Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies (1707)
- Approved Abbreviation: BComm/BIntlSt
- Western Sydney University Program Code: 1707
- AQF Level: 7
CRICOS Code: 088185C
From 2024 this program has been replaced by 1932 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies.
This program applies to students who commenced in Spring 2018 or later.
Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.
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 societies, cultures, languages and systems of government within the international system. It develops students' capacity to analyse the historical development of relations among nation states and contemporary political, social and cultural issues, such as globalisation, transnationalism and migration. Students complete a major in International Relations and Asian Studies and a minor in Arabic, Chinese or Japanese.
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, Screen Media and Public Relations.
Students in this double degree also have the opportunity to extend their combined studies through a semester studying abroad. In addition, students complete an internship in their Communications Major.
Students in this double degree also have the opportunity to complete a semester of study overseas and receive advanced standing towards their majors and minors subject to Western Sydney University limits on advanced standing. Students are encouraged to do so but must discuss this with their program advisor first.
Study Mode
Five years full-time or ten years part-time
Program Advice
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 |
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).
Admission
For Admission from 2024 please refer to program 1932 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies
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.
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.
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 400 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended Sequence tab.
Students must complete the four Bachelor of Arts (BA) core subjects (40 credit points):
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| HUMN 1052 | Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | 10 |
| LANG 1030 | Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | 10 |
| HUMN 1053 | Diversity, Language and Culture | 10 |
| LANG 1029 | Foundations of Academic English | 10 |
| Total Credit Points | 40 | |
Equivalent Core Subjects
The core subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2019 or earlier.
HUMN 1002 - Analytical Reading and Writing, replaced by LANG 1029 Foundations of Academic English
HUMN 1005 - Australia and the World, replaced by HUMN 1052 Australian Politics and Active Citizenship
HUMN 1009 - Contemporary Society, replaced by HUMN 1053 Diversity, Language and Culture
LANG 1026 - Texts and Traditions, replaced by LANG 1030 Thinking Critically About Texts and Society
Students must complete the eight Bachelor of Communications core subjects (80 credit points):
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COMM 3008 | Communication Research Project | 10 |
| INFO 1004 | Data Analysis and Storytelling | 10 |
| COMM 1012 | Data, Communication and Power | 10 |
| COMM 1020 | Media Cultures and Industries | 10 |
| COMM 2024 | Media Law and Ethics | 10 |
| COMM 3022 | Media Memory | 10 |
| COMM 2032 | Professional Writing and Editing | 10 |
| COMM 1044 | Professional Communication | 10 |
| Total Credit Points | 80 | |
Equivalent Subjects
The subjects listed below count towards completion of the program for students who may have passed subjects in the list in 2023 or earlier.
COMM 1032 Writing Ecologies, replaced by COMM 1044 Professional Communication
The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.
DESN 1018 - Visual Storytelling, replaced by INFO 1004 Data Analysis and Storytelling
Majors (160 credit points)
Students must complete the International Relations and Asian Studies (IRAS) Major:
And must complete one of the Bachelor of Communication Majors from the list below:
Introductory Subjects to the Communication Majors (40 credit points)
Students must also complete the four introductory subjects to the Communication Majors as per the list below:
| Subject | Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| MKTG 1001 | Advertising: An Introduction | 10 |
| COMM 1018 | News and Media Today | 10 |
| COMM 1039 | Introduction to Screen Media | 10 |
| MKTG 1009 | Public Relations Theory and Practice | 10 |
| Total Credit Points | 40 | |
Minor (40 credit points)
Students must also complete a minor in Arabic, Chinese, Immersion Language, International English or Japanese (LOTE)
Students should seek program advice in relation to the level 2/3 language sequences.
Note: The following Language sub-majors have inherent requirements. Please see the link below:
Click here for details of the Inherent Requirements
Students may complete the Immersion Language minor which covers languages that are not taught at Western Sydney University. The handbook entry for 0014 Immersion Language contains further details.
Electives used towards major (40 credit points)
For their electives, students may choose four Language subjects and graduate with a major in Arabic, Chinese, International English or Japanese.
Students considering this option should seek program advice as they may need to follow an amended sequence.
Equivalent Subject
The subject listed below counts towards completion of this course for students who passed this subject in 2020 or earlier.
COMM 1015 - Foundations of Media Arts and Production, replaced by COMM 1039 Introduction to Screen Media
Replaced Major
The major listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who began studying this majors prior to the year indicated below.
M1094 Media Arts Production, Major, replaced by Screen Media, Major in 2021 (listed above).
Recommended Sequence
Language Skill Level: Beginner
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| COMM 1044 | Professional Communication | 10 |
| COMM 1018 | News and Media Today | 10 |
| LANG 1029 | Foundations of Academic English | 10 |
| HUMN 1053 | Diversity, Language and Culture | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| INFO 1004 | Data Analysis and Storytelling | 10 |
| MKTG 1001 | Advertising: An Introduction | 10 |
| LANG 1030 | Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | 10 |
| HUMN 1052 | Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| COMM 1020 | Media Cultures and Industries | 10 |
| MKTG 1009 | Public Relations Theory and Practice | 10 |
| CULT 1001 | Asia in the World | 10 |
| Select Level 1 Language subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 1012 | Data, Communication and Power | 10 |
| COMM 1039 | Introduction to Screen Media | 10 |
| POLI 1007 | World Politics and International Relations | 10 |
| Select Level 1 Language subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| POLI 2006 | Politics of Australia and Asia Relations | 10 |
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select two Level 2 Language subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one IRAS Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one IRAS Major subject | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| COMM 2024 | Media Law and Ethics | 10 |
| Select three Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 30 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 2032 | Professional Writing and Editing | 10 |
| HUMN 3079 | The Asian Century | 10 |
| Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
Study Abroad semester with four elective subjects to be studied overseas (consultation with the Academic Program Advisor is required) |
||
Four elective subjects in relevant area to be studied at Western Sydney University (consultation with the Academic Program Advisor is highly recommended) 1 |
||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 3022 | Media Memory | 10 |
| COMM 3008 | Communication Research Project | 10 |
| Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 400 | |
Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese, International English or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese, International English or Japanese.
Language Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| COMM 1044 | Professional Communication | 10 |
| COMM 1018 | News and Media Today | 10 |
| LANG 1029 | Foundations of Academic English | 10 |
| HUMN 1053 | Diversity, Language and Culture | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| INFO 1004 | Data Analysis and Storytelling | 10 |
| MKTG 1001 | Advertising: An Introduction | 10 |
| LANG 1030 | Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | 10 |
| HUMN 1052 | Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| COMM 1020 | Media Cultures and Industries | 10 |
| MKTG 1009 | Public Relations Theory and Practice | 10 |
| CULT 1001 | Asia in the World | 10 |
| COMM 2024 | Media Law and Ethics | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 1012 | Data, Communication and Power | 10 |
| COMM 1039 | Introduction to Screen Media | 10 |
| POLI 1007 | World Politics and International Relations | 10 |
| COMM 2032 | Professional Writing and Editing | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| POLI 2006 | Politics of Australia and Asia Relations | 10 |
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select two Language Level 2/3 subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select one IRAS Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select two Language Level 2/3 subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select four Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 40 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| HUMN 3079 | The Asian Century | 10 |
| Select three Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 30 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
Study Abroad semester with four elective subjects to be studied overseas (consultation with the Academic Program Advisor is required) |
||
Four elective subjects in relevant area to be studied at Western Sydney University (consultation with the Academic Program Advisor is highly recommended) 1 |
||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 3022 | Media Memory | 10 |
| COMM 3008 | Communication Research Project | 10 |
| Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 400 | |
Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese, International English or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese, International English or Japanese.
Language Skill Level: Beginner/Intermediate/Advanced (Indonesian language only)
| Year 1 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Autumn session | Credit Points | |
| COMM 1044 | Professional Communication | 10 |
| COMM 1018 | News and Media Today | 10 |
| LANG 1029 | Foundations of Academic English | 10 |
| HUMN 1053 | Diversity, Language and Culture | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| INFO 1004 | Data Analysis and Storytelling | 10 |
| MKTG 1001 | Advertising: An Introduction | 10 |
| LANG 1030 | Thinking Critically About Texts and Society | 10 |
| HUMN 1052 | Australian Politics and Active Citizenship | 10 |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 2 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| COMM 1020 | Media Cultures and Industries | 10 |
| MKTG 1009 | Public Relations Theory and Practice | 10 |
| CULT 1001 | Asia in the World | 10 |
| Select one Language subject (Indonesian) | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 1012 | Data, Communication and Power | 10 |
| COMM 1039 | Introduction to Screen Media | 10 |
| POLI 1007 | World Politics and International Relations | 10 |
| Select one Language subject (Indonesian) | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 3 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| POLI 2006 | Politics of Australia and Asia Relations | 10 |
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one IRAS Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one Language subject (Indonesian) | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one Communication Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one IRAS Major subject | 10 | |
| Select one Language subject (Indonesian) | 10 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 4 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| COMM 2024 | Media Law and Ethics | 10 |
| Select three Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 30 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 2032 | Professional Writing and Editing | 10 |
| HUMN 3079 | The Asian Century | 10 |
| Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Year 5 | ||
| Autumn session | ||
| Select one of the following: | 40 | |
Study Abroad semester with four elective subjects to be studied overseas (consultation with the Academic Program Advisor is required) |
||
Four elective subjects in relevant area to be studied at Western Sydney University (consultation with the Academic Program Advisor is highly recommended) 1 |
||
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Spring session | ||
| COMM 3022 | Media Memory | 10 |
| COMM 3008 | Communication Research Project | 10 |
| Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects | 20 | |
| Credit Points | 40 | |
| Total Credit Points | 400 | |
Students may choose four Language subjects from Arabic, Chinese, International English or Japanese as part of their electives, and graduate with a Major in Arabic, Chinese, International English or Japanese.
Equivalent Core Subjects
The core subject listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.
POLI 1002 Introduction to International Relations, replaced by POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations
Equivalent Subjects
The subjects listed below count towards completion of the program for students who may have passed subjects in the list in 2023 or earlier.
COMM 1032 Writing Ecologies, replaced by COMM 1044 Professional Communication
The subject listed below counts towards completion of this program for students who passed this subject in 2022 or earlier.
DESN 1018 - Visual Storytelling, replaced by INFO 1004 Data Analysis and Storytelling