Bachelor of Communication

With the Bachelor of Communication from UniSA Online you will develop expertise in essential communication areas ranging from strategic communication planning, public relations, communication research, marketing and promotional communication.

You can expect to graduate with the skills to deliver effective communication strategies across a range of industries and media platforms. In your final year you will complete an industry standard integrated communication plan.

You have the option to tailor your degree to your specific interests and broaden your career prospects through your choice of electives.

Study Communication On Demand with UniSA Online and take full control over your study. Access support seven days a week, plan your study to fit around your life, view learning resources 24/7, and log into the interactive online environment anywhere, any time and on any device.

This 100% online communication degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge to produce effective communication strategies across a range of traditional and emerging media platforms.

Taught by academics with strong industry connections, you will discover new trends in the field to prepare you to work across a diverse media landscape. You can be confident that what you’re learning will prepare you for the workforce, no matter what industry you choose to work in.

Recommended study pattern

Note: The program structure is subject to change at any time. (Information correct as at October 2023)

Year 1

• Introduction to Social Media (COMM 1073)
• Communication and Media (COMM 1072)
• Intercultural Communication (LANG 1064)
• News Reporting (COMM 1074)
• Public Relations: Theory and Practice(COMM 1076)
• Introduction to Digital Media (INFT 1028)
• Professional and Technical Communication (COMM 1075)
• Elective 1

Year 2

• Content Creation for Media (COMM 2092)
• Digital Photography (GRAP 1032)
• Writing for Digital Media (COMM 2088)
• Elective 2
• Media Law and Ethics (COMM 2091)
• Elective 3
• Communication Research Methods (COMM 2090)
• Radio and Audio Journalism (COMM 2106)

Year 3

• Promotional Communication: Advertising, Publicity and Marketing (COMM 3078)
• Elective 4
• Web Design (GRAP 3015)
• Social Media Engagement (COMM 3084)
• Communication Management in Practice (COMM 3075)
• Advanced News Writing (COMM 3073)
• Integrated Communication Planning (COMM 3077)
• Elective 5

Award requirements

Students must complete 24 subjects including 5 electives.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $44,360

The amounts shown here are 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.

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is ranked as one of the best young universities in the world, and is the number one university in Australia for graduate employability. UniSA offers over 200 world-class degrees that are informed by industry and delivered with a highly practical approach to teaching and learning, and is a valuable partner with Open Universities Australia.

Learn more about UniSA.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

22

This UniSA Online degree is currently available for Commonwealth supported students.

Applicants are required to fulfil at least one of the following requirements with a competitive result and meet any other academic requirements for the program:

• successfully completed equivalent to a minimum of half a year of full-time study of a higher education program at a recognised higher education provider
• completed an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV level or above
• passed a UniSA Online literacy and numeracy test and have relevant work experience
• completed a secondary education qualification equivalent to SACE, such as an interstate year 12 or international qualification
• completed a UniSA Foundation Studies Program or equivalent
• qualified for Special Entry

Students who do not meet these criteria can start studying now by enrolling in the subjects below. Students will be eligible to apply upon successful completion of four subjects and all subjects will be credited towards the degree.

• COMM1072 Communication and Media
• LANG1064 Intercultural Communication
• COMM1073 Introduction to Social Media
• COMM1074 News Reporting
• COMM1075 Professional and Technical Communication
• COMM1076 Public Relations Theory and Practice

UniSA Online offers four start dates throughout the year so you can apply as soon as you’re ready. As part of your application, UniSA Online will share information about the next available study period for this program.

If you have previous work experience, or have studied before, you could fast-track your studies by reducing the time it takes to complete your degree.