Master of Commerce(Human Resource Management) and Master of Media and Communications

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Macquarie University

Program Overview

The Master of Commerce (Human Resource Management) and Master of Media and Communications is a two-year double degree that combines strategic HR expertise with advanced media and communication skills, making it a strong choice for students interested in people management, corporate communication and the evolving digital workplace. Students develop knowledge in areas such as Management of People at Work, International Human Resource Management, Digital Media Strategies, Social Media, and strategic communications, giving them a versatile combination of business and communication capabilities.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish a strong foundation in commerce and human resource management, exploring areas such as Management of People at Work, International Human Resource Management, and Managing Performance and Rewards. Alongside their HR studies, they develop media and communication capabilities through subjects such as Storytelling Techniques and Digital Media Strategies, learning to communicate effectively across contemporary business and media environments.

Year 2: Students deepen their HR expertise through Negotiation and Conflict Resolution and advanced people-management studies while developing professional media skills through Data Journalism, Media-Communications Strategies and Campaigns, and Media Project. This combination allows students to connect strategic people management with digital communication, audience engagement and professional media production.

Focus areas: Human resource management, talent management, employee performance, international HR, negotiation, digital media, strategic communications, storytelling, social media, data journalism, media production

Learning outcomes: Demonstrate advanced HR knowledge, apply professional HR skills, solve complex HR problems, conduct independent research, produce professional media and communication materials, analyse media issues, develop strategic communication campaigns, communicate effectively across digital and social media platforms

Professional alignment (accreditation): The Master of Commerce is accredited by Macquarie University in accordance with the requirements of the Higher Education Standards Framework, with ongoing quality review overseen by the University's Academic Senate.

Reputation (employability rankings): Macquarie University highlights career opportunities across HR, media, communications, advertising, PR and digital content. Graduates of the Media and Communications degree have progressed to organisations including ABC, SBS, Nine Entertainment, The Australian, Optus and Nestlé, demonstrating the breadth of professional pathways available.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This double master’s gives students a strong practical focus by combining HR-focused business studies with hands-on media and communications production. In the Media and Communications component, students work with industry-standard technology platforms and professional media workflows, while completing projects involving podcasting, web design, filmmaking, social media, data journalism and media campaigns. Macquarie also provides access to a multi-million-dollar media hub with professional screen, recording, music, radio and performance studios, digital workstations and a digital newsroom designed to mirror professional broadcasting and online media environments.

Students gain practical experience through:

Media production: Students undertake practical work in Podcasting, Screen Production: Filmmaking Across Genres, Media Practice and Production, and News Media: New Directions.
Digital tools and technology: Students use industry-standard technology platforms and experience professional media workflows across digital, audio, visual and social media production.
Professional media facilities: Macquarie's multi-million-dollar media hub includes professional screen, recording, music, radio and performance studios, extensive digital workstations and a professional-style digital newsroom.
Project-based learning: The program includes a Media Project, with independent major and minor productions supervised by academic staff, allowing students to apply media and communications theory to practical projects, campaigns and narratives.
HR practical skills: The Human Resource Management specialisation develops applied capabilities through units such as Management of People at Work, International Human Resource Management, Managing Performance and Rewards, and Negotiation and Conflict Resolution.
Collaborative learning: Students develop teamwork and professional communication through media projects, campaigns and collaborative work, alongside seminars, masterclasses and portfolio development.
Library and academic resources: Students have access to Macquarie University's academic learning resources and support services, including academic skills workshops and career and employment support.

Progression & Future Opportunities

This double degree combines human resource management with media and communications, giving graduates a versatile skill set for careers involving people, communication, organisational strategy and stakeholder engagement. Macquarie identifies career pathways in human resources, management, communications and related business fields, while the combination can broaden opportunities across corporate, government, consulting and communications environments.

Typical Job Roles: Human Resources Manager, Recruitment Consultant, Communications Manager, Employee Relations Manager

Career Support and Employability:

Macquarie Career Support: Students receive career advice, help with researching organisations and opportunities, job-search support, application-document preparation and opportunities to develop workplace skills; these services are available during study and for up to 12 months after graduation.
Student Employment: Macquarie Student Employment connects students and graduates with local industry partners for casual, part-time and full-time opportunities through its recruitment service.
Industry Partnerships: Macquarie Business School's Industry Partnership Program connects postgraduate students with employers through internships, scholarships, industry engagement and projects; participating disciplines specifically include Human Resources and Marketing and Media.
Employment Experience: Macquarie Business School reports an average of 275 internships for Business students each year with 440 industry partners, providing opportunities to develop practical workplace experience before graduation.
Industry Network: Macquarie's School of Communication, Society and Culture works with advertising and marketing agencies, community media organisations, creative agencies, government research institutions including CSIRO, local councils and other industry organisations.
Paid Internships: The Business School's Industry Partnership Program offers paid internships of one to six months, with students able to work part-time during sessions and full-time during scheduled breaks.

Employment Statistics and Salary: Macquarie's official course and employability sources highlight career opportunities, internships and employer connections, but do not publish a specific graduate salary figure for this particular double degree. It is therefore better to avoid quoting an unverified salary figure.

Long-term Professional Value: The combination of postgraduate qualifications in Human Resource Management and Media and Communications can provide a broader professional profile, supporting progression into specialist, managerial and strategic roles across people management, communications and organisational functions. The double degree is designed to meet the outcomes of both component master's courses.

Graduation Outcomes: Graduates can apply their combined expertise across corporate organisations, government, consulting, human resources, communications, media and community sectors, with Macquarie's industry engagement and career services supporting the transition from study into professional employment.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into higher degree research, including a relevant Master of Research or doctoral program (PhD), subject to Macquarie University's entry requirements, or pursue professional development and specialised qualifications in human resources, management, communications or related fields.