Master of Arts (Film, Media, Communications & Journalism)

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Monash University

Program Overview

The Master of Arts at Monash University is a two-year full-time research degree designed for students who want to develop advanced expertise through substantial independent research in Film, Media, Communications & Journalism, supported by expert academic supervisors. Students investigate a focused research topic and produce a research thesis of up to 40,000 words (or an approved alternative output), making it well suited to those targeting research, academic or specialist professional careers.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The first year focuses on developing and undertaking your proposed research within Film, Media, Communications & Journalism, with guidance from at least two academic supervisors. Students build advanced research capability, critically engage with existing scholarship and develop the methodology and research framework needed for their thesis.

Year 2: The second year is centred on completing the substantial independent research project and refining the final thesis or approved alternative research output. Students consolidate their findings into a substantial scholarly contribution, developing the analytical, research and communication capabilities expected of advanced researchers in media and communication.

Focus Areas

Focus areas: Film; Media; Communications; Journalism; Digital media; Media industries; Communication research; Film and screen studies.

Learning Outcomes

Learning outcomes: Demonstrate advanced knowledge in the chosen research area; conduct substantial independent research; critically evaluate existing scholarship; apply appropriate research methodologies; analyse and interpret complex evidence; and communicate research findings through a substantial thesis or approved alternative output.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

Professional alignment: The program is a research master's degree rather than a professionally accredited coursework qualification. Its research training and specialist supervision provide preparation for careers requiring advanced research expertise and can support progression toward higher-degree research.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Reputation: Monash University is a globally recognised research-intensive university, while the Faculty of Arts highlights its commitment to high-quality research and internationally recognised scholarship. The program benefits from a Faculty of 500+ academics and research expertise spanning diverse humanities and social-science fields.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Master of Arts (Film, Media, Communications & Journalism) at Monash University gives students practical exposure through the School of Media, Film and Journalism and its industry-standard production facilities. Students can develop professional skills in digital media, journalism, broadcasting, audio and video production, while working with professional equipment and production spaces. The Monash Media Lab at Caulfield Campus provides a particularly strong hands-on environment, with facilities designed for media, communications, journalism and film and screen students.

Students can put these resources and industry connections into practice through:

Monash Media Lab: Access to a multi-million-dollar, industry-standard facility featuring a broadcast TV studio, radio studios, open-plan newsroom, TV control rooms, editing suites and voice-over rooms.
Professional Equipment: Eligible units provide access to professional audio and video equipment for coursework and production activities. Equipment access is managed according to individual units.
Digital Production: Students can develop practical skills in television programs, audio podcasts, digital media and multimedia production, building work suitable for a professional portfolio.
Broadcasting Practice: Relevant coursework provides experience with studio equipment operation, television and radio content production, presenting and interviewing, supported by a purpose-built newsroom.
Internships: Monash offers journalism students the opportunity to undertake an internship of at least four weeks full-time at media outlets, developing practical writing, interviewing and multimedia skills.
Industry Exposure: Students can benefit from industry-focused field trips to media outlets in locations including Melbourne, Sydney, New York, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Indonesia, India and Malaysia, depending on course opportunities.
Technical Support: The Media Lab has a dedicated technical support team assisting with teaching and production activities and providing guidance on equipment and facilities.
Library & Study Resources: Students have access to Caulfield Library and study spaces across Monash campuses, supporting research, coursework and independent study.
Research Facilities: Arts graduate research students can apply for dedicated office space at Caulfield or Clayton, subject to availability and eligibility.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduate outcomes: The Master of Arts (Film, Media, Communications & Journalism) can prepare you for careers across journalism, strategic communication, media production, public relations and digital content. Monash’s strong industry connections, practical media environment and professional networking opportunities can help you build the portfolio, experience and contacts needed to progress into a competitive media career.

Typical job roles: Graduates can pursue roles such as:

Journalist: Develop investigative, digital, broadcast and multimedia journalism skills for newsroom and independent media careers.
Communications adviser: Work across organisational communication, public affairs and strategic communication.
Digital content writer: Create written, visual, audio and multimedia content for media and corporate organisations.
Public relations consultant: Develop communication strategies, media relations and stakeholder engagement campaigns.

Career support: Monash provides access to career advice, personalised CareerEdge guidance, job and internship opportunities, networking events, leadership programs and workshops designed to build professional confidence and employability.

Industry partnerships: Students benefit from Monash’s media-industry connections, including organisations such as ABC, Channel 9, SBS, The Age, News Ltd, Fairfax and Melbourne Press Club, which support internships, industry events and professional networking.

Employment outcomes: Monash reports that it ranked #1 in Victoria for full-time graduate employment in communications in the 2020 Graduate Outcomes Survey. Overall, 85.4% of domestic postgraduate students found full-time employment within six months, while 91.4% were working in some capacity.

Graduate recognition: Monash’s School of Media, Film and Journalism reports #1 in Australia for Communication Studies and a position among the top 40 globally for Communication & Media Studies in the 2026 QS Subject Rankings.

Professional value: The degree’s industry exposure, professional networks and practical media experience can strengthen your portfolio and demonstrate workplace-ready capabilities to future employers. Monash also offers pathways involving research and thesis work for high-achieving students interested in progressing to higher-degree research.

Further Academic Progression: High-achieving graduates can use the research pathway to progress towards a Higher Degree by Research, such as a PhD, allowing them to develop advanced research expertise and pursue academic, research or specialist industry careers.