Bachelor of Sport Studies / Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)

What is this course about?

CSU's Bachelor of Sport Studies / Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) is a double degree combining expertise in two of the fastest growing areas in contemporary society, the media and the sport and recreation industries.

The double degree covers the core subjects of both the Bachelor of Sport Studies and the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) to provide students with expertise in both these areas. Students are able to undertake Journalism subjects with either a Broadcast Journalism or Print Journalism emphasis.

Professional experience

Professional practice sessions are scheduled which offer opportunities to apply knowledge and skills gained from the academic components to real-life work situations. Placements in health, corporate and community wellness settings, exercise science and recreation and media agencies bring students into direct contact with professional workers in these fields.

Your course is recognised by industry

The Bachelor of Sport Studies and Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) degrees are both nationally accredited and registered tertiary awards.

Additional admission requirements

Campus

Bathurst

Duration

4 years full-time on campus

Admission rank cut-offs

70.00

Graduation requirements

To graduate, students must satisfactorily complete 256 points. Upon completion of the program, students graduate with two separate awards, the Bachelor of Sport Studies and the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism).

Course structure

More information about subjects and course structure.

Career opportunities

Ready to make a real difference to the world? Discover more about where this course could take you.

Admission requirements

To study this course, you will need to indicate your likelihood of success through previous studies and other attainments and experience.

Cost of study

When weighing up the costs of study, consider the benefits of having the qualification you need to achieve your personal and professional goals.

Where will it take you

The four-year double degree program provides the ideal pathway into occupations in the sport, recreation and journalism industries. Students can expect to find employment in areas such as sports journalism, sports broadcasting, sports webcasting or positions in a sports agency, team or league or as a corporate media information officer.

The course consists of a core of five communication subjects (one of which is 16 points), a core of seven journalism subjects (two of which are 16 points), a compulsory journalism subject in either the Print or Broadcast strand, and sixteen sport studies subjects.

Core Communication

COM108 Video Production
COM111 Professional Writing
COM115 Media Audiences & Public Opinion
COM130 Media Production and Presentation (16 points)
COM340 Social Media

Core Journalism

JRN101 Newswriting
JRN112 Principles of Journalism
JRN215 Reporting (16 Points)
JRN317 Research Methods in Journalism
JRN324 Journalism 3
JRN325 Journalism Internship
JRN326 Professional Journalism Communication Practice (16 pts)

Print Journalism strand

JRN203 Print Journalism 2

or

Broadcast Journalism strand

JRN204 Broadcast Journalism 2

Sport Studies Core

EHR101 Sociocultural Foundations of Human Movement
EHR108 Economics & Politics of the Sports Industry
EHR109 Introduction to Sport and Exercise Behaviour
EHR116 Research Essentials in Human Movement
EHR117 The Exercise Science Professional
EHR126 Sports Media 1
EHR213 Applied Psychology for Sport and Exercise
EHR215 Health and Physical Activity Promotion
EHR217 Principles of Sport Coaching and Performance
EHR220 Sports Media 2
EHR303 Contemporary Issues in Physical Activity
EHR322 Major Sporting Events in Society
EHR327 Indigenous People: Sport, Identity & Culture
EHR328 Ethics in Sport
EHR405 Legal Concepts and the Sporting Industry
EHR408 Sporting Contract & Employment

Enrolment pattern

Session 1 - Year 1

COM111 Professional Writing
COM130 Media Production and Presentation (16 pts commences)
EHR101 Sociocultural Foundations of Human Movement
JRN112 Principles of Journalism

Session 2 - Year 1

COM130 Media Production and Presentation (16 pts concludes)
EHR116 Research Essentials in Human Movement
EHR126 Sports Media 1
JRN101 Newswriting

Session 1 - Year 2

COM108 Video Production
EHR108 Economics & Politics of the Sports Industry
JRN215 Reporting (16 pts)

Session 2 - Year 2

COM115 Media Audiences & Public Opinion
EHR117 The Exercise Science Professional
EHR322 Major Sporting Events in Society
Either:
JRN203 Print Journalism 2
or:
JRN204 Broadcast Journalism 2

Session 1 - Year 3

EHR109 Introduction to Sport & Exercise Behaviour
EHR405 Legal Concepts and the Sporting Industry
JRN317 Research Methods in Journalism
JRN324 Journalism 3

Session 2 - Year 3

EHR215 Health and Physical Activity Promotion
EHR303 Contemporary Issues in Physical Activity
EHR328 Ethics in Sport
EHR408 Sporting Contract & Employment

Session 1 - Year 4

COM340 Social Media
EHR217 Principles of Sports Coaching & Performance
EHR220 Sports Media 2
EHR327 Indigenous People:  Sport, Identity & Culture

Session 2 - Year 4

EHR213 Applied Psychology for Sport and Exercise
JRN325 Journalism Internship
JRN326 Professional Journalism Communication Practice (16 pts)

Special admission requirements

Literacy requirement

To be successful at studies within certain courses, students must be highly competent in spoken and written English literacy.

All students who do not have this level of competence in spoken and written English will be required to independently organise some form of coaching in English literacy, such as a short TAFE course or other form of tuition to improve their skills. Students will be advised of their options by the Head of School from the campus where they are enrolled.

If, after an agreed period of study in English literacy, a student's English literacy standard has not improved, the appropriate Head of School will provide further advice with regard to alternative career options.

Workplace learning

There is a total of 200 hours of practicum across the program. Students are responsible for organising appropriate sites in which to undertake their practicum and need to meet any site-related requirements and associated costs.

The practicum-related subjects are:

  • EEE303 Training Design and Assessment
  • EPT320 High Level Facilitation Skills for Post Compulsory Education
  • EPT322 Training in Workplaces
  • EPT327 Effective Teaching in VET

Admission requirements

To be admitted into the course, prospective students need to indicate their likelihood of success through:

  1. previous studies, and
  2. 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

Applicants will be deemed to have sufficient English proficiency if they:

  • have completed all their formal studies in one or more of the following countries; or
  • were born in one of the following countries and have completed at least one qualification in one of those countries; or
  • have completed senior secondary study or at least one year of full-time University study in one of the following countries: American Samoa, Australia, Canada, Fiji, Ireland, Kenya, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, United Kingdom, USA, Zambia
    or
  • have successfully completed one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) post-secondary study at an affiliate institution of the University, with English as the medium of instruction and assessment.

All other applicants must explicitly demonstrate proficiency.

Acceptable tests for English proficiency

Any of the following results, attained within the last two years, can be used to demonstrate English proficiency:

  • an Academic IELTS (International English Language Testing System) overall score of at least 6.0, and with no score below 5.5;
  • a TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) paper-based score of 550 and TWE of 5.0;
  • a TOEFL computer-based score of 213 and Essay Rating of 5;
  • a TOEFL internet-based score of 80 for undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs, and 90 for postgraduate research candidates with a minimum score of 25 in the writing section.
  • a Combined Universities Admission Test (CULT) overall score of at least 65;
  • a C pass in English at the GCE 'A' level examinations in either Singapore or the United Kingdom;
  • completion of the International Baccalaureate diploma with English A2 at higher or sub. Level;
  • a C pass in 'Use of English' in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE);
  • completion of the UNSW Foundation Studies Certificate with a C pass in 'Use of English';
  • completion of an AQF Certificate IV (including English for Academic Purposes);
  • successful completion of at least one year of study in a course at Associate Diploma or Diploma level on the Register of Australian Tertiary Education;
  • a score of 155 in the verbal component of the STAT test;
  • a Pass grade in the Uniworld English College English for Tertiary Entrance course; or
  • IRI Diploma of English.

An applicant who does not otherwise meet the University's requirements may be admitted on the recommendation of the Dean of the appropriate faculty.

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.

National Criminal Record Check 

Students may be required to undergo a criminal record check and/or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration under the Child Protection Act 1998 as part of professional experience requirements. These checks are intended to identify people who might, because of convictions for such things as violence or sexual offences, put students/clients' personal safety or health at risk. Traffic violations and other minor offences are not of interest.

As such, prospective students should be aware that an inability to obtain a criminal record clearance or complete a Prohibited Employment Declaration may limit practicum opportunities in some organisations and industries. Furthermore, criminal convictions involving violence or sexual offences may limit continued enrolment in a course and/or employment opportunities after completing the course.

If you have any queries regarding these matters, including the opportunities available for review of a particular case, contact the Course Director.

csp



Apply now

This course is available to commence study in

Session 1; Session 2

Australian and New Zealand students

Apply through UAC

Full-time on campus study commencing in Session 1 or Session 2

Admission code: 213377

International Students

Apply online

Admission code: IEJS

Mail your application

Recruitment agent

Contact a Recruitment agent in your country who can answer your questions about CSU as well as help with the student visa application process.

Prospective Student Inquiries

Australian campus business hours are Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm, Australian Eastern Time (GMT +10).

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