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Bachelor of Media

Art, Design & Architecture
Seek and solve problems to improve life on earth
Explore the fast-paced and evolving world of media in UNSW’s Bachelor of Media. Unlock career opportunities in fields including journalism, public relations, advertising and screen production. Gain the specialist experience you need to succeed in this diverse industry.
Commencing Terms
Term 1, 2 & 3
Duration
3 Year(s)
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended)
Campus
Kensington
Codes
UAC code 422800
Program code 3341
Entry Requirements
ATAR/2023 lowest selection rank
80
View all admission criteria
Fees
2024 Indicative first year full fee
$15,000*
2024 Indicative full fee to complete degree
$45,000*

Overview

Media is the glue of a modern society. It now shapes every aspect of life today. The Bachelor of Media at UNSW unlocks the specialist expertise, self-knowledge, creative thinking, and creative problem-solving skills to make an impact as a media professional, or simply set you up as a more aware professional to succeed in your second and third job, not just your first.

You’ll have the opportunity to tailor a degree to your specific interests. Specialise in cinema studies, communications and journalism, media studies, public relations & advertising, or screen production. Here, you’ll develop practical job skills as well as conceptual, strategic, creative, and critical capabilities to help you make your impact in the exciting and fast-changing media industries.

Key features

World-leading researchers and practitioners
Learn from teachers who are also world-leading researchers, breaking new ground in understanding how media work, from artificial intelligence to activism, to the politics of race and gender. Have your skills honed by experienced practitioners, many of whom still make films, grow brands, and write for leading publications. Glean deep insights from industry leaders who appear as guest speakers in the classroom.

A unique approach to learning
Engage with your lecturers, tutors, and fellow students to develop the tools you need to solve the biggest challenges you’ll face. Learn how to think and do, and how to take powerful ideas about how media works—so that you can put them into practice to tackle real-world problems. 

Real experiences
Benefit from work-integrated learning, right at your fingertips—from internships to industry-standard studio spaces and technologies,. Take part in seminars where we provide a showcase for local and international scholars, researchers, industry practitioners and creative artists. 

Hone your technical skills, supported by resources such as an Adobe Creative Cloud subscription, from your first day until you complete your degree.

An inclusive community
Join a community of supportive and engaged  academics who are focused on your learning and there to help you succeed. Build lifelong relationships with fellow students, who are committed to developing creative and critical capabilities to shape the future. 

Professional connections
Leverage our links with leading agencies and companies within the public relations, advertising, journalism, communication, and media production industries. Explore exciting internship opportunities, to set you on the path to a successful career in media and communications.

Why study this degree at UNSW?

  • Design your own degree
  • Practical hands-on classes
  • Diverse and inclusive community
  • Embedded industry opportunities
  • Connect with alumni worldwide
Program Code
3341
CRICOS Code
110658J
Campus
Kensington
UAC Code
422800
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
144

Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?

Entry requirements

2023 Lowest Selection Rank
80
2023 A levels
13
2023 IB Diploma
29
2023 Lowest ATAR
68.45*
    1. The 2023 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023.
    2. The 2023 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.
    3. The 2023 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2023. It is to be used as a guide only.
    4. The 2023 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
  • At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.

    To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.

    We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Domestic students are eligible to apply for the following volume of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits towards their UNSW degree that belong in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture:

  • 1-year Diploma: 48 UoC (equivalent to first year)
  • 1.5-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 72 UoC (equivalent to first year and a half)
  • 2-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 96 UoC (equivalent to two years)

Considering your previous qualifications and their relevance to the chosen program at UNSW, the type and amount of credit you can apply for, as well as the duration of your remaining program, will then be determined. 

Assessment by the Program Director is required for RPL applications toward Professional Accredited programs. Please note that eligibility for the full volume of RPL may be subject to accreditation requirements.

Portfolio Entry 

At UNSW ADA, you will find the freedom and support to design the future you want. An ADA Portfolio Entry submission will demonstrate your passions alongside your best work, to boost your chances of admission to a bachelor’s degree of your choice. For more information and to see specific guidelines for portfolio submissions visit UNSW Portfolio Entry. 

Prerequisites

You don’t need to have completed prerequisite courses, but we do assume you have a Year 12 (or equivalent) level of knowledge.

Assumed knowledge

None

Adjustment Factors


We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies. 

HSC Plus 
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points. 

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL) 
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways


Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW. 

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW. 

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study. 

English language requirements

 

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

International direct entry

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Typically, international students are eligible to apply for the following volume of Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) credits towards their UNSW degree that belong in the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture:

  • 1-year Diploma: Up to 48 UoC
  • 1.5-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 72 UoC
  • 2-year Advanced Diploma/Associate Degree: Up to 96 UoC

Generally, International students must ensure that their prior qualifications are assessed and deemed relevant to the program they intend to pursue. Additionally, they are required to maintain a full-time study load as part of the conditions for their Confirmation of Enrolment.

Prerequisites

You don’t need to have completed prerequisite courses, but we do assume you have a Year 12 (or equivalent) level of knowledge.

Admission pathways


If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence. 

English language requirements


You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Study areas

The Bachelor of Media at UNSW is designed for you to explore your interests and build on your passions. You’ll choose a specialisation to pursue in depth, built on a strong foundation, and with the opportunity and flexibility to select what interests you most from across our specialisations. 

Throughout your degree, you’ll examine the various aspects of media and the media industries through different lenses and approaches, such as media and cultural theory; linguistic and semiotic theory; the political economy of the media; digital media ethnography; public relations scholarship; cinematic, screen and sound cultures; and journalism and ethics.

Specialisations

  • What makes cinematic experiences move our hearts and minds so deeply? Discover how cinema can affect us powerfully, through the creative combination of various methods, techniques, narratives, and messages. 

    This specialisation will develop your skills in critical thinking, researching, planning, and presenting conceptual projects. You’ll understand the intersection between entertainment, politics, and aesthetics, with a critical exploration of political cinema, cult film, experimental and mainstream movies.

    Hone your critical voice while developing skills in close and careful film analysis and deepen your understanding of the intersections between popular entertainment, politics, and aesthetics. 

    You’ll have opportunities to apply your knowledge to practical industry experiences such as collaborating on a short film, running a film festival, and doing an industry internship.

    Upon graduating, you’ll be ready for a career in creative and cultural industries, including film journalism, festival programming, distribution, advertising, policy, and education.

  • Telling stories effectively, ethically, and powerfully—whether on a page, on a screen, or in a VR environment—is at the heart of studying communications and journalism at UNSW. 

    You’ll be encouraged to become an influential, entrepreneurial, and strategic communicator able to take a leadership role, tackle complex issues, and participate in a global industry.  

    Recognised as the Australian university with the strongest links to these industries, we’ll provide you with the opportunity to dive into work experience and forge professional connections in real-world media settings. Past students have completed work placements at Channel 10, SBS Radio, Sydney Writers’ Festival, Oxfam Australia, and the ABC, to name a few. You’ll join a diverse community of thinkers and creators and gain in-depth understanding of the past and present media landscape.

    As you use the latest technology in advanced multimedia facilities and publish work across a range of mediums, you’ll have the opportunity to gain real-world experience and build a portfolio through our digital student publication, Newsworthy.

    After graduating, you'll have essential skills, knowledge, and professional experience. You’ll be ready to craft a career in journalism and communication as a leader who has the critical understanding to keep questioning.  

  • Gain the critical skills and knowledge you need to understand, analyse, and respond to the pivotal role of media in contemporary life. After building a firm foundation in media studies debates, methods, and history, you’ll be able to choose from a suite of electives that allow you to sharpen your focus on questions relating to justice, race, ethics, or emerging technologies. 

    You’ll develop critical thinking and writing skills that allow you to make persuasive arguments, engage with challenging issues, and solve new problems. With an array of research methods and analytical techniques in your back pocket, you’ll bring your combination of critical and creative skills to life as a media change-maker.

    Following graduation, you’ll be ready to work across the media industries of today, with the ability to adapt to whatever the future may hold. 

  • Discover the strategies and tactics of persuasion that underpin influential communications. Whether it’s damage control during a crisis or building brands through social media campaigns, you’ll find the practical skills, knowledge and experience needed for an exciting career.

    Through a flexible set of courses, you’ll develop strategic skills and expertise in fields such as creative advertising, activism, branding, crisis communications, and political communications. You’ll gain a deep and critical understanding of how communication tactics influence and shape people’s everyday lives and the cultures within which we live.

    Importantly, you’ll be mentored by ethical teachers with diverse industry experiences and connections. Take advantage of the opportunity to get industry experience of your own, with an industry work placement as part of your degree.

    When you graduate ready to promote organisations that live your values, you’ll actively contribute to the change you want to see in the world.

  • Preparing for your audio-visual production career starts here. Throughout this three-year full-time degree, you will gain a range of audio, visual, and digital production skills that will equip you with the tools and knowledge to remain at the leading edge of local and international media industries.

    With a career in sound production, video production, animation, film, or online games on the horizon – this degree will focus on conceptual knowledge and professional skills. Undertake hands-on learning with the latest technology, industry experience and a diverse team of academics and award-winning animators, filmmakers, scriptwriters, sound artists and game researchers ready to guide you along the way. 

    Practicing using the latest cameras, audio recorders, microphones, lights, dollies and gimbals – you’ll build a strong portfolio of audio-visual work you can leverage professionally. You’ll also have access to advanced multimedia labs, digital video production and post-production facilities, animation and audio production studios. This includes our Esme Timbery Creative Practice Lab, which has a system of computer-controlled amplification for the perfect performance environment.

Program structure

The Bachelor of Media at UNSW is a focused yet flexible degree. All students will choose one of five specialisations listed above upon enrolment, while still having the opportunity to explore other areas of your choice. 

    • You can complement your main specialisation with a media minor in a second specialisation to broaden your professional skills and conceptual knowledge. For example, combine a specialisation in communication and journalism with a minor in public relations and advertising to open up new career avenues.

    • You can combine your media specialisation with a minor from any Arts, Design & Architecture degree. For example, you could specialise in public relations and advertising, and minor in music studies (from the Bachelor of Fine Arts) or politics and international relations (from the Bachelor of Social Sciences).

    • Your choice of minor doesn’t have to come from a degree in Arts, Design & Architecture. You also have the option to combine your media specialisation with a minor from any UNSW degree – with approval. For example, you could specialise in communications and journalism, and minor in economics (from UNSW Business School) or psychology (from the Faculty of Science).

    • Instead of combining your media specialisation with a minor, you can opt to complete the remainder of your studies with free electives. You’ll be able to choose any six approved courses that fit your passions and your timetable. For example, you could pick two courses in marketing, two courses in environmental humanities, a course in philosophy and a course in Japanese studies.  

    • In this degree, a specialisation comprises of eight courses with a strong disciplinary focus. The courses in your degree will begin at an introductory level, then will grow in complexity and breadth to develop your theoretical knowledge and technical skills. Some courses in the degree will be compulsory, but you’ll have freedom and flexibility to choose from prescribed electives, as well as ‘expansion courses’ that allow you to explore courses from other specialisations in the Bachelor of Media.

    • A minor is typically six courses that focus on one specialisation, and in this degree you’re able to choose either an optional media minor where you can study another media specialisation, or to select a minor from a diverse and flexible list of faculty-approved options. (Depending on your choice of minor, you may also be asked to take two ‘general education’ courses, which elevate your study skills to a tertiary competence.)

    • This degree lets you choose individual courses or a group of courses that develop your specialisation in one area of study. If you choose a specialisation, there is still freedom and flexibility to choose a range of individual courses from outside your specialisation that interest you. You can also choose to use your electives to complete a minor in an additional area of study to your specialisation. 

    • You can organise your study load to do more courses or less courses in any term. This flexible academic calendar is special to UNSW and means you can graduate faster or take your time – to study abroad, do an internship, or fit study around other commitments.

    • Whether you have a learning difficulty or could benefit from extra guidance, you’ll find free UNSW academic skills support (such as toolkits, tutors, and workshops) to assist your studies. UNSW Arts, Design and Architecture students and academics are supportive, diverse, and inclusive – it’s easy to ask for advice. 

When you complete a bachelor’s degree, you’ll be eligible for further study at a postgraduate level. If you’d like further information about this degree and its learning outcomes, have a look at our handbook

Future careers

More than just a foot in the door or a pathway towards landing your first job, this degree will set you up with the professional, practical, and theoretical skills you’ll need to thrive throughout your career in the media. Take what you learn and discover your ability to influence the future.

Career opportunities

    • Advertising strategist 
    • Advertising account executive 
    • Communications officer 
    • Content producer 
    • Community engagement adviser 
    • Digital communications coordinator 
    • Government media adviser 
    • Journalist or feature writer 
    • Internal communications specialist 
    • Marketing executive 
    • Media account executive 
    • Media relations adviser 
    • Public relations consultant 
    • Social media manager 
    • Video presenter 
    • Animator 
    • App developer 
    • Advertising creative 
    • Cinematographer 
    • Digital editor 
    • Digital producer 
    • Filmmaker 
    • Game designer 
    • Interactive media designer 
    • Screenwriter 
    • Sound producer 
    • Television producer 
    • Video producer 
    • Website content manager 

Explore your career options

Many career options lie ahead in your future. If you don’t know what you want to do yet, it’s ok. University is the time to test your ideas, discover potential career paths, or develop the knowledge to create a job that doesn’t even exist yet. 

Along with flexible course options, degrees from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture include opportunities to experiment with professional roles in internships and work placements. You’ll build a network of contacts among your classmates and lecturers, and you’ll be able to reach out to a global network of UNSW graduates.

Our alumni

UNSW

"I really wanted to study in an environment where I could learn from the people that were changing the way that we looked at the future and challenging how things were done.

I discovered my passion for international development during my time at UNSW. It’s a passion which has taken me around the world and remains the driving force behind everything I do and work towards."

Ané Coetzee
CEO and Founder 
Young Women in Sustainable Development
Read how Ané used her Bachelor of Media to live with purpose.

Double degrees

Combine talents and passions to open future opportunities suited to your unique strengths. Despite the name, double degrees are not double the workload! You'll study core courses in two areas of expertise, graduating with two qualifications in less time than it takes to complete two consecutive degrees. 

Double your knowledge, skills, and career options with the Bachelor of Media and:

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to apply?

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to apply?

Fees & Scholarships

2024 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$15,000*
2024 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$45,000*

Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 2

*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.

The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.

2024 Indicative First Year Fee
$43,500*
2024 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$138,500*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships


At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.


  • Top 20
    Worldwide

    QS World University Rankings, 2024.

  • Most
    Employable Graduates

    AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.

  • Leading
    Innovation

    #1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

The student community collectively inspire and encourage my individual career goals.
ADA alumni Shirelle Altona

Shirelle Altona

Current Student

How to design the future you want

Find out how UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture degrees give you the freedom and support needed to design the future you want.
Our Faculty

Love what you do

The diverse knowledge, innovative spirit and hands-on experiences of our degrees is a distinct combination that will set you up for life. Meet our alumni and find out why they love what they do.
Our Alumni

Professional experience while you study

Claire Keenan's three-month internship with Sydney Writer's Festival opened doors in the media industry that launched her career.
Career Support

Take action in a complex world

Through UNSW’s Arts degree you’ll hone your interests and dive into the social sciences, arts and humanities fields you’re passionate about.
Our Degrees
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