Bachelor of Communication
UndergraduateGRF-COM-DEG2020
Course information for 2020 intake View information for 2025 course intake
Develop communication skills for the digital age
Research and analyse media history, government regulation and broadcasting policy. Explore communications content and techniques. Graduates find work in the journalism, public relations, film, television, business and digital sectors.
Enrolments for this course are closed, but you may have other options to start studying now. Book a consultation to learn more.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- Subject may require attendance
- Credit available
- Yes
- Total subjects
- 24
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Communication
About this degree
KNOWLEDGE
Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication will have:- a broad and coherent body of knowledge about media, society and communicative practice in one or more disciplines in Communication including Journalism, Public Relations, Creative Writing and Literature, Intercultural Communication, Media and Cultural Studies and creative industries such as, photography, popular music, video and digital production
- knowledge of the principles and practices of research in a Communication industry environment and apply them in a range of public and professional contexts
- Knowledge of the key questions about communication and society and how these ideas develop, evolve and vary in their manifestation
- knowledge of cross-cultural competence, global awareness and a sense of social justice in order to communicate with both professional and personal ethical reflection and a commitment to life-long inquiry and civic engagement.
SKILLS
Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication will have:- conceptual skills to question, investigate, critically analyse knowledge about media, society and communicative
- cognitive and research skills to investigate, gather information, critique and synthesize knowledge about communication in general, with depth in specific disciplines including Journalism, Public Relations, Creative Writing and Literature, Intercultural Communication, Media and Cultural Studies and creative industries such as, photography, popular music, video and digital production
- technical skills in assessing and using, written, audio-visual and online research sources
- skills in communication and creative expression to articulate ideas, work independently and collaboratively to produce effective communications within a wide range of challenging career contexts
- communication skills to present clear, coherent and independent exposition of knowledge and ideas to a broad audience.
APPLICATION OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills in diverse public, professional, creative and/or scholarly pathways:- with initiative and judgement in research, thinking, theories and methods to address complex issues in producing effective communications
- with reasoned decisions based on verifiable information and evidence and communicating that to audiences large and small
- with critical, ethical, creative and imaginative thinking in making communication decisions
- with reference to relevant communication contexts
- by communicating professionally and creatively and with responsibility and accountability through oral, textual, visual, digital and interpersonal modes to contribute to the transmission of ideas and social improvement.
Griffith University offers this degree to provide students with the opportunity to develop key skills and knowledge essential to the media and communication industries. Comprehensive coverage will be given, including media research and analysis skills, knowledge of film and media history including broadcasting policy, regulation, content critique, development techniques applicable in journalism, and new media settings.
Recommended study pattern
Upon being accepted into Griffith University, you may apply for credit for prior learning which may reduce the time it will take to complete your degree.
This degree is an OUA Pathways degree, which means there is a recommended series of subjects that, once successfully completed, can be credited towards this degree. To commence the Pathway for this degree, simply select subjects from the Pathway stream.
Students who aren't taking part in OUA Pathways are recommended to follow this study pattern:
- Study four Level 1 core subjects
- Choose your two Majors and start with the Level 1 major subjects
- Complete eight subjects from each of your two Majors
- Complete Level 2 and Level 3 core subjects
- Choose your electives
Award requirements
The degree will normally be of three year duration for full-time students. Part time students enrolled prior to 2016 may take up to 10 years to accumulate subjects towards the degree. However part time students commencing from 2016 will have 8 years to accumulate subjects towards the degree. Upon being accepted into Griffith University, you may apply for credit for prior learning which may reduce the time it will take to complete your degree.
To be eligible for the award of the Bachelor of Communication, a student must complete 24 subjects or equivalent as prescribed below:
- A student must complete four core subjects at Level 1, one core subject at Level 2 and one core subject at Level 3
- A student must complete the recommended subjects for their chosen majors at Level 1
- A student must complete two major sequences of eight subjects each from Business Communication, Creative Writing, Journalism, Public Relations or Screen Studies with at least six subjects at third year level
- The remaining elective subjects for the degree can be made up from a combination of first, second and third year level
- Complete no more than 10 subjects in the degree at first year level
- Complete at least 6 subjects in the degree at third year level
- Note: In accordance with the University's Credit Transfer Policy and notwithstanding the amount of credit which may be given towards the Bachelor of Communication, a student undertaking this program is required to complete a minimum of 8 subjects of second and third year subjects offered through Griffith University which are part of the Bachelor of Communication degree requirements and which have not been credited towards another award.
Choose your subjects
Majors
Bachelor of Communication students select two from these five Majors:
- Journalism
- Public Relations
- Business Communication
- Creative Writing
- Screen Studies
Electives
You may select your electives from the list below, or any other undergraduate unit offered by Open Universities Australia, providing that any required prerequisites have been met.
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Students are required to register with Griffith University for this award by completing a Registration form and paying the required fee. The non-refundable $150 registration fee is payable when the form is submitted. While there is no immediate requirement for potential students to register in the degree degree, students are recommended to register as soon as possible, in order to receive advice on credit and subject selection.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $20,040
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
Entry requirements
- At least 2 OUA undergraduate subjects or equivalent with a minimum GPA of 4.0, completed in the last 12 months at the time of application for admission
An OP of 15, a Rank of 66 or an ATAR Score of 61.85
Students may be able to receive credit for previous studies conducted at other institutions. Please contact the Open Universities Australia Officer, Griffith (OUA) Services at Griffith University.
A prospective student who has previously completed or partially completed a degree, may be eligible for a CSP and may also be eligible for credit transfer. For more information, please visit the following web page:
https://www.griffith.edu.au/apply/credit-for-prior-learning-and-articulation
Career opportunities
Graduates will be ready for work in Journalism, Public Relations, Business Communications, New Media, Film and Television. They will be prepared to excel in administrative, marketing and creative roles in the cultural communications industries. This degree will be the backbone to a successful career in communication and related fields.
Australian job snapshots
Data sourced from Australian Jobs 2023.
| Role | Earnings | Employment change |
|---|---|---|
| Advertising and Marketing Professionals | $75K to $93K | Up 21.3% |
| Journalists and Other Writers | $75K to $93K | Up 0.9% |
| Marketing specialists | N/A^ | N/A^ |
| Public Relations Professionals | $93K to $120K | Up 20.8% |
Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
Before starting an enrolment, it's important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you're eligible to apply. If you don't quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.
You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.