Bachelor of Communication and Media

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Explore flexible study options, course content, loan assistance and course fees, career outlook and more.

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Tell stories, share ideas and connect with audiences in creative and meaningful ways with UC’s Bachelor of Communication and Media.

Build practical experience

From your first semester, you’ll learn by doing through UC’s Work Integrated Learning (WIL). Create content for real clients, work on live briefs and build a professional portfolio that shows what you can do. You’ll have opportunities to complete internships with partners like the ABC, Edelman, Cre8ive, the ACT Government and the Brumbies.

Learn in real media spaces

You’ll study comms and media in state-of-the-art spaces at UC. You’ll have opportunities to get hands-on experience at UCFM, Canberra’s number one student radio station, or write for The Owl, UC’s own journalism masthead. You’ll also have access to professional studios and be able to borrow industry-standard equipment through our Media Resource Centre.

Choose your major

In your first semester, you’ll complete core units that build essential skills while exploring different study areas. This gives you the flexibility to discover what interests you most, giving you time to decide on your major.

Study level

Undergraduate

Delivery mode

On campus
Blended

ATAR

60 or Portfolio entry option

Duration

3 years, full-time

Intake dates

16 February 2026
10 August 2026

Course cost

Commonwealth Supported Places available. Conditions apply.

Want to know more?

Schedule a call with our friendly team to learn more about the Bachelor of Communication and Media.

Specialist majors

Social Media and Content Creation

Course details

Core units

Our Bachelor of Communication and Media has six core units. These form the foundation of your communication course, giving you essential skills in media writing, content creation and audience engagement.

You’ll explore key concepts in media studies and communications, learn to analyse how media shapes society and build practical experience using digital tools and platforms. These units are designed to ground you in the principles of effective communication, preparing you for advanced study in areas like public relations, journalism, social media or visual communication.

Explore your core Communication & Media units:

Learn more

Career opportunities

UC's Bachelor of Communication and Media opens the door to a wide range of careers across media, marketing, public relations, government and the creative industries. With a strong foundation in storytelling, strategy and content creation, you'll graduate ready to work across sectors that value communication skills, digital fluency and audience insight.

Career opportunities include:

Brand or Campaign Strategist
Communications Adviser
Community Relations Coordinator
Content Creator
Creative Producer
Digital Marketing Coordinator
Journalist or Reporter
Media and Communications Officer
Media Producer
Media Advisor
Podcast or Radio Producer
Public Relations Officer
Social Media Manager

Entry requirements

For entry into UC’s Bachelor of Communication and Media, you will need one of the following:

Year 12 ATAR of 60+
Other Australian qualification
Work experience, or
Overseas qualification

Alternative admission pathways

If you don’t meet the ATAR requirement for your preferred course, UC offers alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes that give you the chance to apply in other ways.

Portfolio entry

You can also apply for the Bachelor of Communication and Media through our Portfolio Entry option. This pathway lets you showcase your creative work instead of relying only on academic results.

Your portfolio might include videos, news stories, research reports, blog posts, writing pieces or other related work that demonstrates your interest in media and communication studies.

Portfolio Entry is a great pathway if you:

Do not meet the admission requirements for the course
Are in Year 12 and want to secure early entry to university
Have partially completed vocational education or training
Are a mature-age applicant without a secondary school qualification or previous university experience

More information is available on the Portfolio entry page.

Admission programs

UC also offers various entry initiatives giving you the opportunity to gain entry to the University via alternate pathway programs and admissions schemes.

More information is available on our Alternative entry page.

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

Study your course with reduced fees.

A course with Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) means the Australian Government has subsidised a portion of your degree, reducing the total balance you are required to pay (known as the student contribution amount).

The CSP amount is determined by the course you are undertaking and the industry you'll be working in after graduation.

Learn more

HECS help

Some students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may be eligible to apply to defer payment of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government's FEE-HELP and HECS-HELP schemes.

Visit our fees page for useful information about eligibility and how to apply and pay. You can apply for FEE-HELP or HECS-HELP once you have enrolled in a course.

Visit HECS-HELP

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Course highlights

Study a Bachelor of Communication and Media at UC and you will:

Learn to research, verify and source accurate information, applying strong editorial judgement across news, branded and social content.

Write for multiple platforms, plan social media campaigns and produce compelling multimedia content using current digital tools and technologies.

Engage audiences through storytelling, data insights and analytics, while evaluating impact and refining your communication strategy.

Collaborate with peers and industry professionals across projects, building confidence in professional workflows and creative execution.

Communicate ethically and responsibly, reflecting and responding to the diversity and needs of audiences across global contexts, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives.

FAQs

Can I study communication and media online?

UC’s Bachelor of Communication and Media is available in both blended and on campus delivery modes.

In addition to on campus learning requirements, many units offer real-time online study options to help you fit coursework around your schedule. You’ll benefit from face-to-face learning on campus, combined with online access to lectures, materials, discussions and selective unit content.

Whether you choose to focus on journalism, public relations, media production or social media, you’ll enjoy a flexible structure that supports part-time work, volunteering or internships alongside your studies. The course combines practical learning in studios and media labs with the convenience of digital access, ensuring you get the best of both worlds.

Do I need a degree to be a content creator or podcaster?

While you don't need a communication and media degree to be a content creator, podcaster, influencer or similar entrepreneurial role, it's always good to keep your options open.

The truth is, this industry moves fast. Platforms change, algorithms evolve and today’s trends quickly become outdated. If you want to keep up, or better yet, stay ahead, you need more than just a good instinct.

A degree like UC's Bachelor of Communication and Media teaches you how to think strategically, not just creatively. You’ll learn how to analyse trends, use audience data to your advantage and create content with lasting impact. You’ll gain skills in media production, campaign planning, storytelling and analytics, all while building a portfolio of work and getting real experience.

It's likely you'll want to work in different media and communications roles across your career. A formal qualification in media and comms opens the door to opportunities in journalism, presenting, digital marketing, public relations and more across the public and private sectors.

If you're serious about creating content as a career, not just a side project, a degree gives you long-term flexibility and credibility. It helps you understand not just how to make content, but how to make it matter.

Why should I choose UC?

UC is the home of creative media education. We’re rated 5 stars for full-time undergraduate employment in the Creative Arts* and ranked number one in Canberra for student support, skills development and full-time employment outcomes*.

With access to national media hubs, government departments and leading institutions right on your doorstep, studying a Bachelor of Communication and Media at UC connects you to industry from day one. Whether you want to create content, craft campaigns, report news, shape public opinion or build brands, this is where you begin.

Our students learn in state-of-the-art facilities, including our on-campus TV studio and UCFM, Canberra’s number one student radio station. This is where you’ll build a portfolio, get hands-on experience and gain the confidence to turn communication skills into career opportunities.

Forget the myth that creative degrees don’t lead to jobs. Our graduates are working in journalism, social media, PR, advertising, digital marketing, brand strategy, podcasting and more. At UC, we make your career part of the course.

*GUG, 2025

Can I study communication and media without an ATAR?

You can still apply for the Bachelor of Communication and Media at UC even if you don’t have an ATAR.

Our Portfolio Entry option lets you show examples of your creative or written work as part of your application. This is a great way to get into uni if you want to apply before finishing Year 12, didn't get the results you were hoping for, or if it's been some time since you've studied. If you're passionate about areas like journalism, media, production or social media, we want to hear from you!

To see what you need to include in your portfolio and how to apply, visit our Portfolio entry page.

Can I get help with the application process?

At UC, we’re here to help you succeed! Once you’re ready to apply to UC, our process depends on your student type and course. You can find all the requirements, criteria and processes on the Apply to UC page.

If you have further questions or would like assistance with your application, you can get in touch with our Future Student team.