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Bachelor of Public Relations

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MBPB

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 20,400 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2013

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
058638E

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.

Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.

To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to have:

Completed the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE); and

completed 200 credits of subjects;
achieved a grade of C* or better in the Personal Learning Plan, 20 credits of literacy, 10 credits of numeracy and the Research Project at Stage 2;
achieved a grade C- or better in an additional 60 credits at Stage 2;
obtained a competitive ATAR.

* For Stage 2 subjects a grade of C- or better is required

OR:

completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, obtaining a minimum score of 24 points and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV level or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed the University Foundation Studies program.

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

None

Assumed Knowledge

None

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

English language test

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)

Admission Requirements by Country

USA SAT (2400)	1500
Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
Nepal HSEB	60
HKDSE	16
Bangladesh HSC	3.5
Canada High School (OSSD)	60
Eynesbury FSP	310
German Abitur	3.3
India (best 4)	60
Kenya KCSE (average)	B
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	32
Norway GPA	3
Pakistan HSSC	75
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	6
Sweden GPA	13
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	6

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The program aims to develop the skills and knowledge necessary for contemporary public relations practice. The program focuses on the effective management of communication, educating students to communicate in a variety of contexts and teaching them to research the effectiveness of communication. Through the critical and theoretical approach offered in this program, students develop ethical and responsible professional skills.

Content & Structure

The Bachelor of Public Relations is equivalent to three years of full time study or 108 units. The program includes:

a professional major of seven courses (6 x 4.5 unit courses plus 1 x 9 unit course - total 36 units);
four Common Core courses (18 units)
a sub-major (6 x 4.5 unit courses - total 27 units);
one course in Indigenous Australian Studies (4.5 units);
three courses in professional concentrations in marketing and ethics (3 x 4.5 unit courses - total 13.5 units);
one Public Relations Elective (4.5 units);
one Free Elective (4.5 units).

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Discovering Language, Culture and Society	COMM 1060	4.5	Note(s): 6
Common Core Option		4.5	Note(s): 10	Rule(s): 2
Public Relations Theory and Practice	COMM 1057	4.5	Note(s): 7
Sub-Major 1		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Common Core Option		4.5	Note(s): 10	Rule(s): 2
Introduction to Communication and Cultural Studies	COMM 1033	4.5	Note(s): 6
Public Relations Writing	COMM 1058	4.5	Note(s): 7
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 8
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Strategic and Creative Public Relations	COMM 2069	4.5	Note(s): 7
Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange	MARK 1010	4.5	Note(s): 9
Sub-Major 2		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,4
Sub-Major 3		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Public Relations Issues and Crisis Management	COMM 2068	4.5	Note(s): 7
Corporate and International Public Relations	COMM 2066	4.5	Note(s): 7
Buyer and Consumer Behaviour	MARK 1008	4.5	Note(s): 9
Sub-Major 4		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,4
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Communication Management and Leadership	COMM 3050	4.5	Note(s): 7
Professional Public Relations Texts	COMM 2067	4.5	Note(s): 9
Public Relations Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3
Sub-Major 5		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians	COMM 2060	4.5	Note(s): 5
Internship or Placement	COMM 3049	9	Note(s): 7
Sub-Major 6		4.5	Note(s): 1,2,3
COMMON CORE OPTIONS - Select 2			Note(s): 10
Introduction to Digital Media	INFT 1014	4.5
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5
Effective Communication	PERF 1001	4.5
Global Societies	POLI 1014	4.5
Communication and the Media	COMM 1006	4.5
Migration, Identity and Multiculturalism	SOCU 1005	4.5

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

Bachelor of Public Relations students may not enrol in the Public Relations Sub-major.

Majors, sub-majors/minors

Electives

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
Public Relations Electives
Screen Matters: Film, Television and New Media	COMM 1018	4.5
Professional and Technical Writing: An Introduction	COMM 1051	4.5
Recreation and Sport Event Programming	SPRC 1007	4.5
Desktop Publishing for Publication	INFT 1007	4.5
Writing and Text Workshop	COMM 1045	4.5
Journalism Ethics	COMM 1021	4.5
Issues in Publication and Design	COMM 1043	4.5
Digital Design Publishing	INFT 4004	4.5
International Media Communications	COMM 3023	4.5
Managing the Hospitality Experience	TOUR 2005	4.5
Creative Industries and Ethics	COMM 2041	4.5
Professional and Creative Communication 1	COMM 2051	4.5
Understanding Travel and Tourism	TOUR 1001	4.5
Entrepreneurial Enterprises	BUSS 3043	4.5
Introduction to Digital Media	INFT 1014	4.5
Introduction to Film and Television Production	INFT 1015	4.5
Communicating Science	COMM 3055	4.5
Environmental Politics	POLI 2025	4.5
Foundations of Event Management	TOUR 2009	4.5
Accounting for Business	ACCT 1008	4.5
Communication and Information Systems in Business	BUSS 1058	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. The Bachelor of Public Relations comprises three years of full-time study (108 units). The program includes studies in common core courses, professional majors, sub- majors, professional concentrations, a course in Indigenous Australian studies and electives.

2. Some of the listed common core options may already be available to students within their professional major and or sub-major/minor/professional specialisation. Students will then be required to choose a different common core option from the provided list (see Note 10)

Notes

1. A sub-major is a stream of related courses which comprise 27 units or six courses. Students should note that not all sub-majors are available on each campus, however, students may enrol in a sub-major on any campus. Courses making up each sub-major are detailed in the Majors, Sub-majors, Minors homepage - see above link. Bachelor of Public Relations students may not enrol in the Public Relations Sub-major. Students who choose a language or any other discipline requiring sequential enrolment may need to seek enrolment advice from the Program Director.

2. Sub-majors can be taken in a wide range of disciplines, but it is highly recommended that students choose one of the following areas, depending on their field of interest: Administrative Management; Communication and Media Management (some restrictions apply for Bachelor of Public Relations students); Communication, Media and Culture; Digital Design; Editing and Publishing; Event Management; Interactive Multimedia; Languages and Culture Studies; Marketing (Bachelor of Public Relations students cannot choose courses included in the Professional Concentration); Professional and Creative Communication; Psychology; Technical Writing.

3. Students select their Public Relations Elective from the list of nominated courses (see above schedule). Students may choose other electives only by agreement with the Program Director.

4. Students who choose Marketing as their sub-major may choose two unrestricted electives in place of two Professional Concentration courses, but must complete COMM 2067 Professional Public Relations Text.

5. All students, other than International students and students who have elected to complete either a sub-major or elective in Indigenous Studies, must complete the course COMM 2060 Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians. International students and students who have selected to complete either a sub-major or elective in Indigenous Studies will study an elective at Level 3 in place of COMM 2060.

6. A common core course is one available to students enrolled in most undergraduate programs offered within the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages.

7. Professional Major courses.

8. All students complete at least one Free Elective as part of their undergraduate program of study. See undergraduate elective courses.

9. Professional Concentration courses. In the Professional Concentration students will study an ethics course and two introductory courses in Marketing to give a greater exposure to the knowledge required for professional practice. This also reflects external stakeholder recommendations.

10. Students select two of the Common Core Option courses listed in the above schedule.

Contact us

Australian students

Phone: +61 8 8302 2376
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

International students

Phone: +61 8 9627 4854
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

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