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Bachelor of Public Relations

Degree Level Undergraduate

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MBPB

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 21,500 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2014

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

    Canada High School (OSSD)60
    Eynesbury FSP310
    Bangladesh HSC3.5
    German Abitur3.3
    India (best 4)60
    Kenya KCSE (average)B
    Malaysia STPM (best 3)6
    Malaysia UEC32
    Norway GPA3
    Pakistan HSSC75
    Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)6
    Sweden GPA13
    UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board6
    USA SAT (2400)1500
    Vietnam7
    Australia65
    IB (best 6)26
    Nepal HSEB60
    HKDSE16
    View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

No further intake from 2015 - continuing students only (enquiries to Program Director Dr Sally Lewis). Prospective students please refer to our new Bachelor of Communication and Media (MBCD).

Quick links

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Aim

The Bachelor of Public Relations degree qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge in undertaking professional public relations and communication work within private, public and non-profit organisations both nationally and internationally. The program also provides a pathway for further learning in postgraduate studies.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Bachelor of Public Relations degree will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts of the discipline of Public Relations. A second (sub-major) discipline will complement and enhance the knowledge and skills developed in their public relations professional major and establish a basis for independent lifelong learning.

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 a professional concentration of marketing and advanced writing techniques (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)
Ideas, Innovation and Communication 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 minus-thick plus-thick

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

    Majors, sub-majors/minors

  • Electives minus-thick plus-thick
    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 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 Illustration Design 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 minus-thick plus-thick

    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. 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 Texts.

    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

For further information please visit unisa.edu.au/study
Information correct at the time of publication. CRICOS provider number 00121B.
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