Why Study/Key Benefits

• The Master of Media and Communication develops practical and analytical skills for contemporary media industries, including media production, digital technology, research and project management.
• The programme combines academic learning with practical media production and an industry-based project, giving students an opportunity to build connections with industry and external stakeholders.
• Students can develop advanced capabilities in areas such as video production, audio and broadcasting, immersive media and social-media branding.
• The Advanced Media Practice specialisation is particularly suitable for students seeking advanced practical media-production skills.
• Swinburne highlights the development of technical and analytical skills, critical evaluation of media texts, professional communication and media-practice methodologies.
• The programme is suitable for students interested in professional media organisations as well as independent media projects.

Programme Structure and Subjects/Topics

The programme covers 200 credit points.

Current core units include:

1. Media Ecologies – MDA60021 – 12.5 credit points
2. Writing for Social and Mobile Media – MDA70001 – 12.5 credit points
3. Digital Cultures: Aesthetics, Markets, Industries – MDA70005 – 12.5 credit points
4. Media Industry Experience – MDA80006 – 25 credit points
5. Data Analytics and Visualisation – MDA80009 – 12.5 credit points
6. Multiplatform Media Production and Practice – MDA80013 – 12.5 credit points
7. Immersive Media Experiences – MDA80010 – 12.5 credit points

For Advanced Media Practice, the specialisation units listed in the current Swinburne handbook are:

1. Advanced Video Production and Practice – MDA70006 – 12.5 credit points
2. Advanced Audio and Broadcasting Practice – MDA70007 – 12.5 credit points
3. Immersive Media Experiences – MDA80010 – 12.5 credit points
4. Social Media Branding and Engagement – MDA80007 – 12.5 credit points

Disciplines/Specialisations

The Master of Media and Communication currently provides several specialisation pathways, including:

• Advanced Media Practice
• Media Practice
• Strategic Communication
• Social Media / Social Media Management

The specific programme requested here is Advanced Media Practice. The current handbook identifies Advanced Media Practice as a 50-credit-point specialisation consisting of four 12.5-credit-point units.

Advanced Media Practice focuses particularly on:

• advanced video production
• advanced audio and broadcasting
• immersive media experiences
• social media branding and engagement. 

Programme Highlights

• 200-credit-point master’s qualification.
• Hawthorn campus in Melbourne.
• March and August intakes.
• Industry-based Media Industry Experience worth 25 credit points.
• Practical and analytical media training.
• Advanced media production opportunities.
• Exposure to digital technologies and contemporary media industries.
• Advanced video and audio production.
• Immersive media experiences.
• Social-media branding and engagement.
• Development of professional and project-management capabilities.
• Opportunity to build relationships with industry and external stakeholders through the industry-based project.

Career Outcomes

The programme develops skills applicable to a broad range of media organisations and independent media projects.

Potential career directions include roles in areas such as:

• media production
• video production
• audio and broadcasting
• digital media
• social media
• content creation
• media strategy
• multimedia production
• communications
• media project management
• digital content development
• creative media industries

Latest Updates/Special Requirements

• The current Swinburne course page lists the programme as MA-MCO with CRICOS 093362D.
• The latest course information confirms 2027 starts on 1 March and 2 August.
• The current course page has some dynamic specialisation wording that can display other specialisations depending on the page configuration. The Swinburne handbook is therefore the better source for the current Advanced Media Practice unit list.
• Advanced standing/RPL is assessed individually. Relevant work experience can potentially support the 1.5-year route, but evidence must be supplied.
• The 2026 Swinburne international guide states a 60% minimum average for the bachelor-degree entry route.
• The supplied IPU programme URL is not a Swinburne programme page. It currently identifies IPU's Master of Contemporary International Studies, which is no longer accepting new enrolments.
• Applicants should confirm the exact approved study plan and availability of Advanced Media Practice units for their intended intake before enrolment.

International Student Visa Requirements

International students studying this programme in Australia generally require an Australian Student visa, subclass 500.

Key requirements include:

• enrolment in a registered full-time course and a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE)
• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
• satisfaction of the Genuine Student requirement
• evidence of financial capacity where required
• meeting health and character requirements
• satisfying applicable English-language requirements
• compliance with visa study and work conditions.