Information for students

The School of Communication offers undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree research courses in the following disciplines:

• digital and social media
• media arts and production
• journalism
• social and political sciences
• creative writing
• media business
• writing and publishing
• strategic communication
• music and sound design
• animation production
• media practice and industry
• advanced journalism
• sports media

The school takes a hands-on approach to communication education. Students learn the theory and how to apply it with real-world assessments, professional placements and regular interaction with industry.

In the School of Communication, part of being work-ready is learning the 'tools of the trade'. Students study in custom-built facilities stocked with the same equipment that they would use in a professional workplace.

Many of our staff come from industry, or combine their teaching responsibilities with ongoing professional practice. This means they bring a unique blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on expertise into the classroom. The school has developed and retained strong industry networks that open doors for students  and enable industry partners to contribute to the content that is taught.

Location, contacts and inquiries

UTS Student Centre

The UTS Student Centre is the initial and primary point of contact for all coursework students. Students should deal with the student centre in all matters affecting their studies. This includes enrolment, exemptions, timetable matters, examination and assessment, as well as a wide range of student administration procedures.

School of Communication students should contact the UTS Building 10 Student Centre. Opening hours vary during session.

Building 10 Student Centre
Level 2, 235 Jones Street,
Ultimo, NSW 2007
telephone 1300 ask UTS (1300 275 887)
Ask UTS
UTS: Communication

Research Degrees Administrator

The Research Degrees Administrator provides assistance and advice to postgraduate research students.

email FASS.FRO@uts.edu.au

FASS Student Study Guide

The FASS Student Study Guide presents a range of information that applies across the wider UTS and faculty level, which all students need to be aware of. The information consists of:

• policies, rules and services
• location and contact details

The information provided is drawn from a number of sources:

• UTS Handbook
• UTS Calendar
• UTS Policies and VC Directives
• Student and Related Rules
• Subject Outlines

In some cases the information is only provided in summary form, with an indication of where further details can be found. Additional and more comprehensive information is provided in the official UTS sources that are located on the FASS and UTS websites.

It is important that this guide is read in conjunction with the subject outline for the specific subject(s) in which students are enrolled.

Course transfer

If students wish to change from one course at UTS to another course at UTS, they may be eligible to apply for a course transfer.

Prizes and awards

The School of Communication offers a range of prizes and awards that recognise academic excellence. Top performing students are selected based on the prize criteria.

Student internships

The School of Communication encourages students to undertake internships throughout their course. Internships give students a chance to take what they've learnt in the classroom and apply it in a real-world work environment. They prepare students for life after UTS, and give them a taste of some of the career options available to them.

Graduate attributes

The faculty has six broad graduate attributes, which are each addressed in coursework degrees via one or more course intended learning outcomes (CILOs).

A graduate from the UTS School of Communication is expected to possess the following graduate attributes:

1. professional readiness
2. critical and creative inquiry
3. international and intercultural engagement
4. Indigenous competencies
5. active citizenship
6. effective communication.

Academic contacts, support and inquiries

Heads of Discipline

The School of Communication has academic representatives that act as coordinators in each of the disciplines. They look after course and subject matters, quality enhancement, marketing and student management for their respective discipline.

Academic liaison officer

The School of Communication has an academic liaison officer (ALO) who can assist students:

• with disabilities and/or ongoing health conditions
• with carer responsibilities, or students who are pregnant

ALOs are responsible for approving assessment arrangements for these cohorts of students.

Responsible academic officers (RAOs)

The School of Communication has a responsible academic officer who oversees assessment procedures and resolves conflicts relating to assessment.

Accessibility service

The accessibility service is the University's central contact point for all students living with one or more disabilities, medical or mental health conditions. It provides assistance and support to access services, and to make requests for assessment arrangements and reasonable adjustments.

HELPS

Higher Education Language and Presentation Support (HELPS) provides non-credited English language and academic literacy support to UTS undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students. HELPS can assist students by providing individual and group support in a friendly and respectful environment.

School of Communication websites

• Future students
• Current students
• FASS HDR Staff Connect

International exchange and study abroad

Local students

Students at UTS can study overseas as part of their degree through either global exchange or by study abroad.

Being an exchange student provides the opportunity to study and travel overseas, to experience and learn from the perspectives of other cultures, and to develop alternative ways of thinking and a new approach to learning.

Global exchange

The School of Communication encourages all undergraduate students to undertake global exchange.

The UTS Global Exchange program allows students to study overseas for one or two teaching sessions at a UTS partner university in Asia, Europe or the Americas. With over 240 exchange partners in over 40 countries and territories, UTS has one of the largest international exchange programs in Australia.

While students are studying overseas, they remain enrolled full time at UTS, continue to pay their tuition fees at UTS and receive credit towards their UTS degree. In most cases, they are able to combine travel and study without adding extra time to their studies.

Study abroad

The UTS Study Abroad program allows students enrolled at UTS to study at any recognised university or college worldwide. For study abroad the institution does not have to be a UTS partner. Study abroad attracts a tuition fee based on the number of subject credit points studied at the other institution.

International students

The School of Communication welcomes students from around the world. Our courses reflect Australia's multicultural character and its cultural, commercial, media and technological links to other countries and communities. UTS is committed to the internationalisation of all its courses, which prepare students for fulfilling lives and productive careers in a globalised world. A number of staff in the School of Communication have lived and studied overseas and maintain international connections in the arts, media, business and research.

UTS International provides information and assistance for prospective international students.

Exchange and study abroad

Students who are already enrolled in an overseas university course and who wish to study in Australia for one or two sessions can enrol in subjects through international exchange or study abroad arrangements. Exchange students come from institutions with which UTS has a student exchange agreement and pay fees through their home institution. Study abroad students apply directly and pay fees to UTS as their university does not have a formal exchange agreement.

Subject selection

Undergraduate students can apply to enrol in subjects listed in the individual undergraduate programs. Note that access to subjects in media arts and production is restricted to students who have already completed introductory subjects in these areas at their home institution.

Postgraduate students can select from the range of subjects listed in individual postgraduate programs.

• Students must meet the subject prerequisite requirements indicated in the subject descriptions.
• Students are also advised to ensure that the subjects they select satisfy course requirements at their home institution.

Undergraduate and postgraduate courses

International students can apply for any of the full-time courses offered by the School of Communication that appear in this handbook.

Australian Language and Culture Studies

The Australian Language and Culture Studies program provides English language development through the study of Australian society and culture. Subjects may be undertaken only by study abroad or exchange students who have an English language test score lower than the UTS entry requirement.

The English proficiency requirement for international students or local applicants with international qualifications is IELTS: 5.0-6.0 overall with a writing score of 5.0; TOEFL: paper based: 417-549 overall with TWE of 3.0, internet based: 35-78 overall with a writing score of 17.

Students may study subjects in the program for one session then take an IELTS or TOEFL test. Students who then meet the UTS entry requirements can enrol in UTS faculty subjects for the second session via UTS Exchange. The subjects available in the program are:

• 59709 Australian Conversations
• 59722 Neighbourhoods and Stories
• 59711 Natural Australia
• 59712 Australian Language Studies
• 59713 Australian Media
• 59714 Australians at Work

Further information is available from UTS International:

telephone + 61 2 9514 1798
fax + 61 2 9514 7843
email studyabroad.exchange@uts.edu.au

Diploma in Languages

The Diploma in Languages (C20059) is designed to be taken concurrently with an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree program. It facilitates university students' learning about language and culture and thereby broadens the opportunities associated with their professional degree.

This course allows students to gain exposure to international perspectives and consolidate their linguistic capabilities in a language other than English. Language options include: Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese and Spanish. Language and culture subjects taken throughout the diploma draw on the UTS Model of Learning, which combines international and intercultural engagement with blended and research-inspired learning.

Academic English Program

Academic English – the language students are required to understand (when listening and reading) and produce (in writing and speaking) at university – has special features, which makes it different from the language people use in other contexts.

Postgraduate or undergraduate coursework students who have been identified as benefiting from developing their academic language skills are strongly encouraged to undertake Academic English: Communication Fundamentals (8cp or 6cp) as an elective.