Bachelor of Communication/Diploma of Arts
(Professional Writing and Editing);
Bachelor of Communication/Diploma of
Information Technology (Technical and
User Support),
Bachelor of Communication/Advanced
Diploma of Business (Marketing)


General information


The Bachelor of Communication course is aimed at satisfying the community and professional needs for graduates who not only have undertaken a sequence in communication theory with studies in arts, but who will have a detailed knowledge of an area of professional specialisation which will direct their future career paths.
In double-award programs, studies are undertaken with Monash University for the degree and with Chisholm Institute of TAFE for the diploma or associate diploma, enabling the student to graduate eventually with a university degree and a TAFE qualification (eg Monash Bachelor of Communication and Chisholm Advanced Diploma of Business (Marketing)).

Entry requirements

Applicants should possess the VCE (or equivalent) including at least a study score of 25 in English. Mature-age applicants who have either not satisfied entry requirements or have done so more than three years prior to their application will be required to pass a minimum of two open learning subjects or two non-award subjects in order to meet minimum entry requirements.

Course structure

To complete the requirements for the Bachelor of Communication degree, students must:

Availability of subjects and sequences

Individual subjects and specialisation sequences will be offered only if there is sufficient student demand.

Advertising sequence

The advertising sequence covers the theory and practice of advertising, and the origins of advertising and its roles today and in the future. It prepares students to work at an entry level in copywriting, account service, media planning and account planning; and to work productively with experienced professionals in advertising. The advertising specialisation will comprise the following sequence of subjects:

Arts sequence

Arts sequences offered at Berwick include German, International Studies, Japanese, Korean, Philosophy, Psychology and Spanish. Alternatively, students may select a sequence of arts subjects taught at one of the other campuses of the university. Students who opt for this alternative should note that it may involve travelling to another campus to attend lectures and attention will need to be paid to the lecture timetable.

Business information technology sequence

The business information technology specialisation will provide students with the basis for understanding and implementing information technology within a variety of areas, including media work, public relations, marketing, management and journalism. In addition to learning essentials of a variety of work tools, students will gain some insight into the application of information technology to business aspects of their professional area.
Subjects have been drawn from the same or similar offerings in the Bachelor of Information Management degree, where there is a similar requirement for essential computing skills to facilitate the application of more theoretical skills to the working environment.
The business information technology specialisation will comprise the following sequence of subjects:

Note that the business information technology specialisation is offered at Berwick campus only if there is sufficient student demand.

Communication sequence

Mass communications is an interdisciplinary major which responds to a need and demand for graduates who are knowledgeable about mass communications and who can apply that knowledge to a range of vocational and academic areas. It is designed to service a variety of career paths, including journalism, education, educational media systems, public relations, organisational management, as well as leading to postgraduate study.
The range of subjects offered is designed to equip students with specialised but flexible skills in describing and analysing the organisation, and the processes, diverse uses and effects of 'traditional' and 'new' mass communications technologies (print, electronic and film). Students develop an understanding of the practical operation of these media as well as the social and cultural dimensions of mass communications, considering the audiences, producers and policy-makers involved. Students also develop skills in utilising language, image and media delivery systems to communicate effectively.
The communication sequence will comprise the following subjects:

plus two of the following:

Journalism studies sequence

On completion of a sequence in journalism studies, students are expected to have developed literacy skills (writing, verbal, computer, visual, televisual, statistical); knowledge of legal issues (eg defamation and libel, copyright, freedom of the press); understanding of ethics (eg rights to privacy, culturally appropriate media practice); communication and negotiation skills; information management skills.
The journalism studies sequence will equip students with a range of journalism skills and knowledge, appropriate for flexible application in a variety of employment settings.
The skills and knowledge developed are those required by journalists (or those using journalism skills) for the future. Such journalists will possess well-developed literacy skills in a variety of media. Graduates will be able to contribute knowledgeably and in socially responsible and ethical ways to the particular communities they find themselves in, drawing on an informed intercultural awareness and an understanding of the professional and ethical codes and responsibilities of journalism. Students will also be equipped to engage knowledgeably and responsibly with the rapid developments in mass communication technologies and their social consequences.
The journalism studies specialisation will comprise the following sequence of subjects:

Public relations sequence

The public relations sequence covers the theory and practice of public relations, and the development of public relations and its roles today and in the future. It prepares students to pursue a career in PR management in a PR consultancy or in a government or corporate PR unit. The public relations specialisation will comprise the following sequence of subjects:

Tourism sequence

The tourism specialisation will comprise the following sequence of subjects: