Bachelor of Communication (Media)
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
-
Duration
Part-time 6 years, Full-time 3 years or 2.5 years accelerated -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Duration
Full-time 3 years or 2.5 years acceleratedLocation
Melbourne CityFees
BP221 AU$34,560 (2021 annual)
BP221ACC AU$41,472 (2021 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
Situated in a purpose-designed building in the heart of vibrant Melbourne, this degree accesses state-of-the-art learning facilities. You’ll learn to analyse media in a broad historical and cultural context, as well as encourage critical engagement and innovation across a range of media platforms.
Ultimately the degree will provide you with a broad knowledge of a wide range of media including traditional and emerging forms. It will also provide skills and knowledge that will help you to determine your specific career directions and to facilitate lifelong learning.
This degree produces critically informed contemporary media professionals who are creative and multi-skilled communicators. Our graduates are able to deliver innovative content for a wide range of existing and new platforms including film, television and radio, social and mobile media, and the web.
Our graduates are fluent with technology and the evolving media environment and are creative thinkers and problem-solvers employed across a wide range of industry sectors. Industries that degree graduates have moved into include film and television, radio, screen culture, internet and mobile media production, government and education.
Details
Learning will take place within small class sized, project-based studio environments in which you actively participate and develop skills in key parts of contemporary media production processes.
Throughout the degree, you’ll engage with broader critical analyses of the historical, theoretical and cultural contexts of media. You’ll experiment and innovate to help shape the future directions of the media industries.
You’ll undertake individual and group work and will also be assessed through presentations, exhibitions, staff, peer and self-assessment.
Our staff have many years of teaching and industry experience. Guest lecturers/practitioners, including industry experts and degree graduates, contribute to courses through their sharing of experiences of working and developing diverse media careers and feedback on project work-in-progress.
Work attachments form part of the degree experience and will help you develop connections to the industry while you study.
All courses are delivered in English. You will have access to online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal. Additional assistance is available from the RMIT Study and Learning Centre.
RMIT Media is widely recognised by employers for its industry-ready graduates. The Program Advisory Committee is made up of figures representing leading cultural and media institutions and organisations.
Students are encouraged to take advantage of the many opportunities offered by RMITV, the student-run television station broadcasting on Channel 31. Students can also work with independent radio broadcasters 3RRR FM and SYN FM. At different stages of their degree students can work on various industry-linked projects and must complete 80 hours of professional work attachment. Organisations that have hosted students in the past include Networks 10, 9 and 7, ABC, SBS, WTFM, Sports Brands, The Australian Open and Ghost Films.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal tertiary education with professional or vocational practice.
Students have the option to study overseas for a semester as an exchange or study abroad student and to select study tour intensives as electives. Several media graduates have undertaken study tours with not-for-profit organisation Actuality Media whereby they travel overseas to produce documentaries that help highlight issues affecting disadvantaged communities.
This degree has a strong international student cohort studying in Melbourne due to its popularity in the overseas market. The skills learnt in the degree are of a global standard which will enable you to work in Australia and overseas.
There are opportunities to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
3 years full-time.
Midyear entry: 2.5 years full-time, accelerated. Students are required to complete one summer semester (comprising 48 credit points) during their degree.
The Bachelor of Communication (Media) combines studying a professional subject with a contextual studies specialisation and a choice of subjects taken from a range of School and University-wide electives. The degree 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 strand courses make up the majority of your degree.
In the professional strand courses you will learn hands-on ways to produce media - using text, audio and video - in traditional and digital, online, converged and networked environments. You will also explore the creative and critical application of these skills in a wide range of scenarios relevant to academic study and the media industries.
Learning and Teaching in the professional strand is focussed on project-driven studios that integrate and progressively develop your growing theoretical, practical and professional knowledge base. As you move through the degree you will increasingly direct your own learning and produce media projects with an academic and/or industry focus. To see examples of studios on offer, past student work and stories about the student achievements please visit the mediafactory blog.
Contextual studies
You will study one of five contextual strands as part of your degree. 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. Many of these are from closely-related media and communication areas such as journalism, public relations, advertising, design, creative writing, photography, games, and animation.
Program plans
BP221ACC is an accelerated plan and is only offered to students commencing in July intakes.
Choose a program structure
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP221
Career
RMIT Media graduates can be found throughout the media industries within Australia and internationally. They find work in the film and television industry, public and commercial radio, internet and mobile media, screen culture, social media, journalism, marketing, publishing, academia, the music and games industries and the government sector. Many also go on to postgraduate study.
As a graduate you'll have an edge in being multi-skilled, global in outlook and capable of working in a variety of media forms and professional contexts.
Studying the media degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work in a broad range of roles and industries. Job opportunities for our graduates have increased due to technological and societal changes.
Film and television: directors, producers, directors of photography, screenwriters, camera operators, sound recordists, sound and picture editors, post-production supervisors, production managers, first assistant directors, art directors, casting agents, marketers, publicists, video artists.
Radio: presenters, producers, programmers, station managers, studio directors, journalists, editors - for commercial, government or community broadcasters.
Screen culture: film festival directors, curators, project managers, film and TV critics, distributors, venue coordinators.
Internet, mobile media: website developers, cross-platform content developers, social media producers, content authors, writers, managers, publishers, media sellers and buyers.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification).
Prerequisites
Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE) units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in any English, or equivalent studies.
Rankings and adjustment factors
Entry to this program is competitive. Eligible applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement plus any adjustment factors.
Adjustment factors include equity access schemes and/or subject adjustments.
We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.
Selection task
If you are not currently studying year 12 you must submit a personal statement by 30 September 2020 (VTAC Early round) or 6 November 2020 (VTAC Main round) outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- your awareness of significant trends in contemporary media
- details of any professional or community media production experience.
Some applicants may be required to attend an interview.
- Interviews will be held in November (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round). For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, interviews will be arranged after you have submitted your applicaiton.
- Interstate or overseas applicants may be interviewed via telephone or video call.
- Advisory emails will be sent to interviewed applicants in late December (VTAC Main round).
Applicants who do not submit the personal statement will be considered on the basis of academic achievement only, e.g. ATAR.
Selection criteria by applicant type
Please select the highest level of education you have or will be completing in order to find out the selection criteria that applies to you:
Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12
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.
Adjustment factors available only to applicants currently studying Year 12 or whose highest qualification is a completed Year 12.
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.
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.
- This program has been recognised as being under-represented by female applicants. Additional adjustment factors may apply to those applying to category 1 of the Special Entry Access Scheme or RMIT access application.
- 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.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., level of TAFE qualification completed (including any adjustment factors). We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. The highest level of education you have previously completed will usually determine how you are ranked.
You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your highest completed qualification:
- Advanced Diploma: 81
- Diploma: 72
- Certificate IV: 54
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with vocational education training, 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
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 may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
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.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., GPA (including any adjustment factors).
We will consider your entire academic record to determine your eligibility for entry. Previous fail grades in similar courses may affect your eligibility.
You must have successfully completed at least two courses (subjects) in an Australian bachelor degree or four courses (subjects) in an Australian associate degree, or overseas equivalent. You will be assigned a selection rank (comparable to an ATAR) based on your GPA.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with higher education study, 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
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 may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
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.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., Special Tertiary Admission Test (STAT) score (including any adjustment factors).
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent qualification) and meet the stated prerequisites.
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice.
Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)
You may satisfy the academic requirements by completing the STAT multiple choice. If you are applying to RMIT as an applicant with 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
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 may be eligible for the following adjustment factors:
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.
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.
Additional information
*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 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 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.
Statement: 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 significant trends in contemporary media.
- details of any professional or community media production experience
Interview: You may be interviewed, either in person or via phone/Skype.
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
This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.
Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred course. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree and helping you get the degree you want.
Use our Pathways finder or contact Study@RMIT for more information.
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.
Fees
2021 indicative fees
In 2021, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$3,700 to AU$14,500*.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- 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.
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.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available.
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?
The Australian Government has announced amendments to university funding and student contribution fees under its Job-ready Graduates Package.
The fees in the table below apply to students commencing their program in 2021 and are subject to the passage of legislation. Fees for continuing students are available at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Each course (subject) falls into a band. 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 2021
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2021 |
Agriculture, english, languages, mathematics, nursing, postgraduate clinical psychology, teaching |
$3,700 per standard year $462 per standard (12 credit point) course |
Architecture, creative arts, engineering, environmental studies, health, information technology, science |
$7,700 per standard year |
Dental, medical and veterinary science |
$11,300 per standard year |
Arts, commerce, communications, economics, humanities (excluding languages), law, management |
$14,500 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 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 2021 is $313.
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 BP221
- The annual 2021 tuition fee for BP221 (3 years full-time) is AU$34,560.
- The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$106,560.
Plan BP221ACC
- The annual 2021 tuition fee for BP221ACC (2.5 years full-time) is AU$41,472.
- The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 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.
Applying for refunds
Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.