Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Bachelor of Media and Communication provides a broad media and communication education combined with a specialist Immersive Media major.
• Students learn to create content that combines digital and physical environments using 360-degree media, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR) and mixed reality (XR).
• The major combines storytelling, creative technology and interactive experience design.
• Students work on applied projects and real industry briefs, helping them graduate with a portfolio of practical work.
• Teaching staff bring current industry experience into the classroom.
• Students can combine the major with co-majors, minors and electives to develop a personalised skill set.
• Swinburne states that the university is ranked in the Top 200 globally for Communication.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The degree consists of four core units, eight major units and 12 units of other study/electives.

Core units include:

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

Immersive Media major:

1. MDA10017 – Experiencing Immersive Media: AR, VR and Mixed Reality
2. MDA10016 – Mobile Media Futures
3. DIG20001 – Immersive Screen Narratives
4. GAM20004 – Writing for Interactive Narratives
5. MDA20029 – Immersive Media Design and Production
6. MDA30016 – Screen Technology and Culture
7. MDA30021 – Emerging Media Industry Project
8. FTV30006 – Virtual Reality Storytelling

Indicative early-year sequence published by Swinburne includes:

Year 1:

• Introduction to Media Studies
• Communicating with Data
• Experiencing Immersive Media: AR, VR and Mixed Reality
• Global Media Industries
• Content Creator Lab
• Mobile Media Futures
• Electives

Year 2:

• Immersive Screen Narratives
• Writing for Interactive Narratives
• Immersive Media Design and Production
• Electives

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected specialisation is Immersive Media.

The major focuses on:

• 360-degree media
• Virtual reality (VR)
• Augmented reality (AR)
• Mixed reality (MR/XR)
• Interactive experiences
• Immersive storytelling
• Mobile media
• Interactive narratives
• Immersive design and production
• Screen technology
• Virtual reality storytelling
• Emerging media technologies

The Bachelor of Media and Communication also offers other majors:

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

Programme Highlights

• 3-year undergraduate qualification.
• 300 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• Seven available majors within the Bachelor of Media and Communication.
• Specialist training in AR, VR and mixed reality.
• Practical project-based learning.
• Real industry briefs and industry-linked projects.
• Opportunities to develop a professional portfolio.
• Opportunities for elective internships, placements and other industry experiences.
• Development of collaboration, content development, data analysis, digital literacy, storytelling and technical skills.
• Major-specific Emerging Media Industry Project.
• Major-specific Virtual Reality Storytelling unit.
• Professional connections and industry exposure through Swinburne's broader media and communication environment.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne identifies the following career opportunities for the Immersive Media major:

• Entertainment manager
• Immersive content developer
• Media analytics and sales coordinator
• Advertising and marketing specialist
• Digital storyteller
• Immersive specialist

The skills developed can also support roles involving:

• AR/VR content
• XR experiences
• Interactive storytelling
• Digital media production
• Immersive advertising
• Entertainment technology
• Creative technology
• Media analytics
• Digital content development.

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• Current CRICOS course code: 088390J.
• The current published course continues to offer Semester 1 and Semester 2 entry.
• 2027 starts are 1 March and 2 August.
• The current Immersive Media major has VTAC code 3400213441 for CSP and 3400213443 for IFP. These codes are primarily relevant to VTAC applicants.
• International Student visa holders in Australia must study full-time and on campus.
• Students have opportunities for internships, placements and other industry experiences, but these are subject to the relevant course and placement conditions.
• The Immersive Media curriculum has been refreshed around creativity, innovation, augmented reality, virtual reality, mixed reality and industry relevance.
• Swinburne also offers a separate 4-year Bachelor of Media and Communication (Professional), which includes a 12-month paid professional work placement opportunity. This is a different qualification and should not be confused with the 3-year Bachelor of Media and Communication.
• The supplied IPU programme page is unrelated to this Swinburne course, so no Swinburne-specific information has been taken from it.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in Australia generally require a Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

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