Send me a PDF copyHighlights
- Get prepared for a rapidly changing factual media environment.
- Strengthen democratic ideals, and make a positive difference with journalism with integrity.
- Navigate the onslaught of misinformation and fake news, and learn to report and research with accuracy.
- Study at Australia’s no. 1 university for communication and media studies, for 4 years running (QS World Rankings, 2024).
Highlights
- Get prepared for a rapidly changing factual media environment.
- Strengthen democratic ideals, and make a positive difference with journalism with integrity.
- Navigate the onslaught of misinformation and fake news, and learn to report and research with accuracy.
- Study at Australia’s no. 1 university for communication and media studies, for 4 years running (QS World Rankings, 2024).
Why choose this course?
The landscape of factual media has undergone a profound transformation in the digital era. New actors and outlets have entered the public sphere, and audience expectations about who to trust have changed dramatically. Factual storytellers must adapt status quo approaches to produce truthful, accurate material more quickly and for more platforms than ever before.
This major prepares you for a dynamic career in factual writing whether you are covering global affairs, hosting a true crime podcast or drafting social media posts.
Real-world learning
This course will ready you for a changing world. As you study, you’ll have the option to work directly in the field, with the option of earning credits for your degree by working out in the field.
You’ll also learn from working professionals and internationally renowned scholars of journalism and media studies. QUT Journalism staff maintain close links to the industry through their association with high-profile awards and organisations.
Visit the student and graduate blog to find out more about what it’s like to study communication and where a QUT degree can take you.
Explore this course
This course will provide you with the knowledge and tools you’ll need to stay up-to-date on the latest information, prepare reports and stories to fit the fast news cycle, and the professional contacts to get your career moving. From day one, you’ll be in the thick of the modern journalism industry.
You’ll be introduced to data-driven storytelling, where facts can both ensure your reporting is ethical and increase audience appeal. You’ll deep-dive into journalism law, and the ethics and social justice issues that challenge modern journalism. You’ll even be trained in the specific skills of both short-form, and long-form news production, so you’ll be ready for any work environment.
Your studies will be rounded by the choice of either a second major, which is a sequence of eight units from another study area, or minors and electives such as work integrated learning, internships or international study tours that allow you to graduate work ready through engagement with the industry.
How to apply for the Bachelor of Communication
You have the choice of four first majors, all designed to help you harness the power of new and emerging communication platforms. Entry for all majors is through QTAC, using course code 421351.
Once in your degree, you'll be able to choose your first major (from either digital advertising, community and public relations, journalism, or media and communication industries) and round out your studies by selecting ether:
- a second major (either one of the alternative communication first major options, or any available second major option from across the university) OR
- complementary studies tailored for you, such a Work Integrated Learning internship allowing you to gain real-world work experience as part of your degree.
This course will provide you with the knowledge and tools you’ll need to stay up-to-date on the latest information, prepare reports and stories to fit the fast news cycle, and the professional contacts to get your career moving. From day one, you’ll be in the thick of the modern journalism industry.
You’ll be introduced to data-driven storytelling, where facts can both ensure your reporting is ethical and increase audience appeal. You’ll deep-dive into journalism law, and the ethics and social justice issues that challenge modern journalism. You’ll even be trained in the specific skills of both short-form, and long-form news production, so you’ll be ready for any work environment.
Your studies will be rounded by the choice of either a second major, which is a sequence of eight units from another study area, or minors and electives such as work integrated learning, internships or international study tours that allow you to graduate work ready through engagement with the industry.
Double degrees
Take advantage of the rising demand for media and communication skills across all industries by combining this course with a second degree in -
- Business to take advantage of rising demand for the combination of digital management and analytical skills with business project and planning roles.
- Information technology to develop a career in web design, graphic design, web application development and more.
- Justice where digital media skills are a valuable addition for roles in law enforcement, government and private sector intelligence and security agencies.
- Law to apply your legal expertise to jobs in the communication industries.
- Science to effectively communicate scientific works with a strong understanding of the field.
Careers and outcomes
QUT graduates have achieved distinction in high-profile news, media and public relations positions and include senior Australian journalists such as Alex Hirschi (Supercar Blondie), Karl Stefanovic, Leigh Sales, Leila McKinnon and plenty more.
- Digital content producer
- Foreign correspondent
- Journalist
- Media researcher
- Online advocacy/education
- Podcast host
- Presenter
- Producer
- Public relations officer/consultant
- Reporter
Professional recognition
Our journalism degree is recognised by the Australian Journalists' Association section of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.
Possible careers
- Communication specialist
- Digital content designer
- Digital content producer
- Foreign correspondent
- Journalist
- Media researcher
- Podcast host
- Presenter
- Producer
- Public relations officer/consultant
- Reporter
- Sports reporter
In order to complete this course you must complete a total of 288 credit points comprising:
- Six common units - 72 credit points
- A Communication major - 96 credit points from one of the following disciplines:
- Media and Communication Industries
- Journalism
- Digital Advertising
- Public Relations
- Complementary studies - 96 credit points chosen from:
- one 96 credit point second major (Communication second major or Uni-wide second major); OR
- two 48 credit point minors (Communication minor or Uni-wide minor); OR
- one 48 credit point minor and 48 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit); OR
- 96 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit)
- Four QUT You units - 24 credit points comprising 4 x 6 credit points units.
In order to complete this course you must complete a total of 288 credit points comprising:
- Six common units - 72 credit points
- A Communication major - 96 credit points from one of the following disciplines:
- Media and Communication Industries
- Journalism
- Digital Advertising
- Public Relations
- Complementary studies - 96 credit points chosen from:
- one 96 credit point second major (Communication second major or Uni-wide second major); OR
- two 48 credit point minors (Communication minor or Uni-wide minor); OR
- one 48 credit point minor and 48 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit); OR
- 96 credit points chosen from unit options (electives) (Creative Industries Work Integrated Learning Unit Options or Uni-wide unit option unit)
- Four QUT You units - 24 credit points comprising 4 x 6 credit points units.
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.
2025 fees
2025: CSP $16,800 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2025 fees
2025: $37,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: CSP $16,000 per year full-time (96 credit points)
2024 fees
2024: $34,400 per year full-time (96 credit points)
Student services and amenities fees
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
HECS-HELP: loans to help you pay for your course fees
You may not have to pay anything upfront if you're eligible for a HECS-HELP loan.
You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.
QUT Excellence Scholarship (Academic)
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding academic achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
QUT Elite Sport Scholarship
QUT's premier offering for students with outstanding sporting achievement.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Sporting excellence
QUT Real World International Scholarship
A scholarship to cover tuition fees, with eligibility based on your prior academic achievements.
- Scholarship eligibility
- Academic performance
QUT courses for you
Like to save your courses?
Please enter your first name and email so we can save your courses for you