Study Graduate Certificate in Film and Television at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for International students.

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Entry requirements Degree overview Career outcomes How to apply Study experience

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International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
0.5 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MCFT

Fees
AUD$ 18,300 per annum (per 0.5 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2023
AUD$ 18,300 per annum (per 0.5 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2024

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.5]
IELTS reading [6.5]
IELTS writing [6.5]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
095897A

Entry requirements
Applicants seeking entry to the program will have:
a) a completed three year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in film, television or a related discipline OR
b) a completed Advanced Diploma in Screen and Media or equivalent from an accredited Registered Training Organisation.
Alternatively, applications will be considered from applicants holding a completed three year Bachelor degree from a recognised higher education institution in an unrelated field who are able to demonstrate substantial experience in film and/or television, demonstrable in the showreel and curriculum vitae submissions.
All applicants are required to submit a showreel of their own work and a curriculum vitae outlining their relevant experience. Details of showreel and curriculum vitae requirements and submission process will be provided to you on application. Please contact CTV-TeachingLearning@unisa.edu.au for further information.

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Degree overview

Be taught by some of Australia’s most successful production executives and creatives, and develop the critical skills needed to develop marketable screen projects, establish a production business and advance a career as a key creative producer, writer or director within the Australian industry.
Access a unique opportunity to study, learn directly from industry professionals and develop the technical skills and knowledge to transition straight into your film and television career.
Graduate with a professionally developed project and finance strategy informed by market and industry feedback.
Benefit from the unique networking opportunities from working alongside skilled film professionals.
Develop program concepts for Australian film television and streaming platforms, and after extensive training, you’ll pitch your concepts to the industry.
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities1, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.

¹UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #46, 2022 THE Young University Rankings, Ranked #29, 2021 QS Top 50 Universities Aged Under 50.

Snapshot

This industry-based qualification will give a thorough insight into the Australian screen industry. You will build valuable relationships while being closely mentored by many of Australia’s most successful industry producers, screenwriters, production managers and content developers.

All of your learning will be in an immersive, creative, real-world business environment. It is an intensive 12-week course that will provide you with the professional networking opportunities you need to hit the ground running in the film, television and media industries.

Partner description

Matchbox Pictures is a film and television production company that makes world-class screen content for a global audience.

As one of the most dynamic and innovative production houses in Australia, Matchbox has enjoyed continued domestic and international acclaim as a result of telling stories that inspire and entertain.

Matchbox Pictures has been awarded Media Production Business of the Year three times by the Screen Producers of Australia Association.

What you'll learn

In this practice-based qualification, you will undertake all of your studies with highly skilled film and television industry professionals. Your qualification will comprise of four courses:

The Screen Industry – Business, Creativity and Content: Learning about the industry as a business and creative enterprise, such as the role of the creative producer; idea generation; pitching and financing through to sales and distribution; budgeting; pre-production; production; post-production; and marketing.

Screen Content Project (1 & 2): Undertaking a specific role on an industry project, such as taking responsibility for the preparation of pre-production; budgets; ancillary materials or marketing plans; or working to a producer or supervisor.

Professional Film and Television Practice: Keeping a record of the professional practice concepts and processes you learn, and critically reflecting on your learning outcomes.

Degree structure

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units
The Screen Industry: Business, Creativity and Content	COMM 5080	4.5
Screen Content Project 1	COMM 5078	4.5
Screen Content Project 2	COMM 5079	4.5
Professional Film and Television Practice	COMM 5077	4.5

Rules & notes

Rules

1. The Graduate Certificate in Film and Television is available full time only. Students must enrol in all four courses, and will attend classes over 12 consecutive weeks in a professional industry environment.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

You can expect your assessments to include:

journals, reports and projects
continuous assessment and supervisor evaluation

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

Why Graduate Certificate in Film and Television

This qualification will give you an enormous edge in the job market. It has been specifically designed to support the needs of the film and television sector in South Australia and beyond, within an industry where finding graduates with the necessary professional knowledge and skills can be challenging.

You will graduate on a first name basis with prominent industry executives including producers from Matchbox Pictures.

You will be one of the few graduates with a practical, hands-on understanding of and experience in the industry, and you’ll have the specific business knowledge and skills to start working as soon as you graduate.

Real-world connections

This qualification is all about industry experience and connections – and from day one you will be working alongside industry professionals, building important relationships and learning on the job. Matchbox Pictures has produced world-class programming across television drama, children’s, factual and entertainment, animation and feature films. Their projects include ClickBait, Hungry Ghost, and Stateless. And coming soon – Class of 07 and Bad Behaviour. Through this industry placement, you will graduate with a valuable connection with one of Australia’s most dynamic and innovative production houses and your own portfolio of work.

UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.

Career outcomes

Your career

As a graduate of this qualification, and having worked with a nationally and internationally recognised company such as Matchbox Pictures, you’ll understand the specific workflow and production demands of the industry.

This qualification provides an opportunity for you to connect with industry in a career-changing way. You will be face-to-face with industry ‘hirers’ as you pitch your professional, industry-standard portfolio to industry executives.

At the end of the qualification, you will be on first name terms with some of Australia’s most prominent industry executives, significantly increasing your career prospects.

Industry facts

Matchbox Pictures has produced world-class programs including Australian Spartan, Glitch, The Family Law, Wanted and Real Housewives of Sydney and Melbourne.

Matchbox Pictures has been awarded Media Production Business of the Year for three consecutive years by Screen Australia.

Between now and 2021, the total Australian media and entertainment market will reach $43.7 billion.*

*PwC Media and Entertainment Outlook report 2017

Credit transfer

You could be eligible for credit for previous studies you have undertaken. Find out online.

Go to credit assessor

Life in Adelaide

Current international students talk about living in Adelaide and studying at UniSA.

Hear from our students

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

Vice Chancellor's International Excellence Scholarship

Recipients can get a 50% reduction on tuition fees for up to four years of full-time study for selected degrees.

Learn more

International Merit Scholarship

Recipients can get a 15% reduction on tuition fees for the duration of their chosen degree.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

As a UniSA student, you will have unique access to work placement opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events, internships, guest speakers and more.

Our campuses are equipped with state-of-the-art facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform. We have health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and great student lounges. You will also gain access to a range of community clinics, which provide professional and cost effective services in areas of health, business, law and psychology. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and lots more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our international student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

career advice and mentoring
help with student visas and health cover
personal counselling
academic counselling
fees and finance help
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
accommodation services
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

We also offer study support from our Learning Advisers face-to-face or online. They are here to help you develop academically and professionally during your studies, and can offer help with the English language too. When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Your program director

Carolyn is the Program Director for Film and Television at the University of South Australia. She has oversight of the Bachelor of Film and Television, Graduate Certificate in Film and Television, Graduate Certificate in Dynamic Effects and Lighting and Graduate Certificate in Compositing and Tracking. She is also the Coordinator for the Documentary Film course. Carolyn is a Documentary filmmaker with recent broadcast credits for Marjorie Lawrence: The World At Her Feet (ABC), Paris or the Bush: the story of the Cods (9 Network and Foxtel) and Tour de Legacy: the Western Front (SBS).

Dr Carolyn Bilsborow

Program Director

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Dr Carolyn Bilsborow

Program Director

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Ask UniSA

How to apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

You can access our online International Application System through our How to Apply page. The International Application System is an easy and secure online application and acceptance process. You will have visibility of your application through the secure online portal with the ability to download offer documents, submit your acceptance and make a payment.

Alternatively you can submit an application through one of the University's registered Education Agents.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC http://www.satac.edu.au/.

If you are applying for the UniSA Study Abroad or Study Abroad Plus program, you can submit your application online here.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Masters by Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit http://unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

There is no closing date for submitting your application however the admissions process takes between one and three weeks from the date that we receive your application and all required supporting documentation.

If you are completing an Australian year 12 qualification in Australia or overseas, or the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme in Australia, you must apply through SATAC. Key dates for applications can be found here.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

You may be eligible to receive credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving credit will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

The amount of credit you may be eligible to receive is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Admissions team.

The best way to determine your eligibility to receive credit or advanced standing is to apply using our International Application System which can be found on our How to Apply page. You will need to supply detailed syllabus documents with your application.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

We also have many events throughout the year in Australia and overseas where you can speak with UniSA representatives about your area of interest. View our calendar of events in your home country by selecting the 'International' filter.

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