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
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. 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.
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 33 in English (EAL) or at least 28 in English other than EAL
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
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 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'.
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
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'.
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
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 33 in English (EAL) or at least 28 in English other than EAL
You may satisfy the required English prerequisite by completing the STAT multiple choice. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional information'.
If you would like your work and life experience to be considered, you should provide a copy of your curriculum vitae and a supporting statement from your employer.
Important! You must also complete additional requirements for admission to this program. You can find more information under the heading 'Additional requirements for admission'.
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'.
Selection task
If you are applying to RMIT through VTAC you must register and submit the Advertising selection task by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- early round (non year 12 only): 23 October 2019
- main round (all applicants): 27 November 2019
- all subsequent rounds (if places are available): 14 February 2020
Advisory letters will be sent by mid December (main round).
If you are a RMIT current or recent student, please select 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. All tasks must be submitted by 28 February 2020 and will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are already filled.
You may be required to attend a folio presentation, if further information is needed to make a selection decision. If so, you will be invited via email. Folio presentations will be held in November (VTAC Early round) and December (VTAC main round). For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, folio presentations will be arranged after you have submitted your application.
You may be selected based on your selection task and will not be required to attend a folio presentation. If so, those applicants will receive an advisory email by mid November, those who apply direct will receive an immediate outcome.
Selection task requirements
You are required to provide the following:
- a statement outlining your interests, achievements and goals, and how you express your creativity, and how you came to be interested in advertising. (maximum 300 words)
- an advertisement analysis. Using the advertisement supplied in the kit, you must respond to the following questions:
- who is the ad talking to?
- what is the ad trying to say?
- does it work?
- an advertisement makeover. Using the supplied advertisement, you must come up with an alternative, creative solution
- an original advertisement. Using a black pen and paper only, sketch a print ad (poster, magazine or newspaper) for the following brief:
Brand: Australia Post
Objective: in today’s digital age we suffer greatly from impersonal forms of communication. Writing someone a letter shows a dedication-of-care from the sender to the receiver.
Proposition: Feel the personal touch of a hand-written letter.
Please note that we are looking for your creative ideas, not your drawing skills. Include scribbles, brainstorming, rough ideas, mind maps or any other devices you used to come up with your ideas.
Submission instructions: upload your response in a single PDF or JPEG file (maximum 3 pages). Include your VTAC ID, full name and page numbers in the footer of each page.
Art and Design application tips
View the following videos for some practical application advice:
Available only to current or recent Year 12 applicants
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.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary participation by giving priority access to RMIT diploma and degree programs to eligible applicants currently studying Year 12 at a SNAP partner school.
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 your application to RMIT through an informal interview process where you will receive help 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.
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.
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.
Semester 1
You are required to submit a completed pre-selection kit (PDF) along with your application.
If you are applying for course/subject exemptions or advanced entry based on your previous study, you are exempted from completing the pre-selection kit. Instead, you will need to submit the folio as per outlined below.
Semester 2
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
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.
The annual tuition fee for 2020 is AU$31,680.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2020 commencement is AU$98,880.
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.