Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Media and Communication provides broad media and communication knowledge with the option to specialise in Social Media.
• Swinburne describes its Social Media major as the first social media major offered by an Australian university.
• Students explore social media platforms in their social, cultural and industry contexts.
• The major develops skills in analysing new and emerging media technologies and understanding how organisations can use them strategically.
• Students work on practical projects that mirror professional media and communications work, including managing social media channels and developing content.
• The course includes real industry briefs, applied projects and opportunities to build a professional portfolio.
• Teaching staff bring current industry experience into the classroom.
• Students can combine the major with co-majors, minors and electives to create a broader or more specialised study profile. 

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The standard degree contains 300 credit points comprising core subjects, Social Media major subjects and elective/other-study subjects.

Core units:

• MDA10001 Introduction to Media Studies
• MDA10012 Communicating with Data
• MDA10008 Global Media Industries
• MDA10018 Content Creator Lab

Social Media major units:

Year 1:

• MDA10013 Social Media Cultures
• MDA10015 Social Media Strategy

Year 2:

• MDA20026 Media Analytics and Visualisation
• MDA20028 Business of Media and Entrepreneurship
• JOU20007 Interactive Storytelling

Year 3:

• MDA30012 Researching Social Media Publics
• MDA30021 Emerging Media Industry Project
• MDA30022 Social Media, Social Impact

Key subject areas therefore include:

• Social media cultures
• Social media strategy
• Media analytics
• Data visualisation
• Media entrepreneurship
• Interactive storytelling
• Social media research
• Emerging media industries
• Social impact
• Digital communities
• Content development
• Communication strategy.

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected major is Social Media.

The Bachelor of Media and Communication currently offers seven majors:

• Advertising
• Cinema and Screen Studies
• Creative Writing and Publishing
• Immersive Media
• Journalism
• Public Relations
• Social Media.

Within the Social Media major, students focus particularly on:

• Social media platforms
• Digital communities
• Social media strategy
• Social media analytics
• Emerging technologies
• Interactive storytelling
• Online audiences
• Social impact
• Digital content
• Media entrepreneurship.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year bachelor's degree.
• 300 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• Social Media is a specialist major within the Bachelor of Media and Communication.
• Swinburne describes it as the first social media major offered by an Australian university.
• Practical industry projects.
• Real industry briefs.
• Opportunity to work on social media channels and professional-style projects.
• Portfolio development.
• Media analytics and visualisation training.
• Social media strategy development.
• Interactive storytelling.
• Research into social media audiences and communities.
• Emerging Media Industry Project.
• Social Media, Social Impact.
• Opportunities for internships, placements and other work-integrated learning experiences.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne currently identifies the following career opportunities:

• Social Media and Content Manager
• Communications Officer
• Community Manager
• Social Media Coordinator
• Social Media Producer
• Digital Media and Communications Specialist.

The skills from the major can also support professional work involving:

• Social media management
• Digital content creation
• Community engagement
• Social media strategy
• Digital communications
• Audience analysis
• Media analytics
• Digital marketing
• Emerging media technologies
• Corporate communications.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• Current course code: BA-MCMN.
• Current CRICOS code: 088390J.
• The Social Media major's current VTAC codes are 3400213581 for CSP and 3400213583 for IFP.
• Current 2027 starts are 1 March and 2 August.
• Current application deadlines are 24 February and 28 July 2027 respectively.
• International Student visa holders studying in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• The degree includes real industry projects and opportunities for internships, placements and other work-integrated learning.
• A six- or 12-month professional placement can increase the total course fees.
• The optional placement is subject to availability, eligibility and the relevant placement arrangements.
• Students should not confuse this 3-year Bachelor of Media and Communication with the separate 4-year Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional), which includes a 12-month professional placement structure.
• The supplied IPU programme link is unrelated to this Swinburne qualification.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this degree in Australia normally require a Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• English evidence where required.
• Financial-capacity evidence where required.
• Health requirements.
• Character requirements.
• Compliance with Student visa conditions.