Undergraduate course information
Areas of study
Bachelor of Communication (all majors)
Bachelor of Music and Sound Design
Bachelor of Animation Production
Applications
All non-current school leavers are selected through an assessment of academic merit. For further information, see UTS Communication's selection criteria.
Areas of study
The School of Communication offers a range of undergraduate degrees that equip students with critical thinking skills and the latest industry requirements for the communication industries.
- Bachelor of Communication courses are offered with the following majors
(all these majors can also be combined with international studies, creative intelligence and innovation, or law):- journalism
- media arts and production
- strategic communication
- social and political sciences
- writing and publishing
- digital and social media
- media business
- Bachelor of Music and Sound Design (this course can also be combined with international studies and creative intellligence and innovation).
- Bachelor of Animation Production (this course can also be combined with international studies and creative intellligence and innovation).
Bachelor of Communication (all majors)
Course structure
Students must complete 144 credit points comprising the following:
- 24 credit points of core subjects
- 48 credit points of major subjects (students choose their major when applying via UAC)
- 24 credit points of electives, and
- potentially, a second major of 48 credit points or 18 credit points of a second major stream and 30 credit points of electives.
All new commencing students choose a 18-credit-point second major stream when enrolling in their first session which consists of three subjects from another major. Students can choose any second major (excluding Media Arts and Production).
Students who choose not to continue with their second major choice continue in their course by choosing 30 credit points of electives (i.e. five 6 credit point subjects).
Bachelor of Communication: majors
Each major integrates theory and practice and is designed to provide the specialist skills and knowledge required by an entrant to a particular industry or creative practice. Major subjects maintain a critical focus on industry while allowing students to develop the well-rounded expertise needed by practitioners in the next decade.
All of these majors can be combined with International Studies, Creative Intelligence and Innovation, or Law.
For those interested in investigating world issues like politics, climate change or global relations, and sharing them with the public, journalism is an exciting and broad career option. It combines skills in writing, production, research, and critical thinking to develop students’ capacities to frame world issues and affairs in accessible and relevant ways. UTS teaches journalism on the principle that it is a public good, and that any functional society requires a free and robust media. We encourage our graduates to be critical thinkers and train them in the ethical, intellectual, and political foundations needed to start their professional lives.
Designed for people passionate about films, filmmaking, and media production, the Bachelor of Communication (Media Arts and Production) at UTS equips students with the practical production skills and conceptual backing needed to enter the creative industries with a competitive edge. This hands-on course, designed and taught by leading practitioners in the Australian film and television industry, sees students produce a portfolio of media works encompassing short drama, documentary, animation, sound, and the media arts.
The Bachelor of Communication (Strategic Communication) at UTS will develop students’ skills and knowledge for work in creative advertising, strategic public relations, and the rapidly expanding related areas. Formerly known as ‘Public Communication’, the industry-focussed Bachelor of Communication (Strategic Communication) is taught by practitioners and leading researchers in the field, helping students to build the skills they need to enter the dynamic and diverse global communication industry. Students research, design and produce campaigns for issues and organisations, as well as develop their copywriting, media liaison and writing skills for digital, traditional and social media. They gain an understanding of the practical and theoretical bases for the work they do and its application to a variety of industries – from environmental to music to banking organisations – within the social, economic, and political contexts in which they operate.
For those with an interest in different forms of creative writing and publishing, this practice-based course provides the skills and industry knowledge to work in the field. The Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) at UTS is an industry-led course, designed and taught by a team of award-winning published authors, editors, scholars, and industry professionals. Writing and Publishing builds students’ knowledge of Australian and global publishing contexts, as well as writing and storytelling across an array of formats, like fiction and nonfiction, screenwriting, digital content, and games. Students also develop strengths in critical thinking, research, editing and publishing and storytelling in broader contexts – all skills transferable to a wide range of industries and careers.
Social and Political Sciences:
The Bachelor of Communication (Social and Political Sciences) at UTS is designed for those passionate about influencing key areas of public policy like climate change, human rights or issues facing Indigenous Australians and migrants. In the course, students explore current social issues, investigate society, and analyse the implications of change in Australian and global communities. In this practice-led course, students work with experienced practitioners to develop their skills as researchers, analysts, critical thinkers, effective communicators and advocates, and bring key policy issues to life with their interpersonal and public communication skills.
One of the first communication courses to focus on social media and digital technologies, the Bachelor of Communication (Digital and Social Media) at UTS ensures students become capable practitioners of the modern formats of digital communication. This rapidly evolving industry requires workers to be technologically literate, culturally aware, and innovative, with an ability to analyse and develop solutions to problems using digital media technologies. In the course, students are introduced to key debates around the role of social media as a communication tool, and its prevalence in day-to-day affairs. They also develop transferable, practical skills in social media management, user experience (UX) and user interface design (UI), and data visualisation and analysis.
For students who see themselves developing or managing a contemporary media business, the new Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) has been designed to help them cultivate the core management and communication skills for leadership in media industries. In response to industry demand, the Bachelor of Communication (Media Business) has been created for students with an interest in any aspect of media production, from film and TV, to advertising, music, games, online content, and more. This course equips students with the necessary business skills to be successful in their chosen field. With a basis in ethical and effective practice, they develop an understanding of how power, influence, economics, and legal obligations affect media processes and content creation.
Bachelor of Music and Sound Design
Course structure
Students in the Bachelor of Music and Sound Design course must complete 144 credit points comprising the following:
- 80-credit-point major
- 16 credit points of core subjects, and
- 48 credit points of electives.
This course can be combined with international studies and creative intelligence and innovation.
Music and Sound Design
The Bachelor of Music and Sound Design is the first of its kind to combine the domains of music, sound and screens (film, TV, internet, games, online). This course is designed to develop practitioners in music and sound design with a strong base of artistic, professional and theoretical skills. Subjects focus on developing real-world skills for the digital sound industry.
The course appeals to students with an interest in popular music, sound design, creative arts, or interactive multimedia. It offers a contemporary music and sound design degree that focuses on the production and analysis of sound for various media, including interactive environments.
Students graduate with a portfolio of sound works demonstrating their creativity and professionalism. The course also involves input from leading industry figures, including sound designers, songwriters, producers, and other professionals from the creative industries.
Bachelor of Animation Production
Course structure
Students in the Bachelor of Animation Production course must complete 144 credit points comprising the following:
- 108 credit-points of Animation Core Subjects
- 12 credit points of Communication literacies subjects
- 24 credit points of electives.
This course can be combined with international studies and creative intelligence and innovation.
Animation Production
For those who have a passion for visual arts, drawing and storytelling, the Bachelor of Animation Production at UTS gives students the knowledge and hands-on experience required to create animation work that communicates clear and powerful ideas, helping them stand out in a global industry.
The Bachelor of Animation Production students learn how to observe the world around them, drawing directly from life to gain inspiration for characters and stories. They discover how to think creatively and develop ideas through multiple stages, focusing upon character development, narrative structure and engaging performance. They also learn fundamental 2D, 3D and hybrid animation skills to bring their stories to life.
School of Communication Honours Courses
Bachelor of Communication (Honours)
All undergraduate students who excel in their respective degree have the option of studying the Bachelor of Communication (Honours).
This course offers graduates the opportunity to pursue advanced-level study in communication, social sciences, culture and creative arts. It prepares graduates for higher-degree research and professional activity.
The honours program consists of an additional year of full-time undergraduate study and is suited to students who wish to undertake a sustained research project in their discipline. Applications are open to graduating students who have a credit average throughout their first undergraduate degree.
Students undertake a program of advanced coursework and produce a project relevant to their academic, professional and/or creative practice.
Honours is a great way to add an extra qualification to your degree, building skills such as in-depth research, creativity and project management in an area of major study. It's also a pathway to postgraduate research. Students increase their research strengths and work one-on-one with their honours project supervisor throughout the year.
Like all UTS degrees, the Bachelor of Communication (Honours) offers an interdisciplinary course design underpinned by scholarship and creativity. It combines the passion for learning with a high-quality research training that equips students with the skills needed to face the future.
Bachelor of Animation Production (Honours)
Students who excel in the Bachelor of Animation Production have the option of studying the Bachelor of Animation Production (Honours).
The honours year allows exploration through the completion of an independent animated film/project.