is the standard annual full time load. Eight credit points is the standard full time load for one year of study.
* The 'indicative annual course fee' cited has been provided as a guide only. It has been calculated on the basis of a typical enrolment of a student undertaking the course in 2014, and reflects the cost involved in undertaking a full-time quota of units within the specified discipline.
The actual fees charged by Deakin University will depend upon the discipline from which each individual unit is chosen, and may vary from the indicative course fee cited, particularly if units are chosen from a number of disciplines. The cost of each unit offered in 2014 can be viewed from the Unit Search.
Please note that the fees per unit/credit point may increase annually due to rises in the cost of course delivery and service.
Deakin assumes no responsibility for persons relying on 'indicative course fees' to calculate the total future cost of their course.
Career opportunities
Media and communication studies at Deakin will provide you with the experience required as a professional in roles such as journalists, non-government organisation professionals, photographers, public relations consultants, animation and digital culture employees, culture industries employees such as heritage officers, development professionals and those seeking research and analysis positions in the global media industries.
Course rules
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communication) a student must complete 24 credit points of study including:
- at least 12 credit points from the areas listed under areas of study, including:
- core units ALC101 and ALC102, and
- no more than 8 credit points taken outside the course-grouped units for the BA
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- at least 14 credit points at level 2 or above
- at least 4 credit points at level 3
Course structure
Prerequisites
Because a number of disciplinary studies are cumulative in knowledge, technical competencies and/or study and research skills, there are prerequisites which direct students to take some units before others. Students must seek advice from Arts Student Support before enrolling in units for which they do not have the prerequisite or recommended units.
Areas of Study
Animation (B)
Film Studies (B)
Film and Video (B)*
Visual Communication Design (formerly Graphic Design) (B)
Journalism (B, G,W#, X)
Media and Communication (B, G, X)
Photography (B)
Public Relations (B, G,W#, X)
Visual Arts (B, G#, S)
* For continuing students only
# Full major is not available at nominated campus
Core units
Trimester 1
| ALC101 | Contemporary Communication: Making Sense of Text, Image and Meaning * |
Trimester 2
| ALC102 | Contemporary Communication: Making Sense of New Media |
* ALC101 also offered in trimester 3 - off campus only.
Details of Areas of Study
Animation - unit set code MJ-AU00011
The Animation area of study offers the opportunity to develop a moving image, graphic and animation practice within the expanding digital domain. Students will explore digital animation production and publication options that include web, CD and DVD publication possibilities, and develop the skills to work with and manage such technologies effectively. Students are encouraged to develop skills in all aspects and types of animation production and learn to write and think analytically about such creative work.
On completion of the Animation sequence of units students should have the following skills:
- an ability to implement and manage all stages of production of a professional digital animation project.
- an ability to develop a unique production path for a digital project for a variety of publication platforms.
- an ability to think and write effectively about innovative moving image animation work and digital culture.
- an ability to use advanced digital image production technologies.
- an ability to work in collaborative and team settings on graphic moving image tasks.
- an ability to work efficiently to deadlines in an industrial setting.
Level 1 and level 2
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
| ACM138 | 3D Animation 1: Screen Space, Layout, Landscape |
| ACN108 | History of Interactive Entertainment |
Trimester 1
| ACM132 | Introduction to Animation |
| ACM225 | Effects, Graphics and Compositing |
Trimester 2
| ACM133 | Animation Principles and Practices |
| ACM239 | Digital Animation |
Level 3
Trimester 1 or trimester 2 or trimester 3
| ALX321 | Creative Industries Internship * |
Trimester 1
| ACM327 | Advanced Animation |
Trimester 2
| ACM308 | Delivering Moving Images |
* ALX321 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third level (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Support and Enquiries on their campus for further information.
Film Studies - unit set code MJ-A000046
The Film Studies area aims to develop students' creative and critical thinking while providing a practical and theoretical grounding in the production and application of film, video and television. The sequence puts these media in the historical and social context of the institutions, technologies and artistic and personal forces from which they have emerged.
In level 1, students learn formal and theoretical concepts through analysis of case studies and a series of projects which demand individual input, team collaboration, as well as recording, filming, direction, and post-production techniques. Collaborative skills are extended in level 2 through investigation of team management, narrative, representation, editing, and audiences, as well as the relationship between the actor, director, producer and exhibitor.
Students also undertake case studies in genre and the creative practices and aesthetic approaches of significant practitioners or movements. The final level provides opportunities for students to develop unique and individual creative practices through units including Research in Production: Documentary which explores the use of actuality in narrative, as well as the Individual Production Practice, which explores non-representational, contemplative and oppositional structures, together with strategies that rework or synthesise conventional forms.
Level 1
Trimester 1
| ACM120 | Moving Pictures: Screening Film History |
Trimester 2
| ACM112 | Writing with the Camera |
Level 2 and 3
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
| ACM217 | Documentary Production Practice |
| ACM237 | TV Studio Production |
| ACM318 | Independent Production Practice |
Trimester 1
| AAM319 | Contemporary Australian Cinema * |
Trimester 2
| ACM236 | Mindscreen: Cinema, Psychology and Psychoanalysis |
| AAM220 | Cinemas and Cultures |
* AAM319 also offered at Burwood in trimester 3
Film and Video
For continuing students only
Level 1
Trimester 2
| ACM111 | Sound, Light, Motion |
Level 2
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
| ACM213 | Genre Form and Structure |
| ACM237 | TV Studio Production |
Trimester 2
| ACM236 | Mindscreen: Cinema, Psychology and Psychoanalysis |
Level 3
Trimester 1 or trimester 2
| ACM318 | Independent Production Practice |
Trimester 1, trimester 2 or trimester 3
| ALX321 | Creative Industries Internship * |
* ALX321 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third level (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Support and Enrolment Enquiries on their campus for further information.
Visual Communication Design (formerly Graphic Design) - unit set code MJ-A000061
Note: Students who commenced studies prior to 2011 may need to contact Student Support office for course advice. Melbourne Burwood Campus Tel 03 924 43843 or 03 924 43910artsedstudentsupport@deakin.edu.au
Level 1
Trimester 1
| ACG101 | Design Fundamentals |
Trimester 1 and 2
| ACG103 | Design Skills |
Trimester 2
| ACG102 | Design and Typography |
Level 2
Trimester 1
| ACG207 | Professional Practice in Design |
Trimester 2
| ACG204 | Design and Society |
| ACG208 | Branding Design |
Level 3
Trimester 1
| ACG305 | Design Practice |
| ACG307 | Global Design Strategies |
Journalism - unit set code MJ-A000014
This area of study provides students with the skills and knowledge to become qualified journalists in the broadcast and print media. Initially, studies focus on the mass media and the extent to which journalists live up to the ethical standards set both by their profession and the expectations of the public. Comparative studies focus on the role of journalists and the news media in different political systems and cultures. Students will gain an understanding of the theoretical and practical elements of radio and television journalism, and the role radio plays as a communication medium. The laws of defamation and other legal constraints to which the profession of journalism is subject are examined in the final level. Students will also develop research techniques, practical skills and an understanding of the methods and techniques required for specialist writing. The writing component within the course is intensive, to bring students' work to a standard that can be published in a daily newspaper or mainstream magazine.
On successful completion of the Journalism sequence of units students should have the following skills:
- an ability to write in academic style with adequate referencing
- an ability to identify, research, write and construct stories suitable for print, broadcast and online media
- an ability to interview for print, broadcast and online media and select material for inclusion in stories
- an ability to analyse the social role of journalism both nationally and internationally and identify the theoretical issues raised by news, current affairs and feature publications and programs
- an ability to appreciate the role of the production process in any media product
- an ability to work in teams and to develop presentation skills in a group setting.
Level 1
Trimester 1
| ALJ111 | Contemporary Journalism A |
Trimester 2
| ALJ112 | Contemporary Journalism B |
Level 2
Trimester 1
| ALJ216 | Research for Writers |
Trimester 2
| ALJ217 | Editing and Design |
Level 3
Trimester 1
| ALJ313 | Media Law and Ethics |
| ALJ318 | Broadcast Journalism (Radio) |
Trimester 2
| ALJ301 | Multi-Media Journalism |
| ALJ319 | Broadcast Journalism (Television) |
Trimester 1 or trimester 2 or Trimester 3
| ALJ321 | Journalism Internship * |
| ALJ322 | Journalism Internship B *^ |
* ALJ321, ALJ322 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third level (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Support and Enrolment Enquiries on their campus for further information.
^ALJ322 - this unit may only be taken by students who complete ALJ321 and is not counted towards the Journalism major.
Media and Communication - unit set code MJ-AU00008
Media and communication is the world's fastest growing industry and is an area of rapid and continuous technological, political, economic, and social change. Much of the recent explosion in the stock of human knowledge is linked with developments in media and communication. Students will address issues and events in the industry at national and international levels through a combination of research, theory, analysis and practice.
Levels 2 and 3
Trimester 1
| AAM219 | Contemporary Australian Cinema *** |
| ALC208 | Researching Media: Texts, Audiences and Industries |
| ALC209 | Screening Contemporary Masculinities |
| ALR276 | Ethical Communication and Citizenship |
| ASC346 | Sociology of the Media and Popular Culture |
| ALC313 | Media and Communication Internship ** |
Trimester 2
| AAM220 | Cinemas and Cultures |
| ALC201 | Exploring New Media: Users, Settings, Implications |
| ALC314 | Advertising: Designing Desires * |
| ALC215 | Globalisation and the Media |
| ALC320 | Approaches to Media: Audiences and Effects * |
Trimester 3
| ALC383 | Communicating the City: Understanding Global Media Industry Ecologies |
* ALC314, ALC320 are offered in the wholly online teaching mode only. There will be no face to face teaching.
** ALC313 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third level (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Support and Enrolment Enquiries on their campus for further information.
*** AAM219 is also offered in trimester 3
Photography - unit set code MJ-A000049
The Photography area of study is based around creative, critical and professional practice. Students can choose to develop their artistic, academic or professional aspirations.
Level 1
Trimester 1 or Trimester 2
| ACM101 | Still Images |
| ACM102 | Pixel to Print: Digital Imaging 1 |
Level 2
Trimester 1 or Trimester 2
| ACM203 | Photographic Practice |
| ACM204 | Contemporary Photography |
| ACM207 | Advanced Imaging |
Trimester 1, Trimester 2 or Trimester 3
| ACM202 | Advanced Digital Imaging |
Level 3
Trimester 1
| ACM328 | Shifting Focus: Experimental Photography and Creative Practice |
Trimester 2
| ACM335 | Studio and Professional Photography |
Trimester 1, Trimester 2 or Trimester 3
| ALX321 | Creative Industries Internship * |
* ALX321 - Internship units are normally undertaken in third level (or equivalent) and are subject to completion of specified prerequisite units and special application requirements. Interested students should contact Arts and Education Student Support and Enrolment Enquiries on their campus for further information.
Public Relations - unit set code MJ-A000021
The Public Relations major sequence is concerned with the management of communication between people, agencies and various publics. Students will study such areas as crisis and issues management, organisational public relations and public relations campaigns; and will develop the necessary skills for effective public relations.
On successful completion of the Public Relations major sequence, students should have the following discipline-specific skills:
- an ability to explain the role of public relations in society;
- an ability to differentiate between the various areas of public relations;
- an ability to explain the legal and regulatory context of public relations;
- an ability to prepare public relations strategies using traditional, internet and social media tactics;
- the ability to write and communicate for public relations practice across a broad range of professional contexts.
Core units
Level 1
Trimester 1
| ALR103 | Introduction to Public Relations |
Trimester 1 or trimester 2 or trimester 3
| ALW117 | Writing for Professional Practice |
Select 6 credit points, including at least 2 credit points at level 2 and at least 2 credit points at level 3 from the following:
Level 2 and Level 3
Trimester 1
| ALR276 | Ethical Communication and Citizenship |
| ALR207 | Media Relations *** |
| ALR383 | Government Relations and Issues Management ** |
Trimester 2
| ALR206 | Web Media Public Relations |
| ALR279 | Public Relations Practice and Event Management (2 credit points) |
| ALR300 | Public Relations Campaigns and Practice (2 credit points) |
| ALR310 | Marketing Communication |
Trimester 3
| ALR311 | Public Relations Study Tour |
** ALR383 is offered in the wholly online teaching mode only. There will be no face to face teaching.
*** ALR207 also offered in Trimester 3.
Visual Arts - unit set code MJ-A000015
Level 1
Trimester 1
| ACV101 | Studio Art: Painting A |
Trimester 2
| ACV102 | Studio Art: Painting B |
Level 2
Students to select 4 units from level 2 units on offer.
Trimester 1
| ACV203 | Visual Narrative Studio |
| ACV205 | Studio Art: Painting C |
| EEA211 | Navigating the Visual World |
Trimester 2
| ACV204 | Graphic Novels and Artists' Books Studio |
| ACV206 | Studio Art: Painting D |
| EEA212 | Visual Culture: Images, Meaning and Contexts |
Level 3
Trimester 1
| ACV307 | Studio Art: Painting E |
Trimester 2
| ACV308 | Studio Art: Painting F |
Transition to University study
The faculty offers two units ASC160 Introduction to University Study and ALW117 Writing for Professional Practice which are specifically designed to ease the transition into university study. New students are encouraged to enrol in one or both of these units in their first year.
Entry requirements - general
General admission requirements for entry into undergraduate courses for international students at Deakin are summarised in the undergraduate admission requirements table (194kb).Some courses may have additional entry requirements.
Students must also meet the undergraduate English language requirements.
Entry requirements - specific
IELTS / English language requirements
Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.
It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)
Pathways
This course has pathways from more than 20 Institutes of TAFE and universities in Melbourne and regional Victoria. Credit transfer and recognition is normally available from TAFE and university diplomas and advanced diplomas in arts, business, management, and humanities disciplines. Students with graded advanced diplomas from TAFE or equivalent will be eligible for up to 12 credit points of electives. Students with graded diplomas or equivalent from TAFE or equivalent will be eligible for up to 8 credit points of electives. There is also a pathway from Deakin University's Associate Degree of Arts, Business and Sciences to this course with up to 16 credit points depending on units taken.
On completion of this course you may choose to apply for an Honours degree or postgraduate study. These studies normally provide professional qualifications directed to a particular career. Students must have completed a major in the discipline or interdisciplinary area in which they wish to specialise in the honours course. Entry is based on a number of factors, including an average grade of Distinction or High Distinction in the Bachelor of Arts particularly in the discipline in which they want to study Honours and the availability of supervision. Further honours information.
Credit for prior learning - general
If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.
You can also refer to the Credit for Prior Learning (Credit Transfer) Search which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.
How to apply
- Applicant Portal: Use our online application system to submit and track your application now OR
- Apply through a Deakin International office: Fill out an application form and submit it to a Deakin International office OR
- Apply through a Deakin representative: Take your application form to your preferred agent for assistance.
Tracking your application
If you have already applied and wish to enquire about your application please refer to the relevant area through which you originally applied.
- If you applied through a Deakin representative please contact your representative.
- If you applied through a Deakin International office please contact deakin-int-admissions@deakin.edu.au
