Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years, Other -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Duration
Full-time 3 years, Other Location
Melbourne City Fees
BP222:AU$33,600 (2020 annual), BP222ACC: AU$40,320 (2020 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Work in journalism, advertising and PR
This career-oriented degree produces multi-skilled communicators with cross-platform skills in the media and communication industries.
Your career in communication
Communication empowers people in a changing environment that’s heavily influenced by cultural trends and advancements in technology. Exceptional communicators can take on many, varied roles.
Details
Learn about journalism, media production, advertising and public relations, and choose a field to suit you. Step into industry or continue with a Bachelor of Media and Communication (Honours).
This degree strongly integrates theory and practice. In the first part of the degree, you will work and learn with students from other communication disciplines and investigate the advantages of interdisciplinary media skills. You’ll then be given the opportunity to specialise in a professional communication area of interest.
In a changing environment that’s heavily influenced by cultural trends and advancements in technology, communication empowers people. Become a multi-skilled communicator with cross-platform skills ready for media and communication industries.
In your third year, you will undertake a professional placement with government departments, media or advertising agencies, community TV, radio stations or consultancies that RMIT has existing relationships with, or in an approved placement of your own choosing.
All courses are delivered in English. You will have access to online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal, and additional assistance is available from the RMIT Study and Learning Centre.
Learn from expert staff and industry guests as they guide you through lectures, tutorials, individual and group projects and workshops.
Experienced staff and guest lecturers help you gain industry-relevant knowledge throughout your degree.
In collaborative projects, you’ll have opportunities to work with students from other disciplines too.
Assessment involves presentations, essays, and production in print, film, audio and networked media.
Some students may study overseas for a semester as exchange or study abroad students, or complete part of the degree at RMIT’s Vietnam campus.
In your third year you will undertake a professional placement with government departments, media and advertising agencies, community TV, radio stations or consultancies that we have existing relationships with, or in an approved placement of your own choosing.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
This degree comprises a combination of professional courses, a contextual studies specialisation and electives.
Professional studies
Journalism, Media, Advertising and Public Relations.
Contextual studies
Study one of five contextual strands as part of your degree:
- Asian Media and Culture
- Cinema Studies
- Politics Economies Communication
- Literary Studies
- Approaches to Popular Culture
Electives
Throughout your degree, you will have the chance to select a number of electives, depending on your particular career and personal interests.
Study load
If you study the accelerated degree, you will be required to complete one summer semester in the first year of the degree.
Program plans
BP222ACC is an accelerated plan and is only offered to students commencing the degree in July intakes. In this plan, you will be required to complete one summer semester (comprising 48 credit points) in the first year of the degree.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP222
Career
Graduate ready to take on a world of opportunities. Exceptional communicators can move into many, varied roles.
Once you graduate from this degree, you can expect to find work in professional roles, both local and international, in areas such as professional communication, journalism, broadcast and online media, government policy and advertising.
This degree will prepare you for many roles, including:
- journalist
- media producer
- media liaison
- media researcher
- TV and radio producer
- content developer
- account manager
- creative service
- professional communicator
- corporate and government communicator
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. Find out more about RMIT’s commitment to admissions transparency.
You must meet the minimum academic entry requirements for this program. Meeting these requirements does not guarantee you entry due to the competitive nature of this program. Overseas qualifications will be assessed for Australian equivalence.
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent year 12 applicants.
RMIT’s selection criteria, outlined below according to your highest completed level of education, will provide you with a better understanding of the minimum admissions requirements needed for this program.
Selection criteria
This information is for applicants who are currently undertaking an Australian Year 12 or equivalent or whose highest qualification is a completed secondary education within the last two years (2017, 2018).
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in any English
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
ATAR profile
View the ATAR profile and selection rank from students offered a place into this program wholly or partly on the basis of ATAR in 2020.
This information is for applicants who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian certificate IV or above (or equivalent)
You may satisfy the required English prerequisite by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'. - a personal statement outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- your awareness of news and current affairs (citing relevant examples)
- the importance of developing skills across industry sectors of journalism, media production, public relations and advertising
- details of any related work of voluntary experience
You may be required to attend an interview based on your personal statement submission. If so, you will be contacted by the school.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
This information is for applicants whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education program.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or equivalent)
You may satisfy the required English prerequisite by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'. - a personal statement outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- your awareness of news and current affairs (citing relevant examples)
- the importance of developing skills across industry sectors of journalism, media production, public relations and advertising
- details of any related work of voluntary experience
You may be required to attend an interview based on your personal statement submission. If so, you will be contacted by the school.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.
Selection criteria
You are required to meet the following minimum academic requirements:
- successful completion of an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent) more than two years ago, including units 3 and 4 with a study score of at least 30 in any English
You may satisfy the required English prerequisite by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'. - a personal statement outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- your awareness of news and current affairs (citing relevant examples)
- the importance of developing skills across industry sectors of journalism, media production, public relations and advertising
- details of any related work of voluntary experience
You may be required to attend an interview based on your personal statement submission. If so, you will be contacted by the school.
You may be eligible for adjustment factors which will be applied to your selection rank. You can find more information under the heading 'Adjustment factors'.
Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible applicants by giving them priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.
Available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12
Subject adjustments
A study score of 40 in any English equals 2 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in any History, Media or Psychology equals 2 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 4 points.
Regional adjustments
RMIT automatically allocates adjustment factors to Year 12 applicants from a low socio-economic status area for all certificate IV, diploma, advanced diploma, associate degree and degree level programs that select primarily on ATAR. Low socio-economic status areas are determined by applying the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) Socio-Economic Index for Areas (SEIFA) Index of Education and Occupation.
Available to all applicants
Equity access schemes
Equity access schemes take into account personal information and location, difficult circumstances, disadvantaged financial background and disability or medical condition that may have impacted on an applicant’s most recent academic performance.
Find out more about the eligibility requirements for each Special Entry Access Scheme and RMIT access categories.
If you are applying through VTAC you should apply for the Special Entry Access Scheme.
If you are applying directly to RMIT you should apply for RMIT Access. The system will prompt you to do this during your application.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program supports eligible elite and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence, allowing students to balance the demands of both their studies and their athletic responsibilities.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program supports you through an informal interview process where you will receive support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Additional consideration will be given if you have relevant life, work, education or training experience.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, higher education study or work or life experience, you may sit the STAT multiple choice if you:
- are 19 years of age or over as of 1 January in the year in which you will start your studies and
- have not been enrolled in secondary studies for at least two years and
- have no prior secondary school (Year 12), VET studies, HE studies or relevant work experience that can be considered for entry, or these do not meet the minimum academic requirements for the program
The STAT overall score will be competitively ranked for selection.
STAT results are valid for two years prior to the commencement of study and can be used to meet Year 12 English prerequisites. You are still required to meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents.
You must meet all other program prerequisites or equivalents. Learn more about RMIT STAT results including minimum STAT scores required to meet prerequisites.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average (check calculator below).
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.
Statement: If you are not currently studying year 12, you must submit a personal statement with your application outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program;
- your awareness of news and current affairs (citing relevant examples)
- the importance of developing skills across industry sectors of Journalism, Media Production, Public Relations and Advertising
- details of any related work or voluntary experience.
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 (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
Even though there are no formal pathways into this course, there are often other ways you can gain entry.
Depending on the course, this may include completing a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree or undertaking recognised professional experience.
For more information, use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT to discuss your options.
Credit and recognition of prior learning
Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience. Find out if you might be eligible.
Graduates of the Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication) interested in postgraduate qualifications often go on to study:
- Graduate Diploma in Journalism
- Master of Communication
- Master of Writing and Publishing
- Master of Design (Media & Communication)
- PhD (Media & Communication)
For more information about these courses, please contact Study@RMIT.
Fees
2020 indicative fees
In 2020, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,684 to AU$11,155*.
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
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.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2020, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,684 to AU$11,155.
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 2020
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2020 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,684 per standard year $835 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,527 per standard year |
|
$11,155 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 2020 is $308.
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.
Plan BP222
- The annual 2020 tuition fee for BP222 (3 years full-time) is AU$33,600.
- The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$106,560.
Plan BP222ACC
- The annual 2020 tuition fee for BP222ACC (2.5 years full-time) is AU$40,320.
- The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$106,560.
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.