Bachelor of Arts and Master of Communications and Media Studies

Arts at Monash is your comprehensive gateway to a wide range of fascinating and rewarding areas of study across the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Pair this with a Master of Communications and Media Studies and fast track your way to a higher qualification.

In your Bachelor of Arts degree you will choose from a select range of majors related to the destination Masters degree. You’ll also have the scope to choose from almost 40 different areas of study for your Minor and electives, including languages, social sciences, communications, politics, human rights, and international relations. While developing an informed, critical awareness of the fields you're most passionate about, you’ll lay the groundwork for a wealth of exciting careers.

As a high achieving student (75% average), in the third year of your degree you will start to transition into the Masters degree. The Master of Communications and Media Studies builds your understanding of the changing global contexts of media and communication practices. You will gain a critically informed understanding of key issues affecting the global communications industry focusing on the challenges posed by the emergence of digital media, globalisation and increasing levels of cross-cultural exchange. Industry engagement through guest speakers, internships, and opportunities for site visits in Australia and abroad will enhance your knowledge and professional competency.

As preparation for transitioning into the Masters degree during your third year, you will select from one of the following areas for your major:

• Communications and media studies
• Film and screen studies
• Journalism

The Bachelor of Arts offers both diversity and focus, and builds informed, skilful and critically aware citizens of the world. In addition to your major, you can sample from a wide range of study areas, giving you a comprehensive base across areas in the arts, humanities and social sciences. You'll develop a rich understanding of human difference and communication, the complexities of social organisation, and humankind's trajectory through the past and into the future.

With many opportunities to undertake study overseas, or via a study tour or internship program, you’ll become an expert in your chosen area, and will be work ready, equipped with the core skills employers in all sectors are looking for including:

• written and verbal communication skills
• teamwork skills
• listening and decision-making skills
• leadership and negotiation skills
• methods to build rapport and confidence
• critical-thinking skills
• problem-solving skills
• research skills

As the most established program of its type in Australia, the Master of Communications and Media Studies has built up a long record of success. The program draws strongly on specialist expertise and focuses on fostering industry ready graduates.

You will be introduced to the latest developments and research in communications and media – including in social and online media – always with a view to "real world" application. Study units feature guest professional speakers in conjunction with industry focussed field trips to media outlets in Sydney, Melbourne and Shanghai.

In the Master of Communications and Media Studies course, you will have the opportunity to undertake industry internships in Australia and overseas. For example, students in our program have recently completed internships with the United Nations in New York and with Shandong Television in China.

This course leads to two separate degrees.

• the Bachelor of Arts

and

• the Master of Communication and Media Studies

You will gain all the benefits of a Bachelor’s degree and a Masters course (see Bachelor of Arts/Master of Communication and Media Studies).

As a graduate with a degree in Arts you’ll be prepared for global employment opportunities in a wide range of occupations and settings. The Masters course is designed for students looking to work in the communications and media industries, including media research, organisational and strategic communication, policy formulation and public relations.