Study Communications and Media

Communications and Media in Australia

Author Jennifer Craic Griffith University 

According to the 1999 'Australian Good Universities Guide to Australian Universities', "communications courses are one of the most popular fields of  study", with students attracted by an image of the communications industry as sassy: where the action is". You can be part of it too! Australian universities offer c wide range of cutting edge undergraduate and graduate courses in many aspects of communications and media. The emphasis is on balancing practical and hands-on experience with analytical, presentational and research skills to maximise the employment potential of graduates. Studying communications, in Australia is fun, rewarding and challenging! 

More than 50 universities offer courses and subjects in communications, in response to overwhelming and growing demand by almost 9,000 students, 1,000 being international students from many different countries. Courses cover a range of specialisations:

• advertising
• creative writing
• cultural policy
• cultural studies
• desktop publishing
• film and media studies
• marketing
• mass communications
• media policy
• media production (including film, television, video, digital media, radio)
• performing arts
• photojournalism
• print and electronic journalism
• public relations
• theatre

Australian universities have been specializing in this area since the 1970s, drawing on innovative research, theories and practical applications from Europe and North America. More recently, Australian universities have oriented their courses to reflect the growth of communications in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Australian communications courses are internationally recognised as leaders in the field. Because communications courses are in demand, entry is competitive. The universities that are most sought after include: University of Technology, Sydney; Griffith University (Brisbane); Curtin University (Perth); Queensland University of Technology -(Brisbane); Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne); and University of South Australia (Adelaide). Students' satisfaction with their courses is enhanced by opportunities to undertake work experience, make contacts through industry placements and become involved with alternative, community and interest group communications and media. Graduates in communications enter a wide range of occupations and careers in many industries and sectors. Due to the nature of the industry, jobs are often short term or contract jobs rather than full time employment. Jobs are found in film and television  production, new and digital media, journalism, government/advocacy, cultural industries (e.g. museums/galleries/libraries), public relations and marketing, teaching and training, and re- search and measurement. Graduates with practical production skills find careers in all aspects of the industry/including direction, scriptwriting, camera, lighting/editing, digital compositing and sound. Journalism graduates find opportunities in mainstream print and electronic media production and presentation/as well as in local and specialist media, public relations/government and corporate sector. Frequently, . graduates pursue further study to hone their skills and specialise further.

Author Jennifer Craic

 School of Film, Media & Cultural Studies

 Griffith University

School of Film, Media & Cultural Studies

Website:

www.gu.edu.au/

E Mail:

guic@griffith.edu.au