Bachelor of Communication FAQ

General

What majors are available within the Bachelor of Communication?

Students can choose from six major options including:

Students must also select a second major from this list, with the exception of Media Arts & Production, which can only be completed as a first major. Find out more about second majors.

How do I study a second Communication major?

If you’re a first year Bachelor of Communication student in either a single or combined degree (except Law), you must select another area of study in addition to your principal major. This is referred to as your ‘second major stream’.

You’ll enrol and undertake three subjects (18 credit points) of your second major stream (excluding Media Arts and Production). You will automatically continue in your second major unless you choose to opt-out.

If you choose not to proceed with a second major, you can apply via e-request to add elective subjects. This should be done by the end of your first year.

What's the study mode of the Communication degree? Full-time / Part-time?

Although the Communication course is designed to be taken as a 3-year full-time program, students have the option to customise their study load. A typical full-time study load is three to four Communication subjects (20-26 credit points) per session. However, students can choose to reduce their load to one or two subjects per semester (6-16 credit points).

Please note, students who reduce their study load may no longer be eligible for Centrelink or concession benefits. For more information, visit our financial help service.

What facilities are available to Communication students?

UTS Communication students have access to a range of specialist facilities in Building 3 including production studios for video and audio, editing rooms, colour grading suites and general computer labs.

To find out more, view the FASS facilities video tour.

Admission, pathways and deferment

Are there any pathways to Communication if I don't get in?

UTS College is the premium pathway provider to UTS. The College offers a Diploma of Communication, in which students receive 48 credit points towards their UTS Communication degree. If students get the required GPA, they can apply to transfer straight to the second year of any UTS Communication major.

Alternatively, students can study a different course at UTS, with a lower minimum entry requirement, and apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Communication after their first year. However, students need to submit a new UAC application for undergraduate study. Selection is based on academic merit and is highly competitive – a distinction average is usually required. Changing courses may also extend the duration of study.

Find out more about UTS pathways or internal course transfers.

Can I defer the commencement of my course?

Students who wish to defer the commencement of their course can check their eligibility.

If I start a Communication degree in one major, can I change majors later on?

It is possible to change majors, however, students will need to submit a new UAC application for undergraduate study. Selection is based on academic merit and is highly competitive – a distinction average is usually required. Changing majors may also extend the duration of the degree.

Find out more about internal course transfers.

Do you allow for early entry?

Yes, the Bachelor of Communication courses are included in the UTS Early Entry Program.

Students can also apply for one of our alternative admissions schemes, such as the Schools Recommendation Scheme or Educational Access Scheme.

What HSC subjects should I complete if I want to study Communication?

UTS currently has no prerequisite HSC or IB subjects for students to get into the Communication course. However, students may find that humanities subjects such as Advanced/Extension English, History, Society & Culture and Languages may help them prepare for a degree in Communication.

Students studying certain HSC subjects may be eligible to receive Year 12 Adjustment Factors for specific Communication degrees. Explore our current list of Year 12 Adjustment Factors.

What scholarships are available for the Bachelor of Communication?

UTS offers a range of scholarships, including for financial disadvantage, academic merit, sporting achievement and more. To find out what scholarships are currently available, visit our scholarship search.

Learning and assessments

What type of assessments do you complete in the Bachelor of Communication?

The type of assessments in the Bachelor of Communication will vary depending on the major being completed. However, most assessments contain a practical or industry-relevant element to ensure students are adequately prepared for the workforce.

Examples of assessments include:

· A short film or audiovisual work in Media Arts & Production

· A multimedia story or feature article in Journalism

· An advertising campaign or media release in Strategic Communication

· An app prototype or digital campaign strategy in Digital & Social Media

· A short story or creative piece in Writing and Publishing

· A research study or biographical essay in Social & Political Sciences

By the end of the degree, students will graduate with a professional portfolio of works to show to their future employer.

To view real assessments, visit our student work showcase.

Do I need to buy or hire my own equipment for this degree?

No, students do not have to buy or hire any of their own equipment.

Media Arts and Production, Music and Sound Design and Journalism students have free access to the MediaLab portable equipment store, which has an extensive range of professional production equipment, such as cameras, microphones and lighting. This enables students to produce broadcast quality projects and to graduate experienced and competent working with the latest production technologies. The equipment store staff are experienced media production professionals who work enthusiastically with our students to ensure they select the right equipment to meet their production needs.

Find out more about our media production facilities or view the video tour.

Is it true that Communication students don't usually have exams?

At UTS, we believe in hands-on learning. Therefore, most subjects within the Communication degree include practical, project-based assessments rather than exams. However, some elective subjects such as languages may assess students through an exam format.

To view real assessments, visit our student work showcase.

How many contact hours per week is the Bachelor of Communication?

Most full-time Communication students are on campus 2-4 days per week, depending on their study plan and timetable. Students are also expected to complete work outside of their contact hours, such as preparation for class tutorials and assessments. If students are struggling with the workload, they can choose to study a reduced load instead (1 or 2 subjects per semester as opposed to 3).

Please note, students who reduce their study load may no longer be eligible for Centrelink or concession benefits. For more information, visit our financial help service.

What's the ratio of practical and theoretical learning in the Communication degree?

At UTS, we believe in building professionals from day one, which is why we implement a hands-on, highly practical approach to learning and teaching. Our Communication subjects combine fundamental theory with practice so students have the opportunity to showcase what they have learned. By the end of the degree, students will graduate with a professional portfolio of works to show to their future employer.

To view real assessments, visit our student work showcase.

What electives are available to Communication students?

As part of the Communication degree, students can study a range of electives, with the number depending on their study plan. There are a wide variety of electives available, including Aboriginal studies, languages, environmental studies, gender studies, professional internship and more.

Currently, students can only study electives from the School of Communication or School of International Studies. However, students can submit a request to study in another faculty.

To view the current electives on offer, visit our list of Electives in the UTS Handbook.

Careers and work experience

What career options will a Bachelor of Communication give me?

Studying a Bachelor of Communication will open up a wide variety of career pathways in media, communications and creative arts.

By specialising in one of six majors, students can gain expert knowledge and skills that will help them pursue a career in areas such as Journalism, Media Production, Digital & Social Media, Writing, Advertising, Public Relations, Policy and more.

To find out more, read the stories of some of our Communication graduates.

How does UTS help graduates find work, and what's the employment rate?

At UTS, we have the #1 overall employment rate of communication graduates in NSW (Graduate Outcomes Survey 2017-19).

To help students prepare for the workforce, UTS Careers offers a range of services, including a professional mentoring program, career consultations, mock interviews, resume assistance, careers fairs and more. UTS also provides a number of professional and leadership programs to help increase your employability.

We also believe our hands-on approach to learning is what makes our graduates so sought after.

Can I do a Communication internship?

All Communication students have the option to complete a minimum 80-hour internship as part of their studies. This highly valuable experience provides students with the opportunity to gain real-world experience and industry connections.

Find out more about Communication internships.

If I do an internship, will it be paid?

Students have the option to source and complete an internship that is either paid or unpaid. Whether an internship is paid and if so, the rate of pay, depends on the organisation. However, UTS believes in fair work and encourages students to research their internship before accepting it.

To make an educated decision, students should complete this UTS checklist and read the Australian Fair Work Guidelines to unpaid internships. Students can also chat to UTS Careers.

Combined degree information

What degrees can you combine the Bachelor of Communication with?

At UTS, you can combine the Bachelor of Communication with:
Bachelor of International Studies
Bachelor of Creative Intelligence & Innovation (BCII)
Bachelor of Laws

A vertically-combined degree Bachelor of Communication (Writing and Publishing) / Master of Teaching in Secondary Education is available for students wishing to pursue a career as an English teacher.

Students can also add a Diploma in Languages or a Diploma in Innovation to their Communication degree.

How do I add the Diploma in Languages to the Bachelor of Communication?

Students can add a Diploma in Languages to their core degree through My Student Admin, once they have enrolled at UTS.

For students who don’t want to extend the length of their degree, it is recommended that they begin the Diploma in their first semester, as it typically takes 3 years to complete. However, students can add the Diploma at any time throughout their degree, as long as they have at least one subject remaining in their study plan. Students with no prior language knowledge must commence in the Autumn session only.

Find out more about the Diploma in Languages.

Does a Communication degree pair better with BCII, Law or International Studies?

For students thinking about studying a combined Communication degree, UTS offers the following options:

Bachelor of International Studies
Bachelor of Creative Intelligence & Innovation
Bachelor of Laws

The Bachelor of International Studies combined with Communication is a 5-year full-time degree in which students study a language, learn about different cultures and spend an extended period of time (12 months) overseas at a host university. This combined degree is a great option for students who want to pursue a career overseas or work for an international organisation, where having a second language and a global perspective are highly valued.

For Communication students who want to study a language but don’t want to commit to a full year abroad, there is the option to add a Diploma in Languages to their core degree.

The Bachelor of Creative Intelligence & Innovation (BCII) combined with Communication is a 4-year, full-time degree that allows students to build high-level communication skills alongside conceptual, entrepreneurial and creative capabilities. Students who study this combined degree may want to pursue a career as an entrepreneur or creative practitioner, or simply set themselves apart from other Communication graduates by attaining skills and experiences that are highly valued by today’s employers.

Students who are unsure if they want to commit to the full BCII degree or students who don’t meet the minimum entrance criteria for BCII can add the Diploma in Innovation to their Communication degree instead.

The Bachelor of Laws combined with Communication is a 5-year full-time degree in which students learn a broad range of professional skills and knowledge for both legal and Communication practice. Students studying this combined degree may want to become a specialised lawyer in an area such as media or policy development (depending on the Communication major chosen), or alternatively, may want to utilise their legal knowledge in a Communication role.

Find out more about combined Communication degrees .

Can I complete two Communication majors if I do a combined degree?

Communication students studying a combined degree in International Studies or Creative Intelligence and Innovation still have the option of completing two Communication majors. However, students studying a Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of Laws are not eligible to complete a second major due to the nature of their study plan.

Can I add or drop a combined degree (Law, International Studies or BCII) during my degree?

As long as you’re planning to remain in the same major, you can submit an internal course transfer – continuing request to:

add International Studies (Autumn session only) by transferring to a combined degree
drop International Studies (Autumn and Spring)
drop Creative Intelligence and Innovation (Autumn and Spring)
drop Law (Autumn and Spring)

Please note, the above is for students who have commenced their course in 2022 and beyond.

If you have commenced your course prior to 2022, please visit our course transfer website for more information.

To add a Law degree, even if you’re remaining in the same Communication major, you’ll need to submit a new UAC application for undergraduate study.

To add BCII, even if you’re remaining in the same Communication major, you’ll need to submit a new UAC application for undergraduate study . Students studying the Diploma of Innovation at UTS may be eligible to apply to add the Bachelor of Creative Intelligence via course transfer.

Find out more

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