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Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    View in availability

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    View in availability
    Online students are required to attend compulsory weekend residential workshops for some units.

  • Placements

    NA

  • Course abbreviation

    BDigMedCom

  • Course code

    3007084

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

Digital media is everywhere today - our social lives, our business lives and our personal identities are inseparable from the media technologies that underpin them. 

The internet, smart-phones and social media have changed the face of the media industries, introducing a revolution in citizen journalism and a new way to interact with broadcast media. Journalists today need to do more than write a good story - they need to take the photograph, record the interview, edit the video, lay out the blog entry and write a good story. The entertainment industry is changing too, as new digital camera technologies change how entertainment in created, and as mobile and interactive devices change the contexts in which entertainment content is consumed. 

The traditional media industries are merging, converging and evolving. Media producers have to adapt to this changing environment, and that means being multi-skilled, agile - and not being afraid to try something new! 

The Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications is a degree designed for the new media age. Students in this degree will learn the core skills required for a future in the digital media industries of today: 

  • visual communication and design
  • digital video production and storytelling
  • journalism and news writing
  • media theory and analysis. 

Graduate AttributeCourse Learning Outcome
Intellectual rigour

Analyse, interpret and evaluate issues, texts, sources and problems through creative, critical and reflective thinking in Australian and global media contexts.

Creativity

Conceptualise, initiate, develop, deliver and promote industry-standard outcomes across a range of traditional and emerging media forms.

Ethical practice

Apply an understanding of ethical values and practices to media production and analysis, and professional practice.

Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate a broad, integrated command of knowledge of media industries, theories and practices in Australian and global contexts

Lifelong learning

Work independently and collaboratively on media projects in response to project demands.

Demonstrate the ability to self-direct and evaluate their own learning, and make a confident transition to professional life.

Communication and social skills

Demonstrate the ability to communicate and collaborate with individuals, and within teams, in professional media and community settings.

Cultural competence

Demonstrate awareness of diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in professional practice.

This degree has strong links to the vibrant creative industries of the North Coast of NSW and beyond. The degree includes a compulsory professional placement unit at the closing stages of the course. This unit enables students to gain practical workplace experience within relevant organisations. Students have worked at radio and television stations, in newspapers and on film shoots, for film festivals and publishing houses, for graphic design and post-production companies, and for local and state government.

Students have the opportunity to study in a range of areas to focus and refine their expertise. Choose four-unit minors from:

  • digital design
  • journalism
  • screen media
  • digital marketing
  • music and technology
  • creative writing
  • cultural studies
  • visual culture

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Lismore Session 1 , Session 2 333103 053041
Online Session 1 , Session 2 N/A N/A

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. three four (4) unit minors listed in Part B; OR
    3. two four (4) unit minors listed in Part B and four (4) elective units; OR
    4. one four (4) unit minor listed in Part B and eight (8) elective units
    5. elective units are any university wide undergraduate unit.
    6. students must complete no more than ten (10) units at Introductory level and no less than six (6) units at Advanced level
  2. To be eligible for the award of the Associate Degree of Digital Media and Communications a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (162 credit points) comprising:
    1. twelve (12) units from Part A or Part B and
    2. four (4) elective units.
  3. A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications, has completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Digital Media and Communications may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Digital Media and Communications following withdrawal from the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications degree.
  4. To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Digital Media and Communications a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising any unit from Parts A or B.
  5. A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications, has completed the requirements for the Diploma of Digital Media and Communications may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Digital Media and Communications following withdrawal from the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications degree.

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

  1. To be eligible for the award Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications degree a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twenty-four (24) units (288 credit points) comprising:
    1. all units listed in Part A; and
    2. three four (4) unit minors listed in Part B; OR
    3. two four (4) unit minors listed in Part B and four (4) elective units; OR
    4. one four (4) unit minor listed in Part B and eight (8) elective units
    5. elective units are any university wide undergraduate unit.
    6. students must complete no more than ten (10) units at Introductory level and no less than six (6) units at Advanced level
  2. To be eligible for the award of the Associate Degree of Digital Media and Communications a candidate shall successfully complete not less than sixteen (16) units (162 credit points) comprising:
    1. twelve (12) units from Part A or Part B and
    2. four (4) elective units.
  3. A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications, has completed the requirements for the Associate Degree of Digital Media and Communications may elect to be awarded the Associate Degree of Digital Media and Communications following withdrawal from the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications degree.
  4. To be eligible for the award of Diploma of Digital Media and Communications a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units (96 credit points) comprising any unit from Parts A or B.
  5. A candidate who, while enrolled in the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications, has completed the requirements for the Diploma of Digital Media and Communications may elect to be awarded the Diploma of Digital Media and Communications following withdrawal from the Bachelor of Digital Media and Communications degree.

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 1 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 1 and so on.
Year 1, Session 1
COM10295 -  Written Communication Introductory
COM00439 -  Theory in Practice: Issues in Media Studies Introductory
COM10110 -  Visual Communication and Design Introductory
CUL00210 -  Australia, Asia and the World Introductory
Year 1, Session 2
COM10627 -  Telling Tales: Introduction to Digital Storytelling Introductory
COM00481 -  The Fourth Estate: News Journalism Intermediate
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 2, Session 1
CUL00412 -  Indigenous Ways of Cultural Expression Introductory
ART10094 -  Digital Art and Design I Intermediate
COM10112 -  From Page to Production: Essential Screen Skills Intermediate
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 2, Session 2
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 3, Session 1
COM00447 -  The Rebirth of Frankenstein: Media and New Technologies Studies Intermediate
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 3, Session 2
COM10628 -  To Be Continued: Media Project Advanced
COM00471 -  Professional Placement Advanced
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Level of learning Notes
Part-time students should complete the first two units for Year 1, Session 2 and the remaining two units for Year 2, Session 2 and so on.
Year 1, Session 2
COM10295 -  Written Communication Introductory
COM10627 -  Telling Tales: Introduction to Digital Storytelling Introductory
COM00481 -  The Fourth Estate: News Journalism Intermediate
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 2, Session 1
COM00439 -  Theory in Practice: Issues in Media Studies Introductory
COM10110 -  Visual Communication and Design Introductory
CUL00210 -  Australia, Asia and the World Introductory
COM10112 -  From Page to Production: Essential Screen Skills Intermediate
Year 2, Session 2
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 3, Session 1
CUL00412 -  Indigenous Ways of Cultural Expression Introductory
ART10094 -  Digital Art and Design I Intermediate
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 3, Session 2
COM10628 -  To Be Continued: Media Project Advanced
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Year 4, Session 1
COM00471 -  Professional Placement Advanced
COM00447 -  The Rebirth of Frankenstein: Media and New Technologies Studies Intermediate
Minor unit OR elective Note 1
Minor unit OR elective Note 1

Note 1:

Students must complete at least one Part B Minor. Students can complete a maximum of 8 electives.

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes

Part A
COM00439 Theory in Practice: Issues in Media Studies Introductory
CUL00210 Australia, Asia and the World Introductory
COM00471 Professional Placement Advanced
COM10110 Visual Communication and Design Introductory
COM10295 Written Communication Introductory
COM10628 To Be Continued: Media Project Advanced
COM10627 Telling Tales: Introduction to Digital Storytelling Introductory
CUL00412 Indigenous Ways of Cultural Expression Introductory
COM10112 From Page to Production: Essential Screen Skills Intermediate
COM00481 The Fourth Estate: News Journalism Intermediate
ART10094 Digital Art and Design I Intermediate
COM00447 The Rebirth of Frankenstein: Media and New Technologies Studies Intermediate

Part B

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
COM10082 Film Studies: Cinema, Culture, Context Intermediate
COM00456 Animation Theory and Practice Intermediate
COM10113 Visions of Light: Making Music Video Advanced
MUS10550 Screen Sound Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
COM10081 True Stories: Video Journalism Intermediate
COM10111 Online Journalism Intermediate
COM00461 Making Radio and Podcasts Intermediate
COM00482 Hot Topics: Feature Journalism Intermediate

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
ART10095 Digital Art and Design II Intermediate
COM00455 Online Media Design Intermediate
ART10275 Digital Photography I Introductory
ART00456 Photography II Intermediate

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
ART00601 Framing Modernity Introductory
COM20001 Sensory Cultures Intermediate
ART00498 Contemporary Debates in Visual Culture Intermediate
CUR30001 Curating Contemporary Culture Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
WRI10001 Introduction to Creative Writing Introductory
WRI10002 The Nature of Narrative: Self, Time, Place and the Environment Intermediate
COM01402 Act One: Screenwriting Intermediate
WRI20002 Introduction to Editing and Publishing Advanced

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
MUS71003 Sound Production I Introductory
MUS72005 Sound Production II Intermediate
MUS73006 Sound Production III Advanced
MUS10509 Sounds, Styles and Cultures Introductory

Unit Code Unit Title Level of learning Notes
MKT10727 Digital Marketing Advanced
MKT00102 Consumer Behaviour Intermediate
MKT00075 Marketing Principles Introductory
MKT10723 Marketing Communications Intermediate