Master of Communication

Advance your career

A Master of Communication at Bond, allows graduates to complement their dynamic and flexible skills with a deep understanding of theory and practice. By building upon previously acquired knowledge with problem-solving skills and a high level of written communication, graduates can differentiate themselves in the industry.

The Bond difference

Master of Communication student skydives blindfolded to raise awareness
Brad Hutchins participated in the PRC (Project Rescue Children) Blindfold Challenge to raise awareness of child kidnapping and human trafficking. This practical campaign was stimulated as part of the Public Relations Masterclass (PUBR71-102) offered to Postgraduate students.

Postgraduate intensive course Social Media: Risks and Opportunities examines how to manage social media and how to take advantage of the opportunities social media presents. Find out about the intensive-mode course from the perspective of a professor and student.

Ross Healy | Bachelor of Communication & Master of Communication graduate
Our Alumni are travelling at the speed of social! From his home base in Melbourne Australia, Bond University Alumnus Ross shares how Bond prepared him for a career that didn’t even exist when he was studying.

Dissertation/Portfolio options

The Master of Communication at Bond allows students to choose from multiple dissertation/portfolio options. These dissertation/portfolio options allow students to develop their research and communication skills in an area of interest. Students can choose from a variety of research topics across areas, including, but not limited to: Journalism, Advertising, Social Media, Marketing, and Public Relations. Students are mentored and supervised by the University’s highly skilled and recognised academics, with vast experience in the industry.

Intensive delivery mode (Postgraduate)

The Master of Communication is delivered in intensive mode. Intensive Mode Delivery is a compact and time efficient way to complete a postgraduate qualification with minimal impact on professional and personal lifestyles. Subjects are generally delivered in either standard intensive or mixed mode. Standard Intensive delivery is generally scheduled over two weekends during the semester with two sets of three-day sessions per subject, usually scheduled Thursday to Saturday (approximately six to eight contact hours per day) with a break of four or five weeks between session one and session two of each subject. Mixed mode subjects will include a mixture of compulsory online activities and on-campus workshops. International students are required to be on campus every week. This mode of delivery will not impact the duration of the degree length.

Combined degree option

Master of Communication / Master of Project Management

Try before you apply with a Postgraduate Test Drive

A Test Drive gives you the opportunity take a postgraduate degree for a spin and sample what your student experience would be like at Bond. Come and talk to us about your career goals and how we can tailor a journey to help you achieve them.

Learn more

Postgraduate scholarships

As part of Bond University's 30^th Anniversary celebrations in 2019, we are offering a number of partial tuition fee scholarships to high achieving domestic students applying to commence postgraduate studies at Bond University in 2019 or 2020.

Learn more

Testimonials

"I began my time at Bond University in the Student for a Semester program while still in high school where I studied Writing for News Media, thinking I’d like a career in Journalism. Owing to a changing media landscape, I choose to study a Bachelor of Communication and then after a year of agency work in Europe, returned to complete a Master of Communication, majoring in Social Media. Show more
"I began my time at Bond University in the Student for a Semester program while still in high school where I studied Writing for News Media, thinking I’d like a career in Journalism. Owing to a changing media landscape, I choose to study a Bachelor of Communication and then after a year of agency work in Europe, returned to complete a Master of Communication, majoring in Social Media.
I choose Bond University because of its class sizes, degree structure, trimester timetable, international networks, and flexibility in what I could study. I choose a Bachelor of Communication because it was the field I wanted to work in and allowed me to study a breadth of different things including advertising, mass media, journalism, digital design, video games, and French!
I choose to complete my Master of Communication at Bond University because the degree outline was new and offered masterclasses in public relations, advertising, corporate communication and social media. I use the skills I honed during this time in my role every day.
I best thing about studying at Bond is the environment! I could always find a space to get work done at Bond or even if I just wanted to hang out with friends I could do that too. Because of the university’s size, it felt like its own little world where it’s easy to meet and get to know people from all over the world.
My Bond experience was varied and I feel like I said yes to as many things as I could: I got involved with clubs and societies, made friends from all over the world, studied in just about every location on campus (I will forever love and remember the batlabs and fishbowl!) and coffee from Blackboard, actually. Wow I miss Blackboard coffee – started by Bond Entrepreneurship grads too I hear!
I undertook an international exchange where I completed my final semester in London, UK. I had to complete many forms and applications in order to secure my place there but the experience it offered me was complementary to my Bond experience, rounding out the international experience I felt Bond offered me.
I am currently an Employment Communications and Social Media Advisor at Telstra. I love this job title because it has both the title of my degrees and my major in it! In my role, I help support the external and internal communications that come from Telstra as an employer and look after all the outgoing social media that goes along with that. I work within the Employment Brands and Marketing team, which is like the marketing arm of HR as a whole. It’s an exciting position to be in as the world goes through significant change and digitisation, so thinking about ways we can harness that to improve what we do keeps me going.
There were some specific subjects that equipped me with the right mindset to prepare for the future at work. Taking Digital Media & Society made me aware of how technologies and innovations have shaped and changed people and our ways of interacting, really helping with what I do in a technology company that reaches millions of people around the world. Further, my studies in Human, Intercultural, and Relational Communication have helped me to communicate who a whole range of stakeholders from those I meet every day to people who are worlds apart. I came armed and ready to hit the ground running from day one and still use the knowledge and skills from my classes today, which is something I find most valuable.
Having journeyed to other universities overseas as well as hearing how friends describe their own university experiences, I feel really proud and fortunate to have studied at Bond. My classes were small so I could make better relationships with my tutors, lecturers and classmates, some of which I’m still in touch with today. Whenever I needed something I could find it whether it was technical support, technology, somewhere to relax, workout, hang out, study, or get help on an assignment. Everything was there for me and because the university is so tight-knit, I didn’t have to fight to get there.
If you’re serious about your studies and want to make an impact on the world, Bond University is the place to be. If you’re willing to put yourself out there, to make connections, study hard, and apply yourself Bond University is the springboard to connect you to your dream job. Without a doubt, if I could go back and do it again I would – which is partly why I chose to return to Bond to complete my Master’s degree. If you want degree flexibility, industry-connections, internships, international exchanges, second-language studies, and an amazing campus you’re already looking in the right place. If I were speaking to a prospective student today, I’d say only this: What are you waiting for?
When I first started at university, I was certain that whatever job I wanted in the Communications and Media industry didn’t exist yet. Thanks to my degree’s structure and support from Student Services, I chose subjects I felt would give me the best transferable skills so that whether I ended up in advertising, public relations, journalism, or digital media I would have what I needed to succeed. Six years on, I can see I was right – my job today didn’t exist back then. The tools I use didn’t exist. The technology wasn’t available. Nobody would have known that social media would take over the way we communicate with the world as it does today and my job is how we can best utilise that to achieve our work priorities. Thanks to my degree, my forward thinking lecturers, and relevant classes, I left uni with everything I needed to thrive." Show less

"I completed a Master of Communication at Bond University. I choose to study a Master of Communication for a number of reasons. Upon graduating from high school, I completed an undergraduate degree in Human Movement Science (Major: Exercise Science) at another university. Following this I worked in the sport and recreation Industry for many years. Show more
"I completed a Master of Communication at Bond University. I choose to study a Master of Communication for a number of reasons. Upon graduating from high school, I completed an undergraduate degree in Human Movement Science (Major: Exercise Science) at another university. Following this I worked in the sport and recreation Industry for many years. Whilst I thoroughly enjoyed these roles, I realised it was the communication and engagement with various stakeholders that I enjoyed the most. This prompted me to begin looking at other career options and opportunities for further education.
When I stumbled across the Master of Communication program, I was pleasantly surprised by the flexibility of the degree and the length in which it could be completed. I already lived in the Robina area and realised that it is something which could easily fit into my existing lifestyle. For me, the ability to maintain my current full time position whilst developing the skills that I would need to pursue a new career was the biggest appeal initially. However, it was the experience of the lecturers and the small class sizes that I enjoyed most about studying at Bond. The lecturers were extremely approachable, and demonstrated a genuine interest in your personal and professional development.
Each time I stepped foot onto the Bond campus I felt extremely grateful. The campus itself is breathtakingly beautiful and all of the staff are extremely helpful and friendly. The campus was always a buzz with students of all ages and backgrounds soaking up every second of university life. The range of extra-curricular activities on offer made it easy to meet people outside of your program and I have developed a range of lifelong friendships with people from all over the world. I was also a frequent visitor at the Learning Development Centre and the Career Development Centre to ensure I had equipped myself with as many skills as possible to gain future employment in my new chosen career.
Throughout my degree I had the opportunity to undertake three internships with the help of my lecturers and staff at the Career Development Centre. My responsibilities were varied but included writing digital copy for websites, news blogs and social media posts, scanning media, approaching business owners to conduct interviews for story opportunities, developing media releases and attending various media opportunities to gain an understanding of the communications/media industry. These internships allowed me to put all of the theory I had learnt in the class room into real-world practice. They exposed me to the issues and challenges facing the media industry and introduced me to a range of professional contacts that I could utilise for future employment.
I am currently a Project Officer, Engagement, for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games Corporation. In this role, I contribute to the function area strategic planning, operational planning and contingency planning, manage athlete and key stakeholder relations database, assist with the develop of content for channels and audiences, develop media kits, and assist with the development of stakeholder engagement. The combination of the theoretical knowledge gained in the classroom at Bond and the real world skills developed through internships equipped me with the skills I needed to perform all of the responsibilities in my new role.
Bond University provides a flexible and caring environment in which you can learn the skills you need for your chosen industry whilst developing the professional contacts you can leverage for future employment. The professors genuinely care about your personal and professional development and will go that extra mile to ensure you are completely satisfied with your Bond experience.
Whether you are entering tertiary education for the first time or looking to develop skills in a completely new industry, I would strongly recommend Bond as your choice of university. The Master of Communication Program is the perfect option for anyone wanting to further their career in the media/communication/public relations industry or develop the skills to transition into this industry." Show less

"I have had an unforgettable experience during my Master's degree at Bond University. The University makes you feel like you are a part of a community, a family. Professors here are passionate, friendly and extremely helpful, as they genuinely care about the success of each student. The learning techniques inspire students to think independently and creatively. This is what sets Bond apart from other universities in Australia."

Michael graduated from Bond University in 2011 with a Master of Communication (Business). Michael has a wealth of knowledge in the marketing industry in both the public and private sector, and is currently the Chief Marketing Officer/ Co-Founder of Imaginovation, LLC. Michael has been responsible for the rapid business growth in marketing and sales. Show more
Michael graduated from Bond University in 2011 with a Master of Communication (Business). Michael has a wealth of knowledge in the marketing industry in both the public and private sector, and is currently the Chief Marketing Officer/ Co-Founder of Imaginovation, LLC. Michael has been responsible for the rapid business growth in marketing and sales. Located in the United States, Imaginovation is a web development and design company that specialises in online presence. Since its foundation in 2011, Imaginovation has won a number of awards, including a 2017 Video Award Winner in the American Business Awards, a Horizon Interactive Award, and a Muse Creative Award. Show less

Key features

Choose from several dissertation/ portfolio options in an array of research areas
Learn in small class sizes with our highly skilled academics
Graduate sooner with Bond’s accelerated degrees

About the program

The Master of Communication program allows students to further their careers in Communication by equipping them with an appropriate mix of theory and practice suited to industry. It provides an ideal balance of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, problem solving abilities, interpersonal skills and a high level of written communication.

Mode	On Campus
Duration	3 semesters (1 year)
Starting semesters	September 2019 January 2020 May 2020 September 2020 January 2021 May 2021 September 2021 January 2022 May 2022 September 2022
Program type	Masters Coursework
Study area	Communication and Creative Media
Program code	HS-23095
CRICOS code	078660G
Credit for prior study	For more details on applying for credit, please contact the Student Business Centre: [email protected]

Professional outcomes

The Master of Communication program will equip students with the skills to focus on interpersonal and group interactions in the workplace; communication challenges posed by an increasingly diverse and virtual workforce; planning for internal and external communication in private, public, and non-profit organisations; media relations; and management of risks, among other topics.

Structure and subjects

View the Master of Communication - Program Structure and Sequencing

The Master of Communication comprises 12 subjects, as follows:

Core subjects (2)

Research Methods in Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMR71-100)
Epistemology and Theory of Knowledge (HUMR71-110)

Foundation subjects (6)

Relational Communication (COMN71-104)
Strategic Organisational Communication & Leadership (COMN71-105)
Public Relations Masterclass (PUBR71-102)
Social Media: Risks and Opportunities (COMN71-102)
Human Communication Theory (COMN71-103)
Advertising Masterclass (ADVT71-102)

Dissertation/Elective option subjects (4)

Students must choose one (1) of the following suites of subjects as their dissertation/portfolio:

Major Dissertation/Portfolio A (20 credit points) (HUMR72-701)
Major Dissertation/Portfolio B (20 credit points) (HUMR72-702)

Minor Dissertation/Portfolio A (HUMR71-705)
Minor Dissertation/Portfolio B (HUMR71-706)
Plus two (2) elective subjects from the Faculty of Society & Design list of available postgraduate subjects.(COMN71-710 Communication Internship and Portfolio and further Minor Dissertation/Portfolio subjects are available as elective subject options).

Teaching methodology

Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.

Available research topics for dissertation / portfolio

The Faculty of Society & Design has highly skilled academic staff who can provide supervision to students in the following research areas:

Advertising and Brand Experience in a Multi-Channel Environment
Advertising Creativity: Concepts and Applications
Advertising Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
Building Teamwork in the Virtual Workplace
Convergence and Digital Industries
Crisis Communication Strategies in a Digital World
Effects of Different Leadership Styles on Organisational Culture
Engaging Employees – Strong Advocates or Harsh Critics?
Establishing Authentic Corporate Social Responsibility in a Sceptical Environment
Global Factors Contributing to Organisational Change
Impact of Social Media on Future Public Relations Practice
Interactivity and Consumer Engagement on Social Media Platforms
Interpersonal Communication
Journalism in the 21st Century
Journalism Reinvented
Mobile and Pervasive Communications
Opportunities and Challenges of Mobile and Real-Time Marketing
Paparazzi – The New Face of Journalism?
Role of Media Relations in a Social Media Future
Serious Games and Gamification
Significance of the Media in Bridging the Cultural Divide
Social Media and User-Generated Content
The Growing Significance of Citizen Journalism
The Internationalisation of Advertising
The New Journalism
The Obama Effect – New Election Campaigning Strategies
The Proliferation of Social Networking Sites
Virtual Environments for Learning and Work

Program fees

The below fees are based on an average per semester cost, fees may vary based on which subjects are selected and the number of subjects enrolled in for each semester:

2019 fees: $13,320 per semester (based on 4 subjects per semester)
2020 fees: $13,807 per semester (based on 4 subjects per semester)

Price may vary depending on elective discipline choice.

When considering the fees associated with your studies, keep in mind that Bond’s accelerated schedule means you can finish your degree sooner and be out in the workforce up to a year earlier than if you went to another university.

This time saving also represents a substantial reduction in accommodation and living costs, plus a full year of extra earnings.

Find out your financing options and other costs to consider.

Admission criteria

Academic entry requirements

Completion of an Australian Bachelor degree or equivalent from an approved institution in either criminology, sociology, legal studies, psychology, humanities/arts or business studies.

Please contact the Office of Future Students for further information.

English language proficiency requirements

As tuition is delivered in English, all students will be required to provide documented evidence of the required level of proficiency in the English language. Read more detailed information on English Language Proficiency Requirements for university study.

Credit for prior study

Subject credits may be awarded for previous studies. To apply for credits, you will need to submit academic transcripts including detailed subject outlines/course descriptions for each relevant subject and/or certified copies of testamurs to the Office of Future Students. Please refer to how to apply for credit for more information

Key dates

Bond University calendar

How to apply

In order to apply for study at Bond University, you will need to complete the Online Application Form. To find out more about the application process please refer to How to Apply.