Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Western Sydney University Penrith

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production) at Western Sydney University, Penrith dives deep into creating content for our screen-dominated world, giving you hands-on access to world-class art design, photography studios, and media facilities right on campus. It's perfect for creative storytellers passionate about film, digital media, and production who want to build a standout portfolio through real community and industry projects.

Curriculum Structure
Year 1
 

Lays the groundwork by immersing you in foundational production skills and creative storytelling. You'll dive into core units like short film production and introductory digital platforms, while exploring experimental media practices to spark your ideas and get comfortable with studio tools from day one.

Year 2 

Ramps up with more advanced techniques, blending theory and practice in areas like documentary filmmaking and transmedia storytelling. Key units such as Documentary Production and Transmedia Narratives let you experiment with multi-platform content, building technical confidence in TV-style setups and collaborative projects that mirror industry workflows.

Year 3 

Focuses on professional polish, where you'll tackle complex projects in live events and interactive media. Standout units including Digital and Social Media Production and Interactive Experience Design help you create portfolio-ready work like games or streaming content, preparing you to step straight into real-world roles.

Focus Areas


This program emphasizes digital platform production across short films, documentaries, experimental works, transmedia projects, and TV formats, all while fostering skills in visual storytelling and multimedia editing.

Learning Outcomes


You'll graduate with practical production expertise, a professional portfolio from industry-linked projects, and the ability to thrive as a visual storyteller, documentary maker, digital media producer, games designer, or interactive content creator.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)


While specific accreditation for this program isn't detailed, Western's related Communication degrees hold endorsements from bodies like the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and Media Federation of Australia (MFA), signaling strong industry recognition across creative media fields.

 Reputation (Employability Rankings)


Western Sydney University ranks in the world's top 150 for Communications & Media Studies (QS World University Rankings by Subject), with creative industries grads landing roles at top employers like Google, ABC, SBS, and Universal Music Group thanks to our cutting-edge facilities and real-world project focus.

When you apply to Western, you’re automatically assessed for a Scholarship, no additional application required! We’re offering multi-year scholarships (for up to 3 years) valued at $6,000 or $3,000, and even 50% off tuition fees. Scholarships are awarded on academic merit.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

If you're serious about building a career in media and screen production, this is the program that gives you real, hands-on experience from day one. You won't just learn about filmmaking—you'll be making films using the same equipment and studios that professionals use in the industry.

The Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production) is built around practical learning. You'll spend significant time working in purpose-built facilities that rival professional studios, giving you the chance to develop portfolio pieces that actually impress employers. The university has invested $2 million in state-of-the-art media production facilities, and you'll have direct access to this equipment throughout your degree. Beyond the classroom, you'll work on real community and industry projects, which means your work has genuine impact and your portfolio becomes genuinely competitive. The program emphasizes hands-on experience working with industry partners, and graduates have gone on to work at major organizations like Google, Universal Music Group, SBS, ABC, The Sydney Morning Herald, and Discovery Channel.

Here's what you'll actually have access to:

Studio and Production Equipment
- High-definition television studio featuring industry-standard equipment including Grass Valley LDX Series Cameras with teleprompters, professional switchers, and green screen, white, and black background options
- Professional Yamaha audio desks and Ross Carbonite Xtreme switchers for broadcast-quality production
- Full LED lighting systems with professional control
- 4K Blackmagic cameras and professional Sony camcorders available through the loan store for location work
- Xpression Prime graphics systems for on-air graphics and visual effects

Post-Production and Editing Facilities
- Dedicated edit suites equipped with Apple computers running the latest Adobe Creative Suite, including Premiere Pro and After Effects
- Digital audio/video suites for sound design and mixing
- Professional monitoring systems for quality control

Design and Conceptualization Spaces
- 'Rabbit Hole' Design Studio for pre-production planning and concept development
- Mac labs for digital design work
- Purpose-built photographic studio with styling and dressing rooms (useful for understanding visual storytelling across mediums)

Specialized Audio and Music Facilities
- Music recording studios with multimedia and MIDI laboratories
- Audio post-production studios with 5.1 surround monitoring for cinema and DVD-quality audio work
- Multi-station Apple computer labs with industry-standard sequencing, synthesizer, and music scoring applications

Practical Learning Integration
- The curriculum covers digital platform production practices including short film, documentary, experimental, and transmedia work—so you're learning across diverse formats
- Internship and industry engagement opportunities that connect you with working professionals
- Collaborative projects with real community and industry partners, meaning your work gets real-world testing
- Interdisciplinary electives available, including cultural studies and theory subjects that contextualize your technical skills

The facilities are located at the Parramatta South campus, putting you right in the heart of Sydney's growing creative hub. You'll graduate with a professional-quality portfolio, industry connections, and the practical skills that make employers actually want to hire you.

Progression & Future Opportunities

In the Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production) at Western Sydney University's Penrith campus, you'll dive straight into hands-on learning that builds real-world skills from day one, working in top-tier facilities designed for screen production. You'll shape content using professional TV studios equipped with multi-cameras, green screens, and industry-grade lighting, plus edit suites loaded with the latest Adobe Creative Suite tools like Premiere Pro and After Effects—perfect for creating everything from short films to documentaries. Our loan store gives you access to portable DSLR cameras, 4K Blackmagic cameras, Sony camcorders, audio gear, and lighting for on-location shoots, so you can produce portfolio-ready work right away.

 

Here's what sets our experiential learning apart: you'll collaborate on real community and industry projects that employers love, using these specific facilities and tools tailored to screen media:

- High Definition Television Studio at Parramatta South (accessible to Penrith students): Features Grass Valley LDX Series Cameras with teleprompters, Vinten pedestals, Yamaha DM1000 audio desk, Ross Carbonite switcher, and Xpression graphics—ideal for in-house productions like documentaries and panel shows with green screen options.


- Post-production edit suites and labs: Apple computers running Adobe Premiere Pro and After Effects for professional editing.


- Equipment loan store: DSLR, slow-motion/4K Blackmagic and Sony cameras, microphones, USB audio recorders, portable lighting, and moving camera gear for field projects and group shoots.


- Purpose-built Photographic Studio (with styling rooms): For digital capture using Apple MacBook Pros and Capture One Pro software, supporting stills and adaptable setups for screen-related work.


- $2 million media studio and TV production unit: Industry-recognised setup at Parramatta South for hands-on experience in the 'Rabbit Hole' Design Studio, Mac labs, and multimedia suites—working with expert partners on live briefs.


- Opportunities for group projects and industry engagement: Classroom and field work on short films, documentaries, transmedia, and TV, building a standout portfolio with

Program Key Stats

$34,776
$17,399
$ 0
Mar Intake : 2nd Dec


No
No

Eligibility Criteria

CCC
2.5
24
65

6.5
82
70

Additional Information & Requirements

Country Requirements

Career Options

  • Visual Storyteller
  • In-House Video Content Producer
  • Documentary Maker
  • Digital and Social Media Producer
  • Games Designer
  • Multimedia Editor
  • Live Event Content Producer
  • Interactive Experience Creator
  • Sports Streaming Producer

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