Course

Bachelor of Communication

Approved Abbreviation: BComm

Western Sydney University Course Code: 1613.1

New students should refer to the latest course version

The Bachelor of Communication encompasses a wide range of units in the fields of communication and design including specialised studies in advertising, journalism, writing, public relations, media production and animation. Through their engagement with the multicultural nature of our community through class work, students develop an understanding of the local and international relevance of their chosen studies. Through self-directed, team-based and problem based learning strategies requiring active participation in the community, graduates also learn to value ethical conduct and intellectual integrity as well as respect for diversity and social justice principles.

By synergizing the intellectual perspectives of communication and design, graduates will understand how knowledge is connected to other disciplines and be able to apply critical, reflective, and creative skills to make informed decisions in professional contexts.

The program is constructed around a Key Program of units that builds students’ conceptual understanding of communication and design. This structure is completed with suites of professional units, which integrate theory and practice through problem-based learning and engagement with the wider Greater Western Sydney community. The fourth year of study is built around an Honours project, professional engagement or professional research. The Bachelor of Communication Studies is a three-year exit point, allowing for a broader, less specialised study of the fields of communication and media.

Students may exit with 1614.1 Bachelor of Communication Studies after successful completion of the first three years of the course sequence.

Study Mode
Four years full-time or eight years part-time.

Accreditation
Recognised by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).

Admission

Proficiency in reading, understanding and writing English. HSC English Standard recommended.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

Students have between six and eight open electives.

Recommended Sequence

Full-time

Year 1

Autumn session

101040

Approaches to Communication

101057

Writing as Communication

101055

Screen Media

100706

Advertising: An Introduction

Spring session

100947

Design Thinking

101041

Communication Research

100212

Public Relations Theory and Practice

100556

Introduction to Journalism

Year 2

Autumn session

101243

Communication Law and Ethics

Two units from the set of Majors listed below

One elective unit

Spring session

101042

Convergence and New Media

Two units from the set of majors listed below

One elective unit

Year 3

Autumn session

101056

Visual Thinking

Two units from the set of Majors listed below

One elective unit

Spring session

101053

Researching Media Audiences

Two units from the set of Majors listed below

One elective unit

Professional Strand

Year 4

Autumn session

100938

Communication and Creative Industries

One elective unit

Spring session

101172

Communication and Design Reflective Exegesis

One elective unit

1H session

101024

Communication Design Professional Brief

100602

Communication Design Major Project

2H session

101024

Communication Design Professional Brief

100602

Communication Design Major Project

Embedded Honours Program

An Honours stream is offered - see the Honours in Bachelors Awards Policy and associated College Guidelines for the admission criteria:

Policies Website

Embedded Honours Program Course Advisor - Ronaldo Morelos

Year 4

Autumn session

101064

Reading the Contemporary

101168

Honours Seminar

101169

Honours Thesis Proposal

Spring session

101170

Honours Thesis

Majors

Students studying the four-year Bachelor of Communication must select from one of the following majors.

M1613ADV

Advertising

M1613JRN

Journalism

M1613MAP

Media Arts Production

M1613PR

Public Relations

Students exiting from this award with the three-year Bachelor of Communication Studies may select one of the following majors.

M1000

Advertising

M1001

Journalism

M1002

Media Arts Production

M1003

Public Relations

Sub-major

The following sub-major is available to students:-

SM1613ANIM

Animation

Sub-major elective spaces

Elective units may be used toward obtaining an additional approved sub-major (40 credit points).

Search for sub-majors

Western Sydney University offers sub-majors in a range of areas including Sustainability and Indigenous Studies.

Indigenous Australian Studies Sub-major

Indigenous Australian Creative Expressions Sub-major

Indigenous Economics Sub-major

Business Sustainability Sub-major

Students can apply for an elective major or sub-major via MySR.

MyStudentRecords (MySR)