The Bachelor of Media in Public Relations and Advertising offers students theoretical and applied knowledge and skills in public relations and advertising. The program aims to develop communication leaders who inspire innovation and change at all levels of society and adhere to the highest ethical standards. The BMedia (PR and Advertising) program is structured to offer a philosophical and cultural foundation in the media studies core, conceptual and practical skills in public relations and advertising, an Arts minor and a selection of courses that provide a more general education.

The first level focuses on contextual knowledge of communication industries, the second level introduces communication theory, and the third level of the program deepens students’ knowledge of how such theories play out in society. At each level, an industry specific course in public relations or advertising is offered that augments the conceptual development and offers vocationally relevant knowledge in promotional, persuasive and political discourse. Students are encouraged to think beyond industry specific problems to reflect on the broader socio-cultural, political and economic implications of the roles and responsibilities of public relations and advertising. The program focuses, in particular, on engagement, innovation and creativity.

A fourth (Honours) year is an option for selected students.

The aim of the program is to develop students’ understanding of professional communication in contemporary Australian and international contexts. In particular, the program aims to provide students knowledge of and opportunities to engage critically with debates relating to the fields of public relations and advertising.

Students will examine the role and responsibilities of persuasive communication in a democratic society and learn how to add value through engagement in social and environmental innovation and enterprise. The program will offer students the opportunity to reflect critically upon how their vocational skills operate within and are mediated by political, economic, mediatized and social discourses and the dynamics of industry, governments, markets, consumer cultures, valuing regimes and society. Modes of professional communication including informative, persuasive, political, creative, promotional, digital and interpersonal discourse will be examined. The program also aims to develop an in-depth understanding of how to ethically engage with publics and communities, creatively engage with communication concepts and production technology, and professionally engage with organisational practices.

Career opportunities

The program offers students the opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that are relevant for professional work related to public relations, advertising, corporate or organizational communication, public affairs, non-profit and community organisations and media. Students will gain professional communication knowledge and skills to successfully work in corporate, public sector, political and nonprofit organisations.

The basic requirements are a total of 144 units of credits (UOC), including:

Students intending to proceed to honours should complete the pre-honours course (ARTS3990 Bachelor of Arts Pre-Honours) in place of an elective.

Level 1

A student must complete at least 30 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses and no more than 60 UOC in total of Level 1 courses, excluding their General Education electives.

Core courses - Media

Core Courses - Public Relations and Advertising

Level 1 Public Relations and Advertising Elective Courses

Core courses - Media

Core Courses - Public Relations and Advertising

Level 2 Public Relations and Advertising Elective Courses

Core Courses - Media

Core Courses - Public Relations and Advertising

 

Courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

Courses offered by Faculties other than Arts and Social Sciences:

 

Courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:

Courses offered by Faculties other than Arts and Social Sciences:

 

Student must complete an approved sequence (36 units of credit) in one of the following areas of study:

 

 

Bachelor of Media (Public Relations and Advertising) - Sample Program (Example Only)

 

Below is a guide to help you enrol in your program. To be full-time students must enrol in 24 uoc each semester.

 

 

*Course will be available in 2012

 

 

 

There are three different types of electives that you must complete to fulfil the requirements of your degree. The sample program above gives you an indication of when you have room to complete these electives. Over the course of your program you must ensure that you complete:

12 uoc of Public Relations and Advertising Electives: two 6uoc courses from the Public Relations and Advertising electives list above.

12 uoc of Electives: two 6uoc courses from the Public Relations and Advertising electives list OR any other two 6uoc courses from inside or outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (subject to meeting any course prerequisites).

12 uoc of General Education courses: these are courses selected from courses outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. You could choose two 6 uoc courses from the Public Relations and Advertising electives list that are outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. For a full list of General Education courses please click here.

Note: The General Education requirements are met if an Arts minor not offered by the Faculty is undertaken (for example, Economics).

 

To complete the requirements for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Media in Public Relations and Advertising a student must adhere to the program rules below and complete 144UOC to graduate.

Program rules:

Entry to the Honours program is subject to resources and the Head of School's approval. It requires a pass degree (144UoC) with at least a 70% average in the upper levels of the Media Core.

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

The Academic Rules for the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences Undergraduate programs and the online enrolment facility provide students with a wide range of course choices. The online enrolment facility checks that students meet the enrolment requirements for individual courses but not that a course complies with Program Rules. Students are responsible for ensuring they are enrolling in accordance with the Academic Rules outlined above. Students should not assume that because they have enrolled in a course online that the course is automatically credited to their degree program.