Our bachelor degree of communication isn't just about theory – it's about doing. From breaking news to viral campaigns and podcasting to social media management, you'll dive into real world projects from day one.
Our Bachelor of Communication program incorporates real-world experience and engagement with industry, beginning in your first subjects, and is designed to culminate in a compulsory work-integrated learning (WIL) internship experience as a core activity in your third year of study.
WIL requires students to undertake learning activities in real-life, professional contexts. These cannot be replicated in the online learning environment because they provide:
Our facilities are set up to support students engaging with WIL experiences at any stage of their learning. You'll produce a wide range of original content for our on-campus community radio station 2MCE and our newsroom for the community broadcasting sector, National Radio News (NRN). You can try your hand at producing and presenting a radio show, writing news stories for hourly bulletins, producing interviews and current affairs packages, developing social media content with in-studio film and photo shoots, or supporting community engagement activities through outside broadcasts.
The following indicates how WIL will be incorporated into your studies:
In your first year, you will engage with WIL experiences by conducting interviews and recording a podcast in COM132 Writing and Producing for the Digital Age, and interviewing an Industry Panel of experts in COM128 Building your Professional Profile.
WIL is a compulsory element of second-year micro subjects (4 credit points) in fields such as Media Training and Audio Production. This will include a study visit component, providing you with an opportunity to meet industry contacts and learn from leaders in their field. Students completing specialisations in either Strategic Communication, News and Media or Content Creation will be working with real-world projects and responding to client briefs that engage with real-world issues.
Your third year will involve completing a compulsory Work Placement subject COM325 (8 credit points). This subject provides the opportunity for you to apply the skills and knowledge developed throughout your degree in a relevant work placement of 140 hours. You'll develop an understanding of how to manage yourself as an emerging practitioner and navigate the professional relationships and issues you may encounter in the workplace. This Work Placement subject can be completed in Australia or take you internationally.
You'll be responsible for arranging your placement, supported by your subject coordinator.
We're always on the lookout for industry partnerships. By offering an internship opportunity to communication students, you'll be getting access to the best young talent and emerging professionals. We value a strong relationship with professionals in the media and communication industry and welcome the opportunity to build meaningful partnerships with organisations that are keen to support our emerging communication professionals through our final-year internship program.
Host requirements:
While individual organisations may vary in their capacity to support students in achieving the subject learning outcomes, most can provide a valuable environment where students can gain workplace insight and begin to contextualise their academic studies through real-world experience.
If you would like to be included in a list of preferred host organisations, don't hesitate to get in touch with our WIL lead with the Bachelor of Communication, Victoria Erskine.
Please contact foae-wpl@csu.edu.au for enquiries.
WIL lead with the Bachelor of Communication - Victoria Erskine
The following services are available to assist with your work-integrated learning journey:
As a Bachelor of Communication student, you'll participate in at least one study visit as part of your studies, either in the second or third year.
This will involve visiting and engaging with the vast network of Charles Sturt Alumni and others who are working in the media and communication industry in:
Typically, the study visit will be a one or two-day experience in Sydney. You will be advised of details at the beginning of each year to prepare for this immersive learning experience.