Master of Communication
Overview
Graduate with highly valued communication skills, ready for career success in a range of communication industries in Australia and overseas.
This two year full-time (or part-time equivalent) postgraduate program, designed for communication graduates and professionals, will help you develop highly valuable communication skills and set yourself up for career success in a range of communication industries.
You can choose one of two fields of study – Communication for Social Change or Strategic Communication.
UQ is the only Australian university to offer study in the emerging field of Communication for Social Change. This field explores the different ways in which communication can be leveraged to bring about change in attitudes, behaviour and knowledge in individuals, organisations and communities. If you already have experience in these areas, the program will make you even more competitive as it complements and capitalises on studies and experience in other disciplines.
Strategic Communication develops your understanding and skill-set in professional communication practice and public relations, including campaign development, digital media strategy, and issues and crisis management. Graduates with a specialisation in Strategic Communication are well-equipped for diverse roles in public relations and marketing communication consultancies, not-for-profit organisations and government bodies, including organisational communication, crisis management, government relations, social media management and political campaigning roles.
Program highlights
- Choose to specialise in Communication for Social Change or Strategic Communication.
- Access outstanding research, practical experiences and career opportunities.
- Undertake a combination of advanced level coursework and research.
- Complete a research project or a thesis on the topic of your choice.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
- Communication for Social Change
- Strategic Communication
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Overseas study
- Research experience
- Seminars
- Workshops
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Communication Theory
- Digital Media Theory and Practice
- Communication for Social Change
- Intercultural communication
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Depending on which field you choose, here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- International aid officer
- Community development manager
- Health promotion manager
- Corporate change consultant
- Public relations and social media manager
- Public relations manager
- Marketing strategist
- Political campaign manager
“The Master of Communication...balances theory with practice. Not only did it equip me with the skills to leverage communication in social change processes, it also enhanced my perspectives and helped me to think more critically and methodically.”
Enggar ParamitaGraduate, Master of Communication
“The Master of Communication provided me with a comprehensive background about communication for social change...I can now see where I am in the big picture and why I am doing what I am doing, as well as what comes next.”
Phuong NguyenGraduate, Master of Communication
“The Master of Communication...balances theory with practice. Not only did it equip me with the skills to leverage communication in social change processes, it also enhanced my perspectives and helped me to think more critically and methodically.”
Enggar ParamitaGraduate, Master of Communication
“The Master of Communication provided me with a comprehensive background about communication for social change...I can now see where I am in the big picture and why I am doing what I am doing, as well as what comes next.”
Phuong NguyenGraduate, Master of Communication
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Prerequisites
Prerequisites
Related programs
Depending on your previous qualifications and current goals, you might want to consider
one of these related programs:
English language requirements
IELTS overall 6.5; reading 6; writing 6; speaking 6; listening 6. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 87, listening 19, reading 19, writing 21 and speaking 19.
TOEFL PB - Overall 570, listening 54, reading 54, writing 59/5.
Pearsons - Overall Score of 64 and 60 in all sub bands.
BE - A minimum overall grade of 4 plus a minimum grade of C in all macro skills.
CES - Overall 176 and 169 in all sub bands.
OET is not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Communication are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Fields of study
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Communication for Social Change
This field of study provides an in-depth understanding of communication for social change theory and practice. You'll explore the different ways in which communication can be leveraged to bring about change in attitudes, behaviour and knowledge in individuals and communities. You'll analyse the ways participation can make a difference in the planning, implementation and evaluation of development processes, the key role played by culture in social change, and contemporary uses of community media and information and communications technologies in the facilitation of change. Importantly, you'll strengthen critical skills, develop capacities for work in the state, inter-governmental and NGO sectors, and build research excellence.
Strategic Communication
You'll also learn the skills required to plan and implement a professional public relations campaign (including goal-setting, budgeting and evaluation), the skills of audience and public opinion analysis, a range of communication theories, and an understanding of how globalisation and the emerging information economy impacts public relations practices.
Fields of study
Tailor your studies to suit your goals. This program offers these options:
Communication for Social Change
This field of study provides an in-depth understanding of communication for social change theory and practice. You'll explore the different ways in which communication can be leveraged to bring about change in attitudes, behaviour and knowledge in individuals and communities. You'll analyse the ways participation can make a difference in the planning, implementation and evaluation of development processes, the key role played by culture in social change, and contemporary uses of community media and information and communications technologies in the facilitation of change. Importantly, you'll strengthen critical skills, develop capacities for work in the state, inter-governmental and NGO sectors, and build research excellence.
Strategic Communication
You'll also learn the skills required to plan and implement a professional public relations campaign (including goal-setting, budgeting and evaluation), the skills of audience and public opinion analysis, a range of communication theories, and an understanding of how globalisation and the emerging information economy impacts public relations practices.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
AUD $35,776
Indicative annual fee 2021
This indicative annual fee is the cost of enrolling in the Master of Communication for the 2021 academic year. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
If you enrol in a larger or smaller study load, your fees will be calculated on a proportionate basis. All fees are reviewed annually.
Indicative annual fee
AUD $27,480
Indicative annual fee 2021
This indicative annual fee is the average cost of enrolling in the Master of Communication at 2021 fee rates. It is calculated based on a standard full-time study load (16 units per academic year).
The average fee would be less for part-time study. Actual fees will vary according to your choice of courses, their unit value and the time you take to complete this program. Fees may be higher in later years as all fees are reviewed annually.
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
FEE-HELP
Domestic students who are accepted into the Master of Communication pay tuition fees.
FEE-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their tuition fees.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government offers a number of income-support payments to eligible Australian university students.
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
Scholarships
Make your university experience more affordable with a scholarship. Opportunities include:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Communication is 5651.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Communication is 5651.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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