Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications)
From Semester 1, 2010, the Faculty of Arts will offer a new Media and Communications major in the Melbourne Model Bachelor of Arts.
2010 will see the final intake of first-year students into the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications). Places will be available in both semester one and semester two 2010, and every student enrolled by these deadlines will be taught through to the end of their degree. The option for Honours study will be available for qualified students. It will not be possible to defer a first-year offer for the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) in 2010.
Studies in Media and Communications will continue to be available to University of Melbourne students via a major within the Bachelor of Arts degree. This major will be introduced at first-year level in 2010. It will not be available to students who commenced their degree before 2010. Honours will be available to qualified students.
The Media and Communications major will articulate contemporary and global media practices with an Australian focus and the opportunity to acquire workplace-oriented skills in research and writing. It will be structured to include a powerful and coherent suite of subjects, including a Knowledge Transfer component and a capstone experience pointing directly towards postgraduate study.
Why Choose Media and Communications at Melbourne?
- You will enjoy a program with a wide range of professional subjects and research projects.
- The University of Melbourne's international reputation for distinguished scholarship is upheld by renowned academics who are leading teachers and researchers. This means you will learn from industry experts, commentators and practioners.
- If you enrol in the Enriched Major program, you will have the opportunity to undertake a professional internship and gain real experience in the field.
- You will have the opportunity to have articles published in leading local and national newspapers; online media outlets; and in the University's renowned student newspaper, Farrago, during your studies. For examples of published works by current students visit the Media and Communications website.
- You will develop a comprehensive understanding of the media's role, from the local to global level, and the impact of new communications technologies on diverse social, cultural and political processes.
- You will join a network of students and graduate alumni of the highest academic and professional calibre.
Course Overview
The University of Melbourne Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) degree provides access to the globally expanding media and communications industries. You will study interpretive, theoretical and historical approaches to the media and its communication technologies, and have the opportunity to study complementary subjects in the humanities and social sciences.
Our program provides the critical and analytical skills needed to understand the changing role and significance of media and communications industries. Subjects offered range from the uses of media in local settings to the re-organisation of contemporary communications on a global scale.
This program is interdisciplinary in nature and offers a distinctive blend of academic study and media practice, delivered by internationally recognised scholars and experienced industry professionals.
Course Structure
The Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications) is a three-year full-time program comprising of 100 points at each year level.
In the first year, you will complete a total of eight subjects (100 points), including two core subjects: Professional Writing and Introduction to Media and Communications. You may also undertake up to two Arts Interdisciplinary Foundation Subjects in the first year.
In the second and third years, you will tailor your degree to suit your individual goals by choosing either the Enriched Major or Double Major stream.
The Enriched Major allows you to undertake a comprehensive program in media and communications, with the opportunity to undertake an internship and research project in your final year of study.
Example Course Plan - Enriched Major Stream
| First Year | Semester 1 | Intro to Media and Communications | English | IDF subject | Cinema and Cultural Studies |
| Semester 2 | Professional Writing | Politics and International Studies | Philosophy | Cinema and Cultural Studies | |
| Second Year | Semester 1 | Politics, Communication, Media | Net Communications | Australian Studies | Cinema and Cultural Studies |
| Semester 2 | Writing Journalism | Media Law | Creative Writing | History | |
| Third Year | Semester 1 | Global Media Cultures | English | Media and Communications Industry Internship | |
| Semester 2 | Asia-Pacific Media Systems | Politics and International Studies | Media and Communications Research Project | ||
| Key: | Media and Communications core subjects | Media and Communications optional subjects | Elective Arts subjects |
The Double Major provides a concentrated program of study in media and communications in conjunction with a second major (specialisation) in a Faculty of Arts study area.
Example Course Plan - Double Major Stream
| First Year | Semester 1 | Intro to Media and Communications | English | IDF subject | Cinema and Cultural Studies |
| Semester 2 | Professional Writing | Politics and International Studies | Philosophy | Cinema and Cultural Studies | |
| Second Year | Semester 1 | Net Communications | Sociology | Classics | Cinema and Cultural Studies |
| Semester 2 | Marketing Communications | English | Classics | Classics | |
| Third Year | Semester 1 | Global Media Cultures | English | Classics | Classics |
| Semester 2 | Advanced Writing | Cinema and Cultural Studies | Classics | Classics |
| Key: | Media and Communications core subjects | Media and Communications optional subjects | Elective Arts subjects |
Career Pathways
This degree is designed to help you gain entry to the dynamic and expanding media and communications sectors of Australia and the Asia-Pacific region. The degree is a pathway into careers such as:
- print and on-line journalism;
- multimedia;
- public relations;
- corporate and government communication;
- advertising;
- film, television and broadcasting;
- lobbying and consultancy;
- media and policy;
- research and management;
- information and entertainment industries.
For further information on where our graduates work, visit the Faculty of Arts Careers web page.
Entry Requirements
To gain admission to the Bachelor of Arts (Media and Communications), applicants must have completed one of the following:
- Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE)
Successful completion of VCE and a study score of at least 25 in English, English Language or Literature, or at least 30 in English as a Second Language (ESL). - International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma
Major in English. Standard Level prerequisites must be passed to at least Grade 5 and Higher Level prerequisites to at least Grade 4.
-
GCE A Levels
BBC (11) with a major in English (or equivalent). - An equivalent qualification
Students undertaking other study programs overseas should check if their qualifications meet the University's minimum entry standards and prerequisites.
All University of Melbourne international applicants must also meet standard Undergraduate English language requirements.
Graduate Study
Arts offers you a range of graduate opportunities to allow you to continue your studies once you have completed your Bachelor degree. We offer research-based and professional coursework graduate programs in media and communications and many other disciplines across the humanities, social sciences and languages.
Visit the School of Humanities and Social Sciences website for details about graduate programs.
Further Information
For more information, visit the University of Melbourne Handbook.