Bachelor of Media

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of New South Wales

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Media at UNSW Sydney is a dynamic degree designed for students who want to build creative, strategic and industry-ready communication skills in today’s fast-changing media world. It’s a great fit for students interested in journalism, film, digital media, advertising, public relations or screen production, with the flexibility to choose a specialisation that matches their career goals.

Curriculum structure

Year 1
In your first year, you build a strong foundation in media, communication and cultural analysis. Students study subjects such as Introduction to Film Studies, Media, Culture and Everyday Life, and Media, Society, Politics, developing an understanding of how media shapes audiences, culture and public conversations. This year also helps you strengthen your research, communication and critical thinking skills.

Year 2
In second year, you begin focusing on your chosen media specialisation while expanding your industry knowledge. Depending on your pathway, you may study subjects such as Screen Production I, News Fundamentals, or Public Relations and Advertising Foundations, while building practical, creative and analytical skills across multiple media platforms.

Year 3
In your final year, learning becomes more industry-focused and project-driven. Students complete advanced specialisation subjects, expansion courses and professional experiences, applying their knowledge through internships, collaborative projects and portfolio development. By graduation, you leave with both specialist expertise and the confidence to work across different areas of the media industry.

Focus areas (in a string):

Cinema studies, communication and journalism, media studies, public relations and advertising, screen production, digital storytelling, media strategy, audience engagement

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Develop creative and strategic communication skills, analyse media and culture critically, create professional media content, conduct independent research, communicate across multiple platforms, collaborate on industry projects, build digital portfolios, adapt to changing media environments

Professional alignment (accreditation):

Industry-focused learning with internships, Innovation Hub projects, guest industry professionals, studio-based experiences and access to professional media environments

Reputation (employability rankings):

UNSW is globally recognised for academic excellence and strong graduate employability, with excellent industry connections across journalism, communications, film, advertising and digital media sectors

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Bachelor of Media at UNSW Sydney gain hands-on experience from the beginning of their degree through studio learning, industry projects and creative collaboration. The program is designed to reflect real media workplaces, giving students the chance to create professional content, build portfolios and work with industry-standard tools. Across different specialisations, students combine storytelling, strategic communication and media production while developing practical skills that employers value:

Access to professional multimedia studios, digital production spaces and media technologies used in film, journalism and communication projects
Hands-on training with professional cameras, audio equipment, lighting setups and production tools in screen and media projects
Opportunities to complete internships, work-integrated learning and industry placements with media organisations and creative partners
Collaborative group projects including short film production, communication campaigns, digital storytelling and live media projects
Communication and journalism students can publish real content through student media platforms and portfolio-based projects
Access to editing suites, multimedia labs, audio production spaces and creative practice studios
Guest workshops and masterclasses with filmmakers, journalists, communication specialists and industry professionals
Strong industry connections through university partnerships, helping students build professional networks before graduation.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Media at UNSW Sydney step into the industry with a strong mix of creativity, strategic thinking and real-world communication skills. Depending on your chosen specialisation, you could build a career as a journalist, content producer, public relations specialist or screen media professional, with opportunities across media organisations, creative agencies, digital platforms and cultural industries:

Career support through UNSW Employability services, including internships, industry mentoring, networking events, career coaching and portfolio development
Access to work-integrated learning opportunities and industry placements that help students build professional experience before graduation
Strong industry connections with leading media, broadcasting, publishing and creative organisations
A globally recognised UNSW qualification that adds long-term value and supports career growth in Australia and internationally
Practical learning experiences that help students graduate with portfolio work, industry contacts and workplace confidence
Career pathways across journalism, film production, advertising, public relations, digital media, content strategy and communications
Access to alumni networks, professional events and industry engagement opportunities that support graduate employability

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students can continue into postgraduate study in media, journalism, communication, film studies, public relations, advertising or digital media. Graduates may also pursue honours or specialised master’s degrees to move into research, teaching, leadership roles or senior creative positions within the media and communication industries.