Key benefits include:

• Combines two complementary qualifications: media and communication plus applied innovation.
• Develops media content creation, communication, critical thinking, creative problem-solving, adaptability and collaboration skills.
• Provides Work Integrated Learning as a guaranteed component of Swinburne bachelor degrees.
• Allows students to select a specialised Media and Communication major.
• Provides opportunities for industry projects and innovation-based practical learning.
• Professional accreditation is available through relevant industry bodies, including the Media Federation of Australia and Communication Public Relations Australia.
• Swinburne currently promotes the course as being in the top 200 globally for communication and number 1 in Melbourne for overall student experience. These are general Swinburne promotional claims rather than features unique to the qualification.

Programme Structure and Subjects / Topics

The course contains 400 credit points divided across Media and Communication, Applied Innovation, the selected major and other approved study.

Media and Communication core units currently listed include:

• Introduction to Media Studies – MDA10001
• Global Media Industries – MDA10008
• Communicating with Data – MDA10012
• Content Creator Lab – MDA10018
• Professional Communication Practice – COM10007
• Media Content Creation – JOU10007

Applied Innovation core units include:

• Exploring Creativity and Innovation – INV10001
• Fundamentals of Innovation Practice – INV10002
• Innovation Sandpit – INV10003
• Responsible Innovation Futures – INV10004

Disciplines / Specialisations

The current Media and Communication major choices are:

Advertising

Units include:

• Principles of Advertising
• Digital Advertising
• Advertising Issues and Impact
• Search, Social Media and Video Marketing
• Creativity and Ideation
• Emerging Advertising Technologies
• Digital Advertising Media Strategy
• Advertising Campaigns Project.

Cinema and Screen Studies

Units include:

• Screen Studies: Movies, Television and Ourselves
• Genre and the Moving Image
• The Australian Screen
• Screen Franchising and Innovation
• Popular Culture of the Asia Pacific
• Screen Technology and Culture
• Screen Sounds and Music
• Global Screen Studies: Beyond Hollywood.

Creative Writing and Publishing

Units include:

• Writing Fiction
• Editing for Writers
• Writing and Publishing Studio
• Diversity in Australian Writing
• Prose Poetics
• Sudden Writing
• Pitch, Edit, Publish
• Literary Industry Practice.

Journalism

Units include:

• Transforming Journalism in the Digital Era
• The Journalist's Toolkit
• Media, Law and Ethics
• Interactive Storytelling
• Media Analytics and Visualisation
• Radio, Audio and Podcasting
• Video Documentary Project
• Live Journalism Lab.

Public Relations

Units include:

• Introduction to Public Relations Theory and Practice
• Professional Communication Practice
• Public Relations Writing
• Global Public Relations Practice
• Issues, Crisis and Risk Communication
• Events Management
• Media and Communications Industry Project
• PR Campaign Planning and Management.

Immersive Media

Units include:

• Experiencing Immersive Media: AR, VR and Mixed Reality
• Mobile Media Futures
• Immersive Screen Narratives
• Writing for Interactive Narratives
• Immersive Media Design and Production
• Screen Technology and Culture
• Emerging Media Industry Project
• Virtual Reality Storytelling.

Social Media

Units include:

• Social Media Cultures
• Social Media Strategy
• Media Analytics and Visualisation
• Business of Media and Entrepreneurship
• Interactive Storytelling
• Researching Social Media Publics
• Emerging Media Industry Project
• Social Media, Social Impact.

Programme Highlights

• 4-year double degree.
• 400 credit points.
• Hawthorn campus.
• CRICOS 108358F.
• Seven Media and Communication majors.
• Four Applied Innovation core units.
• Hackathons, innovation sprints and industry projects.
• Guaranteed Work Integrated Learning as part of the bachelor degree.
• Professional accreditation/recognition through the Media Federation of Australia and Communication Public Relations Australia.
• Strong emphasis on digital media, communication, innovation and emerging technology.
• Potential to add a co-major, minor and/or electives.
• Optional six- or 12-month professional work placement.

Career Outcomes

Swinburne currently identifies potential career opportunities including:

• Communications strategist
• Marketing communications specialist
• Content marketing manager
• Innovation consultant
• Strategic designer
• Creative producer.

Depending on the chosen Media and Communication major and additional study, graduates may also develop career pathways in:

• Advertising
• Journalism
• Public relations
• Social media management
• Digital media
• Content creation
• Screen and film industries
• Immersive media
• Creative writing and publishing
• Media analytics
• Communications
• Innovation and entrepreneurship

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The current course code is BB-MCMAIN.
• CRICOS code is 108358F.
• The currently published 2027 start is 2 August 2027.
• Application deadline currently shown is 28 July 2027.
• The course is based at Hawthorn.
• The course requires 400 credit points.
• Swinburne currently describes Work Integrated Learning as a guaranteed part of its bachelor degrees.
• The optional professional placement can be six or 12 months and is normally undertaken around the third year; students are advised to register at least six months before their preferred placement start.

International Student Visa Requirements

The relevant visa for an international student travelling to Australia to undertake this course is the Student visa (subclass 500).

The course is CRICOS registered under 108358F, which is important for an international student seeking an Australian Student visa.

Key requirements include:

• Valid Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE).
• Enrolment in the eligible full-time course.
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC), unless an exemption applies.
• Satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement.
• Evidence of financial capacity where required.
• Health and character requirements.
• Compliance with Student visa conditions.
• International students in Australia on Student visas must study full-time and on campus.

Student visa work condition:

• Students can generally work up to 48 hours per fortnight while their course is in session.
• The unlimited-work exception applies to students undertaking a master's by research or doctoral degree and their families; it does not apply to this bachelor's degree.