Admission Criteria

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.

See recognised qualifications

International qualifications

For qualifications awarded outside Australia, equivalencies and entry requirements are determined based on the country, institution, and qualification.

Recognition of prior learning

Related study may be credited towards your degree. This may also include relevant work experience for some postgraduate courses. Learn more

English language requirements

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; 

1. citizenship or permanent long-term residency (minimum ten years), AND
2. completed secondary or higher education (tertiary) studies recognised by the University in an approved English-speaking country below:
   • American Samoa        
   • Australia
   • Bahamas
   • Barbados
   • Belize
   • Botswana
   • Canada (excluding Quebec)
   • Fiji
   • Gambia
   • Ghana
   • Gibraltar
   • Guyana
   • Ireland
   • Jamaica
   • Kenya
   • Lesotho
   • Liberia
   • New Zealand
   • Nigeria
   • Papua New Guinea
   • Samoa
   • Singapore
   • Solomon Islands
   • South Africa
   • Tonga
   • Trinidad and Tobago
   • United Kingdom (including Northern Ireland)
   • United States of America
   • Zambia
   • Zimbabwe

Option 2 - English is NOT my first language 

English language skills test

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:

Other methods

We may also consider factors such as previous studies in English. Please check the English language requirements page for more information.

Applying for honours

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:

• 24 credit points of 1000-level major and program core units
• 24 credit points of 2000-level major and program core units
• 18 credit points of 3000-level major and program core units
• 6 credit points of 3000-level Interdisciplinary Project unit

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

Admission pathways are open to domestic applicants on the basis of equity or other adjustment factors, including for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants.

Learn more

Why study with us?

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.