Bachelor of Communications & Media

This is a three-year bachelor degree in communications and media, awarded by Whitecliffe, The Fashion Institute and registered on CRICOS (course code 092900B). It sits at level 7 of the Australian Qualifications Framework. That means it is a full bachelor degree, the same level as any other three-year undergraduate qualification in Australia, and it is built from units of study rather than one long block of teaching. You will typically enrol in a set of core units and then choose electives, with each unit carrying a credit point value. Full-time study usually means eight units a year across two semesters, and you need to pass enough credit points to reach the total the degree requires. The exact unit list, credit point values and semester structure are set by the institution, so confirm them on the official course page before you apply.

What you actually study

Communications and media degrees cover how messages are made, who they reach and what happens when they land. You will work on writing for different audiences, media production, visual communication, media law and ethics, and the way digital platforms have changed publishing and advertising. Because this programme sits inside a fashion institute, expect the media and communications work to be applied to fashion, image, brand and culture rather than treated as an abstract exercise. Assessment is usually a mix of essays, campaigns, production work and presentations, often done in groups the way real media teams operate. Many degrees of this kind finish with a capstone unit, which could be a major project, a portfolio or a research piece. Work-integrated learning is common in this field, so look for an internship or industry placement unit in the course structure.

Skills you build

You learn to write clearly and to different briefs, to plan and produce content, to research an audience, and to argue a case for a campaign or a story. You also pick up the practical side: editing, production tools, social and digital platforms, and how to present work to a client or an editor. Just as important, you learn to work to a deadline and take feedback, which is most of what media work actually is.

Who it suits

This suits school leavers who like writing, image-making and popular culture, and people already working in marketing, retail or media who want a formal qualification. It is also a good fit if you want to study in Australia and stay on to work afterwards. As an international student on a Student visa you can work up to 48 hours per fortnight while your course is in session, and graduates may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream. English requirements for entry are set by the institution; the published standard for undergraduate study is IELTS Academic 6.0 to 6.5 overall, with TOEFL iBT, PTE Academic, Cambridge C1 Advanced and the university's own English programmes accepted as equivalents. The Department of Home Affairs sets a separate English threshold for the Student visa itself. Tuition is published on the CRICOS register, and you should confirm fees, intake dates and unit details on the official page.

• Communications officer or coordinator in government, not-for-profits and large organisations
• Social media and digital content producer
• Marketing and brand assistant, particularly in fashion, retail and lifestyle brands
• Public relations assistant or account coordinator at an agency
• Copywriter or editorial assistant for publishers, magazines and online titles
• Media planner or buyer in advertising
• Production assistant in television, video and content studios
• Event and campaign coordinator

Australian employers in these areas include advertising and PR agencies, fashion and retail brands, publishers, broadcasters, government communications teams, and the marketing departments of banks, universities and health organisations. Roles are concentrated in Sydney and Melbourne but exist in every state.