Bachelor of Communication (Advertising)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$30,720 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Are you looking for a stimulating career in the competitive and changing global advertising industry? You will experience a variety of interactive learning and teaching approaches, both face to face and online, with an emphasis on industry relevant and creative outcomes.
The degree has three distinct focuses: Art Direction, Copywriting and Strategy Planning/Account Management. There is a strong focus on critical and conceptual thinking. You will learn how to use these skills to solve marketing problems, generate attention for brands and products and build an emotional bond between a brand and consumers.
This degree offers you a creative advertising degree that combines theoretical and industry knowledge with hands-on professional skills including copywriting, art direction and strategy planning. It provides an overview of the role and value of advertising within broader marketing and communication practice, as well as in depth study of advertising media, strategic and creative disciplines. You will experience a variety of interactive learning and teaching approaches, both face to face and online, with a strong emphasis on industry relevance and creative outcomes.
Our graduates go on to work both locally and internationally in a variety of roles, from art direction and copy writing, to media planning and client management.
This program is ranked number five in the world and number one in Australia (Young Guns). It is one of the few creative advertising degrees which teach business and creative strategy.
Details
Industry focussed work is conducted through lectures, tutorials and studios. You will learn the application of the theory of advertising while understanding the creative elements that help to connect with your audience.
Throughout this program you'll develop problem-solving and analytical skills and be challenged to seek new and innovative solutions to advertising challenges. Working individually and in teams, you will initiate, plan and produce effective advertising campaigns that generate attention for brands and products and build an emotional bond with consumers. Importantly, you'll also develop the skills and knowledge to critically appraise these activities.
Students are assessed through presentations, group work, folio submission, peer and self- assessment.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal. Additional assistance is available from the RMIT Study and Learning Centre.
This program maintains strong industry links and many opportunities exist for students to work with industry professionals. One such example is the annual ’Pitch Night’ event where third year students present their work to industry representatives in a ’speed dating’ environment.
Internship opportunities may also be available to third year students in a range of advertising, media and digital organisations.
At the completion of your studies you will be an industry-ready graduate with an impressive portfolio of work, which is why so many of our graduates are employed soon after graduation.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
The Advertising program offers an exchange with students from the Danish School of Media and Journalism (DMJX) in Copenhagen, which a number of RMIT and Danish students undertake each year. RMIT’s Education Abroad Office (EAO) supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide. For details see the EAO website.
The skills you learn in the program are of a global standard, enabling you to apply your knowledge in the Australian and international advertising landscape.
The Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) combines study of professional subjects with a contextual studies specialisation and a choice of electives taken from a range of School and University-wide options. The program is designed so that you will develop critical and analytical skills, theoretical knowledge and research expertise with which to better understand and evaluate your own and others’ work.
Professional studies
The professional courses are where you will specialise in your chosen field.
The main topics covered in the professional strand include:
- art direction
- copywriting
- campaign strategy planning
- client management
- digital design and production
- creative concept development
- media planning
- advertising industry practice
Contextual studies
You will study one of five contextual strands as part of your degree program. The five contextual strands are: Asian Media and Culture; Cinema Studies; Politics Economies Communication; Literary Studies; Approaches to Popular Culture.
Electives
Throughout your degree, you will also have the chance to select a number of courses from a wide range of School and University electives depending on your particular career and personal interests.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Communication (Advertising) | City Campus |
3 Years Full Time
|
3 Years Full Time
|
BP219P9 | 064394C |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP219
Career
Graduates become innovative advertising strategists, copywriters and art directors. You can work strategically and creatively, locally and globally, and move seamlessly across disciplines and organisations that use advertising.
Typically, graduates work in:
- agencies specialising in advertising, digital media, direct-response and sales promotion
- media (TV and radio stations, newspapers and magazines) and suppliers (TV production, radio, print and new media)
- business, government and non-profit organisations with in-house advertising facilities
- advertising and management consultancies.
Demand is high for top graduates in major centres and long-term employment prospects are strong globally, with notable growth in the Asia-Pacific.
The degree will prepare you for roles such as:
- strategic planner
- media planner/ buyer
- account executive
- art director
- copywriter.
Admissions
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
Gain a better understanding of the Admission criteria for this program by viewing RMIT’s Admission information.
Semester 2, 2019
July entry is open to applicants with advanced standing only.
You must have successfully completed tertiary level studies equivalent to the following course:
COMM2661 Advertising Foundations
Semester 1, 2020
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent).
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent.
Prerequisites: VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 33 in English (EAL) or at least 28 in English other than EAL.
You must complete and submit the online selection task by Friday 19 July 2019. Selection tasks will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
Please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
Selection task
You must submit a digital portfolio of up to 10 pieces of creative advertising work.
Under each piece of work in the portfolio, you must explain how the piece demonstrates your potential to study and work in advertising (maximum 50 words per piece).
The portfolio should demonstrate your creativity, interests and creative thinking as well as your conceptual, design, problem solving and technical skills. You should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished works. Examples of work to include in your portfolio are advertising-related works, drawings, paintings, graphic designs, photographs, digital images, models, sculpture, video, scripting, short stories, and/or 2D and 3D Flash animation.
Your portfolio must be collated into a single PDF that is no larger than 10MB.
Alternatively, you may supply a URL to your portfolio if it is hosted online. The website may include embedded JPEG or QuickTime files suitable to be read on Mac OSX.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average.
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Folio: You must supply evidence of your creativity in the form of a folio that contains a variety of your personal work in art, design or media relevant to the program/s you are applying for. The folio should demonstrate your interests and creative thinking as well as your conceptual, design, problem solving and technical skills. You should include evidence of how ideas were developed as well as finished works.
Examples of work to include in your folio are drawings, paintings, graphic designs, photographs, digital images, models, sculpture, video, scripting, short stories, and/or 2D and 3D Flash animation.
We recommend you explain each work to help the Selection Officer understand the purpose and background of that work.
Folios should be submitted electronically with files in PDF, JPEG, SWF, DCR or QuickTime format suitable to be read on Mac OSX or later, unless otherwise specified. Each electronic file should be no larger than 10MB. You must present your folio at an assessment session. If you are living outside Melbourne, this can be conducted via email, phone or video call.
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
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* 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.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
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 HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will 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 2019 is $303.
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 2019 is AU$30,720.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$95,040.
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.