Bachelor of Communication (Honours)

Undertake a year of specialist study of your chosen communication discipline. Work with experienced researchers to gain sought-after knowledge. The next intake into this course will be Trimester 1, 2026.

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Key facts

Duration

1 year full-time or part-time equivalent

Locations

Burwood (Melbourne)*

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Undertake a year of specialist study in the communication discipline that interests you most (advertising, journalism, public relations, digital media) with the Bachelor of Communication (Honours). Drawing on the theory and practical skills gained throughout your undergraduate degree, you will work with experienced researchers and a dedicated supervisor to develop and research your own project, gaining valuable research skills and advanced knowledge sought after by employers.

Honours is an optional year of study that allows you to combine the theory and practical skills gained throughout your undergraduate degree.

You will engage with theories and concepts in your chosen discipline, explore various research methods and then design a research project that you will carry through to its fruition under the guidance of an experienced academic supervisor. You will improve your critical and constructive thinking and gain practical research skills that you can use in a range of private and public sectors to positively impact issues you care about.

Do you want to specialise in a particular aspect of communication?

Working with a dedicated supervisor on a research project with real-world application, you can specialise in any facet of communication you're passionate about, including:

advertising
digital media
journalism
public relations.

Combine coursework along with your research project by engaging with theories and concepts in your chosen discipline. Use the opportunity this course brings to showcase your talents and work ethic to potential employers across a range of sectors.

After graduating, you can further your studies in research or professional practice by applying for direct entry into the second year of the Master of Communication by coursework, a Master of Arts by Research, or you could pursue a PhD.

Award granted: Bachelor of Communication (Honours)
Year: 2025 course information
Deakin code: A451
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition: The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8

Core

Compulsory 0-credit point module

To be completed in the first trimester of study:

Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin

DAI001

Units

Communication Research Methods (2 credit points) [2025 is the final year of offer for this unit].

ACO410

Communication Concepts (2 credit points) [2025 is the final year of offer for this unit].

ACO411

Advanced Communication Research A [2025 is the final year of offer for this unit].

ACO412

Advanced Communication Research B [2025 is the final year of offer for this unit].

ACO413

Advanced Communication Research C [2025 is the final year of offer for this unit].

ACO414

Advanced Communication Research D [2025 is the final year of offer for this unit].

ACO415

Intakes by location

The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).

Course duration

You may be able to study available units in the optional third trimester to fast-track your degree, however your course duration may be extended if there are delays in meeting course requirements, such as completing a placement.

Mandatory student checks

Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

Entry requirements

Selection is based on a holistic consideration of your academic merit, work experience, likelihood of success, availability of places, participation requirements, regulatory requirements, and individual circumstances. You will need to meet the minimum academic and English language proficiency requirements or higher to be considered for selection, but this does not guarantee admission.

A combination of qualifications and experience may be deemed equivalent to minimum academic requirements.

Academic requirements

To be considered for admission to this degree you will need to meet the following criteria:

completion of a bachelor degree or higher or major in a related discipline with a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) (or equivalent average grade indicator) of at least 65 in third year units, or where relevant, final year units.

English language proficiency requirements

To meet the English language proficiency requirements of this course, you will need to demonstrate at least one of the following:

Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) English Units 3 and 4: Study score of 25 in English as an Additional Language (EAL) or 20 in any other English
IELTS overall score of 6.0 (with no band score less than 6.0) or equivalent
other evidence of English language proficiency (learn more about other ways to satisfy the requirements)

Admissions information

Learn more about Deakin courses and how we compare to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning.

Scholarship options

A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships

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Apply directly to Deakin

To apply, create an account in the Deakin Application Portal, enter your personal details and education experience, upload supporting documents and submit. Need help? Play this video, or contact one of our friendly future student advisers on 1800 693 888 or submit an online enquiry.

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Careers

Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.

Get hands-on in our newsroom and creative media labs

Gain a competitive advantage through specialised study

Top 1% of universities worldwide**

Learn from academics with extensive industry experience

Career outcomes

Work across a range of industries from public relations, multimedia production and journalism, to advertising and marketing communication.

Deakin graduates find work across various organisations in the following roles:

advertising art director
advertising copywriter
brand manager
digital marketing or media specialist
digital media designer
event operations manager
illustrator
journalist
marketing and communications officer
media analyst
media and communications adviser
public relations manager
social media coordinator
tourism officer.

For more information go to DeakinTALENT.

Course learning outcomes

Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.

Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes	Course Learning Outcomes
Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities	Apply advanced theoretical and methodological insight to critical analysis and evaluation of the Australian media system and communication policies and practices.
Communication	Utilise high-level communication skills to coherently and ethically articulate arguments and ideas to professional, scholarly and media audiences in accordance with practitioner and academic standards.
Digital literacy	Utilise a range of technologies and digital platforms to research and analyse complex communication problems, and to develop and disseminate communication products and projects for diverse audiences and stakeholders.
Critical thinking	Apply high-level independent critical and analytical judgement in the evaluation and theorisation of communication issues and practices in professional and scholarly contexts.
Problem solving	Apply advanced knowledge of communication theories, concepts and methodologies in identifying issues and problems in communications and providing solutions through research and professional practice.
Self-management	Exercise autonomy, responsibility, accountability and a continued commitment to learning and skills development in professional and scholarly contexts.
Teamwork	Work and learn collaboratively with students from different disciplines and backgrounds, including working effectively in different roles in professional communication teams.
Global citizenship	Operate ethically, responsibly and with awareness of diverse social, cultural, economic and political contexts in research and as a professional in the communications industry.