Intakes: 

2024: February, July

Duration: 
3 years
Location: 
Fees: 

2024: A$14,300*
* fee per semester

Application due dates:
We are currently accepting applications for this course.

Overview

Develop your passion for using the media to tell stories with a Bachelor of Screen Media at Victoria University in Melbourne.

Follow your interest in the changing media landscape, in industries that include film, television, radio, screen culture, online and mobile media production.

You’ll develop new media production skills, techniques and knowledge (including intellectual property) through a combination of practical and theoretical learning. This course has a highly contemporary focus, preparing you to deliver innovative media content for online distribution, video-on-demand, streaming sites such as YouTube, television and radio.

You’ll learn from teachers who are directly involved in the media industry. Working creatively as individuals, and in teams, you will produce:

  • cross-platform projects
  • motion graphics and visual effects
  • narrative film
  • non-fiction short films and documentaries
  • podcasts
  • television and radio programs.

Everything you learn at VU has direct links to the real world. Through hands-on learning in our professional grade facilities, you’ll develop exceptional skills in media production.

To ensure you are work ready when you graduate, you’ll complete 80-100 hours of work placement as an integrated part of this course.

While studying our screen media course, you’ll learn using state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Our media production precinct at Footscray Park Campus includes:

  • TV studio (including HD cameras, lighting equipment, interview set and drama set)
  • radio studio
  • large green screen
  • post production labs (with Macs) with DaVinci Resolve software
  • professional video and audio recording equipment and editing software.

We are Australia’s first university to achieve Blackmagic Design’s DaVinci Resolve Trainer Certification.

With DaVinci Resolve as our main post production software, you'll be using Emmy™ award winning DaVinci colour correction products that have dominated the television and film industry since 1984.

At VU you can spend part of your degree studying overseas all while gaining credits towards your course.

Immerse yourself in a new culture and learn from a new perspective, while building experiences that will help you to stand out in the competitive job market.

Our media production precinct at Footscray Park Campus has TV and radio studios.

Careers in media

This course will prepare you for an exciting career as a critically-informed media professional. Beyond traditional broadcast media, you could also work in:

  • advertising
  • film studios
  • film festival organisations
  • radio stations
  • video production companies. 

You’ll be ready to work in a range of roles, including:

  • cinematographer
  • cross-media content creator
  • director
  • distributor
  • editor
  • post-production supervisor
  • production manager
  • producer.

Salaries

Find average annual salaries (full time) in Australia:

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Screen Media students will be required to complete 288 credit points in total consisting of:

-
240 credit points Core studies including 24 credit points of Capstone studies
-
48 credit points from Minor studies.

And

48 credit points of Minor Studies from the list.

Minors

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Interrogate critical awareness and understanding of theory and research in the field of screen media production across existing and emerging media platforms,  
  2. Plan and implement media productions for the purposes of online distribution, video-on-demand, online streaming, television and radio,  
  3. Critically reflect on screen media production techniques and legal and business requirements across various platforms,  
  4. Formulate skills and abilities to adapt knowledge and skills to participate effectively in screen media production processes and teams,  
  5. Exemplify advanced level communication and interpersonal skills consistent with professional practice in the screen media industry.  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score or 6.0 (with no band less than 6.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).
OR:
Completion of a Foundation course or equivalent.

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

Advanced Diploma of Screen and Media

United POP Australia, Australia

You will be credited for up to 144 credit points of study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

Information and fees listed above are for non-resident students. Fees are accurate at the time of viewing and will be subject to annual increases. Some courses require students to purchase equipment or clothing that they will need in the course. These equipment or clothing costs are not included in the course fees listed above – check your Letter of Offer for an estimate on non-tuition-fee-related expenses.

VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this course information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that course information is current with the Student Contact Centre.