Highlights

  • Learn to develop tailored communications strategies with effective research. 
  • Learn the most cutting-edge digital media skills, such as media analytics, social media management and data literacy. 
  • Get credit for your degree by working out in the field. 

Highlights

  • Learn to develop tailored communications strategies with effective research. 
  • Learn the most cutting-edge digital media skills, such as media analytics, social media management and data literacy. 
  • Get credit for your degree by working out in the field. 
  • Study at Australia’s no. 1 University for communication and media studies, four years running.

 

Applications are open for 2025

Secure your spot now

Mark your calendar, as the on-time application closing date for the upcoming semester is fast approaching.

Ready to apply?

Guarantee a place in your course

For this course, if you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, or receive an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course in 2025.

View our course offers

Why choose this course?

Social media provides individuals and organisations with a powerful voice to build brands, tell stories, and change perceptions. Learning how to leverage these platforms to address organisation-based issues and cultivate sustainable relationships with different stakeholders has never been more critical. This major prepares you to deliver reputational and performance outcomes for clients. You will learn how to maintain effective relationships, build positive images, influence opinions, and development organisational identity. There is a particular emphasis through the School of Communication on fundamental communication skills, social media management, and digital analytics.

Real-world learning

Tailor your studies to meet a specific career outcome or broaden your experience to create wider employment options. Opportunities exist for internships and work placements in a broad range of industry organisations. Students have completed placements with Queensland Investment Corporation, River Living, Flying Arts and Bare Publicity. 

Our lecturers have extensive real-world industry experience. Through them you'll learn about the theory and practice of public relations, dissect real case studies in public relations from around the world, and learn to use the most up-to-date tools and technologies in digital media analytics. 

Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study communication and where a QUT degree can take you.

 

Explore this course

What to expect

In this course you will learn to plan, execute and evaluate PR campaigns that positively impact the perceptions and relationships between the person/organisation and the public. You will learn skills including digital media analytics, social media strategy, internal communication and learn to manage issues, stakeholders and reputation. 

You’ll also be shown the ins and the outs of the modern communication industry, with your core communications subjects. You’ll be trained to understand audiences, the internet and data, the different modern media industries, and the fundamentals of strong communication and collaboration. With the combination of PR-specialised course content and strong skills in communication, you’ll be ready to face the challenges of communications roles across any industry. 

You’ll be equipped to create and plan campaigns across a myriad of channels and industries, using owned and earned media to engage effectively with different audiences, such as employees, customers, communities and governments. Your studies will be rounded out by a choice of either a second major or minors and electives such as work integrated learning, internships or international study tours that allow you to graduate work ready through engagement with industry. 

How to apply for the Bachelor of Communication

Entry for all four communication majors goes through one QTAC code.

Once in your degree, you'll be able to choose your first major (from either digital advertising, community and public relations, journalism, or media and communication industries) and round out your studies by selecting ether:

  • a second major (either one of the alternative communication first major options, or any available second major option from across the university) OR
  • complementary studies tailored for you, such a Work Integrated Learning internship allowing you to gain real-world work experience as part of your degree.

In this course you will learn to plan, execute and evaluate PR campaigns that positively impact the perceptions and relationships between the person/organisation and the public. You will learn skills including digital media analytics, social media strategy, internal communication and learn to manage issues, stakeholders and reputation. 

You’ll also be shown the ins and the outs of the modern communication industry, with your core communications subjects. You’ll be trained to understand audiences, the internet and data, the different modern media industries, and the fundamentals of strong communication and collaboration. With the combination of PR-specialised course content and strong skills in communication, you’ll be ready to face the challenges of communications roles across any industry. 

You’ll be equipped to create and plan campaigns across a myriad of channels and industries, using owned and earned media to engage effectively with different audiences, such as employees, customers, communities and governments. Your studies will be rounded out by a choice of either a second major or minors and electives such as work integrated learning, internships or international study tours that allow you to graduate work ready through engagement with industry. 

Double degrees

Take advantage of the rising demand for media and communication skills across all industries by combining this course with a second degree in - 

  • Business to take advantage of rising demand for the combination of digital management and analytical skills with business project and planning roles. 
  • Information technology to develop a career in web design, graphic design, web application development and more. 
  • Justice where digital media skills are a valuable addition for roles in law enforcement, government and private sector intelligence and security agencies. 
  • Law to apply your legal expertise to jobs in the communication industries. 
  • Science to effectively communicate scientific works with a strong understanding of the field. 

Careers and outcomes

Careers and outcomes

This degree gives you globally transferable skills that are attractive to employers seeking to develop communication-based solutions to real-world opportunities and challenges. 

 

Professional recognition 

Graduates may satisfy the academic requirements for membership of the Advertising Institute of Australia or the Society of Business Communicators. 

 

Possible careers 

  • Brand communications specialist 
  • Community engagement officer 
  • Head of communication 
  • International corporate affairs and communications adviser 
  • Issues management officer  
  • Marketing officer  
  • Media adviser 
  • People and culture director 
  • Press secretary 
  • Public relations manager 
  • Public relations officer/consultant 
  • Stakeholder relations and communications adviser 
  • Strategic communication manager 

Details and units

In order to complete this course you must complete a total of 288 credit points comprising:

  • Six common units - 72 credit points
  • A Communication major - 96 credit points from one of the following disciplines:
    • Media and Communication Industries
    • Journalism
    • Digital Advertising
    • Public Relations
  • Complementary studies - 96 credit points chosen from:
    • one 96 credit point second major (Communication second major or Uni-wide second major); OR
    • two 48 credit point minors (Communication minor or Uni-wide minor); OR
    • one 48 credit point minor and 48 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit); OR
    • 96 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit)
  • Four QUT You units - 24 credit points comprising 4 x 6 credit points units.

In order to complete this course you must complete a total of 288 credit points comprising:

  • Six common units - 72 credit points
  • A Communication major - 96 credit points from one of the following disciplines:
    • Media and Communication Industries
    • Journalism
    • Digital Advertising
    • Public Relations
  • Complementary studies - 96 credit points chosen from:
    • one 96 credit point second major (Communication second major or Uni-wide second major); OR
    • two 48 credit point minors (Communication minor or Uni-wide minor); OR
    • one 48 credit point minor and 48 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit); OR
    • 96 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit)
  • Four QUT You units - 24 credit points comprising 4 x 6 credit points units.

Requirements

ATAR/selection rank threshold
70.00

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2024.

Don't have a ATAR/selection rank?

Find out other ways you can apply

Course code
KC40
QTAC code
421351
CRICOS code
096577J
Delivery
  • Kelvin Grove
Delivery
  • Kelvin Grove
Duration
3 years full-time
6 years part-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry
February and July
Entry
February and July
Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

Assumed knowledge

Before you start this course, we assume you have sound knowledge of the subject/s listed below. If you don't have the subject knowledge, you can still apply for the course but we strongly encourage you to undertake bridging studies to gain the knowledge:

  • English, or Literature, or English and Literature Extension, or English as an Additional Language (Units 3 & 4, C)

More about assumed knowledge

Year 12 early offer scheme

If you're a current Queensland Year 12 student, you may be eligible to receive an offer for this course on the last day of Queensland Year 12, before receiving your ATAR or selection rank.

Find out more about the QUT Year 12 Early Offer Scheme

Helping you to get into your course

If you don't think your ATAR or selection rank is high enough to get into this course, you can guarantee your entry with guaranteed advanced standing by upgrading through one the following programs which you can select as one of your QTAC preferences:

QUT College Diplomas

As a QUT College Diploma in Creative Industries, Entrepreneurship (creative industries pathway), or Esports (creative industries pathway) graduate you will automatically receive an offer to start the Bachelor of Communication within one week after completion of the diploma. You will also automatically receive up to 1.0 year (96 credit points) credit transfer and be able to complete the degree in 2 years as a full-time student (or equivalent part-time).

Find out more about the QUT College Diploma in Creative Industries

Find out more about the QUT College Diploma in Entrepreneurship

Find out more about the QUT College Diploma in Esports

Offer guarantee

If you achieve an ATAR or selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

VET guarantee

If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Advanced standing

If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.

More about advanced standing

Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

More about deferring your offer

Adjustments to your ATAR/selection rank

Any adjustments you receive to your ATAR or selection rank will be applied to this course.

Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your ATAR or selection rank

Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2024

The figures listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent ATAR students. The entry thresholds box at the top of this page shows the lowest adjusted ATAR/selection rank required to receive an offer for all applicants for the most recent January QTAC offer round.

Excluding adjustments Including adjustments
Highest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 97.40
Selection rank 98.10
Median ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 80.90
Selection rank 86.00
Lowest ATAR/selection rank
to receive an offer
Selection rank 63.40
Selection rank 71.40

You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.

Other admission options

If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

I completed secondary school in Australia

ATAR/selection rank
70.00
Offer guarantee

If you completed secondary school in Australia and achieve an ATAR/selection rank of 70.00 or higher (including any adjustments) and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

VET guarantee

If you have completed an AQF certificate IV, diploma or higher, and satisfy all other admission requirements, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Minimum English language requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.

Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, United States of America and Wales.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests undertaken in a secure test centre. Tests must be taken no more than 2 years prior to the QUT course commencement.

English Test Overall Listening Reading Writing Speaking
IELTS Academic / IELTS One Skills Retake 6.5 6 6 6 6
Cambridge English Score
You must share your results with QUT through the Candidate Results Online website.
176 169 169 169 169
PTE Academic 58 50 50 50 50
TOEFL iBT / Paper 79 16 16 21 18

Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2025 fees

2025: CSP $16,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2025 fees

2025: $37,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2024 fees

2024: CSP $16,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2024 fees

2024: $34,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Find out more about undergraduate course fees

HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees

You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

Equity scholarships scheme

Scholarship eligibility
Struggling financially

International Merit Scholarship

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance

QUT Real World International Scholarship

A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.

Scholarship eligibility
Academic performance

Applying guide

When you're preparing your application, make sure you have all the important information. This includes understanding the entry requirements, and checking if you're eligible for advanced standing (credit).

How to apply


QTAC code

You'll need to know this course's QTAC code when you apply through QTAC.


Ready to apply?

If you've already read about the best way to apply, you can apply directly through QTAC.

Apply now with QTAC

How to apply

Follow our step-by-step applying guide to make sure your application is complete, giving you the best chance of getting in.

How to apply


Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today.

Apply now

Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager +61 468 575 146 or mba@qut.edu.au

Apply now

Ready to apply?

If you're ready for the next step, apply online today or contact our MBA Program Manager +61 468 575 146 (Brisbane),
(02) 6198 3098 (Canberra), emba@qut.edu.au

Apply now

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