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QTAC code (Australian and New Zealand applicants): Toowoomba campus: 909881; Online: 909885; Springfield campus: 929881

CRICOS code (International applicants): 093872D

You are currently viewing the 2023 Handbook. For study in 2024, please refer to the .

Please be advised that this program will be transitioning from Semester to Trimester study periods in 2024. Trimester 1 starts on 22 January 2024. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Notes

In 2023 the program follows the Semester calendar. The Academic Calendar and Important Dates webpage will allow you to view and download a copy of the important dates for the Semester calendar.

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Contact us

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Program aims

This program produces graduates with a versatile range of contemporary communication skills that can be immediately applied in your career. A diverse set of majors is available that applies digital technology skillsets highly sought after by industry. Study areas are available in advertising, digital media, documentary production, journalism, public relations, marketing, professional photography and software application development. Subject to prerequisite requirements, you may also widen your employment opportunities by choosing a secondary major (or minor/s) from outside the program. In your final year, you will be required to undertake authentic learning in a workplace or community project with an option of a work placement or internship.

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Program objectives

On successful completion of the program students should be able to:

• Communicate with high degree of clarity and coherence focusing on specific recipients using professional or technical language;

• Identify and evaluate the communication processes in a range of industry settings using oral, written, and digital channels;

• Solve problems using critical and reflective approaches informed by communication theory, ethical and social responsibilities;

• Select and apply industry relevant communication practices in authentic settings that are collaborative, innovative, and future-focused;

• Value cultural awareness and diversity and advocate within teams, communities, and workplace settings;

• Critically examine and describe the theoretical issues, problems and methodologies used within the communication professions.

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Australian Qualifications Framework

The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is a single national, comprehensive system of qualifications offered by higher education institutions (including universities), vocational education and training institutions and secondary schools. Each AQF qualification has a set of descriptors which define the type and complexity of knowledge, skills and application of knowledge and skills that a graduate who has been awarded that qualification has attained, and the typical volume of learning associated with that qualification type.

This program is at AQF Qualification Level 07. Graduates at this level will have broad and coherent knowledge and skills for professional work and/or further learning.

The full set of levels criteria and qualification type descriptors can be found by visiting .

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Program Information Set

View UniSQ’s admission criteria, student profiles and a summary of all offers made under via the QTAC website.

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Admission requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants must satisfy the following requirements:

• Have achieved a minimum Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 63, or equivalent qualification.^

• English Language Proficiency requirements for Category 2.

Applicants are advised to also address the following:

• expectations: English (Units 3 & 4, C).

All students are required to satisfy the applicable .

If students do not meet the English language requirements they may apply to study a University-approved . On successful completion of the English language program, students may be admitted to an award program.

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Program fees

Commonwealth supported place

A Commonwealth supported place is where the Australian Government makes a contribution towards the cost of a students' higher education and students pay a , which varies depending on the courses undertaken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

Commonwealth Supported students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called .

Domestic full fee paying place

Domestic full fee paying places are funded entirely through the full fees paid by the student. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the

Domestic full fee paying students may be eligible to defer their fees through a Government loan called provided they meet the residency and citizenship requirements.

Australian citizens, Permanent Humanitarian Visa holders, Permanent Resident visa holders and New Zealand citizens who will be resident outside Australia for the duration of their program pay full tuition fees and are not eligible for .

International full fee paying place

International students pay full fees. Full fees vary depending on the courses that are taken and whether they are studied on-campus, external or online. Students are able to calculate the fees for a particular course via the .

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Program structure

The Bachelor of Communication and Media is comprised of 24 single-unit courses as indicated in the table below. Students are required to complete a minimum of four (4) Level 3 courses as part of this program.

Foundation Year

It is recommended that students take one (1) SEED course in each of their first two (2) semesters of study. SEED electives work with first-year core courses to create a foundation year. By exploring the contributions different disciplines make to problem-solving, students will be able to make more informed study choices in program design and their emergent career journeys.

Second major, minor and/or elective courses from other UniSQ undergraduate programs:

Students may select a second major, minor and/or elective courses from other UniSQ undergraduate programs as listed in the program structure options below. These have been established in collaboration with other schools to add value and align with career outcomes in priority areas. Students are encouraged to consider the recommended combinations in selecting second majors, minors, and/or electives. Alternatively, students may select a second major, minor, and/or electives from UniSQ undergraduate programs not listed below, subject to meeting prerequisite requirements. Typically students tend to consider a second major, minor or elective courses from the Bachelor of Business , Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Information Technology or Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Science (Psychology) .

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Required time limits

Students have a maximum of nine (9) years to complete this program.

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Core courses

All students must take the core courses:

• CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship (final offer Semester 1, 2023) OR HAC1000 The Skilful Communicator^£ (first offer Semester 2, 2023 and must be taken in first year of study).

• HAC1001 The Professional Self: Building Career Identity (must be taken in first year of study)

• HAC2000 Digital Worlds: Human Future (first offer Trimester 1, 2024)

• HAC3001 The Emerging Professional (first offer Trimester 2, 2024)

The recommended pattern is below for enrolment in core courses by full-time on-campus students:

This pattern should only be varied with the permission of the Bachelor of Communication and Media Program Director or approved delegate.

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Major studies

8-unit majors (see Recommended Enrolment Patterns for further details):

• Advertising

• Digital Media

• Documentary Production

• Journalism

• Marketing

• Professional Photography

• Public Relations

• Software Application Development

Majors from outside the program

Students may select one major from the list above and a second major from another UniSQ undergraduate program subject to meeting prerequisite requirements and with the approval of the Program Director.

Specific majors

In this section:

• Advertising (8-unit major)
• Digital Media (8-unit major)
• Documentary Production (8-unit major)
• Journalism (8-unit major)
• Marketing (8-unit major)
• Professional Photography (8-unit major)
• Public Relations (8-unit major)
• Software Application Development (8-unit major)

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Advertising (8-unit major)

Advertising is an essential part of commercial and not-for-profit organisations throughout the world, and is a key tool used to grow businesses and communicate to audiences. Students in Advertising learn how to create concepts, understand audiences and pitch effective messages, and implement advertising campaigns across a range of media. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Advertising major with a major in Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development or another major from the majors list.

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Digital Media (8-unit major)

Digital Media is a dynamic and fast-paced specialism, and students in this major explore topics such as graphic design and digital art practice, create in the modelling studio, and learn about motion design and design science. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Digital Media major with a major in Advertising, Documentary Production, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development, or another major from the majors list.

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Documentary Production (8-unit major)

The Documentary Production major is for students who want to develop professional skills in film direction and production. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Documentary Production major with a major in Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, or another major from the majors list.

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Journalism (8-unit major)

In a world driven by media, journalists play an increasingly important role in informing communities about global affairs, politics and government, crime and policing, business and finance, trade and economics, as well as education, health, entertainment, and culture. Journalism is also often called ‘the front line of history’ because journalists write stories about the world around them and these become part of the historical record. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Journalism major with Advertising, Digital Media, Documentary Production, Marketing, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development, or another major from the majors list.

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Marketing (8-unit major)

Marketing encompasses the steps taken to position your goods and services into the hands of potential customers. It can focus the energy and resources of an organisation to their best potential for maximum gain in the marketplace. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Marketing major with Advertising, Digital Media, Documentary Production, Journalism, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development, or another major from the majors list.

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Professional Photography (8-unit major)

Photography allows us to capture the world around us, with images used to instigate thought, create conversation and evoke emotion. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Professional Photography major with Advertising, Digital Media, Documentary Production, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or another major from the majors list.

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Public Relations (8-unit major)

Public relations practitioners work in fast-paced, dynamic environments within corporate, not-for-profit and government organisations using a range of skills such as written and verbal communications, strategic planning, research and stakeholder engagement practices. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Public Relations major with Advertising, Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, or another major from the majors list.

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Software Application Development (8-unit major)

The Software Application Development major allows you to explore web technology, techniques and database systems. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Software Application Development major with Advertising, Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, or another major from the majors list.

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Minor Studies

Students may take one minor from those listed below or listed in the . Students should take courses to the value of at least four units in the selected Minor Study. Choice of a minor will depend on the availability of the subject area, timetabling constraints, quotas and other restrictions such as auditions and interviews in certain areas of the Arts, as well as the approval of the Program Director.

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Electives/Approved courses

Elective courses enable students to further increase their knowledge and widen their perspectives. Courses available for elective study are found in the Minor Studies section of this Handbook or in the SEED Electives list.

SEED Electives (Skills, Experience, Employability, Discovery)

It is recommended that students take ONE (1) SEED course in each of their first two (2) semesters of study. SEED electives work with first-year core courses to create a foundation year. By exploring the contributions different disciplines make to problem-solving, students will be able to make more informed study choices in program design and their emergent career journeys.

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Practical experience

In many majors within this program, on-campus and external students will be required to work on practical, real world projects and in some cases, will be required to work in teams.

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IT requirements

For information technology requirements please refer to the .

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Exit points

Students may exit with the DART Diploma of Arts if they have completed 8 courses as follows:

• CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship (final offer Semester 1, 2023) OR HAC1000 The Skilful Communicator^£ (first offer Semester 2, 2023)

• 7 other courses from the Bachelor of Communication and Media.

Students may exit with the DAPC Diploma of Professional Communication if they have completed 8 courses as follows:

• CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship (final offer Semester 1, 2023) OR HAC1000 The Skilful Communicator^£ (first offer Semester 2, 2023)

• HAC1001 The Professional Self: Building Career Identity

• 6 other courses as specified by the DAPC Diploma of Professional Communication handbook.

Students may exit with the DAPP Diploma of Professional Photography if they have completed 8 courses as follows:

• CMS1000 Communication and Scholarship (final offer Semester 1, 2023) OR HAC1000 The Skilful Communicator^£ (first offer Semester 2, 2023)

• HAC1001 The Professional Self: Building Career Identity

• 6 other courses as specified by the DAPP Diploma of Professional Photography handbook.

Students may exit with the Associate Degree of Communication and Media if they have completed 16 courses as follows:

• 2 core units from the Bachelor of Communication and Media

• 14 other units.

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Credit

Candidates for admission to the Bachelor of Communication and Media may be eligible for up to 16 units of credit on the basis of successful completion of relevant, equivalent undergraduate study from a recognised university or institution offering equivalent study. Credit approved in this program will not automatically apply to other programs offered by UniSQ.

Claims for credit for previous study should be submitted prior to or at the time of enrolment. Each claim will be assessed on individual merit in line with UniSQ policy.

Note: Where credit is granted, maximum and minimum duration will be adjusted in the same proportion as credit, for example, where eight units of credit is granted, maximum time will be six years and minimum time will be four semesters.

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Enrolment

All students are urged to adhere to the recommended enrolment patterns as detailed in the next section of the Handbook. Completion of enrolment requirements must be satisfied for a student to be permitted to enrol in more advanced courses.
As a guide, full-time students should plan to undertake eight (8) courses per year and online students, who are in employment, a maximum of six (6) courses per year, with a minimum of four (4) courses per year. This is exclusive of any Semester 3 enrolments, which may be used to maintain progress within an enrolment pattern where required.
Courses are normally offered on-campus and online in the same semester. If a course is offered twice in one year, the second offering will normally be in an online mode of offer only.
Students wishing to enrol in more than 4 courses in any semester must first obtain permission from the university.

Recommended enrolment patterns

In this section:

• Advertising (8-unit major)
• Digital Media (8-unit major)
• Documentary Production (8-unit major)
• Journalism (8-unit major)
• Marketing (8-unit major)
• Professional Photography (8-unit major)
• Public Relations (8-unit major)
• Software Application Development (8-unit major)

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Advertising (8-unit major)

Advertising is an essential part of commercial and not-for-profit organisations throughout the world, and is a key tool used to grow businesses and communicate to audiences. Students in Advertising learn how to create concepts, understand audiences and pitch effective messages, and implement advertising campaigns across a range of media. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Advertising major with a major in Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development or another major from the majors list.

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Digital Media (8-unit major)

Digital Media is a dynamic and fast-paced specialism, and students in this major explore topics such as graphic design and digital art practice, create in the modelling studio, and learn about motion design and design science. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Digital Media major with a major in Advertising, Documentary Production, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development, or another major from the majors list.

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Documentary Production (8-unit major)

The Documentary Production major is for students who want to develop professional skills in film direction and production. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Documentary Production major with a major in Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, or another major from the majors list.

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Journalism (8-unit major)

In a world driven by media, journalists play an increasingly important role in informing communities about global affairs, politics and government, crime and policing, business and finance, trade and economics, as well as education, health, entertainment, and culture. Journalism is also often called ‘the front line of history’ because journalists write stories about the world around them and these become part of the historical record. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Journalism major with Advertising, Digital Media, Documentary Production, Marketing, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development, or another major from the majors list.

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Marketing (8-unit major)

Marketing encompasses the steps taken to position your goods and services into the hands of potential customers. It can focus the energy and resources of an organisation to their best potential for maximum gain in the marketplace. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Marketing major with Advertising, Digital Media, Documentary Production, Journalism, Professional Photography, Public Relations, Software Application Development, or another major from the majors list.

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Professional Photography (8-unit major)

Photography allows us to capture the world around us, with images used to instigate thought, create conversation and evoke emotion. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Professional Photography major with Advertising, Digital Media, Documentary Production, Journalism, Marketing, Public Relations, or another major from the majors list.

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Public Relations (8-unit major)

Public relations practitioners work in fast-paced, dynamic environments within corporate, not-for-profit and government organisations using a range of skills such as written and verbal communications, strategic planning, research and stakeholder engagement practices. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Public Relations major with Advertising, Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, Professional Photography, or another major from the majors list.

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Software Application Development (8-unit major)

The Software Application Development major allows you to explore web technology, techniques and database systems. Plan your future career: Depending on your career aspirations, you could combine your Software Application Development major with Advertising, Digital Media, Journalism, Marketing, or another major from the majors list.