Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Media and Communication with a major in Cinema and Screen Studies is designed for students interested in film, television, screen culture, screen industries, critical analysis and the wider media environment.

The major goes beyond basic film appreciation and develops skills in screen analysis, research, writing, curation, storytelling and understanding the cultural and industrial forces shaping film and television. Swinburne highlights links with screen-culture organisations and opportunities to develop a portfolio through industry projects.

Key benefits include:

• Study film and television genres, formats and production styles.
• Develop screen-writing, research and curatorial skills.
• Examine Australian, Asian-Pacific and global screen cultures.
• Explore screen technology, sound, music and changing screen industries.
• Develop digital literacy and storytelling skills.
• Work on applied projects that replicate real media-industry activities.
• Build a portfolio before graduation.
• Learn from teaching staff with current industry knowledge.
• Access industry briefs, competitions and other Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
• Combine Cinema and Screen Studies with a second major, co-major, minor or electives to create a more specialised profile.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The degree contains four core units, eight Cinema and Screen Studies major units and the remaining credit points through electives and/or additional study options.

Core units – 50 credit points:

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

Cinema and Screen Studies major – 100 credit points:

• MDA10003 Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
• FTV10006 Genre and the Moving Image
• FTV20005 The Australian Screen
• MDA20007 Screen Franchising and Innovation
• MDA20018 Popular Culture of Asia
• MDA30016 Screen Technology and Culture
• MDA30019 Sound and the Screen
• MDA30011 Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood.

The subjects cover areas such as:

• Film and television analysis
• Genre and moving-image culture
• Australian cinema
• Screen franchises and innovation
• Popular culture in Asia
• Screen technologies
• Screen sound and music
• Global screen cultures beyond Hollywood
• Media industries and their transformation
• Digital communication and content creation.

Disciplines/Specialisations

Cinema and Screen Studies is one of seven majors available within the Bachelor of Media and Communication:

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

Students taking Cinema and Screen Studies can also use the remaining study component to select:

• A second major
• A co-major
• A minor
• Electives.

Programme Highlights

• 3-year undergraduate degree.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• 300 credit points.
• 100-credit-point Cinema and Screen Studies major.
• Two current 2027 intakes.
• CRICOS registered: 088390J.
• Seven Media and Communication majors.
• Portfolio development.
• Industry-connected learning.
• Real-world projects and industry briefs.
• Opportunities for internships, placements and other industry experiences.
• Study of Australian, Asian-Pacific and global screen cultures.
• Strong focus on critical thinking, storytelling, curation and digital literacy.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne specifically identifies the following career opportunities for the Cinema and Screen Studies major:

• Broadcast presenter or entertainment journalist
• Film researcher
• Production coordinator
• Community arts worker
• Film distribution coordinator
• Film festival manager.

Depending on electives and additional study, graduates may also develop career pathways in:

• Film and television research
• Screen curation
• Screen programming
• Film criticism
• Content development
• Digital media
• Screen distribution
• Arts and cultural organisations
• Entertainment journalism
• Media production
• Screen-industry administration.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students intending to study this CRICOS-registered course in Australia will generally require a Student visa (subclass 500).

Key requirements include:

• A valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC).
• Meeting the Genuine Student requirement.
• Meeting applicable financial-capacity requirements.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Providing English-language evidence where required.
• Maintaining compliance with Student visa conditions.
• Studying the course in accordance with the enrolment and attendance requirements.