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You’re curious, enjoy telling stories, and you want to use media to share ideas about the things that get people talking.
Our Communication degree will give you the professional skills and knowledge to build the ‘go anywhere, do anything’ career you want. Major in Journalism, Advertising, Public Relations or Screen Media and develop job-ready skills in communication, digital media, media production, research, and innovation.
Study options
FULL TIME
3 years
PART TIME
6 years
Start times
Spring
July
(2023)
Autumn
March
(2024)
Please note: Sydney City Campus semesters commence in March, July and October.
Explore Western | 29 May-10 June
Get a head-start on your future with the wide range of programs available for mid-year entry at Western.
Chat to us one-on-one to explore your options so you can start your degree in 2023.
Communication at Western
Your first year of study covers general communications theory and practice, giving you a solid understanding of how the different disciplines overlap and connect. Second and third year allows you to focus on your chosen Communication major. Working in the classroom and in the field with expert industry partners, you’ll get the kind of hands-on practical experience that employers love to see.
Our students travel the globe – on study tours and to gain work experience. We’ve taken students to Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, Vanuatu, Fiji, Taiwan, China and to the United Nations Leadership Symposium to work on films, communication campaigns, news reports, sustainability and leadership initiatives.
We'll help you build a portfolio, develop your professional brand, understand project workflows and client needs, and establish the contacts you’ll need to kick-start your career.
Professional accreditation
The Media Federation of Australia (MFA), established in 1997, is the peak body representing media communication agencies to government, industry, media owners and the general public. The MFA membership represents over 90% of all media agency placed media billings in Australia.
The Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) is the national industry body for public relations and communication professionals in Australia. PRIA represents and provides professional support and recognition to practitioners and consultants nationwide.
Program structure
The program structure is outlined in our handbook. Here you can view all of the subjects you will be studying.
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 Journalism major combines an understanding of how the news media work with practical experience in broadcast, print and online journalism.
Students develop journalism skills suitable for newspapers, magazines, internet, radio and TV, corporate and community media.
The major in Screen Media is designed to provide students with production skills, complete with practical hands-on experience together with a theoretical foundation in the moving, visual media.
Please note: This Screen Media major is only offered at Parramatta South.
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.
Fees and delivery
Fees: Varies depending on subjects selected. View available subjects in our handbook.
For further information on University fees, please visit Fees and University Costs.
Delivery: On campus, online
Fees: AUD $29,488*
Delivery: On campus, online
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Professional recognition
Recognised by the Public Relations Institute of Australia and the Media Federation of Australia.
Industry placements
Get real-world placements at companies like the ABC, News Corp Australia, SKY News, Fairfax Community News, OMD, Ikon Communications, Carat Media, The Public Relations Institute of Australia, Channel Ten, Salmat, OHD, Zenith Optimedia, Nine Network and 360 PR.
Meet our graduates
Wherever you travel, you can expect to find one of our Bachelor of Communication graduates.
Our students are working at Google, Universal Music Group, McCann Worldwide, the Australian Ballet, SBS, ABC, The Australian, The Daily Telegraph, The Sydney Morning Herald, Sky News, Discovery Channel, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead, Beyond, and Hill and Knowlton, just to name a few.
Meet our graduates
Alexandra Gawthorne
Analytical and driven, Alexandra Gawthorne graduated in 2018 and got her first job in advertising with Southern Cross Austereo after completing an internship there. She quickly emerged as a talent in account management and has received a number of industry accolades, including a feature in AdNews as an up-and-coming “young gun.”
Alex Ryan (Advertising)
Big thinker, challenger and planner – Alex is responsible for the global strategy, innovation, insights, media and data for clients such as Spotify, BMW and Mini. Alex is now based in New York after a stellar media career in Sydney and winning B&T’s prestigious top 30 Under 30 award.
Meghna Bali (Journalism)
Breaking and reporting news, human interest stories and current events, for the ABC, Meghna appears on TV, radio, online and in social media. While studying at WSU, Meghna completed a three-month internship with the Nepali Times Newspaper in Kathmandu, Nepal.
Nathan Richman (Screen Media)
Nathan founded Elastic Studios and is driven by a passion for creativity and innovation. He uses technology and data to enhance storytelling, through web and digital campaigns, branding and design, and live video production for clients such as KIA, Citibank, Qantas and Samsung.
Katie Dally (Advertising)
Katie’s passions are creating a people first-culture and solving client business problems in unconventional ways. She has worked on numerous award-winning campaigns worldwide, at leading creative agencies including The Campaign Palace, Leo Burnett, and Ogilvy. Katie is now General Manager at Y&R, Australia and New Zealand.
Bianca Agius (Public Relations)
After graduating, Bianca joined Woolworths Limited, where she developed communication strategies, executed corporate events, and managed media relations. After broadening her experience in the UK, Bianca returned to Australia to help develop the profile of Commtract – Australia’s first online marketplace for communications professionals.
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World-class facilities
Access Western’s new, start-of- the-art design, photography and journalism studios and facilities.
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*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.
** Lowest Selection Rank
