Why Study/Key Benefits

The Bachelor of Media and Communication, majoring in Advertising, is designed for students who want to combine creative advertising practice with strategy, digital media and communication skills. The programme emphasises practical, industry-connected learning and allows students to work on real-world briefs and build a portfolio before graduation. Swinburne highlights opportunities to work on industry projects, learn from teaching staff with current industry experience and tailor the degree through majors, co-majors, minors and electives.

Key benefits include:

• Practical advertising design, strategy and implementation skills.
• Opportunities to respond to client briefs and develop portfolio-quality advertising work.
• Exposure to digital advertising, social media, video marketing and emerging advertising technologies.
• Industry-connected projects and Work Integrated Learning opportunities.
• Flexible study options through electives, co-majors and minors.
• Professional accreditation of the Advertising major by the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).
• Access to Adobe Creative Cloud is highlighted in Swinburne’s 2026 international course guide.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The degree requires 300 credit points and combines core media and communication studies, the Advertising major and electives.

Core units – 50 credit points:

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

Advertising major – 100 credit points:

• ADV10001 Principles of Advertising
• ADV10002 Digital Advertising
• ADV20003 Search, Social Media and Video Marketing
• ADV20004 Advertising Issues and Impact
• ADV20005 Creativity and Ideation
• ADV30003 Emerging Advertising Technologies
• ADV30004 Digital Advertising Media Strategy
• ADV30005 Advertising Campaigns Project

Disciplines/Specialisations

The selected specialisation for this application is Advertising.

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

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

Programme Highlights

• 3-year undergraduate degree.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• Two current 2027 intakes.
• 300 credit points.
• Advertising major worth 100 credit points.
• Seven available majors within the broader Bachelor of Media and Communication.
• Practical and industry-connected learning.
• Advertising campaign and client-brief experience.
• Development of a professional portfolio.
• Opportunities for internships, placements and other industry experiences.
• Professional accreditation of the Advertising major by the Media Federation of Australia.
• Skills developed include communication, problem solving, strategic thinking, teamwork, time management and video marketing.

Career Outcomes

The Advertising major can prepare graduates for careers across advertising, marketing, communications and media.

Swinburne specifically identifies career opportunities such as:

• Marketing and sales professional
• Public relations officer
• Advertising consultant
• Media planner
• Brand strategist. 

International Student Visa Requirements

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

Key requirements include:

• Enrolment in the course and a valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the required period.
• Meeting the Genuine Student (GS) requirement.
• Providing financial-capacity evidence if required by the Department of Home Affairs.
• Meeting applicable health and character requirements.
• Providing English-language evidence where required.
• Complying with Student visa conditions during the course.