Study at Curtin
B-MASCOMS

Communications

Bachelor degree

Gain training and professional skills for traditional and emerging media and communication careers.

This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.

Course outline
  • ATAR

    ATAR

    Guaranteed ATAR 70
  • Qualification
    Bachelor of Communications
  • Duration

    Duration

    3 years full-time
  • Credit

    Credit

    600
  • CRICOS

    CRICOS

    018629D
  • Location

    Location

    Curtin Perth,  Curtin University Malaysia,  Curtin Mauritius,  Curtin Singapore
Course outline

Select your preferred campus:

2024

Semester 1

On campus and online

Semester 2

On campus

Course outline
Communications

Overview

Overview

In this course you'll gain expertise in a variety of communications areas including journalism, digital media, screen production, public relations, marketing and graphic design.

You’ll study subjects in media, design and business, gaining foundational knowledge in media and corporate communications and the scope to specialise in two fields of your choice.

You’ll also develop critical thinking and practical skills, using commercial-level equipment to produce content for print, radio, film, television and online media.

In your first year you’ll be introduced to the different spokes of communications and study optional units that reflect or refine your learning in specific communication areas.

In your second and third years, you’ll choose two specialisations to study: one media specialisation and one design or business specialisation, or two media specialisations.

Media specialisations

Design or business specialisations

How this course will make you industry ready

  • You'll develop skills and knowledge in traditional and emerging media and communication roles.
  • You'll use industry-level equipment to produce content and graduate with industry-ready skills.
  • You'll build a portfolio of work and have opportunities to meet industry professionals.

What jobs can the Communications course lead to?

Careers

  • Public relations officer / consultant
  • Market researcher
  • Media and communications officer / consultant
  • Web communications consultant
  • Production coordinator
  • Web developer
  • Internet project manager
  • Marketing manager
  • Content creator
  • Media liaison officer / consultant
  • Filmmaker
  • Photographer
  • Advertising / creative advertising specialist
  • Cinematographer
  • Internet analyst
  • Website manager.

Industries

  • Media
  • Marketing
  • Public relations
  • Advertising
  • Film and television
  • Radio broadcasting.

What you'll learn

  • evaluate and apply theoretical frameworks to the fields of media and communication
  • exercise initiative and creativity in professional practice
  • develop effective communication and practical skills necessary for digital competence and media literacy
  • utilise knowledge and skills in media and communication to engage with the complexity of global conditions, as well as the social, cultural, political, economic and technological shifts around media
  • develop cultural capabilities to engage respectfully with First Peoples and people of all cultures, and demonstrate respect for Indigenous perspectives and all cultures in their community and professional practice
  • initiate, design, deliver and promote industry-standard outcomes relevant to the two chosen specialisations, and with ethical practices in mind

Why study Communications at Curtin?

Specialist pathways

This course culminates in a capstone unit, where you’ll get to work on an applied project relevant to your two specialisations.

Get the Curtin edge

You'll build a portfolio of work, meet industry professionals, use commercial-level communications software and access facilities, including our media production and photography studios.

Broad career options

Our communications degree gives you ultimate flexibility and control over your studies, with the opportunity to choose two specialisations from eight diverse areas.

Amy Hetherington

I built my entire business around the fact that I have a multidisciplinary degree. Film, photography, writing, marketing and social media were all elements of my degree, so it’s definitely been worth it for me. More than that, my degree also developed my confidence in my skills and what I can offer people.

Amy Hetherington

Admission criteria

What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

Select an option that best suits you:

You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

  • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
  • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

ATAR pathway

  • Guaranteed ATAR 70

    This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

  • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

    Essential TEE Subjects: English, English Literature or English as an Additional Language/Dialect.

  • Desirable WACE subjects

    Desirable WACE subjects

    There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

StepUp Entry

StepUp Entry

Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

Alternative pathways

  • Portfolio entry

    Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

  • UniReady

    If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

  • Certificate IV + English Competency

    The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

  • Indigenous applicant

    If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

How others gained admission

View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

How we define ‘experience’

‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

Pathways

  • Portfolio entry

    Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

Pathways

  • TAFE entry

    • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English is required; or
    • AQF Diploma

  • Portfolio entry

    Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

  • STAT entry

    Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

    STAT elements considered are E and either V or Q.

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

Curtin course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses at Curtin. 

Please check our general admission criteria.   

Higher education course switcher criteria

Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to those who are switching courses from another higher education course provider. 

Please check our general admission criteria.   

English requirements

Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

Writing

6

Speaking

6

Reading

6

Listening

6

Overall band score

6.5

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Unsure what option suits you?

We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

Find your pathway to Curtin

Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

Pathway finder tool

Application Requirements

Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

Fees and scholarships

Australian and New Zealand student indicative fees

2024 Fee year:

$16,300*

Commonwealth supported

Commonwealth supported

Fees are indicative first year only and are subject to passage of legislation.

*The indicative first-year fee is calculated on 200 credit points, which is the typical full-time study load per year, however some courses require additional study to be completed, in which case the fee will be higher than that shown.

This fee is a guide only. It may vary depending on the units you choose and does not include incidental fees (such as lab coats or art supplies) or the cost of your textbooks – visit other fees and charges for more information. For more information on fees and to determine your eligibility for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP, please visit fee basics or the Study Assist website

To be eligible for the Commonwealth supported fee:

  • Australian citizens must complete some of their course of study while residing in Australia.
  • Australian permanent residents or New Zealand citizens must be residing in Australia for the entire course.

For further information on eligibility please refer to the Australian Government Study Assist website.

If you’re not an Australian citizen, permanent resident or New Zealand citizen, please see information for international students.

Looking for more detail on the course structure?

View course structure

Location

For start dates, please view the academic calendar.

Curtin Perth flag

2024

Semester 1
  • On campus
  • Online
Semester 2
  • On campus

All endeavours are made to ensure location information for courses is up to date but please note they are subject to change.

The University reserves the right to withdraw any unit of study or program which it offers, to impose limitations on enrolment in any unit or program, and/or to vary arrangements for any program.

Frequently asked questions

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  • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

    The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

    While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

    View courses information disclaimer.

  • Curtin course code: B-MASCOMS
  • CRICOS code: 018629D
  • Last updated on: 25 December 2024

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