Bachelor of Media / Social Sciences
- Commencing Terms
- Term 1, 2 & 3
- Duration
- 4 Year(s)
- Delivery Mode
- Face-to-face (includes blended)
- Campus
-
Kensington
- Codes
- UAC code 422302
- Program code 3345
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $16,500*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $69,000*
-
2025 Indicative first year full fee
- $46,000*
-
2025 Indicative full fee to complete degree
- $200,000*
Fees
Fees
-
State-of-the-art facilities
-
Work-integrated courses
-
International exchange
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The Bachelor of Media / Bachelor of Social Sciences program is a four-year double degree that develops meaningful communication skills and prepares you for making authentic societal impacts. Learn strategies to interest, inform, and inspire others while discovering how to bring about positive change through political influence.
Social scientists inform public debate and shape the policies that affect society. They analyse and understand myriad political, international, social, environmental, and economic challenges through social research skills and real-life experience. You’ll blend comprehensive social knowledge and analytical skills with specialist strategies for public relations and advertising, communications and journalism, screen production, cinema studies, or media studies.
Prepare to enlighten the future through creative thinking, problem-solving, professional persuasion, and communication. You'll build industry knowledge, learning from experts in practical and theoretical classes. With solid opportunities for work experiences in Australia and overseas, you’ll unlock the expertise needed to establish a global career with a positive impact.
Key features
World-leading researchers and practitioners
Learn from teachers who are also world-leading researchers, breaking new ground in understanding how media work, from artificial intelligence to activism, to the politics of race and gender. Have your skills honed by experienced practitioners, many of whom still make films, grow brands, and write for leading publications. Glean deep insights from industry leaders who appear as guest speakers in the classroom.
Purpose-driven community
Become part of a collective dedicated to solving global issues. Diverse classmates, teachers, researchers, and practitioners support your goals and share knowledge. Develop influential diplomacy and collaboration skills through student-led organisations and volunteer groups. Our community focuses on resolving global challenges through collaboration.
Practical experience, here and overseas
Take advantage of our opportunities to build outstanding employability. Learn industry technologies in state-of-the-art production spaces. Connect with our industry partners on internships or international projects. Confidence comes with experience, and this double degree integrates professional development at every level.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
- We're ranked #1 in Australia and =#23 globally for social sciences and management (QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2025)
- State-of-the-art production spaces
- Practical, work-integrated courses
- Access close ties to the media industry
- International study exchange opportunities
- A diverse, creative, and inclusive community
- Connect with a global alumni network
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
Portfolio Entry
At UNSW ADA, you will find the freedom and support to design the future you want. An ADA Portfolio Entry submission will demonstrate your passions alongside your best work, to boost your chances of admission to a bachelor’s degree of your choice. For more information and to see specific guidelines for portfolio submissions visit UNSW Portfolio Entry. , opens in a new window
Assumed knowledge
None
Demonstrate your passions and skills alongside your ATAR. Depending on your preferred degree, you'll complete either a critical reflection or a portfolio, with successful applicants receiving an early conditional offer with an adjusted ATAR entry requirement for their preferred degree. See more information about [UNSW Admission Pathways] (https://www.unsw.edu.au/study/how-to-apply/undergraduate/admission-pathways/portfolio-entry).
Adjustment Factors
We offer a range of adjustment factor schemes that reward students for academic performance and extra-curricular achievements. These schemes also take into account a range of personal and educational disadvantages that may have affected your studies.
HSC Plus
This scheme rewards students who perform well in Year 12 subjects that are relevant to their preferred UNSW degree. You may be awarded up to five points.
Elite Athletes, Performers and Leaders (EAPL)
This program recognises achievements in the areas of sport, academia, leadership and music at an elite level. You may be eligible for up to five points.
Educational Access Scheme (EAS), opens in a new window
Factors such as illness, financial hardship, language difficulties or attending a particular school can mean you don't always get the best possible marks in Years 11 and 12. If one of these situations applies to you, submit an application for the Educational Access Scheme (EAS) via UAC. Eligible students can receive between 1 and 10 points towards their chosen UNSW degree.
Admission pathways
Your ATAR is not the only measure of your potential to succeed, which is why we offer a range of pathways into university. Explore your options below and get in touch with our Future Student Advisers to discuss your path to UNSW.
Gateway Admission Pathway
This scheme is open to students who attend Gateway schools, live in a low-socioeconomic area based on IRSAD and IEO indexes of SEIFA criteria, or are an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person. It adjusts the ATAR requirements for your preferred UNSW degree and provides early offers and early conditional offers to UNSW.
Entry programs for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
We offer entry programs for Indigenous Australians, including the Indigenous Preparatory Programs and the Indigenous Admission Scheme (IAS). The entry pathway program you apply for will depend on the degree you want to study.
UNSW Prep Program
If you want to study at UNSW but faced challenges in year 11 and 12 that make you eligible for the UNSW ACCESS Scheme, but you don't meet the cut-off for degree entry, consider UNSW Prep.
UNSW Prep is a one-year (18 months for Engineering) pathway to a UNSW degree place. You'll study subjects that allow you to develop your academic skills, including maths skills if needed, so that you can achieve your best results. You also study degree level courses from week one, to give you a realistic introduction to university level study. If you do well in these courses you can earn course credit towards your degree.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
International direct entry
| Qualifications | Direct entry requirement |
|---|---|
|
International ATAR
|
75.0
|
| UNSW Foundation Studies GPA |
6.9
|
|
Great Britain General Certificate of Education (GCE A levels)
|
10.0
|
|
International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB)
|
27.0
|
|
Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) (after 2016)
|
1130.0
|
We do not accept secondary qualifications from this country. We may accept tertiary study results, please contact us for more information.
Please contact us for direct entry requirements.
Admission pathways
If you do not meet the requirements for direct entry into your chosen degree, you may be eligible for a pathway program with UNSW College. UNSW College provides alternative entry options using university-approved content so that you can start your UNSW journey with confidence.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.
For more details, visit the English Language Requirements page.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Study areas
Combine your interests for a unique career connected to your talents and passions. In a double degree, you focus on two areas of expertise to graduate with more knowledge, skills, and career options. Despite the name, it's not double the workload. A double degree combines the core components of two programs. You'll graduate with two certificates sooner than studying two consecutive degrees. Choose one media specialisation and one social sciences major.
Full program structure
In the Bachelor of Media / Bachelor of Social Sciences you’ll choose a specialisation in media and in social sciences. The program consists of 32 individual courses, which are the 16 disciplinary courses of each degree. As a full-time student, you’ll typically study eight courses a year. You can study part-time and also take advantage of a flexible study load. For detailed information on the full program structure, visit the handbook, opens in a new window.
Future careers
More than just a foot in the door or a pathway towards landing your first job, this degree will set you up with the professional and creative skills you’ll need to thrive throughout your career. Turn your time with us into a future that celebrates your passion and purpose.
How to apply
Applications for undergraduate study from domestic students (Australian citizens, Australian permanent residents, Australian permanent humanitarian visa holders and New Zealand citizens) are processed by the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).
Visit the Apply section of the UAC website, opens in a new window and you can nominate up to five degrees in order of preference, with the first being your most desired degree and university.
On-time applications for admission usually close at the end of September each year for Term 1 admission. Late applications can be submitted, but a late fee will apply. For study starting in Term 1, the majority of offers are made in December and January. Visit the UAC website, opens in a new window for key dates for admission outside of Term 1.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
*If you are an international student studying an Australian qualification, go to the Universities Admission Centre (UAC), opens in a new window for application and UAC key dates. Note: If you are under 18 years of age, you need to make special arrangements. Read more.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
Commonwealth Supported Place: Student Contribution Band 4
*The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 based on a standard full-time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The actual student contribution you will be liable for depends on your individual program of study and the calendar year in which you enrol. Actual fees are calculated upon enrolment. Student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the university and may increase each year during your studies (subject to caps determined by the Australian Government), effective at the start of each calendar year.
The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only - other fees and charges are not included.
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only, other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
QS World University Rankings, 2025
AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020-2025
#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders
The student community collectively inspire and encourage my individual career goals.
