Felicity with large camera

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Start Date

    March, July

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    Coomera, Lismore, Online
    Online students may be required to attend compulsory residential workshops for some units.

  • Placement

    Yes  Learn more

  • Course abbreviation

    BDigMed

  • Course code

    3007084

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Scholarships

  • Indicative fee

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

International snapshot

  • Start Date

    February, June

  • Duration

    3 years full-time; 6 years part-time

  • Location

    Lismore, Online

  • Placement

    Yes  Learn more

Please note, some locations may not have all intake periods available. See the full availability details for further information.

Overview

Content is key and as creators of content, digital media specialists are in strong demand for communication and marketing roles across Australia.

This course prepares you to tell the stories that matter, while you develop the creative and production skills you need to forge a career in today’s fast-paced media environments.

You’ll develop skills in writing, production, visual and research skills, and gain access to work experience opportunities and networks of industry professionals across the media and communications spectrum.

Southern Cross University is proud to partner with Australia’s premier regional industry association Screenworks to provide mentoring and internship opportunities for our creative arts students. Students have the opportunity to learn from screen industry leaders, building the knowledge and networks they need for successful creative careers.

Learn more about this degree in the digital media showcase.

Felicity smiling at camera in white shirt

“Having developed several productions for assignments over the last four years, including a documentary, a music video, a movie trailer, and an advertisement, I was well versed on sets, how they ran, the equipment that is used, and who is who on the crew.”

The Southern Cross Model is a game-changer in higher education study.

Our students now engage in shorter, six-week unit structures designed around immersive and interactive learning experiences. The shorter unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum as they achieve milestones quickly, resulting in increased student success rates, and course and teacher satisfaction. Lectures are a thing of the past - students will be engaged in active, interactive and discussion-based learning.

On-campus students experience a variety of teaching approaches including lectures, tutorials, online activities and video-linked or podcast virtual classes.

Our online study option is highly interactive and may include a combination of podcast or video-linked lectures, electronic study materials, workshops, online discussion forums and virtual classes.

The method of teaching and assessment may vary from unit to unit.

Learn more

Course Learning Outcomes express learning achievement in terms of what a student should know, understand and be able to do on completion of a course. These outcomes are aligned with the graduate attributes (GA).

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Analyse, interpret and evaluate issues, texts, sources and problems through creative, critical and reflective thinking in Australian and global media contexts.

GA2: Creativity

Conceptualise, initiate, develop, deliver and promote industry-standard outcomes,and increasingly complex skills, across a range of traditional and emerging media forms.

GA3: Ethical practice

Learn and apply an understanding of academic skills, ethical values and practices to media production and analysis, and professional practice.

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Demonstrate a broad, integrated command of knowledge of media industries, theories and practices in Australian and global contexts

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate the ability to self-direct and self-evaluate learning. Work independently and collaboratively on media projects in response to project and professional demands.

GA6: Communication and social skills

Demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively in a wide range of professional media and community settings.

GA7: Cultural competence

Demonstrate awareness of diverse cultural and Indigenous perspectives in professional practice.

This course includes a compulsory 100-hour professional placement that allows you to gain invaluable workplace experience across the media and communications spectrum: at radio or television stations, in newspapers and publishing houses, on film shoots, at film festivals or in graphic design or post-production companies. 

Students in this degree will learn the core skills required for a future in the digital media industries of today:

  • Visual communication and design
  • Digital video production and storytelling
  • Journalism and news writing
  • Media theory and analysis.

Location Teaching period
CoomeraTerm  1
LismoreTerm  1
OnlineTerm  1, Term  3

To be advised.

Career Outcomes

Digital media specialists are in strong demand in media and creative industries with career opportunities in film and TV, radio, newspapers, magazines, online media and graphic design, marketing, advertising and public relations. 

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Entry requirements

Language requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

CategoryScore
Overall6.0
Listeningminimum 5.5
Readingminimum 5.5
Speakingminimum 5.5
Writingminimum 5.5

CountryScore
Austria AMC3.4
Bangladesh HSC3.6
Brazil SSLC8.2
Canada High School OSSD50
Chile PSU6.4, overall 600/649
China Gao Kao449
Colombia CB (NAT)81, overall 300/349
Denmark USSLE6.2
France FB11
German Abitur3
Hong Kong HKDSE14
India CBSE (best 4)8.5 external exam
India CISCE71
India Higher Secondary School Certificate (best 4)78 in 4 academic
Indonesia SMA8.2
International Baccalaureate24
Japan USSLC4
Korea, Republic of, CSAT298
Malaysia ICSSUEC71
Malaysia STPM5, 3 best A levels
Nepal Higher Secondary Education Certificate73
Nepal Proficiency Certificate82
Norway GPA1.5
Pakistan HSSC Humanities and Science streams77
Pakistan HSSC Pre-Eng and Pre-Med streams31
Papua New Guinea HSC (best 5)2.5, pass Eng & Math
Peru OCSE17
Phillipines NSAT89
Russia FCCSE4.3
Saudi Arabia MESSLC83
Singapore SCGCE15.5
Spain SSSD8.2
Spain STBPU7.5
Spain SUOY4.9
Sri Lanka GCE4.5
Sweden SSLC13
Taiwan GSAT54
Taiwan Senior High School Certificate87
Thailand CSE(Matayom 6) 1.9
Turkey HSD4
UK Board GCE A Levels13 (4 subjects)
USA SAT & ACTSAT 1410, ACT 20
Vietnam (in 4 subjects)7.5 Average

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Digital Media, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:

  • 20 core units (240 credit points), and
  • 4 equivalent elective units (48 credit points).

Exit awards

Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Digital Media after completing the equivalent of 16 units (192 credit points), comprising 16 core units as per the Schedule of Units.

Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Digital Media after completing the equivalent of 8 units (96 credit points), comprising 8 core units as per the Schedule of Units.

Other things to consider

As part of our commitment to admissions transparency, the University provides a snapshot of how students were admitted to their courses and the profile of students studying with us here.

There are different pathways into an undergraduate degree.

Whether you are returning to study after some time or you have just finished school and you need some extra academic preparation before embarking on a degree, Southern Cross University offers two excellent, fee-free academic preparation programs that develop the skills you need to be successful at university.

SCU College also offers a range of one-year Diplomas that provide extra academic support as you commence university. Diplomas are a great pathway to a degree and may also prepare you for diverse paraprofessional roles.

Learn more

Credit for Prior Learning, also referred to as ‘Advanced Standing’ or Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL), is the process of looking at your prior study and/or experience to assess if you can be awarded academic credit or gain entry to a course on the basis of your existing knowledge and skills.

Learn more

The Early Offer program allows Year 12 students to secure a place in a Southern Cross University undergraduate degree before Year 12 results are released. It’s designed to remove some of the pressure from Year 12 and provide a pathway directly into university study that is not based solely on Year 12 results.

Learn more


Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Current Students should select their units by checking the Handbook for the year of their enrolment as these may be different.

View Student Handbook

Unit CodeUnit TitleAvailableCredit pointsNotes

Complete the following units to satisfy the Requirements of the Award

First Year

WRIT1003Written Communication
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1,3
N/A
MDIA1001Media Studies
Term1
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
N/A
MDIA1002Visual Communication and Design
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
Term2,4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,4
N/A
MDIA1004Journalism in the Digital Age
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
MDIA2006Film Studies
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
ARTD1004Photography and Digital Imaging
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
MDIA1003Digital Media Practices
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Digital Media after completing the above eight (8) units

Second Year

MRKT1001Marketing Principles
Dual Term2
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
China - TUSTN/A
Dual Term2
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
MelbourneN/A
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term1
PerthN/A
Term1,3
SydneyN/A
Term1,3
INDG1004Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
Term1,3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
MDIA2004Making Radio and Podcasts
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
MRKT2004Marketing Communications
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
MelbourneN/A
Term2
Online
Term2
Term2
Papua New Guinea - IBSU Port MoresbyN/A
Term2
PerthN/A
Term2
SydneyN/A
Term2
COMM2002Screenwriting
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
MDIA2002Essential Screen Skills
Term3
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term3
Term3
Lismore
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
COMM2003Animation Theory and Practice
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
MDIA3001Advanced Screen Production
Term4
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term4
Term4
Lismore
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
N/A
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Digital Media after completing the above sixteen (16) units

Third Year

Elective
Elective
COMM3002Professional Placement
Dual Term2
Tri Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Dual Term2
Tri Term2
Dual Term2
Pre-requisitesStudents must have completed 192 credit points (typically 16 units) in their degree.
Enrolment informationThis is a capstone unit that integrates the knowledge you have developed during your degree.Enquiries should be directed to the Professional Experience Coordinator, through wil@scu.edu.au.
ARTD3005Advanced Digital Imaging
Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Coomera
Term2
Term2
Lismore
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2
N/A
Pre-requisitesARTD1004 - Photography and Digital Imaging
Elective
Elective
MDIA2005Video Journalism
Term5
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Term5
N/A
COMM3003Media Project
Tri Term2
12
LocationDomesticInternational
Online
Tri Term2
Tri Term2


Unit CodeUnit TitleNotes
WRIT1003Written Communication
MDIA1001Media Studies
MDIA1002Visual Communication and Design
CRTV1002Create: Innovate: Change
MDIA1004Journalism in the Digital Age
MDIA2006Film Studies
ARTD1004Photography and Digital Imaging
MDIA1003Digital Media Practices
Students may be eligible to exit with a Diploma of Digital Media after completing the above eight (8) units.
MRKT1001Marketing Principles
INDG1004Aboriginal Cultural Strengths
MDIA2004Making Radio and Podcasts
MRKT2004Marketing Communications
COMM2002Screenwriting
MDIA2002Essential Screen Skills
COMM2003Animation Theory and Practice
MDIA3001Advanced Screen Production
Students may be eligible to exit with an Associate Degree of Digital Media after completing the above sixteen (16) units
MDIA2005Video Journalism
COMM3002Professional Placement
ARTD3005Advanced Digital Imaging
COMM3003Media Project
Plus four university wide electives

Why Music and Creative Arts at SCU

Major festival connections

Such as Splendour in the Grass, Mullum Music Festival and Byron Writers Festival

Extensive facilities

Outstanding visual arts, recording and performing studios

Graduate satisfaction

85% of graduates rated the facilities and resources highly, well above the median national average of 79%

(QILT 2020)

Fees and Scholarships

Domestic students

You are a domestic student if you are an Australian citizen or permanent resident, New Zealand citizen, or Australian humanitarian visa holder. Your course will either be a Commonwealth Supported Place or a full fee-paying place. This is noted in the course snapshot.

Commonwealth Supported Places:

In a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP), the Government pays some of your fees and you pay the rest as the Student Contribution Amount (SCA).

SCA is calculated per unit, not per course. Eligible students can defer the SCA through a HECS-HELP loan.

Full Fee-Paying Places:

A full fee-paying place is where you pay the full (unsubsidised) tuition fee for your course. Eligible students can defer the payment of their tuition fees through the FEE-HELP scheme (including employer-reserved places for The Hotel School courses).

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Fees and Scholarships

International Students

If you're an international student, you can find the annual course cost in Australian dollars (AUD$) on our International Courses and Fees page or on the web page for your course under fees.

Also known as SSAF, the Student Services and Amenities Fee is a compulsory fee for most students used to provide important services and amenities to students both on and off campus. It’s charged per unit, based on the unit’s credit point value. Eligible domestic students have the option of deferring this fee through the SA-HELP loan scheme. More about SSAF

Depending on your course, your costs could also include computer equipment and software, books, stationery, field trips, uniforms or other course-specific expenses such as art materials, musical equipment or travel for practicums, internships, vaccinations or industry experience.

Southern Cross University offers a range of scholarships for undergraduate (your first degree), postgraduate, Indigenous Australian students as well as international students. There are also scholarships available to help you study overseas for a short period as an international exchange student. Scholarships range from a few hundred dollars a year to several thousand dollars a year.

More about scholarships

Further fee information

Apply now

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Click the Apply button to start your application in our Application Portal.

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Online

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International students studying in Australia

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  • Term 1 February 2024
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International students studying online or outside of Australia

Online

Dates for the diary

Our shorter, more focused six-week unit structure gives students a greater sense of momentum and motivation as they achieve milestones quickly. Application dates per Term are shown on each course page however refer to our key dates and teaching calendar for detail on when enrolment opens, studies commence and when grades are published. There are also Dual Term and Tri Term calendars for those who have specific subjects.

See key dates

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you’re eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry Pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a pathway