Warning! There have been changes to the course - please refer to the transition information
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Total subjects
24
Price
From
$39,253
Study method
100% Online
Assessments
100% online
CSP Available
Yes
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- 13 Aug 23
- 12 Nov 23
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin.
Explore Curtin courses.
QS Ranking 2023
13
Times Higher Education Ranking 2023
11
Need help?
Our student advisors are here to guide you with:
- Enrolling and eligibility
- Fee and loan information
- Credit and recognition for prior learning
Degree structure
Core subjects
Major subjects
Elective subjects
Degree
Degree details
Digital and Social Media
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- understand and apply key concepts of Internet Studies and apply trans-disciplinary thinking to the application and creation of ideas concerning networked technologies of information and communication
- think critically, creatively and reflectively so as to imagine, design, use and critique networked technologies of information and communication
- conduct appropriate scholarly and professional research to find, access, organise, evaluate and synthesise information through a variety of media and apply that information to the construction of knowledge
- communicate and facilitate communication through a variety of media, for different purposes, and for different audiences
- use the Internet and related networked technologies of information and communication with an understanding of the complex interaction of political, cultural, and economic forces that constitutes technology as social
- further develop skills and knowledge through self-directed learning
- understand the complex interplay of local, national and global factors that influence and are expressed through the Internet and networked technologies of information and communication
- recognise and value cultural difference and understand its significance in relation to network technologies and their use in society for communication and information
- act ethically and responsibly to use, sustain and expand the social, business and cultural networks that exist via the Internet, when working independently and in teams.
Professional Writing and Publishing
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- identify, explain and apply the key disciplinary concepts and principles in professional writing and publishing
- integrate theory and creative practice in the production and analysis of professional writing texts; conceive, develop and evaluate innovative modes of professional communication
- access and evaluate the sources, authority and relevance of information, and synthesise key facts, themes and ideas in professional writing and publishing
- effectively communicate ideas to a range of audiences, across a variety of media, genres, and purposes
- use and evaluate a range of appropriate technologies to access resources, communicate effectively, and develop writing and research skills
- use and reflect on disciplinary skills and knowledge to develop autonomous learning, and apply these insights to writing in a range of different professional contexts
- acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national and global perspectives and the impact of this on professional writing and publishing
- recognise and value the diversity of cultural knowledge and practices, taking care to represent these, where appropriate, in an ethical and professional manner
- work independently and/or collaboratively to produce innovative, creative and ethical professional writing that is appropriate to a variety of professional and cultural contexts.
Your studies will enable you to work in a number of fields of employment: internet communications, social media, marketing and public relations; internet content management; internet policy and regulation; online research and analysis; virtual communities; website design and development; online media production; web publishing and more. Your studies will also lead to careers in more traditional media and information industries that are now moving online, as well as any corporate entity, public or private, that utilise online communications. Graduates will also have opportunities in research, writing, editing and publishing in government and industry as well as the not-for-profit sector, arts organisations and the magazine and book industries.
Higher education via OUA
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies the English language proficiency requirement) OR
- Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.
Higher education
- Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).
Secondary education
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc
VET studies
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.
Work and Life
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
- Finished secondary education more than two years ago
- Bridging and enabling degree entry
- Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
- Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications - https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/overseas-qualifications/
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
- Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.
To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications and Professional Writing and Publishing).
This degree offers a choice of studying two single majors together and introduces students to the complementary fields of digital and social media and professional writing & publishing. Digital and Social Media major provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the internet: how people network, collaborate and share information through internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur.
The Professional Writing and Publishing major prepares students for writing careers in the private, public and creative sectors through the study and practice of a range of different writing forms, including feature articles, speeches, reports, discussion papers, travel writing, history, humour, writing for the internet, promotional writing, creative non-fiction and media releases.
Recommended Study Pattern
To complete the degree as a full time student, a maximum of two subjects per Study Period is recommended.
Level 1 BA (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing) - complete the following:
- APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
- COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
- WEB101 Web Communications (Digital and Social Media major subject)
- NET102 Internet and Everyday Life (Digital and Social Media major subject)
- PWP110 Introduction to Writing (Professional Writing and Publishing major subject)
- PWP121 Writing, Rhetoric and Persuasion (Professional Writing and Publishing major subject)
- Two elective subjects
Level 2 and level 3
Single Major BA (Digital and Social Media)
Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Digital and Social Media major subjects
AND
Single Major BA (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Complete four Level 2 and four Level 3 Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects
The Bachelor of Arts degree incorporates a progressive structure of subjects designed to build knowledge and enable you to successfully progress through the degree.
Award Requirements
To obtain the award for the BA (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing) students must complete a total of 24 subjects as follows:
- APC100 Academic and Professional Communication (core subject)
- COM155 Culture to Cultures (core subject)
- 10 Digital and Social Media Major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
- 10 Professional Writing and Publishing Major subjects selected from Levels 1, 2 and 3
- 2 elective subjects
The following criteria also apply:
- The combined Digital and Social Media and Professional Writing and Publishing structure only allows two elective subjects.
- You must complete the degree within 10 years.
- You must complete at least eight Curtin University subjects where Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is applicable.
We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform https://students.connect.curtin.edu.au/app/ask and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.
2020 Changes
From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) (Professional Writing and Publishing) will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.
Level 1:
- Two humanities core subjects; APC100 and COM155,
- Two Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET102 and WEB101
- Two Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP110 and PWP121, and
- Two elective subjects
Level 2:
- Four Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET204, NET205, WEB206 and WEB207
- Four Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP210, PWP211, PWP221 and PWP220
Level 3:
- Four Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET303, WEB300, WEB310 and NET308 OR NET391
- Four Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP310, PWP311, PWP322, and choose from PWP323 OR PWP324
Digital and Social Media Changes
- Major Title Change: The title of the major Internet Communications has been changed to Digital and Social Media to reflect current relevancy and recognition within this industry.
-
Electives - Humanities Level 1 subjects MCA100 and MED104 will be offered for the last time in SP1 and SP3, 2020.
- NET390 Internet Communications Project has been changed to NET391 Digital and Social Media Communications project to be in line with the title of the degree and is now an elective subject for NET308 Internet Collaboration and Innovation to allow more flexibility and bring the former into the line-up of core subjects. NET390 Internet Communications Project was previously a double subject.
Professional Writing and Publishing Subject Changes
- Electives - Humanities Level 1 subjects MCA110 and MCA120 are no longer available as of SP1 2020. Students who have previously completed these will have these subjects credited towards their degree.
Existing students will need to select from the available subjects to complete the BA (Digital and Social Media and Professional Writing and Publishing) major.
Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which degree structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education. Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes.
Students with enquiries please email:
Digital and Social Media Major Coordinator: Elaine Tay internetstudies@curtin.edu.au
Professional Writing and Publishing Major Coordinator: MCASI Student services MCASIstudents@curtin.edu.au
Easy apply
You can apply direct through Open Universities Australia.
Once you've checked your eligibility, apply and enrol for this degree following the steps. This degree also allows you to get started with Open access.
Select ‘Apply now’
Choose subjects to begin your application. You can choose 1 or 2 subjects to start.
Choose how you want to start
You can apply for the full degree or if you want to start with Open access, enrol into the subjects using the ‘Single subjects’ option.
You can apply for the degree later and the subjects may be credited towards the degree.
Complete your details
Provide your details and select a funding option. You can pay up-front or apply for government funding in your application.
Open access
This degree offers Open access entry, exclusive to Open Universities Australia.
There’s more than one way to get a degree. Open access allows you to start with single subjects as a way into eligible degrees, regardless of your study history.
Enrol into and complete the required Open access subjects to earn entry in this degree. Most subjects have no entry requirements, are fully government funded (if you’re eligible) and may be credited when you start the degree.
The best part? You can enrol and get started with single subjects now.