Bachelor of Media and Communication with a major in Public Relations

Key Learnings Include:

1. Professional Communication: Build your skills and confidence as a professional communicator.
2. Intercultural Communication: Learn how to effectively communicate within a multicultural society.
3. Campaign & Events Planning: Learn how to plan and manage PR campaigns and events, and evaluate their success using real industry case studies.
4. Writing: Develop industry-specific writing skills that will allow you to effectively engage and influence your audience.
5. Digital Communities: Understand communication theories in relation to social media, online communities and blogging.

Join the world of professional communication.

With this qualification, you will learn how to effectively influence and manage public perception and communicate with target audiences using engaging content, targeted messaging and strategic campaigns.

Through practical experience and authentic projects and PR planning, you will learn to manage a range of communication challenges and explore new media, event management, digital marketing and crisis communication.

Our graduates are equipped to work in a variety of public and private industries, including corporate communications, public affairs, marketing, and promotions and events.

The Bachelor of Media and Communication with a major in Public Relations offers valuable work integrate learning opportunities and is professionally accredited by the Communication and Public Relations Australia (CPRA), ensuring you’re ahead of the curve upon graduation.

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)

Public Relations Theory and Practice (PUB20002)

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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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.