Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years, Other -
Location
Melbourne city -
Fees
Next intake
February, July
Entry score
ATAR 82.90
Duration
Full-time 3 years, Other Location
Melbourne city Fees
BP222:AU$31,680 (2019 annual), BP222ACC: AU$38,016 (2019 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.
Inside the student experience
Find out how Professional Communication students are making the most of their studies.
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 program, 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 program 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 program 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
*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.
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.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
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 senior secondary certificate of education (Year 12) or overseas equivalent.
Prerequisites: VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in any English (EAL) (or equivalent) or achieve an overall score of at least 155 in the STAT multiple choice.
If you are not studying year 12 in 2018 you must submit a personal statement by 27 September 2018 (VTAC Early round) or 23 November 2018 (VTAC Main round) 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
Applicants studying year 12 in 2018 will be considered on the basis of academic achievement, e.g. ATAR.
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 (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 (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
Postgraduate |
Melbourne City |
GD074 |
|
Postgraduate |
Melbourne City |
MC248 |
|
Postgraduate |
Melbourne City |
MC262 |
|
Research |
Melbourne City |
MR211 |
|
Research |
Melbourne City |
DR211 |
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 2019 tuition fee for BP222 (3 years full-time) is AU$31,680.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$99,840.
The annual 2019 tuition fee for BP222ACC (2.5 years full-time) is AU$38,016.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$99,840.
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.