Warning! There have been changes to the course - please refer to the transition information
Undergraduate CUR-NET-DEG-2023
Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media)
The digital world needs technically literate communicators
Study digital publishing, virtual collaboration and social networks alongside networked technologies, regulation and the economics of the internet. Take electives in media, design, IT and marketing to secure skills that are coveted by every industry.
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Study method
100% online
Price
From
$38,409
Total subjects
24
Assessments
100% online
CSP Available
Yes
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- 12 Nov 23
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
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Degree structure
Core subjects
Major subjects
Elective subjects
Degree
Degree details
What you'll learn
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- understand and apply key concepts of Internet Studies and apply trans-disciplinary thinking to the application and creation of ideas concerning networked technologies of information and communication
- think critically, creatively and reflectively so as to imagine, design, use and critique networked technologies of information and communication
- conduct appropriate scholarly and professional research to find, access, organise, evaluate and synthesise information through a variety of media and apply that information to the construction of knowledge
- communicate and facilitate communication through a variety of media, for different purposes, and for different audiences
- use the Internet and related networked technologies of information and communication with an understanding of the complex interaction of political, cultural, and economic forces that constitutes technology as social
- further develop skills and knowledge through self-directed learning
- understand the complex interplay of local, national and global factors that influence and are expressed through the Internet and networked technologies of information and communication
- recognise and value cultural difference and understand its significance in relation to network technologies and their use in society for communication and information
- act ethically and responsibly to use, sustain and expand the social, business and cultural networks that exist via the Internet, when working independently and in teams.
Career opportunities
The internet is now an essential part of the media and communications environment in society and is part of most people’s everyday lives. The BA (Digital and Social Media) will enable you, depending on the choices you make in the subjects you study, to work in a number of fields of employment: internet communications, social media, marketing and public relations; internet content management; internet policy and regulation; online research and analysis; communities; website design and development; online media production; web publishing and more. Your studies will also lead to careers in more traditional media and information industries that are now moving online, as well as any corporate entity, public or private, that utilise online communications.
Entry requirements
Higher education via OUA
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- Successful completion of Humanities Pathway OR
- Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies English language proficiency requirement) OR
- Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.
Higher education
- Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required)
Secondary education
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc
VET studies
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.
Work and Life
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
- Finished secondary education more than two years ago
- Bridging and enabling degree entry
- Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
- Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications -https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/overseas-qualifications/
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
- Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Credit for previous study or work
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.
To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Description
This degree was previously known as Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications).
The Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) provides you with an opportunity to learn in detail about the human dimensions of the Internet: how people network, collaborate, and share information through Internet communications, media and design. You will develop advanced skills in creating, maintaining and managing online communications for personal and commercial interactions, as well as gaining knowledge of the social and cultural contexts within which those interactions occur.
The approach is interdisciplinary: you develop skills in website design, public communication, social network management, collaboration and web media production. At the same time you will understand the political, economic and social changes associated with the Internet.
By combining this degree with recommended electives in media, design, business, information technology, marketing, and other disciplines, you will create the right degree program for you to become an astute, engaged professional communicator via the Internet.
Students may choose to study the following combinations of two single majors to obtain the double major award:
- Digital and Social Media and Visual Culture
- Digital and Social Media and Professional Writing & Publishing
- Digital Design and Digital and Social Media
- Fine Art and Digital and Social Media
Please refer to the respective degree pages for more details.
Degree structure details
Recommended Study Pattern
If you haven't studied at university level before, the OUA Pathways (please see Option 1 below) is one entry path that you can follow. OUA Pathways is ideal for students who want a structured start to their studies. Learn more about OUA Pathways
If you have studied at university level before, please follow Option 2.
If you're already enrolled in this degree, please continue with your Level 1 subjects, followed by the Level 2 and Level 3 Major subjects.
Option 1 - Pathways
- Step 1 - Complete 4 subjects from the Humanities Pathway table below.
- Step 2 - If you did not complete COM155 Culture to Cultures as part of the Humanities Pathways subject, you will need to complete this subject now. If you have completed COM155 Culture to Cultures as part of the Humanities Pathways subjects, please proceed to Step 3.
- Step 3 - Complete NET102 and WEB101 in Level 1 Major Subjects
- Step 4 - Complete all Level 2 and 3 Major subjects
- Step 5 - Complete the remaining electives
Option 2
- Step 1 - Complete APC100 and COM155 in the 'Common Level 1 Subjects' table
- Step 2 - Complete NET102 and WEB101 in Level 1 Major Subjects
- Step 3 - Complete all Level 2 and 3 Major subjects
- Step 4 - Complete 12 electives
All students are strongly advised to contact the Degree Coordinator directly for advice internetstudies@curtin.edu.au.
Award Requirements
To qualify for the Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media), students must complete 24 subjects of study, comprising of:
-
2 common core subjects (APC100 and COM155),
-
10 Major subjects in Digital and Social Media in Levels 1, 2 and 3), AND
- 12 elective subjects.
Please Note: For whichever category of Electives subjects, only a maximum of 2 Level 1 subjects are allowed for enrolment.
Choose your subjects
Majors
Students who have successfully gained recognition of prior learning will not be required to complete as many electives and/or humanities subjects. You must contact the Course Coordinator to discuss recognition of prior learning before you select your subjects.
Electives
Some suggested elective streams are listed that you may wish to consider: digital design, fine arts/visual culture, information studies, writing, social sciences. These have been chosen as suggested complements to your major, however, they are not the only options possible (as long as you ensure you have the requisite mix of 1st, 2nd and 3rd year electives as stated above). Please contact the Course Coordinator if you have any questions or concerns about your study plan.
Please Note: When choosing electives, students need to consider whether there may be prerequisite requirements. In some cases these can be waived – please consult with the relevant coordinators for those subjects.
For whichever category of Electives subjects, only a maximum of 2 Level 1 subjects are allowed for enrolment. You must do at least 4 Level 2 or 3 electives unless given permission to vary this requirement. You do not have to study all the electives in one stream.
Registering in this degree
We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform https://students.connect.curtin.edu.au/app/ask and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.
Transition arrangements
2020 Changes:
Degree structure changes
Degree Title Change: The Bachelor of Arts (Internet Communications) has been changed to Bachelor of Arts( Digital and Social Media) to reflect current relevancy and recognition within this industry.
From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Digital and Social Media) will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.
Level 1:
- Two humanities core subjects; APC100, COM155,
- Two Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET102 and WEB101
- Four Elective subjects OR Two Second Major subjects and Two Optional subjects
Level 2:
- Four Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET204, NET205, WEB206 and WEB207
- Four Elective subjects OR Four Second Major subjects
Level 3:
- Four Digital and Social Media major subjects; NET303, WEB300, WEB310 and NET308 OR NET391
- Four Elective subjects OR Four Second Major subjects
Subject Changes
- Electives - Humanities Level 1 subjects MCA100 and MED104 will be offered for the last time in SP1 and SP3, 2020.
- Humanities Level 1 subjects MCA110 and MCA120 are no longer available as of SP1 2020. Students who have previously completed these will have these subjects credited towards their degree.
- NET390 Internet Communications Project has been changed to NET391 Digital and Social Media Communications project to be in line with the title of the major and is now an option subject for NET308 Internet Collaboration and Innovation to allow more flexibility and bring the former into the line-up of core subjects. NET390 Internet Communications Project was previously a double subject.
Existing students will need to select from the available subjects to complete the BA (Digital and Social Media) degree.
Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which major structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education. Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes.
Students with enquiries please email:
Digital and Social Media Major Coordinator: Elaine Tay internetstudies@exchange.curtin.edu.au
Easy apply
You can apply direct through Open Universities Australia.
Once you've checked your eligibility, apply and enrol for this degree following the steps. This degree also allows you to get started with Open access.
Select ‘Apply now’
Choose subjects to begin your application. You can choose 1 or 2 subjects to start.
Choose how you want to start
You can apply for the full degree or if you want to start with Open access, enrol into the subjects using the ‘Single subjects’ option.
You can apply for the degree later and the subjects may be credited towards the degree.
Complete your details
Provide your details and select a funding option. You can pay up-front or apply for government funding in your application.
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Open access
This degree offers Open access entry, exclusive to Open Universities Australia.
There’s more than one way to get a degree. Open access allows you to start with single subjects as a way into eligible degrees, regardless of your study history.
Enrol into and complete the required Open access subjects to earn entry in this degree. Most subjects have no entry requirements, are fully government funded (if you’re eligible) and may be credited when you start the degree.
The best part? You can enrol and get started with single subjects now.