Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Business

Set yourself apart with not only the media knowledge to tackle the industry, but a strategic business approach to deal with the ever-changing landscape of media. Plus, The School of Business at Western has been awarded Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business accreditation for its excellence in business education.

Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Business

Duration

Full Time: 4 Years (Available Part Time)*

Next Start Date

04 March 2024

22 July 2024

Closing Date

Campuses
LSR
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Parramatta South UAC 720711
65
Domestic Student Fees
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Indicative annual fee from $11,885

Additional Information

Program Code: 1819

CRICOS Code: 089211J

Communication and Business at Western

Students complete a capstone subject in engaged learning that equips them as ‘business ready’ in terms of dealing with real world business issues and problems and generating real world business solutions. Through self-directed, team-based and problem-based learning strategies requiring active participation in the community and professional contexts, graduates learn to reflect and value ethical and intellectual conduct as well as respect for diversity and social justice principles. Note: Not all subjects are available on listed campuses. Please refer to our handbook for more information.
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Accreditation

The Bachelor of Communication is accredited by professional organisations including the Public Relations Insitute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Federation of Austalia (MFA).

The School of Business has been awarded AACSB (Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business) accreditation for its excellence in business education.

What you can expect to study

The program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.

B Advanced Science

You can choose from the following majors:

The Advertising major gives students a thorough grounding in general principles of communication as well as practical skills in advertising.  

The major offers a balance of advertising theory and practice and focuses on real, project-based outcomes. 

Areas of study include advertising strategy, advertising creative and art direction, client and account management, digital and social media contexts, advertising campaigns. 

The Public Relations major covers the skills and knowledge required in the profession of public relations, including event management, issues and crisis management and campaign development. 

The major focuses on the role of the public relations practitioner or adviser and provides a theoretical framework of the industry. Students engage with both theory and practical projects and complete an internship placement. 

The Applied Finance major equips you with the expert skills to create a career as a finance specialist. 

In this major you will develop in-depth knowledge of finance with a focus on investment and securities, economics, and banking and finance. 

The core units in the Bachelor of Business will provide you a foundation of business knowledge and develop your skills in innovation, career planning, and numeracy. 

The Applied Finance major builds on this knowledge and skills in an applied discipline based context. Finance specialists work in a range of roles within the rapidly growing finance sector. 

This major fulfils the educational requirements for admission as an Associate (A Fin) of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA) provided the applicant is at least working in the financial services industry. All other students are eligible to apply for Affiliate membership (no postnominals apply). 

The Economics major provides a broad pluralist perspective on fundamental aspects of relationships between individuals, firms, institutions and countries. 

Students will learn how economies function and how public policy and the way organisations behave affect diverse social, economic and environmental problems. Students are introduced to a wide array of competing economic theories, so that they are critically informed about the ways in which they can transform the world. 

A major in Economics prepares students to be active participants in addressing the wide range of problems faced by governments, social organisations and the business community in the domestic and international economies. 

Students who study economics can expect to develop their analytical and problem solving skills and to be intellectually challenged, whether they view the discipline as providing specific vocational skills or as an area of academic and intellectual interest to them. 

An Economics major is very highly regarded in the business world and opens up a very large range of career prospects in general business, finance and the public sector. 

Marketing focuses on the exchange process built around understanding and satisfying the needs and wants of customers. 

Often this is associated as doing business within a highly competitive business environment, yet marketing strategy is also important for government and not-for-profit organisations. 

Marketing satisfies the educational requirements for recognition as a Certified Practising Marketer and eligibility for membership of the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI). 

This major introduces students to the core concepts of marketing theory, consumer behaviour, marketing communications, brand management, and marketing strategy. 

Graduates are equipped with the skills for marketing careers in a range of diverse industries across an international platform. 

This major satisfies the educational requirements for recognition as a Certified Practising Marketer and eligibility for membership of the Australian Marketing Institute. 

The Sport Management major is designed for people who seek careers in Australian and international Sport management. 

Specialist units provide students with a capacity to understand and function within the increasingly dedicated context in which sport is played, organised and managed. 

Students who complete this major will be equipped with the skills and knowledge to manage sport experiences pertaining to globalisation and emerging contemporary issues in sport. 

Graduates find career employment at all levels of government as well as within the private sector for both commercial and non-commercial organisations. 

The Human Resource Management Major is designed for people who seek careers in human resource management and industrial relations. 

Graduates’ careers focus on enhancing the value of human and social capital through supporting employee engagement for many different kinds of organisations, market-oriented and community-oriented organisations and many kinds of people. 

The teaching philosophy is based on knowledge in action, a fusion of the Australia Human Resource Institute’s capabilities for HR professionals and the Western Sydney University Graduate Attributes designed to secure success. 

An aim of the program is to instil those values and attitudes that can support leaders in judgements about balancing the pursuit of organisational objectives with creating opportunities for developing people’s capacities and careers. The perspectives are local and international, with an emphasis on the value of cultural and demographic diversity. 

Graduates have knowledge of how leadership and management of people can support organisational objectives and create organisational opportunities. This capacity comes from grounding in human resource management and industrial relations practice using contemporary law and research in applied projects. 

Students combine this with an education in the pressures organisations experience in inter-disciplinary subjects focused on money, markets and management. That is, graduates develop commercial acumen and appreciate the competing interests around work, aware of trends locally and internationally. 

Throughout the program, students are challenged to develop and demonstrate communication, cultural, and analytic skills required to be innovative and responsible team-members and leaders. 

The Human Resource Management major Is accredited with the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI)  

The global economy is becoming increasingly important for organisations seeking out new opportunities to expand their customer base and develop partnerships. Managers who are well versed in the needs of doing business internationally and who can exploit these opportunities will therefore play an integral role in any such corporation. 

Building on a solid foundation in domestic business education, including global sustainability, international business strategy, managing in a global environment, and international marketing, this major equips graduates with the detailed knowledge of the international dimension of business and the necessary understanding of the workings of that market system. 

International Business satisfies the educational requirements for membership of the Australian Institute of Export 

The Management major equips you with the expert skills to create a career as a management specialist. You will be prepared to succeed in a range of roles in contemporary private, public, and not-for-profit organisations in Australia and abroad. In this major you will develop strategic management knowledge to enable effective organisational decision making. 

The units in this major focus on organisational learning and development and behaviour, operations management, leadership and entrepreneurship, change and innovation, and policy. You can look forward to a range of careers in the broad and complex field of management. 

Career Opportunities

As a graduate of this degree, you can look forward to a broad range of exciting career opportunities in different sectors and industries. Below are some examples of the possible careers you can pursue with this degree:

  • Media Buying and Research
  • Advertising 
  • Production Management
  • Accountant
  • Human Resources Manager
  • Art Direction
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Alumni

"Nothing I ever do is a drain; every class, every lecture and every reading gives me new knowledge and understanding."

— Tania Bittner, Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Business

B Psychological and Social Sciences

Entry requirements for domestic students

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website. Find out more here.

Admission

Students are admitted on the basis of their ATAR score, Year 12 HSC (or equivalent); or completed a Diploma of Business at Western Sydney University, The College; or completed a relevant TAFE award.

Eligibility for admission to the Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Business is based on the following minimum requirements:

  • Assumed Knowledge: Mathematics and any two units of English. Students unable to demonstrate sufficient levels of achievement in mathematics will be required to take an additional subject to increase their mathematical aptitude.

Please consult the handbook for more information.

B Psychological and Social Sciences

Entry requirements for international students

**Please note, if this course lists a part-time option, this is not available to International Students on a Student Visa.

Please consult the handbook for more information regarding entry requirements for this course.

You can read more about international academic entry requirements here.

Indicative annual fee

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A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is one that is subsidised by the Commonwealth and applicable only to Domestic students. This means that the Australian Government pays part of your fees towards your program, therefore reducing your program fees, and the remaining amount is paid by you, this is considered your Student Contribution.

To work out how much your Student Contribution will be before you study, you will first need to find out the Student Contribution band your subjects fit into based on their general discipline area.

You can then calculate your student contributions to work out the total amount of your contribution.

The Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) is a range of loans introduced by the Australian Government from 2005 to provide fee payment assistance to eligible students. Loans are for Australian citizens studying in Australia or overseas. Permanent residents who hold a humanitarian visa are also eligible if studying in Australia.

If eligible you may be able to defer all or part of your Student Contribution through the HECS-HELP loan program. You may also be eligible for OS-HELP if undertaking studies overseas.

New Zealand citizens and holders of an Australian permanent resident visa (other than an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) are generally not entitled to HECS-HELP assistance. If you are a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident your Student Contribution amount must be paid in full by the census date.

However, the Australian Government has passed new legislation that changes the way some New Zealand citizens, who hold a Special Category Visa (SCV), studying in Australia will pay their fees. More information is available on the Changes to fees for New Zealand Citizens webpage.

Find out more about HECS-HELP

Find out more about OS-HELP

Apply as a Domestic Student

If you are a domestic student, you can apply through our Western Application system which is free of charge.

Domestic students are:

  • Australian Citizens
  • New Zealand Citizens
  • Australian permanent residents
  • Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders

Scholarships

Western Sydney University recognises and rewards students who demonstrate community engagement, outstanding academic ability and superior leadership skills. Donor-funded scholarships are also available, providing support for students based on both academic achievements and equity considerations. There are also scholarships available for specific degrees. 

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Apply as an International Student

If you are an international student, you can apply for free through our international student application system or through an agent representative.

International students are:

  • Not an Australian citizen;
  • Not a New Zealand citizen; and
  • Not a permanent resident of Australia.

If you are an international student completing the Australian HSC, IB or NCEA, apply direct via UAC International.

Admission to Western Sydney University is on the basis of meeting minimum academic and English language requirements. For more information about tuition fees and other costs, visit the Fees and Costs page.

Scholarships

When you apply to Western, you’re automatically assessed for a Scholarship, no additional application required! We’re offering multi-year scholarships (for up to 3 years) valued at $6,000 or $3,000 and even 50% off tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.

B Education (Early Childhood)

FAQs

We've gathered common questions to provide you with quick, clear answers about this program. Whether you're exploring admission requirements, details about the degree or career prospects, you'll find valuable insights here. If you need more information, our support team is ready to assist you on your journey to Western. You can find their details below.

Unlike the standalone Bachelor of Communication degree, you cannot study this double degree entirely online. You would need to do the Business subjects on campus. However, you would be able to choose to do the Communication subjects online, which would reduce your on campus attendance.

The Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Business encompasses a range of studies in the fields of communication, media and business including specialised studies in the major fields of Advertising or Public Relations, combined with the business disciplines of Applied Finance, Economics, Hospitality Management, Human Resource Management, International Business, Management, Marketing, or Sport Management. Teaching includes both theory and practice with reference to real world contexts highlighting future career opportunities in a convergent digital media and business world, including a good understanding of basic business issues complemented by a high level of knowledge relevant to the specific discipline.

The Applied Finance, Testamur Major satisfies the educational requirements for membership of the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (Finsia). The Human Resource Management, Testamur Major is accredited with the Australian Human Resources Institute (AHRI). The Marketing, Testamur Major satisfies the educational requirements for recognition as a Certified Practising Marketer and eligibility for membership of the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI). The Bachelor of Communication is accredited by professional organisations including the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA). The business component of this program is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).

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Want to know more?

We're here to provide clarity.

If you're uncertain about your study journey, enquire about our program today and gain the confidence to move forward.

Australian students
1300 897 669

International students
+61 2 9852 5499

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Kingswood campus

OTHER STUDY OPTIONS

Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of International Studies

Full Time: 4 Years (Available Part Time)*

Bachelor of Business / Bachelor of Laws

Full Time: 5 Years (Available Part Time)*

Bachelor of Communication

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)

Full Time: 3 Years (Available Part Time)*

The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.