Why Bachelor of Journalism?
Interested in a field that combines journalism’s storytelling and investigative skills with strategic communication?
Create influential content that connects with audiences across digital, social and traditional media platforms. From crafting powerful messages for brands to reporting on pivotal societal issues, you could lead conversations and shape perceptions.
Be the creative mind behind a viral campaign, a trusted advisor on crisis communication or a storyteller bringing important issues to a wide audience.
Whether you're influencing public opinion or guiding a brand's voice, you’ll have the skills to make a lasting impact on the way people see and engage with the world.
Overview
The Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Strategic Communication gives you the essential skills to excel in a variety of media and communication roles.
You'll learn how to create powerful messages that resonate across digital, print and broadcast platforms. This degree combines foundational and advanced knowledge in journalism with a focus on strategic approaches to communicating key messages.
Build expertise in storytelling, branding and audience engagement. Gain an understanding of ethical and legal considerations so you’re prepared to navigate complex media scenarios.
Through practical experience and industry-aligned projects, you'll apply your skills in real-world settings. By graduation, you’ll be ready to shape public perception, drive awareness and communicate effectively in roles such as a corporate affairs strategist, communications manager, journalist or public relations specialist.
Key features
Master the art of crafting compelling stories that connect with diverse audiences. - Gain skills in brand messaging, media relations and digital communication.
- Learn to create communications for social media, TV, video, audio and print.
- Understand media law, ethics and policy for responsible reporting.
- Build expertise in crisis communication and public relations strategies.
- Develop hands-on experience through industry placement and/or a real-world project.
What you'll learn
In the Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Strategic Communication at Adelaide University, you’ll develop both journalism and strategic communication skills that prepare you for a diverse range of media and strategic communication roles.
In your first year, you’ll build a strong foundation in journalism principles and storytelling techniques. Courses cover essential skills in news writing, audio journalism and multimedia journalism.
You’ll also explore how brands use imagery and narrative to connect with audiences. This knowledge will help you understand the basics of effective strategic communication.
In your second year you’ll focus on more specialised areas of communication. Learn about media law, policy and ethics, which will ensure you have a solid grounding in responsible reporting.
Other courses covered include:
- Feature writing
- Media relations
- Writing for strategic communication.
These topics will give you the skills to craft messages tailored to specific audiences and tell important public interest stories.
Explore digital and social media management and gain hands-on experience managing content across various platforms.
In the final year, you’ll explore advanced topics like investigative journalism, constructive journalism and media politics. Courses in strategic communication theory and practice will refine your ability to craft and implement effective communication strategies.
Through a professional placement or project, you’ll gain practical experience and apply what you've learned in a real-world setting.
Graduate with a versatile skill set, ready to take on roles where strong communication skills are essential such as in media, public relations, social media management and more.
Majors
The Bachelor of Journalism is also available with majors in:
This degree is also available without a major.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 90 units for Core courses, and
- Either:
- 48 units for one Major from Majors, or
- 48 units for Electives, and
- 6 units for all Work integrated learning
Complete 90 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 72 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1026
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Image, Brand and Narrative
|
Course code
MDIA1019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Relations
|
Course code
MDIA2009
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Writing for Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital and Social Media Management
|
Course code
MDIA2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Strategic Communication Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media, Politics and Activism
|
Course code
MDIA2008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Communication in Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3016
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Image, Brand and Narrative
|
Course code
MDIA1019
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1026
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Writing for Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Digital and Social Media Management
|
Course code
MDIA2005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media, Politics and Activism
|
Course code
MDIA2008
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media Relations
|
Course code
MDIA2009
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Advanced Strategic Communication Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Strategic Communication in Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3016
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1026
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Image, Brand and Narrative
|
Course code
MDIA1019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Relations
|
Course code
MDIA2009
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Writing for Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital and Social Media Management
|
Course code
MDIA2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Strategic Communication Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media, Politics and Activism
|
Course code
MDIA2008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Communication in Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3016
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1026
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Image, Brand and Narrative
|
Course code
MDIA1019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Relations
|
Course code
MDIA2009
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Writing for Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital and Social Media Management
|
Course code
MDIA2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Strategic Communication Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media, Politics and Activism
|
Course code
MDIA2008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Communication in Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3016
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units comprising:
- 48 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA1026
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Image, Brand and Narrative
|
Course code
MDIA1019
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Relations
|
Course code
MDIA2009
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Writing for Strategic Communication
|
Course code
MDIA2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Digital and Social Media Management
|
Course code
MDIA2005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Advanced Strategic Communication Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Media, Politics and Activism
|
Course code
MDIA2008
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Strategic Communication in Practice
|
Course code
MDIA3016
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
With a Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Strategic Communication at Adelaide University, you could find yourself as a communications advisor for top companies like Apple, Telstra or Coca-Cola, shaping public perception and driving brand loyalty.
You could work for a major media organisation as a reporter or a teller of complex and important stories. Or you might work in international organisations like the United Nations or World Health Organisation, crafting powerful messages that inform and guide global audiences.
If you’re drawn to advocacy, roles with non-profits like Amnesty International or Greenpeace offer a chance to use strategic communication to amplify meaningful causes. From corporate PR to journalism to digital marketing and public affairs, this degree opens doors to diverse opportunities, preparing you to thrive in any fast-paced communication role.
Industry trends
The role of a strategic communications specialist is becoming increasingly important as organisations put greater emphasis on crisis management and reputation protection (ANZSOG, Crisis Communications, 2020).
Social and digital platforms have become the primary sources for media and information consumption. As a graduate of Adelaide University, you’ll have a mix of traditional and digital skills, analytical thinking and the ability to adapt quickly to new platforms and audience expectations.
Ready to apply?
Please note that a non-refundable application fee of AUD$150 applies for every application submitted to Adelaide University.
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
