Arts and Communication Degrees

Start with what you enjoy exploring, making or sharing. Think about the work you’d like to create and the skills you want to develop.   

If you love words and ideas, explore Arts or Communication. For visual storytelling, consider Design or Screen Media. If sound, music or performance moves you, look at Music or Performing Arts.   

Compare the subjects, student work and practical experiences in each course to picture yourself studying it. You may also be able to explore different interests through majors, minors or electives, depending on your degree. 

Your talent, ideas and perspective could take you into writing, publishing, music, acting, design, filmmaking or storytelling through journalism, advertising and public relations. Depending on your degree and specialisation, you could develop a career as a writer, performer, composer, designer, filmmaker or content creator, or contribute to cultural organisations and creative projects.   

At Western, develop your craft, build connections and gain experience to help turn what you love into work you’re proud of. Explore your chosen course for career opportunities and any further qualifications required. 

Requirements vary by degree. You don’t need a portfolio or audition for every course, and you don’t need to have worked professionally in a creative field.   

Design offers a portfolio interview pathway where you can discuss your work, creative process and motivation. Music has entry options based on recognised music results or qualifications, or an interview and performance assessment. Performing Arts (Acting) requires an audition, alongside meeting academic requirements.   

Check your chosen course for entry requirements, what to prepare and how to apply. 

Practical learning is part of Western’s Arts, Communication and creative degrees. Depending on your course and subjects, you may work on client briefs, campaigns, original writing, films, recordings, exhibitions or performances, with opportunities for placements and industry collaboration.   

In production-focused courses such as Design, Communication and Screen Media, you’ll build a portfolio of work to show potential employers or clients. Other courses develop different evidence of your skills, such as research projects, written work or performances.   

Explore your course to see the projects and professional experiences available. 

Yes. Depending on your course, you can develop a specialisation while exploring other interests through minors, electives or a double degree.   

For example, Design offers specialist majors and creative minors, while Screen Media includes complementary subjects in Journalism or Design. Arts also offers double-degree combinations with fields including Business, Law, Science and Social Science.   

The combinations available depend on your program, course structure and subject requirements. Check the relevant course page to explore your options.