C10365v1 Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of Arts in International Studies
Award(s): Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) (BComm)Bachelor of Arts in International Studies (BA)
UAC code: 609300 (Autumn session)
CRICOS code: 087763D
Commonwealth supported place?: Yes
Load credit points: 240
Course EFTSL: 5
Location: City campus
Notes
Students who commenced the Bachelor of Arts in Communication (Journalism) Bachelor of Arts in International Studies before 2016 can view their course program at Course transition arrangements.
Overview
Career options
Course intended learning outcomes
Admission requirements
Assumed knowledge
External articulation
Course duration and attendance
Course structure
Course completion requirements
Course diagram
Course program
Honours
Professional recognition
Other information
Overview
Journalism education at UTS is based on the principle that journalism exists as a public good to inform people based on their right to know. This degree develops professional skills across all media and critically engages with the intellectual, ethical and political foundations of journalism in the context of disruptive technological development and its impact on journalism in the digital era.
This degree combines a professional degree with immersion in another language and culture, enhancing professional training and career options. The combined course seeks to augment the value of journalism by broadening awareness and understanding of another language and culture.
This course is designed to meet the essential practical skills and theoretical knowledge needed for a career in journalism. Students gain a crucial understanding of the role that journalists play in creating a democratic public sphere, providing a forum for debate and giving voice to diverse communities. The course equips students with advanced research, writing, reporting and analytical skills for online, audio, television, video, print and social media; and knowledge of the intellectual, ethical and political foundations of journalism.
Career options are also enhanced by an international experience, making students more marketable to prospective employers.
Career options
Career options include reporter, producer, editor, social media editor, sub-editor, feature and freelance journalist, investigative journalist, researcher, and print, broadcast and online media content producer. Graduates can also find employment in areas related to journalism, such as communication adviser, content producers and as workers in government and non-government organisations and other civil society bodies, such as unions, universities and charities.
Course intended learning outcomes
This course engages with the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), which are tailored to the Graduate Attributes set for all graduates of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Com.1.1 | Possess a well-developed awareness of professional practice in the context of the communication industries |
Com.1.2 | Apply theoretically informed understanding of the communication industries in independent and collaborative projects across a range of media |
Com.2.1 | Possess information literacy skills to locate, gather, organise and synthesise information across diverse platforms to inform the understanding of the communication industries |
Com.2.2 | Be reflexive critical thinkers and creative practitioners who are intellectually curious, imaginative and innovative, with an ability to evaluate their own and others' work |
Com.3.1 | Demonstrate an awareness and knowledge of global contexts and openness to cultural exchange |
Com.3.2 | Employ professional skills responsibly and respectfully in a global environment |
Com.4.1 | Possess a critical understanding of the importance of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within contemporary Australian politics, history and culture |
Com.4.2 | Integrate knowledge of Indigenous issues in professional practices and engage responsibly in communicating with and about Indigenous people and communities |
Com.5.1 | Possess the awareness of ethical practice in the personal, political and professional contexts of civil society |
Com.5.2 | Possess the skills to behave ethically in personal and professional contexts |
Com.6.1 | Possess well-developed skills and proficiencies to communicate and respond effectively and appropriately across different contexts |
Com.6.2 | Demonstrate digital literacy and production skills across a range of media and media texts |
INT.1.1 | Employ effective cultural strategies to operate within professional settings in Australia and internationally. |
INT.2.1 | Conduct independent research into contemporary societies and cultures. |
INT.2.2 | Evaluate research findings and creatively use research methods in International Studies. |
INT.3.1 | Reflect on and use knowledge of contemporary societies to engage with diverse cultures. |
INT.3.2 | Communicate effectively for everyday and/or professional purposes in an additional language. |
INT.4.1 | Value Indigenous knowledges and sovereignty in Australian and international settings. |
INT.5.1 | Develop capacity to engage with current issues and to act ethically in Australian and international settings. |
INT.6.1 | Communicate clearly and effectively in written and spoken English. |
Key
COM = Communication course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
INT = International Studies course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The first digit of each CILO indicates the relevant graduate attribute:
- Professional Readiness
- Critical and Creative Inquiry
- International and Intercultural Engagement
- Indigenous Competencies
- Active Citizenship
- Effective Communication
Admission requirements
Applicants must have completed an Australian Year 12 qualification, Australian Qualifications Framework Diploma, or equivalent Australian or overseas qualification at the required level.
There are no prior language requirements for the international studies program. Entry level to the various language and culture programs depends upon students' prior knowledge of the relevant language. Students are admitted to the international studies program with no guarantee of entry to a specific major, although every effort is made to meet students' preferences.
The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is: Academic IELTS: 6.5 overall with a writing score of 6.0; or TOEFL: paper based: 550-583 overall with TWE of 4.5, internet based: 79-93 overall with a writing score of 21; or AE5: Pass; or PTE: 58-64; or CAE: 176-184.
Eligibility for admission does not guarantee offer of a place.
International students
Visa requirement: To obtain a student visa to study in Australia, international students must enrol full time and on campus. Australian student visa regulations also require international students studying on student visas to complete the course within the standard full-time duration. Students can extend their courses only in exceptional circumstances.
Assumed knowledge
There are no prior language requirements for the international studies program.
External articulation
The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences has established credit recognition packages with the following institution for the course listed:
- UTS Insearch: Diploma of Communication.
Course duration and attendance
This course is offered on a five-year, full-time basis.
Course structure
Students must complete 240 credit points, consisting of 24 credit points of core subjects, a 48-credit-point major and potential 48-credit-point second major (subject to application), 24 credit points of cross-disciplinary electives and a 96-credit-point country major choice. Students who do not meet the requirements to study the second major complete elective subjects.
Overseas study
Students spend their fourth year of study at a university overseas.
Industrial training/professional practice
Students take part in relevant and applied journalism tasks throughout the Journalism major, and must undertake a professional internship with a media organisation.
Course completion requirements
STM91104 Communication core | 24cp | |
MAJ10046 Journalism | 48cp | |
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives | 24cp | |
CBK90005 Country major choice | 96cp | |
CBK91116 Major/Electives | 48cp | |
Total | 240cp |
Course diagram

Course program
A typical course program is shown below for students commencing in Autumn session with the Germany major as the chosen international studies major. Other countries may be chosen from the list of majors in CBK90005; the program has the same structure but with subjects specific to the chosen country major.
All students choose a second major stream when enrolling in their first session. This 16-credit-point stream consists of two major subjects from another major. Students can choose any second major (excluding Media Arts and Production) and, subject to meeting criteria, they can apply to continue with their chosen second major (the remaining 32 credit points, i.e. another four subjects).
Students who choose not to continue with their second major choice, or who do not meet the eligibility criteria, continue in their course by choosing 32 credit points of electives (i.e. four subjects).
Year 1 | ||
Autumn session | ||
54000 Citizenship and Communication | 8cp | |
54020 Stories from the Streets: Local Journalism, Social Media | 8cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91118 Stream choices | 16cp | |
Spring session | ||
54001 Digital Literacies | 8cp | |
54021 Narrative Multimedia Journalism | 8cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91118 Stream choices | 16cp | |
Year 2 | ||
Autumn session | ||
97601 German Language and Culture 1 | 8cp | |
54022 Digging Deeper: Current Affairs and Longer-form Journalism | 8cp | |
976001 Foundations in International Studies | 8cp | |
Spring session | ||
54023 Investigating: Data, Tools and Stories | 8cp | |
97602 German Language and Culture 2 | 8cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives | 24cp | |
Year 3 | ||
Autumn session | ||
97603 German Language and Culture 3 | 8cp | |
54002 Communicating Difference | 8cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91120 Second major | 48cp | |
CBK91119 Electives | 32cp | |
Spring session | ||
976421 Contemporary Germany | 8cp | |
97604 German Language and Culture 4 | 8cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91120 Second major | 48cp | |
CBK91119 Electives | 32cp | |
Year 4 | ||
Autumn session | ||
977420 In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 1: Germany | 24cp | |
Spring session | ||
978420 In-country Study and Fieldwork Project 2: Germany | 24cp | |
Year 5 | ||
Autumn session | ||
54024 The Hive: Collaborative Journalism | 8cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives | 24cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91120 Second major | 48cp | |
CBK91119 Electives | 32cp | |
Spring session | ||
54025 Industry Portfolio | 8cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91115 Cross-disciplinary electives | 24cp | |
Select 8 credit points from the following: | 8cp | |
CBK91120 Second major | 48cp | |
CBK91119 Electives | 32cp |
Honours
The Bachelor of Communication (Honours) (C09047) is available with an additional year of full-time study for eligible students.
Professional recognition
- Graduates are eligible to apply for professional level membership of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA).
- Students are eligible for student membership of the MEAA and access to the MEAA, Women in Media and Walkley Foundation network which provides skill development programs.
- The Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) is recognised by the MEAA and the Australian Press Council.
Other information
Further information is available from the UTS Student Centre on:
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
or +61 2 9514 1222
Ask UTS