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From 2024 this program has been replaced by 1932 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies.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.

Commencement Year 2017 to Autumn 2018 - please refer to 1707.3 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies

Commencement Year 2016 - please refer to 1707.2 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies

Commencement Year 2013 to 2015 - please refer to 1707.1 Bachelor of Communication/Bachelor of International Studies

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

Dr Myra Gurney

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).

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

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.

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 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 1052Australian Politics and Active Citizenship10
LANG 1030Thinking Critically About Texts and Society10
HUMN 1053Diversity, Language and Culture10
LANG 1029Foundations of Academic English10
Total Credit Points40

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 3008Communication Research Project10
INFO 1004Data Analysis and Storytelling10
COMM 1012Data, Mediation, Power10
COMM 1020Media Cultures and Industries10
COMM 2024Media Law and Ethics10
COMM 3022Media Memory10
COMM 2032Professional Writing and Editing10
COMM 1044Professional Communication10
Total Credit Points80

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 1001Advertising: An Introduction10
COMM 1018News and Media Today10
COMM 1039Introduction to Screen Media10
MKTG 1009Public Relations Theory and Practice10
Total Credit Points40

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit 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 Points40
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 Points40
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 Points40
Spring session
COMM 1012 Data, Mediation, Power 10
COMM 1039 Introduction to Screen Media 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select Level 1 Language subject 10
 Credit Points40
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 Points40
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 Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
COMM 2024 Media Law and Ethics 10
Select three Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects 30
 Credit Points40
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 Points40
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 Points40
Spring session
COMM 3022 Media Memory 10
COMM 3008 Communication Research Project 10
Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points400

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

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit 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 Points40
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 Points40
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 Points40
Spring session
COMM 1012 Data, Mediation, 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 Points40
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 Points40
Spring session
Select one IRAS Major subject 10
Select one Communication Major subject 10
Select two Language Level 2/3 subjects 20
 Credit Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
Select four Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects 40
 Credit Points40
Spring session
HUMN 3079 The Asian Century 10
Select three Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects 30
 Credit Points40
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 Points40
Spring session
COMM 3022 Media Memory 10
COMM 3008 Communication Research Project 10
Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points400

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)

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit 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 Points40
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 Points40
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 Points40
Spring session
COMM 1012 Data, Mediation, Power 10
COMM 1039 Introduction to Screen Media 10
POLI 1007 World Politics and International Relations 10
Select one Language subject (Indonesian) 10
 Credit Points40
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 Points40
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 Points40
Year 4
Autumn session
COMM 2024 Media Law and Ethics 10
Select three Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects 30
 Credit Points40
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 Points40
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 Points40
Spring session
COMM 3022 Media Memory 10
COMM 3008 Communication Research Project 10
Select two Communication Major subjects or IRAS Major subjects 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points400

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