Media and communications courses
Media and communications work covers everything from public relations to digital content and copywriting. You can start with a diploma that takes under a year, or study a bachelor degree to go further into the field. Here's what each course teaches and the jobs it suits.
- Quickest way to start
- 8 months
- Diploma, typical full time length
- What the jobs pay
- $64,500 to $139,200
- median pay across 9 jobs, some estimated
Which course do you need?
None of these jobs needs a set qualification, but these courses teach what employers look for.
Diploma of Communication
Start out in public relations
Write media releases and social posts, answer questions from journalists and help protect an organisation's reputation.
A job it helps withPublic Relations Officer
Median pay$106,400
Helps, not required. Employers hire on skills and experience as well as study.
- How long it takes
- 8 to 12 months full time
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or a mix
A bachelor degree in digital media or communication
Move into social media and content roles
Plan and post content for a brand, run its social accounts and report on what gets engagement.
A job it helps withSocial Media Manager
Median pay$64,500 (estimate)
Helps, not required. Employers hire on skills and experience as well as study.
- How long it takes
- 2 to 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online, on campus or a mix
Bachelor of Media and Communication
Move into tender and bid writing
Write bids and proposals that answer what a client or government agency is asking for, often to a tight deadline.
A job it helps withTender Writer
Median pay$66,800 (estimate)
Helps, not required. Employers hire on skills and experience as well as study.
- How long it takes
- 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
Bachelor of Communication (Advertising)
Write copy for ads and campaigns
Write the words for advertisements, websites and campaigns, usually to a brief from a client or a creative team.
A job it helps withCopywriter
Median pay$89,500
Helps, not required. Employers hire on skills and experience as well as study.
- How long it takes
- 3 years full time
- How you'll study
- Online or on campus
The media and communication degrees compared
These degrees sit in the same field and overlap in what they teach. The main difference is the area each one focuses on, and the work it points towards. Most can be studied online at one or more universities.
- Bachelor of CommunicationThe broadest option. You build writing and digital content skills, then choose a major or minor such as journalism, public relations, advertising, digital media or creative writing.How long2 to 3 yearsMain focusA broad choice of majors
- Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations)Focuses on how organisations communicate with the public. You cover campaigns, events, issues and reputation, and how digital media has changed the work.How long3 yearsMain focusOrganisations and their reputation
- Bachelor of Communication and MediaCombines communication strategy with production. You write and produce for print, broadcast, social and digital platforms, study media law and ethics, and choose an area such as journalism or screen media.How long3 yearsMain focusStrategy plus production
- Bachelor of Digital MediaA hands-on producing degree. You work in studios and computer labs using industry software, and many courses let you specialise in animation, graphic design, games or film and video.How long3 yearsMain focusDesigning and producing digital media
- Bachelor of MediaMixes making media with studying it. You write, design and produce across formats, and look at how media shapes audiences and culture.How long3 yearsMain focusMaking media, and studying it
Other university courses
- Bachelor of Media and Communications3 years. For people heading towards journalism, content creation, publishing or communications work, with study of how media is made and how it shapes culture.
- Bachelor of Communications3 years. A general degree in how organisations and media reach audiences, with skills that apply in media, marketing and corporate communication roles.
Jobs this study can help with
Pay is the median for everyone in the job, not a starting salary.
- Public Relations OfficerStudy that can helpA media or communication degree or diplomaMedian pay$106,400
- Social Media ManagerStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$64,500 (estimate)
Communications ManagerStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$139,200
Content WriterStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$89,500
Radio PresenterStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$113,300
Broadcast Program DirectorStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$93,600 (estimate)
Social Media Content CreatorStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$70,200 (estimate)
Marketing CoordinatorStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$75,400 (estimate)
JournalistStudy that can helpA media or communication degreeMedian pay$89,500
“In demand” means the job is on the national skills shortage list. Pay marked as an estimate is our own analysis, not a published figure. Check the course and provider are approved for the work you want, as rules differ by state.
Still not sure which one fits you?
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