Master of Communication
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$24,000 (2020 annual)
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 6.5
Duration
Full-time 2 years Location
Melbourne City
Overview
What you will learn
Prepare for the changing world of strategic communication. Offering a diverse range of professionally oriented areas to choose from, you can specialise in what’s relevant to you.
Your career as a professional communicator
Graduates move into professional and management roles in communication and PR agencies, in management consultancies and in organisations that use communication to achieve their goals.
Details
With only six core courses, the degree’s flexibility allows you to specialise in areas including corporate and financial communication, public relations and communication for social change.
The Master of Communication will build your strengths in understanding the fundamentals of communication in a changing media and industry landscape and provide valuable insight into current trends and practice. You'll choose from a diverse range of electives combined with a core of digital, global and strategic communication.
Importance is placed on work-integrated learning. You will undertake a Strategic Communication Management studio experience in first year working with industry partners on industry projects. In your second year, you will complete a Professional Research Project that explores an area of communication in-depth.
Based on your previous studies, you may be eligible for exemptions that could shorten your degree duration.
Offered through a flexible combination of lectures, seminars and studios, this degree provides opportunities for individual exploration, teamwork projects, engagement in industry-based work and study tours.
Your classes will take place at our newly revamped urban campus and will be led by practising communication specialists with industry and academic experience. There are also some online and intensive offerings to assist with balancing work, life and study.
Importance is placed on work-integrated learning, and all communication students undertake a Strategic Communication Management capstone experience with industry partners, working on industry projects.
In your second year, you will complete a Professional Research Project that will be presented as a scholarly industry report, a minor thesis or a practice-based project with an exegesis.
Communication can build stronger, more cohesive and sustainable communities & societies. Your instructors emphasise values of professionalism, resilience, empathy, listening and the celebration of difference in their teaching, research and practice.
Change the way businesses evolve
The perfect program for recent graduates, mature-age students and international students alike.
We have strong links with industry, giving you opportunities to undertake work-integrated learning placements in government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. Industry teachers and guest speakers regularly teach into the classes, representing expertise from organisations such as NAB, OxFam, leading consultancies, and professional associations IABC and PRIA.
Experienced communication managers, stakeholder engagement directors, consultants, and corporate affairs managers from industry partners such as such as Telstra and Save the Children sit on the industry advisory committee and provide valuable advice and guidance to shape course content.
Emphasis is placed on work-integrated learning, and all communication students undertake a Strategic Communication Management capstone experience with industry partners, working on industry-based projects.
You can complete an internship or work-integrated project as an elective in the program. With an emphasis on global industry practice, you have the opportunity to apply for an international placement or take part in a study tour as part of your degree.
The degree structure supports specialist studies and allows you to refine your individual approach to current communication trends.
The degree is professionally oriented. The practice areas in which you can focus are:
- communication for social change
- public relations
- community and civic engagement
- strategic communication management
- corporate communication
You will have the opportunity to study these areas alongside students from other media and communication disciplines.
As well as the practice areas above, courses are offered in:
- communication theory and practice
- financial communication
- leadership and corporate storytelling
- communication for social change
- international advertising
Example timetable
To help new students organise work and study commitments, here is the timetable for current semester classes of first year core courses only.
Refer to the Program Plan for the full program structure and elective options.
Semester 1 2017 example timetable
| Course (subject) | Scheduled classes |
|---|---|
| Communication Management: Theory and Practice (COMM1123) | Lecture: Thursday 5.30 – 7.00pm Tutorial: Thursday 7.00 – 8.30pm Intensive: Saturday 9.00am – 4.00pm |
| Global Communication in a Digital Age (COMM2665) This is a 24 credit point (cp) course = 5 contact hours per week |
Seminar: Monday 5.30 – 8.30pm Tutorial: Monday 3.30 – 5.30pm |
Here is a sample timetable for electives from Semester 1 2017
| Course (subject) | Scheduled classes |
|---|---|
| Communication for Social Change (COMM2083) | Seminar: Monday 5.30 – 8.30pm |
| Corporate Writing and Editing (COMM2667) | Seminar: Wednesday 5.30 – 8.30pm |
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Master of Communication | City Campus |
2 years FT
4 years PT (For more information
see Articulation and Pathways section)
|
MC248 | 083948E |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC248
Career
Graduates move into professional and management roles in communication and PR agencies, government departments, NGOs, and in many other organisations that use communication to achieve their goals. The Master of Communication can position you well for digital and social media, corporate communication, political communication and community development roles depending on the electives that you select.
There are many job opportunities for strategic professional communicators and employers are looking for strong theoretical and practical skills, which this degree provides.
Admissions
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4.0)
OR
- undertaken at least 3 years' professional experience in public relations, corporate or strategic communication, professional communication and/or editing and publishing
You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4.0).
You may also be considered if you have at least three years of professional experience in the public relations, corporate/strategic communication, professional communication and/or editing and publishing.
Entry requirements
You must include with your application a statement that outlines:
- your interest in studying the program
- how you believe the program will advance your career or offer new opportunities
- your awareness of current global trends in persuasive communication and brand management
- details of any previous work experience in the industry
Statement: You must include with your application a statement that outlines:
- your interest in studying the program
- how you believe the program will advance your career or offer new opportunities
- your awareness of current global trends in persuasive communication and brand management
- details of any previous work experience in the industry
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications specialising in public relations, corporate/strategic communication and/or professional communication, you will be eligible for exemption as follows:
Qualification level |
Exemptions |
Remaining program duration |
|---|---|---|
Bachelor Degree |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Bachelor Honours Degree |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semester full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Graduate Certificate |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Graduate Diploma |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for exemption of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).
Masters exemptions
You may be eligible for advanced standing up to a maximum of 2 semesters (equivalent to 96 credits points). Eligibility for advanced standing is based on your previous studies and is assessed on a case by case basis.
Learn more about eligibility for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.
Fees
2020 indicative annual fees
Full-fee places: AU$24,000*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$308* maximum fee for 2020.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
*Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (96 credit points). A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2020 is $308.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The annual tuition fee for 2020 is AU$32,640.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$67,200.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.