Swinburne University of Technology
Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)/Bachelor of Media and Communication
Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia
Level
Diploma
Duration
2.6666667F/P
Campus
Hawthorn (VIC)
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Intake
TBD
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Course Overview
Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)/Bachelor of Media and Communication at Swinburne University of Technology in Hawthorn, Victoria, Australia is a diploma programme designed to give you both rigorous academic grounding and exposure to current practice in the field.
- Study with academics who are active researchers and industry practitioners, with regular contact through seminars, tutorials, and project work.
- Develop core knowledge in your first year before specialising through optional modules in later years tailored to your interests and career goals.
- Build practical, transferable skills — analysis, communication, teamwork, and project delivery — that employers across sectors actively look for.
- Access dedicated employability support including internships, placements, alumni mentoring, and a careers service that connects students to graduate roles.
- Join a global student community with extracurricular societies, sports, volunteering, and study-abroad opportunities to round out your university experience.
Career snapshot (indicative)
Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
Student life (indicative)
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital — an obsessive café culture, world-class street art, live music every night, top-tier restaurants and galleries, and a cosmopolitan energy that consistently ranks it among the world's most liveable cities.
The University at a Glance
Student Population
45,354
Staff Ratio
17.0:1
International
36.0%
Career Prospects
Employment Rate
73.0%
of graduates employed
Avg Starting Salary
£35,550
First-year earnings
Placement Year
✓ Available
Work experience option
Costs & Living
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Check the university's official fee page
City & Location
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Course Curriculum
Year 1
- Foundations of Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)/Bachelor of Media and Communication
- Academic and Research Skills
- Quantitative Methods
- Introduction to Theory and Practice
- Optional language or breadth module.
Year 2
- Intermediate Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)/Bachelor of Media and Communication topics
- Applied Methods and Tools
- Group Project
- Two optional pathway modules
- Career and Industry Insights.
Year 3
- Advanced Diploma of Arts and Communication (UniLink)/Bachelor of Media and Communication
- Independent Dissertation or Capstone Project
- Two specialist optional modules aligned with your interests
- Employability and Professional Development.
Entry Requirements
Subjects
- Current Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations. Guaranteed ATAR: If you receive an ATAR of 50.00 or higher and complete all the requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer. Educational history An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, VET and higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. Regional Adjustment Swinburne offers a regional adjustment for applicants from outer regional and remote communities. These applicants will automatically receive regional adjustment factors if they:
- apply for a course for which assessment is based on ATAR
- are currently studying Year 12, or Year 12 is their highest level of study Swinburne will automatically apply regional adjustment factors to an applicant's aggregate score based on location. Applicants are not required to apply for this consideration. Subject adjustment A study score of 25 in any Business, any Humanities, Literature, any LOTE, Politics or Theatre Studies equals 2 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in any Business, any Humanities, Literature, any LOTE, Politics or Theatre Studies equals 3 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Swinburne University of Technology Equity schemes information and the Swinburne University of Technology website Recent Year 12 graduates ATAR This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations. Guaranteed ATAR: If you receive an ATAR of 50.00 or higher and complete all the requirements for this course, you will be guaranteed an offer. Educational history An applicant's entire academic history, including ATAR results, VET and higher education study will be considered for entry into this course. Regional Adjustment Swinburne offers a regional adjustment for applicants from outer regional and remote communities. These applicants will automatically receive regional adjustment factors if they:
- apply for a course for which assessment is based on ATAR
- are currently studying Year 12, or Year 12 is their highest level of study Swinburne will automatically apply regional adjustment factors to an applicant's aggregate score based on location. Applicants are not required to apply for this consideration. Subject adjustment A study score of 25 in any Business, any Humanities, Literature, any LOTE, Politics or Theatre Studies equals 2 aggregate points per study. A study score of 30 in any Business, any Humanities, Literature, any LOTE, Politics or Theatre Studies equals 3 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 10 points. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Swinburne University of Technology Equity schemes information and the Swinburne University of Technology website Applicants with Higher Education study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can fulfill this requirement by taking the STAT Written English test. Additionally, applicants without an ATAR or whose post
- secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for entry based on their STAT Multiple Choice test results. To be eligible for admission through the STAT, applicants must be at least 19 years old and must not have completed a Year 12 qualification within the last two years. For more information or to register for the STAT, visit the STAT website here . Note: STAT results are valid for two years. Educational history An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course. Applicants who have completed post
- secondary studies at undergraduate level i.e. bachelor and above, will be considered for this course. Applicants whose incomplete undergraduate studies and complete and/or incomplete VET studies were undertaken within the last seven years will also be considered. Work experience Applicants who have completed year 12 but do not meet the entry criteria through academic study can have their work experience considered. Applicants with 4 years of relevant post
- secondary work experience, with at least 2 of these years being full time work, must provide: A resume A letter from an employer (on letterhead) outlining the duration of employment, roles and responsibilities. If an employer letter can't be provided Swinburne may conduct a referee check A position description (optional) SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Swinburne University of Technology Equity schemes information and the Swinburne University of Technology website Applicants with VET study Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can fulfill this requirement by taking the STAT Written English test. Additionally, applicants without an ATAR or whose post
- secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for entry based on their STAT Multiple Choice test results. To be eligible for admission through the STAT, applicants must be at least 19 years old and must not have completed a Year 12 qualification within the last two years. For more information or to register for the STAT, visit the STAT website here . Note: STAT results are valid for two years. Educational history An applicant's entire academic history from the past seven years, including ATAR results, will be considered for entry into this course. Applicants with complete and/or incomplete post
- secondary studies at the VET level within the last seven years will be also considered. Work experience Applicants who have completed year 12 but do not meet the entry criteria through academic study can have their work experience considered. Applicants with 4 years of relevant post
- secondary work experience, with at least 2 of these years being full time work, must provide: A resume A letter from an employer (on letterhead) outlining the duration of employment, roles and responsibilities. If an employer letter can't be provided Swinburne may conduct a referee check A position description (optional) SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Swinburne University of Technology Equity schemes information and the Swinburne University of Technology website Applicants with work and life experience Entire academic record This course uses the entire academic record as part of its selection considerations. Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) Applicants who do not meet the English prerequisites can fulfill this requirement by taking the STAT Written English test. Additionally, applicants without an ATAR or whose post
- secondary studies do not meet the minimum requirements may be considered for entry based on their STAT Multiple Choice test results. To be eligible for admission through the STAT, applicants must be at least 19 years old and must not have completed a Year 12 qualification within the last two years. For more information or to register for the STAT, visit the STAT website here . Note: STAT results are valid for two years. Educational history An applicant's ATAR results from the last seven years will be considered for entry into this course. Work experience Applicants who have completed year 12 but do not meet the entry criteria through academic study can have their work experience considered. Applicants with 4 years of relevant post
- secondary work experience, with at least 2 of these years being full time work, must provide: A resume A letter from an employer (on letterhead) outlining the duration of employment, roles and responsibilities. If an employer letter can't be provided Swinburne may conduct a referee check A position description (optional) Regional Adjustment Swinburne offers a regional adjustment for applicants from outer regional and remote communities. These applicants will automatically receive regional adjustment factors if they:
- apply for a course for which assessment is based on ATAR
- are currently studying Year 12, or Year 12 is their highest level of study Swinburne will automatically apply regional adjustment factors to an applicant's aggregate score based on location. Applicants are not required to apply for this consideration. SEAS (Special Entry Access Scheme) Applicants who have experienced educational disadvantage are encouraged to apply for equity schemes. Depending on eligibility and your circumstances, an equity schemes application may provide support for your course application. For further information go to Swinburne University of Technology Equity schemes information and the Swinburne University of Technology website | Year 12 prerequisites Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 20 in English other than EAL or at least 25 in English as an Additional Language. Non
- Year 12 prerequisites As for Year 12 or equivalent.
Assessment Methods
Assessment is varied across the programme and may include: Written examinations across foundational modules; Coursework essays and analytical reports; Group and individual projects with presentations; Practical lab, studio, or fieldwork assessments where relevant; A final-year dissertation or capstone project that lets you specialise in a topic of your choice.
Campus & City Life
Student Population
45,354
Total students
Staff Ratio
17:1
Students per staff
International Students
36%
Of student body
Campus at a Glance
City Size
Major metropolitan (>1m inhabitants)
Climate (indicative)
Four seasons
Safety Index (indicative)
7.8/10
Transport
Good (close to station or regional airport)
Social Scene
Friendly community | Global / diverse | Entrepreneurial / start-up culture
Student Life & City (indicative)
Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital — an obsessive café culture, world-class street art, live music every night, top-tier restaurants and galleries, and a cosmopolitan energy that consistently ranks it among the world's most liveable cities.
- Melbourne is Australia's cultural capital — an obsessive café culture, world-class street art, live music every night, top-tier restaurants and galleries, and a cosmopolitan energy that consistently ranks it among the world's most liveable cities.
What Students Love
- Rich arts & cultural scene
- Great café culture
- Diverse international food scene
- Active music scene
University Stats
Total Students45,354
Student-to-Staff Ratio17:1
International Students36%
Safety Index (indicative)7.8/10
Career & Outcomes
Graduate Employment
73%
Employed after graduation
Avg Starting Salary
£35,550
Average first-year salary
Placement Year
✓ Available
Industry work experience
Career Outcomes Overview (indicative)
Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
- Arts and design graduates build portfolio careers as practitioners, educators, creative directors and arts administrators, combining creative practice with commercial and community-facing work.
Top Industries for Graduates
- Engineering
- Design
- Business
Study Abroad Opportunities
Y
- Y
Costs & Living Expenses
Intl. Tuition
Fee not confirmed
Check the university's official fee page
Overall Cost of Living (indicative)
HIGH
This location has a higher cost of living. Budget accordingly for accommodation, food, and general expenses.
Monthly Student Budget (indicative)
Housing£821/mo
Food & Groceries£331/mo
Transport£86/mo
Estimated Monthly Total£1,429
Annual living costs£17,158/yr
Cost Overview (indicative)
Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110). Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.
- Like most major Australian cities, Melbourne carries a moderate-to-high cost of living — expect around $1,810/month (housing $1,040, food $420, transport $110).
- Melbourne's cultural scene, café culture and liveability rankings justify the cost for most students.