Why study communication with UoN?

If the idea of writing for media, working in television production, producing a radio program or working as a public relations consultant inspires you, then look no further than the Bachelor of Communication.

When you study communication and media through the Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle, you will develop the skills to produce thoughtful and creative work. You will learn to push your individual boundaries and work as part of a team contributing to the dynamic cultural and creative industries both in Australia and around the globe.

Offered through the Faculty of Science and Information Technology, the Bachelor of Communication degree will give you an in-depth understanding of both communication theory and practice.

Besides a wide range of practical skills providing you with a foundation and confidence to enhance your ability to develop your creative potential, you will also develop critical and analytical awareness of the cultural, economic and social significance of communication in a complex and rapidly changing global media environment.

If you complete the Bachelor of Communication with the public relations major (as revised in 2012) will graduate with a degree accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA). The pre-2012 program structure does not have PRIA accreditation.

What you will study

The structure of the communication degree provides you with the opportunity to specialise in certain areas (majors) depending on your career aspirations and interests. Completing this degree means you can enter into journalism, media studies, public relations or media production. Find out more

Responsive teaching and real-world experiences

Our courses have been designed to incorporate work placement or projects with industry where possible as a compulsory component of your specialist major. Find out more

Fast track to an exciting career

Completing the Bachelor of Communication puts you on the fast track to a variety of exciting career options. Find out more

Meet our achievers

Why would you do this degree? Find out from graduates, students and academics. Discover how their future is taking shape, and learn first-hand what it's like to study at uni. Find out more

What you will study

The Bachelor of Communication is a three-year fulltime or equivalent part-time degree offered at our Callaghan campus. It is designed to prepare you to work creatively and analytically in the communication and cultural industries, and for further study and research in the field. As a graduate you will have an understanding of the theory and practice continuum that operates within communication, and will be critically and analytically aware of the cultural, economic and social significance of communication in a complex and rapidly changing global environment. The degree's core courses will provide you with a broad understanding of the discipline of communication; an introduction to audio, video and web production; a toolkit of professional and academic analytical skills; and an understanding of creative, professional practice.

The structure of the Bachelor of Communication provides you with the opportunity to choose from four majors, depending on your talents and career aspirations. The four majors available are:

• journalism
• media studies
• public relations
• media production.

This degree also allows you to combine majors to extend your professional skills and knowledge. Depending on your major, you will also have the opportunity to select from courses covering topics such as:

• media production
• professional writing
• magazine and broadcast journalism
• media interviewing
• cultural studies
• public relations practice
• photomedia
• screenwriting.

You can take electives courses from a broad range of disciplines to complete the degree, including history, English, religion or sociology. You will be encouraged to pursue your individual areas of interest when choosing electives for this degree.

If you perform well during the undergraduate degree you will be urged to consider a further year of full-time (or equivalent part-time) study to obtain an Honours degree. This often enhances your career options and also provides a pathway to postgraduate research higher degrees.

Majors

The Bachelor of Communication at the University of Newcastle offers you four majors.

Journalism

The world-wide-web has had a major impact on traditional forms of media distribution and this impact has affected many communication industries including journalism. But there remains a global need for stories to be told in a variety of formats by journalists who can plan, develop, write, record and edit stories across a variety of media platform.

The journalism major provides students with the opportunity to develop practical skills and knowledge that is relevant to the contemporary journalism landscape. Students may study professional writing, public affairs, radio journalism, television journalism and feature writing. Students can combine these courses with media production courses to develop skills pertinent to the evolving journalism environment.

Our graduates of the journalism major have found work in radio, television, as well as online and print media throughout Australia and overseas. Our graduates work as news and specialist reporters, columnists, commentators, copywriters, producers, sub-editors, editors, newsreaders and presenters.

The skills learnt through the journalism major are highly valued in public relations, publishing, law, commerce and business where experienced journalists have become media officers, publishers, editors, speechwriters for government officials, politicians and executives, and corporate communicators.

Media Production

The Media Production major provides skills and concepts that are relevant to career pathways in a wide range of media production and communication industries. Students will study photomedia, media production: video, television, radio and sound professional writing, visual communication technology, music video, web multimedia, and visual communication imaging.

Graduates who complete this major work professionally as producers, performers, designers, digital producers, directors and writers, and a number have successfully established their own companies. Graduates usually find work in the areas of theatre, arts and event management, digital production, radio and television as well as film and new media.

Public Relations

This major provides students with the skills required in the profession and practice of public relations, which assists organisations in establishing and maintaining communication and cooperation with stakeholder groups. Students will undertake studies in professional writing, public relations practice, developing multimedia publications, public affairs, public relations writing, public relations strategy and public relations campaigns.

While graduates in PR may seek employment in public relations, they also find careers in event management, promotion, advertising, marketing and policy development in both public and private sectors. Public relations graduates have the opportunity to develop in-depth expertise that is often recognised by above-average salaries.

Media Studies

In this major students will study a range of subjects including media, communication and culture, film and television studies, contemporary popular music, international media studies, technology, digital culture and new media and society.

Media Studies students gain employment directly in media industries as well as in media related work. Completing a major in Media Studies assists with careers in print journalism, radio, television, film distribution and public relations. Some specialised opportunities also exist in broadcasting and communications research.

Combined degree

If you are interested in a Bachelor of Communication and a Bachelor of Laws, you can complete the following combined degree in five years, when you study full-time:

• Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of Laws

Fast track to an exciting career

Completing the Bachelor of Communication puts you on the fast track to a variety of exciting career options. When you graduate you’ll find that your knowledge is relevant, your skills are valid, and your background in the important current issues in communication is strong. You can work in media organisations, publishing houses, production companies, businesses and consultancies around the world. You can work in government and non-government organisations dedicated to social, political and historical development, or as a dynamic freelancer engaged in creative and artistic production. As a graduate of the journalism major you can find work as a reporter, producer, publisher, editor and sub-editor, feature and freelance writer, investigative journalist, media researcher, and strategist in print, broadcast and online media.

Depending on your career interests, you can work in:

• multimedia production
• public relations
• journalism
• digital video and television
• audio production and post production
• professional and creative writing
• broadcast journalism
• radio broadcasting and production
• media research and analysis
• audience research and analysis
• research and policy development.

Such employment is located in both the public and private sectors involved in the communication and cultural industries.

Meet our achievers