The Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) honours year is both a preparation for postgraduate study and a capstone to an undergraduate degree.
Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) honours pathway is available to current University of Sydney students enrolled in the combined Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws degree who are completing the requirements of the Media and Communications program.
Depends on your qualification, citizenship status
Refer to key dates on the UAC website.
There are three ways to apply for this course:
If you are applying with the New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA Level 3), you may apply directly or via UAC.
Learn more about these application options:
Applying directly
Apply early as applications can close prior to the advertised closing dates if course capacity is reached.
Applying through an agent
Some students choose to apply through an authorised University of Sydney agent, for assistance with the university application and visa arrangements. Please note that only agents listed on our website are authorised to represent us.
View authorised agents by country/region
Applying via UAC
If you are currently completing:
You must apply through Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
The Media and Communications honours year is a preparation for postgraduate study. Honours can be the culmination of your formal education, an experience that extends your intellectual range, hones your research abilities, as well as analytical and communication techniques, and helps you to develop the personal and professional skills needed to see a research project through to completion.
Honours can also be the first step on a path to a career as an academic or professional researcher. The honours year comprises seminar classes and work toward a short thesis on an independent research project under the supervision of an academic staff member who is an expert in the field of your research, as well as an internship.
Qualifications (Mandatory for course entry)
Secondary or tertiary qualification
A secondary education qualification such as the NSW Higher School Certificate (including national and international equivalents), OR approved higher education study, including approved preparation courses.
International qualifications
For qualifications awarded outside Australia, equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution, and qualification.
Related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Learn more
You will undertake an internship where you will get hands-on experience, expand your professional network and gain an edge over other graduates seeking employment.
The internship consists of a work placement in a media organisation, assisted and supervised by both the workplace and the department.
Internships are available in a variety of areas, including national and international journalism placements, public relations and advertising agencies, national television and radio, and major print and online media.
This course requires you to complete the following number of work hours:
35 hours per week over 4 weeks
140 Total hours
Mandatory for course entry
You may need to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study with us. Find out which requirements are applicable to you below:
Option 1 - English is my first language
If English is your first language, you may be able to meet the English language requirements if you have;
Option 2 - English is NOT my first language
If English is not your first language, you may be able to prove English proficiency with an approved English skills test taken within 2 years of commencing the course.
Required scores:
IELTS score | A minimum result of 7.5 overall and a minimum result of 7.0 in each band |
TOEFL - IBT score | A minimum result of 105 overall including a minimum result of 23 in Reading, Listening and Speaking and 25 in Writing |
Pearsons Test of English | A minimum result of 76 overall and a minimum result of 68 in each band |
We may also consider factors such as previous studies in English. Please check the English language requirements page for more information.
Before applying
Applications are open to University of Sydney students, who as part of the Bachelor of Arts component of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws, have completed a major in Media Studies, and such units as prescribed by the Department of Media and Communications to commence Honours component in the subject area of Media and Communications. Admission to Bachelor of Advanced Studies (Media and Communications) (Honours) requires the completion of the Bachelor of Arts component of the Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Laws, including a major in Media Studies, and such units as prescribed by the Department of Media and Communications, to a total of 72 credit points, with an average of 70% or above, including:
Students must also have completed the Open Learning Environment requirements as set out in Table O.
It is in the student's interest to have a reasonably well-developed idea of what his or her area of research will be so that an appropriate supervisor can be arranged. Potential Honours students must also consult with the Honours Coordinator before making their application through Sydney Student. All students interested in applying for Honours must make an appointment to speak with the Honours Coordinator and a potential supervisor By 1 October in the year prior to their intended enrolment. This will allow sufficient time for students to work out a research proposal to be approved by the Department by 1 November, and for students to meet the final University application deadline of 30 November. Students may wish to refer to the Academic Staff list to gain an understanding of the research strengths and interests of the department. Students should not confine their attention to academics who have taught them before, and should not hesitate to seek advice from the Honours Coordinator about possible supervisors.
Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.
During the Honours year you will attend seminar classes and work closely under the supervision of an academic staff member, an expert in the field of your research, to be challenged to think critically and bring your theoretical knowledge and practical experiences to bear on an independent research project, culminating in the submission of a major thesis.
The year also includes an internship, offering you a meaningful opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the media landscape within a professional organisation, and build valuable industry contacts before graduation.
These internships are dependent on your own ambitions and are available across an extensive range of areas, including national and international news organisations, public relations and advertising agencies, national television and radio outlets, and major print and online media.
This degree will provide you with a very modern skillset that opens up a range of professional fields: from journalism to public policy, international communications to public relations.
Our Media and Communications grads work across many different industries and roles, including: