Why Study / Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Media and Communication provides a combination of practical media skills, industry experience, critical knowledge and digital capabilities.
• The Journalism major specifically combines traditional journalism with online publishing and multimedia production.
• Students gain practical experience across television, radio, print and digital formats.
• Students can work on real industry briefs and applied projects that reflect professional media environments.
• Journalism students can experience a simulated newsroom environment and contribute to Swinburne's student publication, The Burne.
• Teaching staff bring current industry experience and students develop a professional portfolio during the degree.
• The programme develops communication, digital literacy, ethics, research, storytelling and writing skills.
• The degree also allows students to combine their Journalism major with co-majors, minors and electives to develop additional expertise.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The degree consists of four core units, eight Journalism major units and 150 credit points of other study/electives.

The four core units are:

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

The eight Journalism major units are:

• Transforming Journalism in the Digital Era – JOU10004
• The Journalist's Toolkit – JOU10008
• Media, Law and Ethics – JOU20006
• Interactive Storytelling – JOU20007
• Media Analytics and Visualisation – MDA20026
• Radio, Audio and Podcasting – MDA30009
• Video Documentary Project – JOU30009
• Live Journalism Lab – JOU30012

Disciplines / Specialisations

The selected major is Journalism.

The Bachelor of Media and Communication currently offers seven major choices:

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

Programme Highlights

• 3-year undergraduate degree.
• Journalism major worth 100 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• 300 credit points overall.
• Practical journalism across television, radio, print and digital formats.
• Simulated newsroom experience.
• Opportunity to contribute to The Burne student publication.
• Industry-linked projects and real-world briefs.
• Development of a professional portfolio.
• Training in interactive storytelling, media analytics, podcasting, documentary production and live journalism.
• Optional professional work placement is available within the course structure, subject to eligibility and availability. The published structure identifies 50- or 100-credit-point professional placement options.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically lists the following career opportunities for the Journalism major:

• Editor
• Journalist
• Radio producer
• Television presenter
• Publisher
• Social commentator 

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

The current course page reflects a refreshed Bachelor of Media and Communication focused on creativity, innovation, practical experience and industry relevance. Journalism students now have a particularly strong multimedia focus, rather than studying journalism only through traditional print-based methods.

Important current requirements and considerations include:

• CRICOS: 088390J.
• 2027 intakes are currently listed for 1 March and 2 August.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• Some professional-placement options are available within the course, but eligibility, availability and visa conditions should be confirmed before relying on a placement.
• Advanced standing/credit may be available for previous study and is assessed individually.
• Unit offerings and indicative study sequences can change, so students should use the current course planner when selecting units.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa for an international student studying this CRICOS-registered bachelor's degree in Australia is generally the Student visa (Subclass 500).

For this course, Swinburne specifically states that international students in Australia holding Student visas must study full-time and on campus.

Current Australian Department of Home Affairs requirements include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) when the visa is decided.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Genuine Student assessment.
• Financial-capacity evidence where requested by the Department.
• Health and character requirements where applicable.
• Compliance with Student visa conditions.
• Student visa holders can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.