Overview 2022
Location
Location
View archived years for this course
For years prior to 2015, please view the Course and Unit Handbook Archive
View the current year's course page
The counsellor looked at my subjects, and she said, ‘these are all different forms of communication – you’ve got an idea, and you want to share it,' and she was right.
Read more about Bridget Hickey's journey to master the art of storytelling
Our island campus of Tasmania is the start of your journey. The Media School is uniquely co-located with leading media organisations in Hobart. You will bump shoulders and share facilities with practitioners from news, communications and other screen organisations. Outside, you’re a short walk from Parliament House, the courts, museums, galleries and performance spaces, and Hobart’s docks, which are the world’s scientific gateway to Antarctica.
From day one, you will begin building a professional portfolio. You will get your hands on industry-standard equipment and be encouraged to take risks and learn from experience with the support of industry practitioners and lecturers. Our degree provides several units to design and produce projects, such as documentaries, podcasts or brand communication so you graduate with a portfolio of work to show future employers.
Behind-the-scenes, our teaching staff are pursuing world-leading research in areas, including environmental communication, and working as award-winning broadcasters, journalists and filmmakers. Through these connections, you can meet with visiting thought-leaders through The Media School Seminar Series or find the perfect industry placement.
Through access to exclusive creative collaborations with Fine Arts, Music, and Theatre and Performance students you will build close creative networks, test working relationships, and leverage your accomplishments to generate future opportunities. Find yourself working with Tasmania’s unique festival scene, creatively solving real client briefs, or soaking up inspiration together on a field trip overseas.
Media and communications graduates are sought by many industries looking for people to tell their stories and communicate their ideas. Your degree has the added flexibility to choose units from across the University, so you can develop complementary skills in creative writing, music, photography, design, and marketing or explore enhance your understanding in international relations and politics, or the blue and green sciences.
Course objectives
The degree offers 6 first-year units that use practice-based and vocationally oriented learning as a way to introduce students to the various approaches, genres, and professional applications of media and communication. Students will identify and explore the key theoretical problems and complexities, and encounter challenges and opportunities in contemporary media and communication studies.
Later-year study deepens practice-led learning across four Portfolios as well as a combination of units that combines theoretical knowledge and analysis, with some practice components.
From the outset students are encouraged to build a portfolio of their work that showcases wide-ranging skills and endeavour.
Learning Outcomes
Practical experience
Media Internships
Our Media program offers exciting opportunities for students to engage in workplace experience and to build a professional portfolio, while being mentored by seasoned practitioners.
Placements and internships provide students with the opportunity to critically reflect on the skills and knowledge they have developed throughout their studies. The experience also enables students to build a network of peers and industry contacts, and assists in the transition from university to industry and career preparation.
The program has connections with a range of local and interstate industry providers, including print and broadcast media, PR agencies, government departments, and private and not-for-profit organisations.
Study overseas at one of our partner institutions
Our international exchange program offers opportunities to study at universities around the world, and it counts towards your degree. Exchange can allow you to have an affordable educational and cultural experience in a foreign country for a semester, or a full year. To facilitate this, we offer a range of scholarships and financial assistance. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP Loans or scholarship funding to assist with their airfares, accommodation and other expenses.
UPDATE (MARCH) 2021: Please note, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, Face-to-Face Study Abroad & Exchange programs have been postponed until 2022.
Alternative Virtual Exchange Opportunities can be found on our Virtual Overseas Experiences tab. For more information please contact Global.Mobility@utas.edu.au
Find out more about Student Exchange.
Become a Student Ambassador
Improve your communication, teamwork and leadership skills, meet new people, inspire and help others, and developing lasting friendships and networks as a student ambassador. Our ambassadors proudly represent the University throughout Tasmania in schools, at University and community events, and support a range of recruitment and engagement activities. Through the Student Ambassador Program you will have many opportunities for training and professional development, experience in real-world community engagement and outreach, networking, and public speaking, plus end up with a key point of distinction on your CV.
Work placement
The University of Tasmania is integrated into all areas of industry locally, nationally and internationally be it through research or work placement programs. Talk to your course coordinator about finding an opportunity to take part in a work experience, placement, or extracurricular activities during your degree.
Career outcomes
Uni really taught me how to work hard. It taught me how to study, how to knuckle down and work your way through a problem that you don’t know the answer to.
The ability to make, analyse and research media opens doors to a wide range of creative and exciting occupations across all industries. These are some of the top careers projected to grow in the next five years.
9.2% Multimedia specialists
21.7% Advertising and Marketing professionals
15.8% Public Relations professionals
ABS Labour Force Survey, National Skills Commission trend data to May 2019 and projections to 2024.
Postgraduate study
If you successfully complete this course, you may be also be eligible to apply for a range of other postgraduate courses including Graduate Certificates and Graduate Diplomas and Masters by coursework and research.
Course structure
The Bachelor of Media and Communication requires the completion of 300 credit points, including:
- 200 credit points of Media and Communication core units and;
- 100 credit points of Elective units or a 100 credit major from the schedule.
In your media and communication core you will complete 75 credit points at Introductory level, 75 credit points at Intermediate level, and 50 credit points at Advanced level.
In your Elective component you are able to choose from any units which you meet the pre-requisites for, at any level, from across the university. To explore the units available, go to the Course and Unit Handbook search.
You can also complete a major in your elective space from other courses in the University.
Media and Communication Core
Introductory units
This unit introduces you to the principles, practices and theories of public relations and places the profession in its societal and media contexts. You will become familiar with public relations writing and develop skills in gathering, organizing and presenting information.…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
This unit introduces students to formal and industrial approaches of understanding cinematic, televisual and online screen cultures. It draws upon key theoretical concepts from screen studies – such as film aesthetics, narrative and genre theory – and there is a…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
The shift from mass communication to mass self-communication is one of the most important shifts in recent human society. Mobile communication networks allow us to produce and share content like never before which is challenging and changing our notions of…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 |
From the newsroom to the live stream, the news industry combines top-level communication skills with the ability to evaluate and synthesise knowledge for large audiences. In this unit, students are introduced to both the theoretical and practical dimensions of the…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
We often hear that media industries are in decline. However, as this unit will demonstrate, we are actually observing a profound reshaping of traditional and emerging media industries. In this unit you will examine the history, evolution, and proliferation of…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 |
The ability to produce screen content is becoming increasingly valued in today's media environment. This unit introduces you to the key concepts, methods and practices of screen production. You will gain hands-on experience in filming and recording sound, editing, and…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 |
View all details for HEJ140 Making Media: Filming, Editing and Design
Intermediate units
Collaborative work is integral to working in and with the creative and cultural industries. This unit encourages you to take supported creative risks and introduces you to work-integrated learning methods and practices. Students and staff will propose creative projects that…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 2 |
The connection between technology and culture has never been greater. Screen, digital media, and networking platforms are changing the practices and forms of expression that represent and reflect culture and society. By investigating the production, use and circulation of various…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 |
This unit examines the storytelling tactics and strategies associated with the design and communication of brand narratives. The unit addresses the ways in which, in the changing media environment, brand narratives are now communicated via social networks and key ‘influencers’…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
View all details for HEJ247 Communicating Brand and Identity
This unit introduces you to the essential elements of writing for film, television and digital media. You will be taken through the process of developing a script from conception through to pre-production. You will learn about working with structure, developing…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 |
In this unit you will develop your media production skills, gain hands-on experience with media equipment, and produce work that will contribute to a portfolio completed over the course of the Media Portfolio units. With technical support, industry mentorship, and…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Hobart | Semester 2 |
In this unit you will continue to build on your media production, collaborative practice, project management skills, and hands-on experience with media equipment. With technical support, industry mentorship and academic supervision, you will work on at least one media project…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Hobart | Semester 2 |
Advanced units
Core
Power describes the capacity of an individual or group to influence the opinions, decisions and actions of others. This unit explores the role of media in the communication of power in society and, importantly, the counter-movements that challenge power. In…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 |
In this unit you will continue to build on your media production, collaborative practice, project management skills, and hands-on experience with media equipment to produce a completed media output. With technical support, industry mentorship and academic supervision, you will continue…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Hobart | Semester 2 |
In this unit you will build upon your media production, collaborative practice and project management skills, and gain hands-on experience with media equipment to produce a completed media output. With technical support, industry mentorship and academic supervision, you will complete…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Hobart | Semester 2 |
Creative Curriculum
This work-integrated learning unit will provide you with an opportunity to be guided and supported in undertaking a public creative work. As a member of a team, you will be provided with a brief. Your team’s response will be guided…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Winter school |
Responding innovatively to a client-initiated briefs is a critical part of working in the creative and cultural industries. This unit fosters collaborative, responsive interaction with internal and external partners and your peers. Introducing a range of interdisciplinary frameworks, this unit…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 1 |
Note: This unit is available in your third year of study. Entry to the unit is competitive, and is subject to approval by the unit coordinator. To apply for entry into the unit and relevant grant consideration where appropriate, please…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Launceston | Semester 2 |
View all details for HEJ351 Field trip in Creative Industries, Practices and Cultures B
You will be assigned to a work placement in a government, private, or not-for-profit organisation approved by the University. As part of your internship you will, where opportunity allows, contribute to the production, publication and presentation of creative content, while…
Credit Points: 12.5
Location | Study period | Attendance options | Available to | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hobart | Semester 1 | ||||
Hobart | Semester 2 | ||||
Hobart | Winter school |
Elective
Entry requirements
For Domestic students
We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you’re not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, the admissions team will work with you to find the best pathway option.
Enquire online for advice on the application process and the available pathways to study.
Domestic Applicants who have recently completed secondary education
Applicants are ranked by ATAR and offers made based on the number of places available. In 2021, the lowest ATAR to receive an offer into this course was 51.8. The lowest ATAR to receive an offer may change from year to year based on the number of applications we receive
Applicants who have recently completed senior secondary studies but have not received an ATAR may still be eligible for admission. We will consider your individual subject results on a case-by-case basis when we assess your application.
For all other majors, please refer to Alternative entry pathways below.
Domestic applicants with higher education study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have:
- Partially completed an undergraduate course at Diploma level or higher (or equivalent). Applicants must have completed at least two units of study (equivalent to 25 UTAS credit points). If an applicant has failed any units the application may be subject to further review before an offer is made; or
- Completed the UTAS University Preparation Program (or an equivalent qualification offered by an Australian University).
Domestic applicants with VET / TAFE study
To be eligible for an offer, applicants must have completed a Certificate IV (or equivalent) in any discipline.
Domestic applicants with work and life experience
Applicants without senior secondary, tertiary or VET / TAFE study can complete a personal competency statement.
Applicants may be eligible for an offer if they have relevant work and / or life experiences which demonstrate a capacity to succeed in this course.
Special consideration
If your ability to access or participate in education has been affected by circumstances beyond your control, you can apply for special consideration as part of your application. We will consider a range of factors, including economic hardship, serious medical condition or disability.
We can only approve applications for special consideration where we are confident that you have the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in your studies. If your application is not approved, the admissions team will work with you to find the best alternative pathway to your chosen course. Special consideration is not available for international applicants.
For International students
All international students will need to meet the minimum English Language Requirements, University General Entry Requirements and any course specific requirements such as pre-requisite subjects, if applicable.
English Language Requirements
This degree requires an IELTS (Academic) of 6.0, with no individual band less than 5.5, or a PTE Academic score of 50, with no score lower than 42 or equivalent.
For students who do not meet the English Language Requirement through citizenship or prior studies in English in an approved country, evidence of an approved English language test completed within the last 2 years must be provided. See the English Language Requirements page for more information.
General Entry Requirements
Admission to undergraduate courses at the University of Tasmania requires the completion of qualifications equivalent to a 12th year of education in Australia.
Please review the equivalent undergraduate entry requirements to see the minimum requirement relevant to your country. The ATAR information for this course is located in the “For Domestic Students” section of the entry requirements on this page.
You can also meet the General Entry Requirement for this course with the following qualifications or prior studies:
- Completion of an equivalent AQF Certificate IV or above
- Complete or incomplete (minimum 25 credit points) of previous tertiary study at Bachelor level or higher
If you do not meet the minimum requirements, we offer the Foundation Studies Program.
Course Specific Requirements
This course does not have any course specific requirements.
Alternative entry pathways
If you do not meet the General Entrance Requirements or course-specific requirements, there are alternate entry pathways to the Bachelor of Media and Communication:
Talk to us on 1300 363 864 or enquire online about your alternative entry pathway.
Detailed Admissions Information
Detailed admissions information and advice for all undergraduate courses, including comprehensive, course-level student profiles, is available from UTAS Admissions.
Fees & scholarships
Domestic students
Cost shouldn’t get in the way of you studying.
If you’re a domestic student, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place in this course. This means your fees will be subsidised by the Australian Government. You’ll only need to pay the student contribution amount for each unit you study within the course.
You may also be able to defer payment of the student contribution amount by accessing a HECS-HELP loan from the Government. If eligible, you’ll only have to pay your tuition fees once you start earning above a specific amount.
Further information is available at Scholarships, fees and costs.
Student contributionStudent contribution amounts are charged for each unit of study. This means that how much you’ll pay will depend on which units you choose. Find out more about student contribution amounts.
Further informationDetailed fee information for domestic students is available at Scholarships, fees and costs, including additional information in relation to the compulsory Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF).
International students
2022 Total Course Fee (international students): $99,244 AUD*.
Course cost based on a rate of $31,950 AUD per standard, full-time year of study (100 credit points).
* Please note that this is an indicative fee only.
International students
International students are charged the Student Services and Amenities Fee but this fee is incorporated in the annual rate. International students do not have to make any additional SSAF payments.
Scholarships
For information on general scholarships available at the University of Tasmania, please visit the scholarships website.
How can we help?
Do you have any questions about choosing a course or applying? Get in touch.
- Domestic
- 13 8827 (13 UTAS)
- International
- +61 3 6226 6200
- Course.Info@utas.edu.au
- Online
- Online enquiries