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$ 22,600 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2015

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 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
USA SAT (2400)	1500
Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
Nepal HSEB	60
HKDSE	16
Bangladesh HSC	3.5

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).

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 eight courses (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): 1
Introduction to Digital Media	INFT 1014	4.5	Note(s): 1
Professional and Technical Communication	COMM 1065	4.5
Sub-Major 1		4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5	Note(s): 1
Communication and Media	COMM 1006	4.5	Note(s): 1
Public Relations Theory and Practice	COMM 1057	4.5
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 5
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Strategic and Creative Public Relations	COMM 2069	4.5
Marketing Principles: Trading and Exchange	MARK 1010	4.5	Note(s): 4
Sub-Major 2		4.5	Note(s): 2
Sub-Major 3		4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Communication Research Methods	COMM 2078	4.5
Corporate and International Public Relations	COMM 2066	4.5
Buyer and Consumer Behaviour	MARK 1008	4.5	Note(s): 4
Sub-Major 4		4.5	Note(s): 2
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Industry and Practice	PERF 3006	4.5
Writing and Editing for Publication	COMM 2009	4.5	Note(s): 4
Public Relations Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3
Sub-Major 5		4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Internship or Project	COMM 3063	4.5
Communication Management in Practice	COMM 3061	4.5
Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians	COMM 2060	4.5
Sub-Major 6		4.5	Note(s): 2

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
Recreation and Sport Event Programming	SPRC 1007	4.5
Writing and Text Workshop	COMM 1045	4.5
Managing the Hospitality Experience	TOUR 2005	4.5
Understanding Travel and Tourism	TOUR 1001	4.5
Entrepreneurial Enterprises	BUSS 3043	4.5
Introduction to Film and Television	INFT 1015	4.5
Media Contexts	COMM 1059	4.5
Energy, Security and Environmental Politics in Asia	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
English and Creative Writing: An Introduction	COMM 1061	4.5
Digital Design Essentials	COMM 1066	4.5
News Reporting	COMM 1064	4.5
Journalism: Principles and Practices	COMM 1062	4.5
Media Law and Ethics	COMM 2076	4.5
Professional and Technical Communication	COMM 1065	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.

Notes

1. The Common Core course is available to students enrolled in most undergraduate programs offered within the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages.

2. A sub-major consists of six courses (27 units) with no more than two courses at level 1 and at least two courses at level 2. Sub-majors can be taken in a wide range of disciplines. Not all sub-majors are available on each campus. Students enrolled in a professional major on one campus may enrol in a sub-major on another campus. Courses making up each sub-major are detailed in Majors, sub-majors/minors home pages.

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. Professional Concentration courses give a greater exposure to the knowledge required for professional practice. Students who choose Marketing as their sub-major may choose two unrestricted electives in place of two Professional Concentration courses, but must complete COMM 2009 Writing and Editing for Publications.

5. All students complete one 4.5 unit Free Elective, unless directed to do English as an Additional Language as their elective area.

6. 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. Students not required to complete COMM 2060 must undertake an additional elective course.