Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production) (6015)

  • Approved Abbreviation: DComm/BScrMedArtProd
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 6015
  • AQF Level: 7

CRICOS Code: 096974G

This program applies to students who commenced in Term 1, 2022 or later.

Students should follow the program structure for the session start date relevant to the year they commenced.

For commencement Year 2021 - please refer to 6015.3 - Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

For commencement Year Term 2, 2019 to 2020 - 6015.2 - Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

For commencement Year 2017 to Term 1, 2019 - 6015.1 - Diploma in Communication/Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production)

The Bachelor of Screen Media degree is hands-on and future-focused. This comprehensive program mirrors the growth of screen content as an industry, an art form and a means of global communication. You will learn to apply independent thinking and creativity to the latest storytelling techniques, and develop your craft in high-end studio and editing facilities. Award-winning academics will work with you to develop conceptual, storytelling and technical skills that cover the breadth of film, television, online and interactive media. You’ll develop the skills to oversee the complete production of a screen media project, from developing creative ideas, to identifying funding sources, organising workflows, scoping production, collaborating with the different roles on a set, producing and editing content, and finally, marketing the finished product.

This program integrates theory and practice in a way that helps build critical thinking and creative problem-solving, which will enhance your approach to creating unique content and responding to real client briefs. In your first year, you will develop fundamental skills and knowledge in screen media. In your second and third years, you will build on your screen media skills and choose either the Design stream (to enhance visual and interactive skills) or the Journalism stream (to complement your investigative, storytelling and documentary skills).Throughout the degree, you will have opportunities to attend industry events and network with Australia’s most successful practitioners. When you graduate, you will be equipped with a web-based professional portfolio to showcase your skills and expertise, and will be prepared for a bright future in the screen content/communication industry.

The first year of this course is delivered by Western Sydney University The College, as an agent of Western Sydney University, via extended face-to-face hours in smaller learning environments. A Diploma in Communication exit point is also available at the end of the first year of the program.

For more information on Western Sydney University, The College, please refer to their web site.

Western Sydney University, The College

Early Exit

Students may exit this program on completion of 100 credit points with a 7043 Diploma in Communication (exit only)

Study Mode

Three years full-time or six years part-time.

Program Advice

For program advice during your first year of study, contact The College:  College Program Enquiries
For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, contact the Program Advisor for the Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production):  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 Road2 Full Time Internal See above
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal See above
The College - Nirimba Education Precinct1 Full Time Internal See above
The College - Nirimba Education Precinct Part Time Internal See above
1

Students will study at WSU - The College Nirimba campus in their first year of study.

2

From second year onwards, students will study at Parramatta Campus (Victoria Road).

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 an optional work component available in this program.  Please contact the Program Advisor listed above for information.

International students should be aware that if an elective is a requirement of the program but the work itself was not registered with CRICOS, students can still complete these electives but it would be counted towards the work limitation.  For more details, refer to the 'Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students' website.

Work Integrated Learning (WIL) for international students

Admission

Domestic students are required to have:

  • An ATAR identified prior to the offer of a place, or
  • Completed an English subject at a pass level or above in the NSW Higher School Certificate, or
  • Competency in English at IELTS 6.0 equivalent (unless a native speaker), or
  • Passed The College English test with 70% or higher, or
  • Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject at C grade level or higher.

Met other entry requirements such as:

  • Completed The College Foundation Studies program with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

International students must satisfy one of the following language requirements:

  • IELTS 6.0 with a minimum 5.5 in each sub band, or
  • Completed the College EAP 4 course with a 50% pass, or
  • Passed The College English test with 70% or higher, or
  • Passed The College Foundation Studies Academic English subject at C grade level or higher for which advanced standing can be applied for.

Academic Entry Requirements vary according to country of origin. However, in general:

  • Completion of Year 12 or its equivalent is the minimum entry requirement, or
  • Completed The College Foundation Studies program with a Grade Point Average of 5.5 or higher.

Recommended Sequence

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 260 credit points which include the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

The early exit College Diploma consists of 100 credit points which includes two College Preparatory subjects.  Students may exit after completing The College subjects and graduate with the Diploma in Communication following a passing grade in all of the above units.  Students who progress onto Year 2 may also be awarded the Diploma if they gain a passing grade in all of the above units.

  • Students must pass all College Preparatory units before progressing to the Year Two units.
  • Students must pass at least 70 credit points of University level units in Year 1 before progressing to the Year 2 units.

Western Sydney University The College subjects

Term 1 Intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
First Term of Study  
LANG 0003 Academic English (WSTC Prep) 10
COMM 0015 Communication Practices (WSTC Prep) 10
COMM 1040 Introduction to Screen Media (WSTC) 10
Second Term of Study  
DESN 1010 Graphic Design: Understanding the Principles (WSTC) 20
COMM 1042 Screen Media Fundamentals (WSTC) 10
Third Term of Study  
DESN 1022 Web and Time-based Design (WSTC) 10
COMM 1019 Introduction to Journalism (WSTC) 10
COMM 1038 Digital Narrative (WSTC) 10
COMM 2054 Animation and Visual Effects (WSTC) 10
 Credit Points100
 Total Credit Points100

Term 2 Intake

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1Credit Points
First Term of Study  
LANG 0003 Academic English (WSTC Prep) 10
COMM 1042 Screen Media Fundamentals (WSTC) 10
COMM 0015 Communication Practices (WSTC Prep) 10
Second Term of Study  
COMM 1019 Introduction to Journalism (WSTC) 10
COMM 1038 Digital Narrative (WSTC) 10
COMM 2054 Animation and Visual Effects (WSTC) 10
Third Term of Study  
DESN 1010 Graphic Design: Understanding the Principles (WSTC) 20
DESN 1022 Web and Time-based Design (WSTC) 10
COMM 1040 Introduction to Screen Media (WSTC) 10
 Credit Points100
 Total Credit Points100

Western Sydney University Subjects

Qualification for this award then requires the successful completion of a further 160 credit points including the units listed in the recommended sequence below.

For program advice during your second and subsequent years of study, please use the contact listed for the Bachelor of Screen Media (Arts and Production).

Parramatta (Victoria Road) Campus

Students must complete the Screen Media major.

The Screen Media major requires the completion of eight subjects which are included in the recommended sequence listed below.

Students must follow either the Journalism stream or Design stream from year 2 onwards.

Plan of Study Grid
Year 2
Autumn sessionCredit Points
COMM 2053 Narrative: Fictional Screen Media 10
COMM 2052 Documentary: Factual Screen Media 10
Select the subjects below from your chosen stream 20
Design stream:  
Graphic Design: Interactive Digital Media  
Journalism stream:  
Feature Writing  
News Reporting  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMM 3047 Episodic Screen Media 10
COMM 3048 Immersive Screen Technologies 10
Select the subjects below from your chosen stream 20
Design stream:  
Interactive Design: Apps  
Data Visualisation  
Journalism stream:  
News Teams  
Choose one of  
Photo Journalism  
Journalism: Research and Investigation  
 Credit Points40
Year 3
Autumn session
COMM 3049 Screen Media: Capstone Development 10
COMM 2024 Media Law and Ethics 10
Select the subjects below from your chosen stream 20
Design stream:  
Interactive Design: Games  
Motion Design  
Journalism stream:  
Digital Journalism Production  
 Credit Points40
Spring session
COMM 3050 Screen Media: Capstone Production 10
Choose one of 10
Internship  
Personal Branding Strategies: Build and Manage Your Career Profile  
Two elective units 20
 Credit Points40
 Total Credit Points160

Equivalent Subjects

The subjects listed below count towards completion of this program for students who passed these subjects in 2021 or earlier.

Western Sydney University The College subjects

VISU 2007 Animation and Visual Effects (WSTC), replaced by COMM 2054 Animation and Visual Effects (WSTC)

Western Sydney University subjects

COMM 2013 Documentary Media, replaced by COMM 2052 Documentary: Factual Screen Media
COMM 3020 Media Arts Project, replaced by COMM 2053 Narrative: Fictional Screen Media
COMM 3034 TV Production 1, replaced by COMM 3047 Episodic Screen Media