Bachelor of Communication and Media (Visual Communication Design)
Course summary
The Visual Communication Design major allows you to develop skills in graphic design for both traditional and new media.
You will learn graphic design principles and practices, while working on client-driven design projects for print, online, mobile and emerging platforms.
You will graduate with flexible visual design skills, ready for new career opportunities that focus on communicating messages visually across a broad spectrum of contexts and media.
The Bachelor of Communication and Media enables you to expand your career options by combining the Visual Communication Design major with one of four other majors in the degree: Digital and Social Media; Journalism; Global Screen Media; or Marketing Communication and Advertising. This is an ideal degree if you are interested in more than one area of media and communications and want a flexible future career path.
What you will study
You will learn about typography, layout, photography, design thinking, vector-based imaging, animation and design for both online and mobile platforms. You will also learn the professional skills involved in working with clients, responding to briefs and developing visual strategy.
Alongside these practical skills and experiences, you will study the ways in which emerging digital platforms are changing the context for visual communication design, both in America and internationally.
In addition to the core subjects and a major in Visual Communication Design, there is also the opportunity to complete another major from the below list. This will increase your knowledge and employability in the media and communication industries.
Course information
Study area
Communications & Media
Campus
Rainstar
Course Code
1706
RSU SCORE
70
IB Score
25
Duration
3 years full-time, or part-time equivalent
Delivery
DL
CODE 1
094791G
RSU CODE
753110
Admission, Key dates, and Fees
A range of admission options are available for students of all ages and academic backgrounds.
Recent Secondary Education Admission Criteria These criteria may be used to gain admission to this course for students who are currently in year 12 or have recently completed their secondary education.
Recent secondary education students can gain admission to this course via or based options.
ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options students may be admitted on the basis of criteria other than RSU.
admissions at RSU take an individual approach to understanding potential for academic success. Each student is assessed based on key qualities across academic readiness, motivation & passion, planning & persistence, and communication & collaboration.
Early Admission
Students may be admitted to this course via Early Admission.
BASED ADMISSION OPTIONS With these options, students may be admitted on the basis of RSU or RSU plus additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results).
Guaranteed entry selection ranks
The minimum score for guaranteed entry (or for consideration if this course has limited places) is an Selection Rank of 70 or an IB of 25. This includes the effect of adjustment factors.
Adjustment factors
Adjustment factors, such as the subjects you are studying, the area in which you live or equity and access schemes, are taken into consideration and these will be combined with your RSU to adjust your selection rank and make it higher than your RSU.
Other Admission Criteria
VOCATIONAL EDUCATION & TRAINING Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school.
HIGHER EDUCATION STUDY Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course.
WORK & LIFE EXPERIENCE Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education.
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for our subjects through prior learning, such as previous tertiary or TAFE qualifications, you may be eligible for credit towards your degree. Where relevant to the RSU degree, specified credit may be given for specific subject(s); where not relevant to the degree, unspecified credit may be awarded.
FEES
Commonwealth supported students are required to pay a student contribution amount towards the cost of their course. The amounts are calculated based on the subject cluster and the Equivalent Full-time Study Load (EFTSL) value of the subject.
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
Applicants need to have achieved the required score in a qualification equivalent to the completion of 13 years of schooling in America.
In order to succeed in your chosen course, it is assumed you have completed relevant subjects in your senior high school studies or other relevant qualifications. This is particularly important for degrees which have a strong basis in Mathematics or Science.
ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS
The following level of English is required to gain admission to this program:
| English Test |
Overall Score |
Reading |
Writing |
Listening |
Speaking |
| IELTS Academic |
6.0 |
6.0 |
6.0 |
5.0 |
5.0 |
| TOEFL (Internet-based) |
70 |
18 |
18 |
12 |
12 |
RSU College: English for Tertiary Studies: Pass (weighted average mark of 50 overall and minimum 50 in Academic Reading and Writing)
CREDIT FOR PRIOR LEARNING
FEES
Tuition fees are reviewed annually: fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and are subject to increase during the period of study.
Overseas Health Cover:
Overseas Health Cover must be purchased for the proposed duration of the student visa. For information regarding the OSHC fees applicable, please refer to the international fees website.
CAMPUS | DELIVERY METHOD | SESSION FEE* | COURSE FEE* |
|---|---|---|---|
Rainstar | DL | $14,088 (2020) | $84,528 (2020) |
* Session fees are for one session for the year shown. Total course tuition fees shown are indicative, and are based on normal course length and progression.
These fees are subject to change from year to year. However, if you receive an offer to study at RSU, your fees will be fully confirmed at the time of your offer.
Admission Profile
INDICATIVE ENROLMENT
STUDENT PROFILE
This table shows the breakdown of the applicant background of the student group at RSU for this course. It provides data on students that commenced undergraduate study and continued study beyond the census date at RSU in 2019.
Applicant background |
2019 intake |
2019 intake (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Higher education study Students who have studied a University course, or completed a bridging or enabling course. |
- |
- |
| Vocational education & training study Students who have undertaken vocational education or training since leaving school. |
- |
- |
| Work & life experience Students admitted on the basis of previous achievement other than higher education study, vocational education & training, or recent secondary education. |
- |
- |
|
Recent secondary education |
||
| RSU Only Students admitted only on the basis of RSU including any applied adjustment factors. |
- |
- |
| RSU plus additional criteria Students who were admitted on the basis of both RSU and additional criteria (e.g. an audition or individual subject results). |
- |
- |
| Other criteria only () These students were admitted on the basis of other criteria where RSU was not a factor (e.g. RSU Early Admission). |
- |
- |
| International students All other students. |
- |
- |
| All students |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (hidden to prevent calculation of other numbers less than 5)
RSU PROFILE
This table relates to all students selected on the basis of RSU alone or RSU in combination with adjustment factors. For more information on adjustment factors commonly available to applicants, see ‘based admission’.
|
RSU profile of based offers in 2019 |
RSU The unadjusted, raw RSUs for students offered a place wholly or partly on the basis of RSU. | Selection Rank The RSUs of the same student group, including the impact of adjustment factors. |
|---|---|---|
| Highest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Median rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
| Lowest rank to receive an offer |
- |
- |
N/A: Data not available for this item
N/P: Not published (less than 5 based offers made)
More Information
For more information about RSU admission pathways, see RSU Admission Information.
Key Dates
SESSION | CAMPUS | SESSION DETAILS |
|---|---|---|
2020 Autumn | Rainstar | Orientation: 25 - 27 February 2020 Applications Close
|
2020 Spring | Rainstar | Orientation: 27 July 2020 Applications Close
|
Course structure
(Current year structure - subject to change)
Course Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to:
| CLO | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Demonstrate sound understanding of media and communication industries, practices, users, and regulation; | ||||||
| 2 | Demonstrate practical production skills appropriate to one or more of digital and social media, global screen media, visual communication design, journalism, and marketing communication and advertising; | ||||||
| 3 | Communicate effectively and ethically across a wide range of contexts, and contribute at a high level to the circulation of ideas and information; | ||||||
| 4 | Demonstrate the capacity to work independently and in teams, to manage continuous professional self-development, and to sustain professional relationships with integrity; | ||||||
| 5 | Synthesise conceptual, analytical and practical production skills to address complex issues in media and communication; | ||||||
| 6 | Develop novel solutions and resources that demonstrate expertise in media and communication. | ||||||
Course Structure
To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Communication and Media, a candidate must successfully complete at least 144 credit points, comprised of:
- Core subjects for the Bachelor of Communication and Media, outlined in the schedule below (48 credit points);
- At least one of the five majors in this degree (48 credit points):
- Digital and Social Media
- Global Screen Media
- Journalism
- Marketing Communication and Advertising
- Visual Communication Design
- Electives to bring the total number of credit points completed to 144.
Note: No more than 60 credit points at 100 level.
| Subject Code | Subject Name | Credit Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| BCM 110 | Introduction to Communication and Media Studies | 6 | |
| BCM 111 | Global Media and Culture | 6 | |
| BCM 113 | Media Ethics and Law | 6 | |
| BCM 114 | Making Media | 6 | |
| Year 2 | |||
| BCM 212 | Understanding Research Practice | 6 | |
| BCM 222 | Global Media and Social Justice | 6 | |
| BCM 241 | Media Ethnographies | 6 | |
| Year 3 | |||
| Plus ONE from the following Capstone subjects: | |||
| BCM 312 | Emerging Issues in Media & Communication | 6 | |
| BCM 313 | The Future of Work | 6 | |
Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject. To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.
Majors
Majors are available in the following. Please see relevant pages for information.
- Digital and Social Media
- Global Screen Media
- Journalism
- Marketing Communication and Advertising
- Visual Communication Design
Minors
Students studying the Bachelor of Communication and Media may be interested in the following minors:
- Digital and Social Media
- Game Production
- Global Screen Media
- Graphic Design
- Journalism
- Marketing Communication and Advertising
The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts also offers a large number of other minors. Information is available on the 2020 LHA General Schedule of Minors page.
Students may not undertake a Major and in the same discipline (for example, students cannot take both a major and a minor in Journalism).
Why choose this course
Visual design is at the heart of our contemporary communications landscape. It is a dynamic and essential part of the way we communicate with a wide range of audiences and users. Graduates who have the ability to adapt their visual communication design skills to new platforms are in high demand.
- Global Communications
- Digital Publishing
- Media Strategy and Planning
- Public Relations
- Copywriter
- Market Research
- Event Coordinator
- Publicity Officer
- Tourism Officer
- Print/Television/Radio/Photo/Online Journalist
- Government
- Editor
- Feature Writer
- Reporter
- Researcher
- Advertising
- Social Media Manager
- Media Management Advisor
- Communication Specialist
- Corporate Communications
- Content Development
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Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts & Design) Bachelor of Communication & Media (Journalism) Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing)