Bachelor of Media (Screen & Sound)

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Kensington Campus

Career: Undergraduate

Typical Duration: 3 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 144

UAC Code: 422013

ATAR: 86.10  

International Entry Requirements: See International Entry Requirements

Award(s):

Bachelor of Media (Major)

Bachelor of Media (Minor)

Information valid for students commencing 2013.
Students who commenced prior to 2013 should go to the Handbook's Previous Editions

Program Description 

The Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound) [UNSW BMedia (S&S)] is designed to provide you with foundational and applied skills, knowledge and capabilities relevant to career pathways in a broad range of audio-visual production industries. Students specialise in audio-visual media and film studies, in a degree which is both ideas driven and vocationally relevant in its orientation. All students are given foundational practical experience in the thoughtful and creative applications of established and emerging audio-visual media technologies, while also being immersed in the culture and philosophy of media studies through their courses in the media core.

Levels 1 and 2 cover audio-visual production and contextual film and media studies. As students proceed into the third level, the program expands and deepens knowledge and understanding in the technical, analytical and conceptual application of media technology to the design of various audio-visual media projects, as well as focussing on emerging trends and innovations in contemporary film and media practices.

The UNSW BMedia (S&S) can be completed full-time in Single mode (normally 3 years), in Dual mode (the equivalent of two years full-time study) or part-time. The basic requirements of the program are simple. The BMedia (S&S) has a depth component and a breadth component. Students enrolled in Single mode do both the depth and breadth component while students enrolled in Dual mode only complete the depth component.

The Depth component (Blue Zone) is:

  1. The completion of a Media core (30 UOC - 5 courses)
  2. The completion of a prescribed Media elective (6 UOC - 1 course)
  3. The completion of a Screen and Sound core (42 UOC- 7 courses)
  4. The completion of a prescribed Screen and Sound electives from List A (12 UOC - 2 courses)
  5. The completion of a prescribed Screen and Sound elective from List B (6 UOC - 1 course)
The Breadth component (for students completing the program in Single mode) (Green Zone) is:
  1. Free Electives (36 UOC - 6 courses) which can be taken either within or outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
  2. General Education (12 UOC - 2 courses) which must be taken outside of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes 

The UNSW BMedia (S&S) aims to prepare graduates for a leadership role in the thoughtful application of audio-visual technologies informed by a solid understanding of media theory. Students are not simply skilled up in the use of video and sound recorders, computers and media applications, but are encouraged to become media innovators who are able to tackle complex issues by drawing on their integrated practical and theoretical expertise. Students become immersed in the current culture of contemporary audio-visual production and theory. They are encouraged to test out emerging ideas and developments and look for novel ways to approach the production of contemporary audio-visual media. Graduates will gain foundational expertise in a range of medial production tools, but more importantly, they will be able to interpret and reflect on emerging audio-visual practices, enabling them to take leading creative roles in the rapidly changing media industries.

The Graduate Attributes for this Program are as follows:

  1. The skills to produce effective and engaging screen and sound texts
  2. An understanding of the methods of analysis and thinking specific to the disciplines of screen and audio production
  3. A knowledge of the historical development of screen and sound as both specific media and as part of a constantly evolving media landscape
  4. An understanding of the aesthetic, technical, and cultural dimensions of screen and sound
  5. The ability to recognise the different interpretive frameworks and value systems that inform understandings of screen and sound in various social and cultural discourses
  6. The skills to analyse and interpret written and audio-visual texts
  7. The ability to link creative production with theoretical and critical knowledge
  8. The conceptual and organisational skills required to undertake self-directed learning
  9. The organisational and communication skills required for effective and creative collaborative work
  10. Skills in scholarly research as applied to and appropriate for the fields of screen and sound
  11. An understanding of the role and importance of various forms of archives and information environments for research in media

Career Opportunities

This program provides foundational skills and concepts relevant to career pathways in a broad range of audio-visual production industries. Examples include multimedia or screen director, editor, sound designer, producer and other roles within video and audio production. With its training in research, self directed learning, critical thinking and collaborative working skills, this program also allows graduates to achieve the skills necessary for and adaptable to employment in areas as diverse as film criticism, arts administration, festival programming, communication research and media marketing.


Program Structure 

The basic requirements for the degree are:

Single mode (144 UOC) made up of:

  1. A Media core (30 UOC )
  2. Prescribed Media elective (6 UOC)
  3. A Screen and Sound core (42 UOC)
  4. Prescribed Screen and Sound electives List A (12 UOC)
  5. Prescribed Screen and Sound elective List B (6 UOC)
  6. Free Electives (36 UOC)
  7. General Education (12 UOC)
Dual mode (96 UOC) made up of:
  1. A Media core (30 UOC )
  2. Prescribed Media elective (6 UOC)
  3. A Screen and Sound core (42 UOC)
  4. Prescribed electives List A (12 UOC)
  5. Prescribed elective List B (6 UOC)

Core Courses


Media Core

Level 1
Level 2
Level 3


Screen and Sound Core

Level 1

Level 2
Level 3

Prescribed Electives


Media


Screen and Sound

List A
Courses offered by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences:
Courses offered by Faculties other than Arts and Social Sciences:
List B


Free Electives

Students completing the program in Single mode have a 36 UOC free elective breadth requirement. Students may complete any courses for which they are eligible to enrol either within or outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. The free electives component of the program affords students the opportunity to complement their media studies with a range of interests. The program suggests that areas of study in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences are especially relevant. Students are especially encouraged to pursue courses in Film Studies.


General Education

Students completing the program in Single mode complete 12 UOC of General Education. Students must complete any two courses for which they are eligible to enrol outside the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences.


Award with Distinction

High achieving students who secure a WAM of 75 across their program and who have completed at at least 48 UOC of their program at UNSW are eligible for the award of their Pass Degree "with Distinction".


Honours

High achieving BMedia (S&S) students (in Single or Dual mode) may apply for entry to Honours. Honours is an additional year of study (two years part-time) which allows a student to further explore their interests in Screen and Sound. It involves seminars and the completion of a research project or thesis. Those students who are considering Honours should submit an expression of interest at the beginning of Level 3 and complete a formal application at the end of Level 3. Both should be submitted to the Honours Convenor of the School of the Arts and Media. Entry to Honours requires a WAM of 70 or higher in the depth component of the program and is subject to resources and the approval of the Head of the School of the Arts and Media. Honours is awarded in three classes (Class 1, Class 2 in two Divisions, and Class 3). If requirements for these classes are not met the Pass degree will be awarded if the student is not already a Graduate of the program.


Sample Program  

Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound) - Sample Program for Single Mode (Example Only)
 
Below is a guide to help you enrol in your program. To be full-time students must enrol in 24 UOC each semester.
 
Level 1
Semester 1 (S1)
ARTS1090 Media, Culture & Everyday Life
(6 UOC)
ARTS1060 Intro to Film Studies
(6 UOC)
SOMA2602 Sound Media 1
(6 UOC)
Free Elective
(6 UOC)
Semester 2 (S2)
ARTS1091 Media, Society, Politics
(6 UOC)
MDIA1000 Time, Space, Experience
(6 UOC)
Prescribed Screen & Sound Elective (List A)
(6 UOC)
Free Elective
(6 UOC)
 
Level 2
Semester 1 (S1)
ARTS2090
Publics and Publishing
(6 UOC)
MDIA2000 Animating Media
(6 UOC)
SOMA1603 Digital Video 1
(6 UOC)
Free Elective
(6 UOC)
Semester 2 (S2)
Prescribed Media Elective
ARTS2091 Mobile Cultures
OR
ARTS2092 Global Media
(6 UOC)
ARTS2065 Working with Image and Sound
(6 UOC)
Gen Ed
(6 UOC)
Free Elective
(6 UOC)
 
Level 3
Semester 1 (S1)
ARTS3091 Advanced Media Issues
(6 UOC)
ARTS3061 Video Project
(6 UOC)
Gen Ed
(6 UOC)
Free Elective
(6 UOC)
Semester 2 (S2)
MDIA3005 Social Innovation and Engagement
(6 UOC)
SOMA3615 Sound Media 2
OR
MDIA3004 Festivals and Exhibitions (List B)
(6 UOC)
Prescribed Screen & Sound Elective (List A)
(6 UOC)
Free Elective
(6 UOC)
 


Academic Rules 


Single Mode

To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
  1. enrol in the Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound) and complete 144 UOC;
  2. complete the requirements for the cores
  3. complete the requirements for prescribed electives
  4. complete 36 UOC of Free Electives
  5. complete 12 UOC of General Education
  6. complete at least 30 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
  7. complete at least 96 UOC overall before enrolling in Level 3 courses

Dual Mode

To qualify for the award of the degree at Pass level, a student must:
  1. enrol in the Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound) and complete 144 UOC;
  2. complete the requirements for the cores
  3. complete the requirements for prescribed electives
  4. complete at least 30 UOC of Level 1 courses before enrolling in Level 2 courses
  5. complete at least 48 UOC overall before enrolling in Level 3 courses

Honours

To qualify for the award of the degree with Honours, a Single or Dual award student must:
  1. be a Graduand or Graduate of the Bachelor of Media (Screen and Sound)
  2. hold a WAM of 70 or higher in the depth component of the program
  3. complete the seminar coursework requirement (18 UOC)
  4. complete a research project or thesis (30 UOC)

Fees 

For information regarding fees for UNSW programs, please refer to the following website:  https://my.unsw.edu.au/student/fees/FeesMainPage.html

Important Information 

The Academic Rules for the UNSW BMedia (S&S) and the online enrolment facility provide students with a wide range of course choices. The online enrolment facility checks that students meet the enrolment requirements for individual courses but not that a course complies with Program Rules. Students are responsible for ensuring they are enrolling in accordance with the Academic Rules outlined above. Students should not assume that because they have enrolled in a course online that the course is automatically credited to their degree program.

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