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Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication)

Prepare for careers in professional settings in small and large organisations such as corporate writer, media adviser, editor, publisher or reviewer.
Australia and New Zealand International
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Guide to entry thresholds

OP
14
Selection
rank
70
View the entry requirements
Campus
Kelvin Grove
Campus
Kelvin Grove
Duration
3 years full-time
3 years full-time
Course starts
February and July
February and July
QTAC code
421132
CRICOS
096577J

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2020.

 

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Highlights

  • Prepare for communication roles across a broad range of professional settings in small and large organisations.
  • Develop skills, knowledge and experience in professional writing, organisational communication such as strategic speech writing and delivery, and persuasive writing, including the role of rhetoric in contemporary communications and important societal debates.
  • Your major can be combined with minors within the creative industries, business or across QUT. Double degree options are also available to broaden you interests and career opportunities.

Highlights

  • Prepare for communication roles across a broad range of professional settings in small and large organisations.
  • Develop skills, knowledge and experience in professional writing, organisational communication such as strategic speech writing and delivery, and persuasive writing, including the role of rhetoric in contemporary communications and important societal debates.
  • Your major can be combined with minors within the creative industries, business or across QUT. Double degree options are also available to broaden you interests and career opportunities.

Why choose this course?

Effective communication is a critical skill in today’s workplace, in every industry and sector. Expertise in creating powerful and persuasive messages will open the door to a wide range of career opportunities.

Professional communication is about how to navigate multimedia platforms and craft persuasive messages for purposeful communication. To be able to get your message across effectively in an ever changing media landscape is an essential skill that is highly valued by employers. Your skills will open doors to a range of career opportunities such as corporate writer, spokesperson, publisher, media specialists, communications adviser or strategist, in industries, government and community organisations.

Real-world learning

The course is taught by highly experienced communicators and scholars. Visits and lectures from industry, work integrated learning placements and projects, and international study options will provide you with real-world experience and contacts.

You will graduate with skills in advanced writing and communication that are keenly sought by employers, as well as practical industry knowledge and networks.  You will also benefit from visits and lectures from industry specialists. 

Explore this course

What to expect

Your studies will cover key concepts of planning, implementing and evaluating effective communication. You will develop a comprehensive understanding of audiences and tailored messages in a multimedia world including social media. You will learn how to strategically plan an oral message as well as high-level writing skills. You will also be equipped with modern persuasion skills to mobilise the power of communication to drive influence and make positive impacts at organisational, professional and social levels.  Professional communication skills are required by employers and you will develop knowledge and experience in a range of areas such as organisational communication, interpersonal and intercultural negotiation. You will also advance your understanding of persuasive writing, influencer engagement, and the role of rhetoric in contemporary communications and critical societal debates.

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

Combine your communication degree with a second degree to gain a broader range of skills and knowledge, a competitive advantage and enhanced career flexibility.  Choose a double degree with:

  • business where graduates may find careers as media or entertainment producers, public relations consultants or international business specialists.
  • justice to use your skills as a communications manager, in-house writer or public relations specialist for private and public sector organisations.
  • nutrition science - to use your combined skills to promote healthy lifestyle choices and prevent diet-related disease through mass communication. Work as a health communications specialist, health and nutrition writer, nutritional health promotion officer and educator, or in nutritional product promotion or marketing.
  • public health - where with your public health and communication knowledge, you can implement strategies that promote healthy lifestyle choices, prevent the spread of disease and improve education. Work as a health communications specialist, print and online editor, or in health products promotion and marketing.
  • science where your skills in effective visual, speech and written communication will give you an advantage within your chosen science career. You will be equipped for roles across corporate, policy, and government sectors and have the expertise to communicate scientific concepts, research and outcomes.

Careers and outcomes

Careers and outcomes

Graduates can work as professional communicators in corporate, government, non-government organisations and community sectors, including communication agencies, inhouse communication departments, healthcare and political organisations, or in a freelance capacity. Your skills also support careers in leadership and strategic management positions. Opportunities exist as corporate chief communication officers (CCO), writers and editors, as well as media and communication advisers, officers, managers and consultants.

Graduates find careers with organisations including: Department of Justice; Red Hat software developers, Harper Collins publishers, as well as welfare, community and arts organisations.

Possible careers

  • Art Writer
  • Chief Digital Officer
  • Communication Specialist
  • Communication Strategist
  • Copywriter
  • Corporate Relations Manager
  • Corporate Spokesperson
  • Editor
  • Health Policy Officer
  • Ministerial policy adviser
  • Producer
  • Publicist
  • Scriptwriter
  • Social Media Manager

Details and units

To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication), you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:

  • a professional communication major (144 credit points)
  • four core units (48 credit points)
  • complementary studies: a second major (96 credit points), two minors (48 credit points each), or one minor (48 credit points) and 48 credit points chosen from unit options (electives).

Study overseas

Study overseas while earning credit towards your QUT creative industries degree with one of our worldwide exchange partners.

Overseas study can be for one or two semesters (or during the semester break) and the units you take can be in a creative or non-creative discipline area, depending on how they match with your QUT course.

To meet the course requirements of the Bachelor of Communication (Professional Communication), you must complete a total of 288 credit points, made up of:

  • a professional communication major (144 credit points)
  • four core units (48 credit points)
  • complementary studies: a second major (96 credit points), two minors (48 credit points each), or one minor (48 credit points) and 48 credit points chosen from unit options (electives).

Study overseas

Study overseas while earning credit towards your QUT creative industries degree with one of our worldwide exchange partners.

Overseas study can be for one or two semesters (or during the semester break) and the units you take can be in a creative or non-creative discipline area, depending on how they match with your QUT course.

Requirements

OP
14
Selection
rank
70

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2020.

Don't have an OP or selection rank?

Find out other ways you can apply

Starting uni in 2021?

There are some changes to subjects and the qualifications we’ll consider for entry to QUT from 2021 and beyond. Make sure you’re prepared to apply.

The selection rank is a good indication of the equivalent ATAR.

Find out how these changes might affect you

Course code
KC40
QTAC code
421132
CRICOS code
096577J
Campus
  • Kelvin Grove
Campus
  • Kelvin Grove
Duration
3 years full-time
Duration
3 years full-time
Entry
February and July
Entry
February and July
OP Guarantee
Yes
Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

Assumed knowledge

Before you start this course we assume you have sound knowledge in these areas:

  • English

We assume that you have knowledge equivalent to four semesters at high school level (Years 11 and 12) with sound achievement (4, SA).

More about assumed knowledge

Guaranteed entry

If you receive an adjusted OP 1-5 (or equivalent selection rank), you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Advanced standing

If you have prior studies or work experience, you may be eligible for advanced standing (credit). You can apply for advanced standing once you've been accepted to QUT. If you're in your first semester of study, you must apply for advanced standing within 10 days of receiving your offer.

More about advanced standing

Deferment

You can defer your offer and postpone the start of your course for one year.

More about deferring your offer

Adjustments to your selection rank

Any adjustments you receive to your selection rank (or OP equivalent) will be applied to this course.

Find out if you’re eligible for an adjustment to your selection rank

Offers we made to school leavers in Semester 1, 2019

The scores listed in the tables below reflect the offers that were made to recent school leavers. If you are not a school leaver, take a look at the entry thresholds box at the top of this page to see the lowest adjusted scores required overall to receive an offer.

Excluding adjustments Including adjustments
OP Selection rank OP Selection rank
Highest OP/selection rank
to receive an offer
OP 6
Selection rank 89
OP 6
Selection rank 89
Median OP/selection rank
to receive an offer
OP 11
Selection rank 77
OP 11
Selection rank 77
Lowest OP/selection rank
to receive an offer
OP 15
Selection rank 68
OP 13
Selection rank 72

You can find out more about your fellow students’ backgrounds with this course’s student profile.

Other admission options

If you are of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander descent, you may be eligible for admission through our Centralised Assessment Selection Process (CASP).

Minimum academic requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide to the grades you need to apply for this course.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

I completed secondary school in Australia

Guide to entry thresholds

These thresholds are the lowest adjusted scores to which QUT made an offer in Semester 1, 2019.

OP
14
Rank
70
Did you get an OP 1-5?

If you completed secondary school in Australia, received an OP 1-5 or equivalent and you meet the course prerequisites, you are guaranteed an offer for this course.

Prerequisites

Satisfactory completion of Year 12 in an Australian school system or equivalent.

Minimum English language requirements

Select the country where you completed your studies to see a guide on meeting QUT’s English language requirements.

Your scores and prior qualifications in English-speaking countries are considered. Approved English-speaking countries are Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, United States of America and Wales.

If your country or qualification is not listed, you can still apply for this course and we will assess your eligibility.

We accept English language proficiency scores from the following tests.

English Test Overall Listening Reading Writing Speaking
Cambridge English Score
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. You must provide your Candidate ID and Candidate Secret Number, these are printed on your Cambridge English Confirmation of Entry. 		176 169 169 169 169
IELTS Academic
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. 		6.5 6 6 6 6
Pearson PTE (Academic)
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. 		58 50 50 50 50
TOEFL iBT
Test must be taken within 2 years of commencement at QUT. 		79 16 16 21 18

Don't have the English language score you need? We can help!

We offer English language programs to improve your English and help you gain entry to this course.

When you apply for this course, we will recommend which English course you should enrol in.

Haven't completed an English language test? We can help!

If you have not completed an English language test, you can sit the IELTS test at our IELTS test centre

Applying for this course

Applicants with recent secondary education

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Applicants with higher education study

Applicants with work and life experience

Find out more if you are an international applicant

Applying for this course

Applicants with recent secondary education

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study

Applicants with higher education study

Applicants with work and life experience

Find out more if you are an international applicant

Fees

Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. We review fees annually, and they may be subject to increases.

2020 fees

2020 CSP $7,200 per year full-time (96 credit points)

2020 fees

2020: $31,400 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.

Find out more about undergraduate course fees

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.

Find out more about government loans

Scholarships

You can apply for scholarships to help you with study and living costs.

Browse all scholarships

You may also be eligible for

Centrelink payments

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Applying guide

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How to apply

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