Bachelor of Design/Media (PR & Advertising)

A double degree for creative futures.

Want a versatile, adaptable and creative career? This double degree will equip you with broad, future-focused skills in design and communications.

Faculty

Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture

Delivery Mode

Face-to-face (includes blended)

Award

Bachelor of Design, Bachelor of Media

Commencing Terms

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Duration (Full Time)

4.7 Year(s)

Overview

UNSW’s Bachelor of Design/Media in Public Relations and Advertising is a 4.5 year full-time double degree that combines a hands-on, future-focused design education with practical advertising and communication skills.

Throughout the Design component, you’ll utilise world-class facilities, workshops and equipment to design, create and share your work. The degree will equip you to be a leader in communication with integrated skills across key design specialisations, including graphics, 3D visualisation, interaction and experience design.

In the Media component, you’ll learn practical advertising and professional communication skills to represent a diverse spectrum of clients. Your studies will explore creativity, interactivity, ethics, sustainability and engagement to equip you as a leader who inspires innovation and change at all levels of society.

Key features

Bachelor of Design areas of study

The Design component features six disciplinary studio areas, from which you will choose at least two.

3D Visualisation
Delve into the computer-generated world and use advanced technologies to explore a variety of methods used to generate virtual environments.

Crafted Objects
Bring together ceramic, furniture and jewellery design in an engaging exploration of materiality, form and practice.

Experience Design
Explore the way people experience and interact with space, connecting this with ideas of the body, materiality, culture and spectacle.

Graphic Design
Develop and build upon the skills required for the manipulation of image and typography for a variety of purposes and briefs.

Interaction Design
Learn the skills to work within a future-focused discipline that is transforming modern life. You’ll learn to design interactive experiences and User Experience (UX), in digital systems, products, web design, environments and services.

Textile Design
Investigate the rich cultural and social histories of textiles and gain the design skills for the future of industries spanning textile design, wearable art, costume and fashion design.

Bachelor of Media (PR & Advertising) areas of study

In the Media component, you’ll explore both the theoretical and practical aspects of Public Relations and Advertising through a range of core and elective courses.

Core Media courses

Media, Culture and Everyday Life
Media, Society and Politics
Media Industry Contexts
Public Relations Principles
Advertising
Communications Strategies
Public Relations Discourse
Media Portfolio
Engagement
Crisis Communication

Elective Courses

Mobile Cultures
Global Media
Social Media
Digital Technology and the Self
Advanced Media Issues
Media in the Asia-Pacific
Media Power
Media and Climate Change
Current Debates in Media
Media Internships

Why study this degree at UNSW?

Adobe Creative Cloud subscription included from the day you start your degree for the duration of your studies
Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
Learn through research-informed teaching
Prioritise career success – UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Students Award in 2020.
Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
Access world class alumni connections
Join a global top 50 university (QS World University Rankings, 2021)
Join a community that’s part of the prestigious Group of Eight (Go8) universities

Program Code

4824

CRICOS Code

098050B

Campus

Paddington

UAC Code

421101

Total Units of Credit (UOC)

216

Indicative Enrolments

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Entry requirements

2021 Lowest Selection Rank

2021 A levels

2021 IB Diploma

2021 Lowest ATAR

70.85

The 2021 Lowest Selection Rank (LSR) is the adjusted rank (ATAR plus adjustment factors) you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2021.

The 2021 A levels score is based on four Advanced Level (A2) subject. Entry scores are calculated from the best three or four A2 subjects (excluding repeated subjects) using the following values: A*=6, A=5, B=4, C=3, D=2, E=1. At most one Applied A Level subject may be included in the best four subjects used to calculate the aggregate.

The 2021 IB Diploma is an indication of the IB you would have needed to gain entry to this degree in 2021. It is to be used as a guide only.

The 2021 Lowest ATAR is the lowest ATAR (before adjustment factors were applied) to which an offer was made. Where <5 is listed, this indicates that less than 5 ATAR-based offers were made and so the score has not been published. N/A indicates no offers were made on the basis of ATAR.
At UNSW, we are committed to ensuring prospective students have all the information they need in order to make informed decisions about their study options.

To assist you in gaining a better understanding of how Admissions works at UNSW, we have provided you with a summary of ATAR offers and the student profile.

We hope this information will help you identify the degree that is right for you.

See more

Assumed knowledge

Visual Arts

Adjustment Factors

We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.

HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.

Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.

Educational Access Scheme (EAS)
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.

Admission pathways

Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our future student advisors to discuss your path to UNSW.

Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students in Years 11 and 12 who attend Gateway schools. It significantly adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides you with an early conditional offer to UNSW.

Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.

I studied in:

We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.

Please contact us for direct entry requirements.

Admission pathways

UNSW Global has university pathway programs that provide seamless transition to UNSW Sydney so you can achieve your academic and career goals. Learn more
.

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

Check the specific English language requirements for this program

Select from the options below

Which applies to you?

Program structure

The Bachelor of Design/Bachelor of Media (PR and Advertising) is 4.5 years full-time. The program consists of 36 courses, including:

6 Design studio courses
6 Design disciplinary studios (from your chosen specialisations)
4 Design history and theory courses
2 Design professional practice courses
2 Design electives
7 PR and Advertising core courses
6 Media core courses
3 Media electives

Full program structure

Each university year at UNSW has three terms and an optional summer study period.

Some courses need to be studied in your first and second year, so you’re prepared for courses that can only be studied in later years. You can study full-time or part-time. Depending on how you plan your study load, you can fit two or three courses into a term and one course in a summer term.

Below is an example of what you could study in a standard 4.5 year, full-time study plan for this double degree:

First year

2 x Design studios
1 x Design disciplinary studio (from your chosen specialisations)
1 x Design history and theory course
1 x PR and Advertising course
1 x Media course
2 x Media electives

Second year

2 x Design studios
1 x Design disciplinary studio (from your chosen specialisations)
1 x Design history and theory course
2 x Level 2 PR and Advertising courses
1 x Level 2 Media course
1 x Level 2 Media elective

Third year

2 x Design studios
1 x Design disciplinary studio (intermediate)
1 x Design disciplinary studio (advanced)
1 x Design history and theory course
2 x Level 2/3 PR and Advertising courses
1 x Level 2 Media elective
1 x Level 3 Media elective

Fourth year

2 x Design studios
1 x Design history and theory course
1 x Professional practice course
1 x Level 3 PR and Advertising course
2 x Level 3 Media courses
1 x Level 3 Media elective

Fifth year (Term 1 and 2 only)

1 x Design project
1 x Design disciplinary studio (advanced)
2 x Design electives

For further information on full course listing, descriptions and timetables please see the UNSW Online Handbook.

Go to the handbook

Future careers

Through this unique double degree, you’ll gain the skills and experience to become a dynamic design profession, alongside sought-after experience and knowledge in public relations, communications and advertising.

You’ll graduate with a diverse combination of skills that will set you apart and empower you thrive in, and adapt to the changing future of media and design.

Potential careers

Art director
Media strategist
Digital publishing and communications specialist
Production designer
Creative consultant
Interaction and user experience (UX) designer

How to apply

Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).

Visit the Apply section of the UAC website and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.

On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.

Ready to apply?

Apply now

For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.

Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.

*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC) for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.

Ready to apply?

Apply now

Fees & Scholarships

2022 Indicative First Year Fee

$10,915*

Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 4

*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.

The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.

2022 Indicative First Year Fee

$39,130*

2022 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree

$183,195*

*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).

Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.

Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed below.

Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.

Scholarships

At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.

Explore Scholarships

Top 50

Worldwide

QS World University Rankings, 2022.
Most

Employable Graduates

AFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
Leading

Innovation

#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.

The student community collectively inspire and encourage my individual career goals.

Shirelle Altona

Current Student

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