Bachelor of Creative Arts – Bachelor of Communication and Media | 2020

Overview 

The Bachelor of Creative Arts - Bachelor of Communication and Media has a strong focus on the creative industries, and encourages an understanding of how producers and consumers interact in a media saturated world. UOW connects hands-on studio production with critical reflection. This degree will equip you with a diverse set of skills including critical and creative thinking and effective communication and problem solving skills, all of which are required for high achievement in a range careers. 

The Bachelor of Communication and Media degree offers students a strong foundation in the global communication and media industries. This degree has a focus on preparing students for global careers in digital and social media, visual communication design, journalism, screen media production, marketing communication, advertising and PR. Students will encounter key ideas in the study and practice of media and communications, and gain flexible and transferable skills that will prepare them for informed engagement with the changing world of global media culture.

You will also become part of the creative industries, one of the fastest growing sectors in the world. In Australia, over 600,000 people create a living from working in film; television and radio; writing and editing; recording and performing; advertising and marketing; design and visual arts; and architecture. A Creative Arts degree equips you with a sound knowledge of contemporary arts, arts theory and history within Australia and how that fits within an international context, reflecting on social, cultural and ethical issues. 

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes 

The course learning outcomes in each of these degrees complement and consolidate outcomes in the partner degree. Applied across two discipline areas, the outcomes are achieved at a broader and more comprehensive level.

Please refer to the Undergraduate Course Handbook page of each individual degree for a comprehensive list of degree course learning outcomes. 

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of this degree, students must complete a minimum of 216 credit points comprised of the following:

1. The core subjects prescribed for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (24 credit points);
2. One of the majors listed for the Bachelor of Creative Arts (minimum 72 and maximum 96 credit points);
3. The core subjects prescribed for the Bachelor of Communication and Media (48 credit points);
4. One of the majors listed for the Bachelor of Communication and Media (48 credit points);
5. If required, elective subjects to bring the total number of credit points completed to 216.
6. No more than 90 credit points at 100-level.
7. Students must achieve a clear pass in the core 300 level subjects to be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Creative Arts.

Majors

Students completing this degree will complete at least two majors. One chosen from the Bachelor of Creative Arts, and one from the Bachelor of Communication and Media. Follow the links to each Course Handbook page for information on the majors available in each degree.

NOTE: Students in this degree cannot take the 'Visual Arts and Design' major with the 'Visual Communication Design' major.

Minors

Minors available for each degree are outlined on the course handbook pages:

• Bachelor of Creative Arts;
• Bachelor of Communication and Media

Students can take Minors as part of their double degree program provided they meet the requirements set. Minor studies consist of a minimum of 24 credit points of which no more than 12 credit points at 100 level can be counted.

Minors appear on the transcript (academic record) but do not appear on the testamur. To have a minor study recorded, students must submit an Application to Declare or Change Intended Major/Minor. Information regarding minors is available on the 2020 General Schedule of Minors page.

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning (WIL) experience during your university education is a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

The Bachelor of Creative Arts uses as its foundation the principles of ‘embedded’ work-integrated learning: throughout their studies, students participate in a series of simulated workplaces in their chosen major, such as creative and technical studios, rehearsals and editorial workshops. In the BCA Core, students complete the subject CACS200 “Creative Communities”, which focuses on professional practice skills essential to the creative industries, including development of professional identities, and collaboration across creative disciplines. In their third year, students will undertake a major project in their chosen major continuing to build student experience, expertise and maturity, working with a range of methodologies and processes in a context that simulates professional working conditions. In their third year, students will undertake a major project in their chosen discipline continuing to build student experience, expertise and maturity, working with a range of methodologies and processes in a context that simulates professional working conditions. Through these experiences, students apply their skills to a real-world context, and gain an understanding of the professional practice and industry standards.

Bachelor of Creative Arts students may apply to enrol into the Creative Arts Internship subject, CACS302. The Faculty offers a limited number of industry placements each year. These offer students hands-on experience in cultural organisations that have agreed to partner with the Faculty on this initiative. Students are selected for this opportunity on the basis of both strong academic achievement and through application and interview.

The internship program also provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp) as an elective. CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give students a competitive edge by developing professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. Students focus on career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen their resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.

INDS208 Working with Indigenous Communities is an elective subject available to all students. INDS208 fosters work skills, cultural competency and develops student awareness of Indigenous knowledges and community practices.

Honours

Students can do an Honours degree in either the Bachelor of Creative Arts (Honours) or the Bachelor of Communication and Media (Honours). This requires additional study (One year full-time, or two years part-time).

Honours may be undertaken by students who meet the requirements for enrolment.

Students should consult the single degree entries for Honours requirements. 

Other Information

The Faculty may impose quotas on subjects to ensure optimal class sizes.

Further information is available via email: askuow@uow.edu.au