Studying Film & Television in Australia

Are you interested in screen production, film, television, digital media, journalism, public relations, marketing, or cultural industries? Do you want a job in one of the exciting and rapidly growing global communications industries? Then why not study communications in Australia?

According to the 1999 Good Universities Guide to Australian Universities, 'communications courses are one of the most popular fields of study', with 'students attracted by an image of the communications industry as sassy: where the action is." You can be part of it too!

Australian universities offer a wide range of cutting edge undergraduate and graduate courses in many aspects of communications and media. The emphasis is on balancing practical and hands-on experience with analytical, presentational and research skills to maximise the employment potential of graduates. Studying communications in Australia is fun, rewarding and challenging!

More than 50 universities offer courses in communications, in response to overwhelming and growing demand by almost 9,000 students (1,000 of whom are international). Courses cover a range of specialisations, such as advertising, creative writing, cultural policy/studies, desktop publishing, film and media studies, marketing, mass communications, media policy, media production (including film, television, video, digital media, and radio), performing arts, photojournalism, print and electronic journalism, public relations, and theatre.

Australian universities have been specializing in this area since the 1970s, drawing on innovative research, theories and practical applications from Europe and North America. More recently, Australian universities have oriented their courses to reflect the growth of communications in Asia, Africa and the Pacific.

Australian communications courses are internationally recognized as leaders in the field, and because they are in demand, entry is competitive. The universities that are most sought after include the University of Technology (Sydney), Griffith University (Brisbane), Curtin University (Perth), Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane), Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne), and University of South Australia (Adelaide).

Student satisfaction with their courses is enhanced by the opportunity to undertake work experience, make contacts through industry placements, and become involved with alternative, community and interest group communication and media. Graduates enter a wide range of occupations and careers in many industries and sectors, but due to the nature of the industry, jobs are often short-term or contractual, rather than full-time employment.

Jobs are found in film and television production, new and digital media, journalism, government, advocacy, cultural industries (museums, galleries, libraries), public relations and marketing, teaching and training, and research and measurement. Graduates with practical production skills find careers in all aspects of the industry, including direction, scriptwriting, camera, lighting, sound, editing, digital compositing and sound. Journalism graduates find opportunities in mainstream print and electronic media production and presentation, as well as in local and specialist media, public relations, government and corporate sector. Frequently, graduates pursue further study to hone their skills and specialise further.

Undergraduate degrees, such as Bachelor of Communication, Bachelor of Screen Production in Digital Media, Bachelor of Multimedia, or Bachelor of Arts (majoring in communication) usually take three years full-time, with an optional fourth Honours year. Graduate Certificates and Diplomas are also available, as well as a research Master and Doctor of Philosophy.

Courses and majors examine how the communications industries are structured and operate in a global context. Aspects of communications production, distribution and consumption are central concerns of these courses. As well as analysing products, studies will emphasise the context in which media and communications operate. Students develop a thorough knowledge of the discipline, as well as acquiring skills and techniques of investigating, producing, researching and writing for media.

The Bachelor of Communication focuses on developing a wide range of skills relevant to working in the media and communication industries, journalism, interactive media technology, public relations and marketing, and arts and cultural industries. Students major in one or more of the following: Journalism, Screen Production, Film & Media Studies, or Cultural Studies. Companion recommended majors include Marketing, Drama, Politics, and Public Relations. The course will typically include hands-on and industry experience, with graduates trained to suit the changing needs of the industry and training sectors of the global communications market.

The Bachelor of Screen Production in Digital Media focuses on emerging forms of digital screen production, with grounding in the history, practice and critical analysis of film and television production. The course will provide hands-on education in new and established forms of screen production, including video for the world wide web and desktop, single and multi-camera video, introduction to 16mm, screenwriting, and the genres of experimental digital screen production, drama and documentary. Students can combine a major in Digital Media with a second major such as Cultural Studies, Cyber Studies, Film and Media Studies, Journalism, Politics and Public Relations. Such courses develop skills in teamwork and progressing through all stages of production.

Author
June Cullen
School Administrative Officer
School of Film, Media & Cultural Studies
Griffith University, Queensland

Communications Down Under! Studying Film & Television in Australia
Are you interested in screen production, film, television, digital media, journalism, public relations, marketing, or cultural industries? Do you want a job in one of the exciting and rapidly growing global communications industries? Then why not study communications in Australia? According to the 1999 Good Universities Guide to Australian Universities, 'communications courses are one of the most popular fields of study', with 'students attracted by an image of the communications industry as sassy: where the action is." You can be part of it too! Australian universities offer a wide range of cutting edge undergraduate and graduate courses in many aspects of communications and media. The emphasis is on balancing practical and hands-on experience with analytical, presentational and research skills to maximise the employment potential of graduates. Studying communications in Australia is fun, rewarding and challenging! More than 50 universities offer courses in communications, in response to overwhelming and growing demand by almost 9,000 students (1,000 of whom are international). Courses cover a range of specialisations, such as advertising, creative writing, cultural policy/studies, desktop publishing, film and media studies, marketing, mass communications, media policy, media production (including film, television, video, digital media, and radio), performing arts, photojournalism, print and electronic journalism, public relations, and theatre. Australian universities have been specializing in this area since the 1970s, drawing on innovative research, theories and practical applications from Europe and North America. More recently, Australian universities have oriented their courses to reflect the growth of communications in Asia, Africa and the Pacific. Australian communications courses are internationally recognized as leaders in the field, and because they are in demand, entry is competitive. The universities that are most sought after include the University of Technology (Sydney), Griffith University (Brisbane), Curtin University (Perth), Queensland University of Technology (Brisbane), Swinburne University of Technology (Melbourne), and University of South Australia (Adelaide). Student satisfaction with their courses is enhanced by the opportunity to undertake work experience, make contacts through industry placements, and become involved with alternative, community and interest group communication and media. Graduates enter a wide range of occupations and careers in many industries and sectors, but due to the nature of the industry, jobs are often short-term or contractual, rather than full-time employment. Jobs are found in film and television production, new and digital media, journalism, government, advocacy, cultural industries (museums, galleries, libraries), public relations and marketing, teaching and training, and research and measurement. Graduates with practical production skills find careers in all aspects of the industry, including direction, scriptwriting, camera, lighting, sound, editing, digital compositing and sound. Journalism graduates find opportunities in mainstream print and electronic media production and presentation, as well as in local and specialist media, public relations, government and corporate sector. Frequently, graduates pursue further study to hone their skills and specialise further. Undergraduate degrees, such as Bachelor of Communication, Bachelor of Screen Production in Digital Media, Bachelor of Multimedia, or Bachelor of Arts (majoring in communication) usually take three years full-time, with an optional fourth Honours year. Graduate Certificates and Diplomas are also available, as well as a research Master and Doctor of Philosophy. Courses and majors examine how the communications industries are structured and operate in a global context. Aspects of communications production, distribution and consumption are central concerns of these courses. As well as analysing products, studies will emphasise the context in which media and communications operate. Students develop a thorough knowledge of the discipline, as well as acquiring skills and techniques of investigating, producing, researching and writing for media. The Bachelor of Communication focuses on developing a wide range of skills relevant to working in the media and communication industries, journalism, interactive media technology, public relations and marketing, and arts and cultural industries. Students major in one or more of the following: Journalism, Screen Production, Film & Media Studies, or Cultural Studies. Companion recommended majors include Marketing, Drama, Politics, and Public Relations. The course will typically include hands-on and industry experience, with graduates trained to suit the changing needs of the industry and training sectors of the global communications market. The Bachelor of Screen Production in Digital Media focuses on emerging forms of digital screen production, with grounding in the history, practice and critical analysis of film and television production. The course will provide hands-on education in new and established forms of screen production, including video for the world wide web and desktop, single and multi-camera video, introduction to 16mm, screenwriting, and the genres of experimental digital screen production, drama and documentary. Students can combine a major in Digital Media with a second major such as Cultural Studies, Cyber Studies, Film and Media Studies, Journalism, Politics and Public Relations. Such courses develop skills in teamwork and progressing through all stages of production. Author June Cullen School Administrative Officer School of Film, Media & Cultural Studies Griffith University, Queensland