Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours

Year

Course Overview
Further Information
Course Rules & Plans
Course Outcomes

Why study the Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours at UNE?

This course provides up-to-date knowledge of the rapidly changing field of media and communications. It explores such areas as film and television, screen adaptations, media convergence, changing print genres, digital communications and writing practices, with topics varying to reflect new developments and interests. The coursework and dissertation components allow scope for students to pursue individual interests and enhance their research and communication skills, which are vital for further studies and today's changing workplaces.

The Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours is designed to allow well-qualified graduates to improve their career prospects or to proceed to higher degree studies. Completion to the standard of Honours Class II Division 1 or better is a mode of entry to candidature for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy.

Career Opportunities

Examples include journalism, radio and television, marketing communications, advertising, public relations, corporate writing, public sector research and administration, communications strategy.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time

FEES

CSP
International

2019 STUDY OPTIONS

Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 1, On Campus

Official Abbreviation

BMediaComm(Hons)

Course Type

Bachelor Honours

CRICOS Code

061317G

Commencing

Responsible Campus	Admission Period	Mode of Study
Armidale	Trimester 1	Online
Armidale	Trimester 1	On Campus

Course Duration

1 Year Full-time
2 Years Part-time

Fees

CSP / International
For fee information, click here

Total Credit Points

How to Apply

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International

For more information, click here

Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools may be a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

1. Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Head of School on the recommendation of the Course Coordinator.

2. Except as provided in Rule 3, a candidate for admission to the honours course shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Media and Communications from the University of New England; and

(b) have attained a minimum grade point average of 5.0 (Credit); and

(c) have achieved 18 credit points at Distinction level or better in 300-level units in their chosen area of study; and

(d) have passed units to the value of at least 48 credit points in the subject in which the candidate wishes to proceed; and

(e) have fulfilled any additional requirements prescribed and published by the School or area concerned.

3. With the approval of the Head of School on the recommendation of the course coordinator, a person who has fulfilled the requirements of an equivalent AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification of a university or other institution and who meets requirements considered by the School to be equivalent to those specified in Rule 2. (b), (c), (d) and (e), may be admitted to the honours course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing shall not be awarded for the dissertation component.

Academic Colours

White (BCC 1)

Further Information

You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE

These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours in 2019.

Admission to Candidature

1. Admission to candidature shall be determined by the Head of School on the recommendation of the course coordinator.
2. Except as provided in Rule 3, a candidate for admission to the honours course shall:
(a) have hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor of Arts or the Bachelor of Media and Communications from the University of New England; and
(b) have attained a minimum grade point average of 5.0 (Credit); and
(c) have achieved 18 credit points at Distinction level or better in 300-level units in their chosen area of study; and
(d) have passed units to the value of at least 48 credit points in the subject in which the candidate wishes to proceed; and
(e) have fulfilled any additional requirements prescribed and published by the School or area concerned.
3. With the approval of the Head of School on the recommendation of the course coordinator, a person who has fulfilled the requirements for an equivalent AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification of a university or other institution and who meets requirements considered by the School to be equivalent to those specified in Rule 2 (b), (c), (d) and (e), may be admitted to the honours course leading to the degree of Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours.

Advanced Standing

Candidates are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Advanced standing shall not be awarded for the dissertation component.

Period of Candidature

The period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to two years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

1. To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 48 credit points comprising:
(i) an advanced course work component to the value of 24 credit points in the relevant subject; and
(ii) a dissertation component to the value of 24 credit points in the relevant subject.

2. Each Bachelor of Media and Communications (Honours) candidate will be required to consult with their supervisor(s). The nature and extent of such consultation will be determined by the supervisor(s) and Head of School after consultation with the candidate prior to commencement of each year of candidature and may require face-to-face consultation.

3. A candidate may not enrol concurrently for other units at this University or at another institution, except that, upon the recommendation of the Head of School, the course coordinator may grant permission to do so.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

Course Structure	Credit Points
Core Units	48 cps
Total	48 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Classes of Honours

There shall be three classes of honours, namely Class I, Class II, and Class III. Class II shall have two divisions. The final class of honours will be determined on the basis of marks awarded for both dissertation and coursework.
An exceptionally distinguished candidate who has been awarded First Class Honours may be awarded a University Medal.

Calculation of Honours Result

The ratio of assessment components will equal the ratio of marks within the final grade. The calculation of results for each discipline can be found in the School's Honours Handbook.

Suspensions and Extensions of Candidature

The School may grant an extension or suspension of candidature, or a combination of both, to full-time candidates for up to six months or to part-time candidates for up to 12 months as follows:
(a) by way of extension of candidature, to compensate a candidate for time lost by ill-health or unforeseeable and avoidable difficulties; or
(b) by way of suspension of candidature, to compensate a candidate who produces evidence that they shall not be in a position to pursue work towards the Bachelor of Media and Communications with Honours.

Re-enrolment

1. A candidate may be granted a deferral by the School concerned to re-enrol in a subsequent year if they withdraw from candidature by the census date of the teaching period in which they commenced. This is subject to the School being able to provide appropriate supervision.

2. A part-time candidate who withdraws later than the census date in the second year of enrolment but prior to two months before the submission of the dissertation as required by the Head of School may re-enrol in the same subject for the degree, provided that:
(a) two years will have elapsed before such re-enrolment;
(b) the topic of study undertaken within the dissertation is different from that of the original enrolment; and
(c) subject to the School being able to provide appropriate supervision.

3. A candidate who withdraws later than two months prior to the date on which the dissertation is required shall be deemed to have failed.

4. A candidate who is deemed to have failed may, after a lapse of three years, be permitted to apply for re-admission to the course, provided the proposed work is in a different topic of study within the dissertation from that of the original enrolment and subject to the School being able to provide appropriate supervision.

Submission of Dissertation

Submission of the dissertation will be 39 weeks from the commencement of the trimester in which a candidate is enrolled.

Examination of Dissertation

1. The dissertation will be assessed by at least two examiners neither of whom will be the candidate's supervisor.
2. The dissertation examination processes are described in the School's Honours Handbook.

Course Aims	This course provides students with advanced knowledge and skills in the disciplinary field of media and communications. The coursework unit assists students to gain skills in communication research and analysis, in areas such as film and television studies, screen adaptations, and writing practices. The dissertation module provides guided development of individual research interests and skills, through supervised work on an individual topic.
Learning Outcomes	Upon completion of this course, students will be able to: demonstrate coherent and advanced knowledge of the disciplinary field of media and communications across local and global contexts, including the practices, languages, forms, materials, technologies and techniques studied in the field; demonstrate advanced knowledge and applied understanding of the disciplinary methods of media and communications, including its rationales, themes, concepts, theories, methods and interdisciplinary dimensions; identify and apply appropriate research methods for gathering, interpreting, critically analysing, evaluating and transforming ideas and information from a variety of sources, and for developing and synthesising knowledge; select and use appropriate communication technologies, forms, styles and techniques, at an advanced level, to investigate complex problems and present ideas and arguments coherently for specific purposes and types of intended audience; adapt and apply advanced knowledge and skills with initiative and autonomy to plan and develop projects, solve problems and make decisions in scholarship and/or professional practice; and work independently and collaboratively, demonstrating adaptability and understanding of social, cultural and ethical contexts in further learning and professional practice related to media and communications.
Graduate Attributes	Knowledge of a Discipline The course develops advanced knowledge of forms, practices, technologies, techniques and contexts of media and communications, and advanced knowledge of disciplinary concepts, approaches and methods used in studying the field, through theoretical and/or practical styles of learning and assessment. A global perspective is taught, practised and assessed in the study of diverse media forms and cultural contexts of communication, including debates about globalisation. Communication Skills Written communication skills are taught, practised and assessed, through the study of media and communications. Further skills of representation may be enhanced according to the options of genre and medium for theoretical and practical work in the coursework and/or dissertation. Problem Solving Techniques and methods for defining and investigating problems are taught, practised and assessed, with guidance towards increasingly independent study of issues and debates in media and communications. Information Literacy Information Literacy is taught, practised and assessed through the development of skills for researching media and communications and evaluating diverse sources and types of information. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Ethical conduct and responsibility are developed by consideration - in teaching, supervision, learning and assessment - of the social relations, and cultural and ethical frameworks of media and communications. Lifelong Learning Lifelong learning is embedded in the development of skills of research, analysis, argument and communication. Independence and Collaboration Principles of team work are taught through analysis and/or practice of media and communications, but are not assessed. Independence is developed through research practices in developing the dissertation.