Bachelor of Media and Communication with a Major in Public Relations

Course highlights:

1. Strategic Public Relations: Learn how to shape messages, build trust, and manage reputation across different organisations, industries, and audiences.
2. PR Writing and Content Creation: Build the skills to write clear, purposeful content for media, public statements, and digital platforms.
3. Campaigns, Events and Engagement: Learn how to plan and deliver campaigns and events that connect with people and support communication goals.
4. Digital and Global Communication: Understand how people communicate across social media, online communities, and global media environments, and how to adapt your message for different audiences.

What is the Bachelor of Media and Communication – Public Relations?

The Bachelor of Media and Communication majoring in Public Relations is an undergraduate qualification that teaches you how to influence and manage public perception, communicate with target audiences and shape how organisations are understood. 

Through this public relations major, you’ll develop practical skills in content creation, targeted messaging and strategic campaign planning for a range of audiences. 

You’ll also build experience through authentic projects, PR planning and work integrated learning opportunities, while exploring areas such as new media, event management, digital marketing and crisis communication. 

This course is professionally accredited by Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA), giving you confidence that what you’re learning reflects what the industry expects. 

Who is this course for?

This course is for people who are interested in brand reputation and the way public relations uses words, storytelling and communication to shape how organisations are seen and understood. 

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

To be awarded the Bachelor of Media and Communication with a major in Public Relations you must complete 24 units in total made up of:

Core Units

Learning and Communicating Online (COM10003)

Introduction to Media Studies (MDA10001)

Global Media Industries (MDA10008)

Communicating with Data (MDA10012)

Content Creator Lab (MDA10018)

Public Relations Major Units

Global Public Relations Practice (PUB20001)

Introduction to Public Relations Theory and Practice (PUB10001)

Public Relations Writing (PUB20003)

Media and Communications Project A (MDA30006)

Events Management (PUB30001)

Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication (PUB30002)

Public Relations Project and Campaign Planning (PUB30003)

Professional Communication Practice (COM10007)

Electives

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, Public Relations and Media Studies.

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.

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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.