Master of Communication

Master of Communication

POSTGRADUATE

Become a global communication leader.

Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Part-time 4 years
Reduced duration available
Fees:

AU$28,800 (2024 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Fees:

AU$38,400 (2024 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

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.

The curriculum is delivered by a joint mix of academics and industry practitioners, giving you that balance across the theoretical and real-world applications.

Why study communication at RMIT?

Enjoy flexibility

Delivered online and face-to face, enabling you to design a study plan that meets your needs.

Real-world experience

Gain professional experience and connections through projects, placements and internships.

Industry-driven content

Learn the latest communication trends from active practitioners, guest speakers and industry partners.

Torso of a business person pointing at an abstract image of a world map with network points

What you will learn

Prepare for the changing world of strategic communication. Offering a diverse range of professionally oriented areas to choose from, so you can specialise in what’s relevant to you.

Details

Offered through a flexible combination of lectorials, seminars and studios, this degree provides opportunities for individual exploration, teamwork projects, engagement in industry-based work and study tours.

You can study in person, online, and will have access to course content in advance of set class times, allowing you to study at your own pace within your other commitments. Classes tend to begin from the early evening onwards, in recognition of our students’ schedules.

With only six core subjects, this is an ideal flexible postgraduate qualification for professionals moving into the communication space, or those working within it and seeking a qualification to enhance their own career management, by ensuring you have an exposure to the breadth of communication disciplines.

With a minimum of six elective subjects, you will be able to explore these areas. You'll choose from a diverse range of electives connected to a core of digital, global and strategic communication. Working with our experienced academic advisers, you have the choice to then bundle your electives and specialise your studies in areas such as community engagement, digital communication or strategic public relations.

Importance is placed on work-integrated learning. You will undertake the Strategic Communication Management subject, working with industry partners on industry projects. You also have the choice to build in an internship or placement using one of your electives, supported by RMIT’s strong industry links.

Research is present throughout the degree and in second year, you will complete a professional research project that will be presented as an industry report, a minor thesis or a practice-based project (perhaps with your employer) accompanied by an exegesis. The choice is yours, and our academic advisers work with you to arrive at the best selection for you and your career aspirations, including the onward study of a PhD should you so desire.

Communication can build stronger, more cohesive and sustainable communities and societies. Your diverse teaching team – bringing together academic and industry prowess from professional experience working in communication across more than ten countries – emphasise values of innovation, kindness, passion, empathy, listening and the celebration of difference in their teaching, research and practice.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

We have strong links with industry, giving you opportunities to undertake work-integrated learning placements in government, corporate and not-for-profit sectors. 

Industry leaders and their organisations are a constant presence throughout the course, engaging at different levels whether it be via guest lecture, workshop Q&A, studio brief, internship, collaborative project or Industry Advisory Committee.

Our teaching team – your course coordinators, lecturers and tutors – has members drawn from industry, enabling real-world expertise to be infused into our teaching, preparing you for your career in a discipline projected to continue to grow into the future.

  • 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (without advanced standing)
  • 1 - 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent (with advanced standing).

For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.

The Graduate Diploma of Communication is available as an exit award of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the masters program is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma, you must have completed all courses specified in the relevant program structure.

  • 2 years full-time (without advanced standing)
  • 1 - 1.5 years full-time (with advanced standing).

For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this degree and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

The degree structure supports specialist studies and allows you to refine your individual approach to current communication trends. Choose focus areas including:

  • 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. You'll also get to explore subjects in communication theory and practice, financial communication, leadership and corporate storytelling, communication for social change, and international advertising.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Master of Communication
Program code: MC248

Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Master of Communication
City Campus
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, Reduced duration available
MC248
083948E
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time, 4 years part-time, Reduced duration available
Plan code
MC248
CRICOS
083948E
Master of Communication
City Campus
2 years full-time
MC248
083948E
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time
Plan code
MC248
CRICOS
083948E

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

Male student standing in front of white board with many coloured "post-it" notes stuck all over it

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.

Graduates move into professional and management roles in communication and public relations consultancies, federal, state and local government agencies, as well as not-for-profit and non-government organisations.

In fact, roles can be found in an increasing number of organisations, as they recognise the importance and value of qualified communication professionals.

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.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have:   

  • Successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification), or  
  • A minimum of 3 years professional work experience in a related industry.  

To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.   

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification).

You may also be considered if you have at least three years of professional work experience in a related industry.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Statement and CV: If you are applying on the basis of professional experience, you must include with your application:

  • A Curriculum Vitae (CV)
  • A personal statement that details your experience.

To study this course 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 (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 English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.

Pathways

You can gain entry to this masters degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Masters advanced standing

If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications specialising in advertising, corporate/strategic communication, digital communication strategy, journalism, professional communication and/or public relations, you may be eligible for advanced standing as follows:

Qualification level

Advanced standing

Remaining program duration

Bachelor Degree (AQF level 7)

48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study)

144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)

Bachelor Honours Degree (AQF level 8)

96 credit points (equivalent to two semester full time study)

96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

Graduate Certificate (AQF level 8)

48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study)

144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)

Graduate Diploma (AQF level 8)

96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for Australian qualifications in vocational and higher education.

Credit and recognition of prior learning

Applicants with a bachelor degree (honours), graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this masters degree, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including postgraduate research programs, subject to the program's entrance requirements.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Coming from a partner institution?

RMIT has pathway arrangements with many partner institutions around the world.

If your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT you may be able to receive credit and reduce the time it will take to complete your preferred RMIT program.

Find out if your institution has a pathway arrangement with RMIT

If you have qualifications from an institution that is not an RMIT partner, credit into your RMIT program will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Master Advanced Standing

If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications specialising in advertising, corporate/strategic communication, digital communication strategy, journalism, professional communication and/or public relations, you may be eligible for advanced standing as follows:

Qualification level Advanced standing Remaining program duration
Bachelor degree (AQF level 7) 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Bachelor honours degree (AQF level 8) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)
Graduate certificate (AQF level 8) 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) 144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study)
Graduate diploma (AQF level 8) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) 96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study)

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for Australian qualifications in vocational and higher education.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit.

Credits

Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and weightings, and reference to the learning resources.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this degree, you may be eligible for entry into an RMIT Masters by Research or Doctoral (PhD) program.

Fees

2024 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$28,800 (2024 annual fee)*.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$351 maximum fee for 2024*.
  • 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.

Paying your fees and applying for refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

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 2024 is $351.  

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.

FEE-HELP loans

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.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

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.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

The annual tuition fee for 2024 is AU$38,400.

The total indicative tuition fee for 2024 commencement is AU$78,720.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.