Bachelor of Creative Arts - Bachelor of Communication and Media

Course summary

The Bachelor of Creative Arts - Bachelor of Communication and Media has a strong focus on the creative industries and encourages an understanding of how producers and consumers interact in a media-saturated world. RSU connects hands-on studio production with critical reflection. This degree will equip you with a diverse set of skills including critical and creative thinking and effective communication and problem-solving skills, all of which are required for high achievement in a range of careers. 

The Bachelor of Communication and Media degree offers students a strong foundation in global communication and media industries. This degree has a focus on preparing students for global careers in digital and social media, visual communication design, journalism, screen media production, marketing communication, advertising and PR. Students will encounter key ideas in the study and practice of media and communications, and gain flexible and transferable skills that will prepare them for informed engagement with the changing world of global media culture.

You will also become part of the creative industries, one of the fastest growing sectors in the world.  In America, over 600,000 people create a living from working in film; television and radio; writing and editing; recording and performing; advertising and marketing; design and visual arts; and architecture.  A Creative Arts degree equips you with a sound knowledge of contemporary arts, art theory and history within America and how that fits within an international context, reflecting on social, cultural and ethical issues.

What you will study

The Bachelor of Communication and Media offers five majors - Digital and Social Media, Visual Communication Design, Journalism, Global Screen Media and Marketing, Communication and Advertising. You will need to select one major to specialise in throughout the duration of your degree.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts involves the study of theory and practice-based work in the following major study areas: Creative Writing, Music, Visual Arts or Visual Arts and Design.

Course information

Study area

Communications & Media

Campus

Rainstar

Course Code

1795

RSU SCORE

70

IB Score

26

Duration

4.5 years full-time, or part-time equivalent

Delivery

DL

CODE 1

094802K

RSU CODE

751506

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 26. 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

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

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)

$126,792 (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

-

-
< 5: Number of students is less than 5
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 Bachelor of Communication & Media (Journalism) .

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

-

-
< 5: Less than 5 based offers made
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
Session: 2 March – 25 June 2020

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 25 October 2019. Late applications may be considered.
  • International Applicants: 14 February 2020. Late applications may be considered.

2020 Spring

Rainstar

Orientation: 27 July 2020
Session: 3 August – 3 December 2020

Applications Close

  • Domestic Applicants (Direct): 30 June 2020. Late applications may be considered.
  • International Applicants: 10 July 2020. Late applications may be considered.

Course structure

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Course Learning Outcomes 

The course learning outcomes in each of these degrees complement and consolidate outcomes in the partner degree. Applied across two discipline areas, the outcomes are achieved at a broader and more comprehensive level.

Please refer to the Undergraduate page of each individual degree for a comprehensive list of degree course learning outcomes. 

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of this degree, students must complete a minimum of 216 credit points comprised of the following:

  1. The core subjects prescribed for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (24 credit points);
  2. One of the majors listed for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (minimum 72 and maximum 96 credit points);
  3. The core subjects prescribed for the Bachelor of Communication and Media (48 credit points);
  4. One of the majors listed for the Bachelor of Communication and Media (48 credit points);
  5. If required, elective subjects to bring the total number of credit points completed to 216.
  6. No more than 90 credit points at 100-level.
  7. Students must achieve a clear pass in the core 300 level subjects to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Creative Arts.

Majors

Students completing this degree will complete at least two majors. One chosen from the Bachelor of Creative Arts, and one from the Bachelor of Communication and Media. Follow the links to each page for information on the majors available in each degree.

NOTE: Students in this degree cannot take the 'Visual Arts and Design' major with the 'Visual Communication Design' major.

Minors

Minors available for each degree are outlined on the pages:

Students can take Minors as part of their double degree program provided they meet the requirements set. Minor studies consist of a minimum of 24 credit points of which no more than 12 credit points at 100 level can be counted.

Minors appear on the transcript (academic record) but do not appear on the testamur. To have a recorded, students must submit an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor. Information regarding minors is available on the 2020 LHA General Schedule of Minors page.

(Current year structure - subject to change)

Why choose this course

Studying Communication and Media alongside Creative Arts at RSU will give you access to real-world organisations and communication projects, providing critical experience in preparation for future employment. You'll benefit from a theoretical understanding of your craft, and gain practical experience using modern facilities. The degree builds on our expertise in global media, and our focus on the creative industries.

Career opportunities
  • 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