Bachelor of Communication (Commercial Radio)
What is this course about?
CSU's Bachelor of Communication (Commercial Radio) is designed to educate and train students who want to make a career in promotional communication roles within the commercial radio industry and other associated media industries.
About the course
This industry supported course prepares students for a career as a sales account manager, promotion and integration manager, copywriter, online content producer or production assistant.
The emphasis of the course is on radio as a marketing medium so students undertake subjects in marketing, media, event management, advertising, sales, promotions management, and commercial radio industry studies.
Graduates will understand the role of marketing and audience research, the creative and planning elements of radio advertising, and the sales, event management, and promotions functions of commercial radio practitioners.
Supplementary consultations
One of the unique things about CSU's Bachelor of Communication (Commercial Radio) is we have small class sizes, which allow intensive learning and interaction with your lecturers and fellow students, as well as the opportunity to gain practical experience at commercial radio stations, not just watch the work being done. This makes our course very practical with graduates in high demand. To give you the best opportunity to gain entry into the Bachelor of Communication (Commercial Radio), CSU offers you the opportunity to undertake a supplementary course consultation as part of your application process. This gives you the chance to meet with the course lecturers and demonstrate your interest, enthusiasm and talent for this career area, as well as finding out more about the course, our excellent facilities and exceptional work placements.
Course components
The Commercial Radio course is the equivalent of 24 subjects, including a one semester placement in a radio station. Students will study subjects in the four key areas of advertising, sales, promotions, and radio industry studies, in addition to an elective stream allowing students to build a professional focus in either creativity or promotional communication. All professional subjects include some engagement with industry partners and situations.
Professionals teaching you
The course is taught by dedicated professionals and guest lecturers with a wide range of industry experience.
Hands-on experience
Students have an active engagement with local commercial stations, particularly 2BS/BROCK, as well as the University's on campus station where students are encouraged to take an active role in its day to day functions. Many of the professional subjects include tasks to be undertaken in partnership with local radio stations and businesses.
Practical experience
The practical emphasis of the course is reinforced by a 10 to 12 week compulsory internship that places students in the workplace for the final semester of their course. These internships will be taken with commercial radio stations throughout Australia.
Academic expectations
For each 8 point subject at CSU, students should normally expect to spend between 140-160 hours engaged in the specified learning and assessment activities (such as attending lectures or residential schools, assigned readings, tutorial assistance, individual or group research/study, forum activity, workplace learning, assignments or examinations). The student workload for some subjects may vary from these norms as a result of approved course design.
Students will be assessed on the basis of completed assignments, examinations, workplace learning, or other methods as outlined in specific subject outlines.
Where applicable, students are responsible for travel and accommodation costs involved in workplace learning experiences, or attending residential schools (distance education students).
Expectations relating to academic, workplace learning, time and cost requirements for specific subjects are provided in the subject abstracts and in course materials.
Career opportunities
Graduates will be prepared for entry level roles in sales account management, promotions, content integration, production assistant and copywriting in commercial radio stations.
The commercial radio context within which the course is set provides graduates with a unique set of promotional communication skills, making them highly employable within the commercial radio industry.
Your course is recognised by industry
The course is the only university degree program of its kind in Australia that is developed and supported by Commercial Radio Australia who provide guest lecturers, industry placement opportunities and focused industry training.
Facilities
To make sure you are experienced using the equipment and techniques found in the workplace, our facilities include:
- on campus radio station
- guest lectures by industry professionals
- extensive computer laboratories
- television studio
- multimedia production area
To successfully graduate from the Bachelor Communication (with specialisation) students will be required to complete 192 points. These comprise 80 points of Communication Foundation Studies, 64 points of Discipline Specialisation Studies and 48 points of Academic Enrichment Studies offered from within SCCI and/or externally as approved by the Course Director. This structure will also serve the Geraldton University Centre (GUC) offering of the BCommunication (Journalism).
The course structure is as follows:
Communication Foundation Subjects (80 points)
COM111 Professional Writing (8)
COM114 Presentation for Communicators (8)
CCI100 Intro to Media Production (8)
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities (8)
COM124 Communication in Context (8)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship (8)
CCI300 Communication & Creative Industries Professional Practice (24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork (8)
Advertising Specialisation Subjects (64 points)
ADV104 Understanding Advertising (8)
ADV105 The Advertising Business (8)
ADV205 Advertising Creative (8)
ADV206 Channel Planning (8)
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action (8)
COM224 Communication Research Strategies (8)
ADV317 Advertising Strategy and Planning (16)
Commercial Radio Specialisation Subjects (64 points)
COM113 Commercial Radio Industry (8)
ADV105 The Advertising Business (8)
ADV104 Understanding Advertising (8)
ADV205 Advertising Creative (8)
COM233 Media Sales Principles (8)
COM234 Media Sales Presentation (8)
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management (8)
ADV206 Channel Planning (8)
Journalism Specialisation Subjects (64 points) (inc GUC offering)
JRN112 Journalism in Society (8)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing (8)
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling (8)
JRN205 Data Mining & Research(8)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter (8)
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law (8)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism (8)
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery (8)
Public Relations Specialisation Subjects (64)
COM116 What is Public Relations (8)
COM232 Public Relations Strategy (8)
COM222 Public Relations Tactics (8)
COM223 Communication Management (8)
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management (8)
COM224 Communication Research Strategies (8)
COM313 SOS: Issues and Crisis Communication (8)
COM322 Going Glocal: Regional & Global Public Relations (8)
Theatre/Media Specialisation Subjects (64 points)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (16)
THM207 Drama & Theatre For Young People (8)
THM208 Devised Performance (16)
THM308 Applied Production Research (16)
THM300 Theatre & Cultural Action (8)
Academic Enrichment (elective) Subjects (48 points)
Students undertake 6 electives to be taken as a combination of unrestricted electives and/or professional clusters (4 subjects per cluster) from within the School of Communication & Creative Industries, or from outside the School as approved by Course Director.
Enrolment pattern
Advertising Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence
Session 1 (30)
ADV104 Understanding Advertising
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
Session 2 (60)
ADV105 The Advertising Business
ADV205 Advertising Creative
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Session 3 (30)
ADV206 Channel Planning
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2
Session 4 (60)
ADV207 Channel Planning in Action
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
Elective 3
Elective 4
Session 5 (30)
ADV317 Advertising Strategy & Planning (16)
Elective 5
Elective 6
Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Commercial Radio Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence
Session 1 (30)
COM113 Commercial Radio Industry
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
Session 2 (60)
ADV105 The Advertising Business
ADV205 Advertising Creative
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Session 3 (30)
COM233 Media Sales Principles
ADV104 Understanding Advertising
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Session 4 (60)
COM234 Media Sales Presentation
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
Elective 2
Elective 3
Session 5 (30)
ADV206 Channel Planning
Elective 4
Elective 5
Elective 6
Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Journalism Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence (including Geraldton cohort)
Session 1 (30)
JRN112 Journalism in Society
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
Session 2 (60)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Session 3 (30)
JRN205 Data Mining & Research
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2
Session 4 (60)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law
Elective 3
Elective 4
Session 5 (30)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery
Elective 5
Elective 6
Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Public Relations Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence
Session 1 (30)
COM116 What is Public Relations?
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
Session 2 (60)
COM232 Public Relations Strategy
COM222 Public Relations Tactics
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Session 3 (30)
COM223 Communication Management
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2
Session 4 (60)
COM236 Making it Happen: Event Management
COM224 Communication Research Strategies
Elective 3
Elective 4
Session 5 (30)
COM313 SOS: Issues & Crisis Communication
COM322 Going Glocal: Regional and Global Public Relations
Elective 5
Elective 6
Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Theatre/Media Specialisation
Full time suggested study sequence
Session 1 (30)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (commenced)
COM111 Professional Writing
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
Session 2 (60)
THM108 Principles of Theatre Media (continued)
THM207 Drama & Theatre For Young People
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Session 3 (30)
THM208 Devised Performance (commenced)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication and Citizenship
Elective 1
Elective 2
Session 4 (60)
THM208 Devised Performance (continued)
Elective 3
Elective 4
Elective 5
Session 5 (30)
THM308 Applied Production Research (16)
THM300 Theatre & Cultural Action
Elective 6
Session 6 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries(24)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Journalism Specialisation Geraldton cohort
Part time suggested study sequence
Session 1 (30)
JRN112 Journalism in Society
COM111 Professional Writing
Session 2 (60)
JRN101 Newsgathering & Writing
JRN200 Convergent Storytelling
Session 3 (30)
COM114 Presentation for Communicators
CCI100 Intro to Media Production
Session 4 (60)
COM124 Communication in Context
IKC101 Indigenous Cultures, Histories and Contemporary Realities
Session 5 (30)
JRN205 Data Mining & Research
Elective 1
Session 6 (60)
JRN225 The Specialist Reporter
Elective 2
Session 7 (30)
COM221 Professional Ethics in Communication & Citizenship
Elective 3
Session 8 (60)
JRN207 Multiplatform Publishing & The Law
Elective 4
Session 9 (30)
JRN322 Beyond News: Longform Journalism
Elective 5
Session 10 (60)
COM321 Communication Fieldwork
Elective 6
Session 11 (30)
JRN318 Deadline: Multiplatform Delivery
Session 12 (60)
CCI300 Professional Practice in Communication & Creative Industries (24cr)
Special admission requirements
In addition to applying through UAC, applicants must submit a Supplementary Application form. On the basis of your Supplementary Application form you may be contacted for a course consultation. Late applicants should contact CSU on 1800 334 733 before submitting their Supplementary Application Form.
It is recommended that prospective students set up a supplementary course consultation in Bathurst in late November. The consultation is completely informal and relaxed and is designed to ensure that you have the opportunity to gain first-hand information that will help you make an informed decision about your course. Alternatively you can organise a telephone consultation.
Year 12 students are eligible for admission on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR), and supplementary application. For further information please telephone info.csu on 1800 334 733.
Students applying for this course through PREP should submit the additional application form direct to CSU with their PREP application.Principal's Report Entry Program applicants
Admission requirements
To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:
- previous studies, and
- other attainments and experience.
Previous studies
Previous studies include:
- the NSW Higher School Certificate or interstate /overseas equivalent;
- the International Baccalaureate Diploma;
- a completed or part completed course of a university, college of advanced education or other accredited tertiary institution;
- a completed or part completed course of a TAFE college or other accredited post-secondary institution (including TAFE Tertiary Preparation Certificate);
- an approved Foundation Studies program certificate;
- completion of undergraduate subjects as an Associate Student with the University or through another University, or Open Universities Australia.
NSW and interstate school leavers are normally selected on the basis of their Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) or interstate equivalent. You may also be admitted on the basis of a strong performance in subjects relevant to your course preferences.
Currently no secondary school subjects are prerequisites for admission to particular CSU courses however some courses assume a certain level of knowledge. This will be specified in the course information if applicable.
English language proficiency
The University has minimum requirements for English language proficiency prior to entry to our courses. Some courses also have a requirement for a higher entry or exit level of English proficiency. More information on English language requirements.
Attainment and experience
You may also be admitted to a course based on other attainments and experience. These may include:
- voluntary or paid work experience;
- performance in tests and examinations conducted by professional recognised bodies;
- participation in continuing education programs and/or staff development programs conducted by adult education agencies, consultancies, professional bodies or employers;
- completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT).
Internet access
CSU places great emphasis on services to its students. It is a leader in the provision of online services and, in particular, the use of the internet in the support of teaching, administration and communications with students.
The online environment is so integrated into all aspects of student life and the learning experience at CSU that the University now assumes that all on campus and distance education students at CSU will have ongoing access to an internet connected computer capable of communicating with CSU online systems.
Students enrolled in Information Technology subjects (i.e. with an ITC subject code) may be required to have additional hardware and/or software that is deemed essential for the completion of the learning activities in that subject.
Apply now
This course is available to commence study in
Session 1
Australian and New Zealand students
Apply through UAC/VTAC
Full-time on campus study only
Admission code: 211227
International Students
This course is not available to international students.
More information:
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Prospective Student Inquiries
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info.csu can provide support and guidance to prospective students on everything you need to know on the University, courses, fees, accommodation, etc.
within Australia 1800 334 733
International + 61 2 6338 6077 Fax (02) 6338 6001
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