Bachelor of Media and Communication with a Major in Media Studies

Course Highlights:

1. Social Media Strategy and Audience Engagement: Learn how to manage social media channels, plan content strategies, and connect with online audiences in meaningful ways.
2. Digital Content Creation and Storytelling: Build practical skills in video, audio, and visual content for digital platforms and multi-channel campaigns.
3. Media Analytics, Data and Visual Communication: Work with data in a way that makes sense – spot patterns, understand audiences and communicate what you find in a clear, useful way.
4. Global Media, Communication and Industry Practice: Explore how global media industries work, how communication changes across countries and cultures, and how professionals connect with different audiences.

What is the Bachelor of Media and Communication – Media Studies?

Swinburne Online’s Bachelor of Media and Communication with a major in Media Studies is an undergraduate degree that will equip you with the skills to create engaging cross–platform content.

Throughout the course, you’ll build practical skills in managing social media accounts, producing media projects, and writing for print, broadcast and digital media.

In your final year, you’ll complete an internship in a professional media role or take on a major project of your own, gaining real-world experience before you graduate.

Who is this course for?

This course is for people who want to build practical skills in media, storytelling, and communication. It’s suited to those interested in creating content that truly engages, exploring how media shapes society and learning how to communicate with purpose across different audiences.

How you’ll study

• Three Teaching Periods per year – with 13 weeks per Teaching Period
• 8–10 hours per week, per unit expected study load – a manageable study load you can plan around
• Set your own study pace by taking one or more units per Teaching Period
• 24/7 access to your online classroom, discussion boards and learning content
• Interactive learning materials – including videos, quizzes, podcasts, diagrams and written content.

Recommended study pattern

A total of 24 units are taken to complete the Bachelor of Media and Communications with a major in Media Studies, including five core units, eight media studies major units and 11 electives.

Core Units

Learning and Communicating Online (COM10003)

Introduction to Media Studies (MDA10001)

Communicating with Data (MDA10012)

Global Media Industries (MDA10008)

Content Creator Lab (MDA10018)

Media Studies Major Units

Social Media Strategy (MDA10015)

Digital Communities, Digital Selves (MDA10013)

Screen Franchising and Innovation (MDA20007)

Business of Media and Entrepreneurship (MDA20028)

Media Analytics and Visualisation (MDA20026)

Media and Communications Project A (MDA30006)

Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood (MDA30011)

Researching Social Media Publics (MDA30012)

Complete eleven (11) electives to round out your degree. Tailor your course to suit your strengths, interests, and career goals by choosing elective units.

Award requirements

To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Media and Communication students must complete 300 credit points comprising of:

Introductory Studies:

• Four (4) Core Units of Study (50cp)
• One (1) online core unit of study (12.5cp)*
• Eight (8) units of study from one of the following Media and Communication majors: Advertising, Media Studies or the Public Relations major.

*Students may not complete more than 125 cps (normally 10 units) at Introductory Level. A unit of study can only be counted once, where units are shared between majors and/or minors, students must choose an approved alternate.

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

Indicative total fee $52,197

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.

Study on your own terms with this forward-thinking university.

It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.

Learn more about Swinburne University of Technology

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QS World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

19

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2026, within Australia:

15

Applicants are required to meet one of the following minimum entry requirements:

• A completed or partially completed tertiary qualification (e.g. relevant Certificate IVs, Diploma, Advanced Diploma, Associate Degree, incomplete or complete Bachelor’s degree); or
• 4+ years of relevant work experience; or
• Recent Year 12 Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) or equivalent completion, with the required English study score.

International students are required to demonstrate their English proficiency before enrolling into a Swinburne Online degree by undertaking one of the following English language tests; The International English Language Test Score (IELTS) or the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

Credit for Prior Learning

If you have completed recent prior studies you may be eligible to request course credit or subject exemptions to reduce the duration and cost of your program.

Credit for prior learning evaluates your previous studies related to your chosen subjects.

This is assessed on a case-by-case basis, where every applicant is assessed individually.