Bachelor of Communication / Bachelor of International Studies (1932)

  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 1932
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 114850K

This program applies to students who commenced in 2024 or later.

This double degree permits students to undertake multi-skilling into two diverse career paths, providing enhanced marketability into multiple areas of expertise.

The Bachelor of International Studies examines the relationships of politics, nations, societies, cultures, and history across a range of countries. Students will analyse national and global issues, focusing on the way global forces and interactions increasingly influence domestic politics. It will also address the most important challenges that the world’s communities face including climate change; religion, peace and conflict; the rich-poor gap; and sustainability. International Studies is an interdisciplinary field drawing on politics, economics, sociology, and history. Students will apply their knowledge and skills to real life scenarios through core subjects and the major in Global Politics and International Relations.
The Bachelor of Communication encompasses a wide range of subjects in the field of communication with a core program of media studies, practice and theory, and specialised Major sequences in advertising, journalism and public relations.

Students will also have opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge through internships, volunteering and international study and travel. 

  • Director of Academic Program - Dr Nicole Bridges

Study Mode

Four years full-time or eight years part-time.

Program Advice

enquiriesHCA@westernsydney.edu.au

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal See above

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Communication is accredited by professional organisations including the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) and the Media Federation of Australia (MFA).

Work Integrated Learning

Western Sydney University seeks to enhance student learning experiences by enabling students to engage in the culture, expectations and practices of their profession or discipline.  This program includes a placement or other community-based unpaid practical experience.

There is a mandatory work component required for completion of this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should also refer to the link below for more information and a link to the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students (CRICOS).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Assumed knowledge: any 2 units of HSC English
Recommended studies: HSC English standard or equivalent
 

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas may be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) or directly through the Western Portal. Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

International students currently completing an Australian Year 12 in or outside Australia, an International Baccalaureate in Australia or a New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) level 3 must apply via UAC International.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

All other International applicants must apply directly to the University via the International Office.  

International students applying to the University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points.

Students must complete:

  • 80 credit points of Communication core subjects 
  • 80 credit points of International Studies core subjects consisting of four subjects at Level 1, one subject at level 2 and three subjects at Level 3
  • 80 credit points Communication Major
  • 80 credit points International Studies Major: 0340 Global Politics and International Relations major

Communication

Subject Title Credit Points
Core subjects
Students must successfully complete:
COMM 1044Professional Communication10
COMM 1020Media Cultures and Industries10
COMM 1012Data, Communication and Power10
COMM 1045Foundations of the Communication Industry10
INFO 1004Data Analysis and Storytelling10
COMM 2024Media Law and Ethics10
COMM 3052Writing for our Digital Lives10
COMM 3053Industry Research Project10

Communication Majors:

 Major for Bachelor of Communication component to be selected from the below list:


International Studies

Subject Title Credit Points
Core subjects
Students must successfully complete:
HUMN 1052Australian Politics and Active Citizenship10
LANG 1029Foundations of Academic English10
HUMN 1013Contextualising Indigenous Australia (Day Mode)10
CULT 1001Asia in the World10
POLI 2008Transnational Diplomacy10
LANG 3045Intercultural Communication10
POLI 3016International Relations Project10
And
Engaged Learning Pool subjects
Select one of the following:10
Humanities Internship
Service Learning
Group Project
Study Tours
We Are The University: Students Co-creating Change

And

Students must successfully complete:


 

Recommended Sequence

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 320 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
COMM 1045 Foundations of the Communication Industry 10
COMM 1020 Media Cultures and Industries 10
LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English 10
HUMN 1013 Contextualising Indigenous Australia (Day Mode) 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
INFO 1004 Data Analysis and Storytelling 10
Select one Communication Major subject 10
CULT 1001 Asia in the World 10
HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship 10
 Credit Points40
Year 2
Autumn session
COMM 1044 Professional Communication 10
COMM 1012 Data, Communication and Power 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
POLI 2008 Transnational Diplomacy 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select two Communication Major subjects 20
Select two Global Politics and International Relations Major subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
COMM 2024 Media Law and Ethics 10
Select one Communication Major subject 10
Select two Global Politics and International Relations Major subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMM 3052 Writing for our Digital Lives 10
Select one Communication Major subject 10
LANG 3045 Intercultural Communication 10
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
COMM 3053Industry Research Project 10
Select one Communication Major subject 10
Select one Core from the Engaged Learning Subject Pool 10
Select one Global Politics and International Relations Major subject 10
 Credit Points40
Spring session
Select two Communication Major subjects 20
POLI 3016 International Relations Project 10
Select one Global Politics and International Relations Major subject 10
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points320