Pre-Masters (Media)
Master storytelling. Communicate with impact.
What is a Pre-Masters Program?
Our Pre-Masters Program is a pathway program developed for students like you, who want to commence postgraduate studies at UNSW but don't meet the entry requirements.
Developed in collaboration with UNSW, the program builds your confidence through academic and English language preparation while strengthening your research, writing and communication skills. You’ll also refine the conceptual and analytical thinking needed for postgraduate study in journalism, PR and strategic media.
Your journey with a Pre-Masters Program
Intakes
January, May, August
Duration
15 weeks / 1 Term (12 teaching weeks)
Weekly class time
21-23 face-to-face teaching hours per week
Progression
Master of Public Relations and Advertising (8281), Master of Journalism and Communication (8232), Master of Public Relations and Advertising / Master of Design (8234)
Delivery mode
Face-to-face
CRICOS Code
113490D
Program Materials
Delivered via Learning Management System Moodle
Recognition for Prior Learning (RPL)
Based on English level and specialisation, you may be eligible for up to 12 units of credit towards chosen master's degree.
- Overview
- Progress to UNSW Sydney
- Program structure
- Entry requirements
- Key dates
- Fees and scholarships
Who is this program for?
Our Pre-Masters Program (Media) is for international students with a background in communication, journalism, media studies or related disciplines who want to pursue postgraduate study at UNSW but do not yet meet direct academic or English entry requirements.
At UNSW College, you will receive:
- a focused learning environment tailored to communication and media
- small classes and personalised academic support
- entry to a master’s degree upon successful completion of the program and meeting UNSW entry requirements
- up to 12 Units of Credit (one or two courses) toward your master’s degree
- discipline-specific courses developed with UNSW, matching the same content and outcomes
- full access to UNSW’s world-class facilities, including libraries, clubs, societies, museum-standard galleries, state-of-the-art workshops, open studios, private workspaces, research and digital labs, lounges, and collaborative spaces.
Why study a master's at UNSW Sydney?
UNSW Sydney is recognized as one of the world’s leading universities and is home to the Faculty of Arts, Design & Architecture, a vibrant community of Australia’s most innovative creatives, thinkers and educators.
By studying a master’s degree in media at UNSW Sydney, you’ll gain the strategic, technical and creative skills to lead in fields such as journalism, Public Relations, media production and content strategy.
Top 5
in Australia for Arts and Humanities
QS World University Rankings by Subject, 2023
Top 5
rating for Research Impact
Australian Research Council's 2018 Excellence in Research
Most
employable students
AFR Top 100 Future Leaders Awards, 2025
Renowned
teaching staff
Dedicated, professional, award-winning teachers
Career opportunities
- Graphics, media and digital design
- UX, responsive design and app development
- Communications, branding and advertising
- Design management and strategy
- Social innovation and entrepreneurship
- Data visualisation and animation
- Creative consultancies, design and media studios, design-led businesses
- Film, television, online and mobile production and post-production
- Design for exhibitions, galleries and museums
- Design teaching and academia
Your future at UNSW
Once you successfully complete the Pre-Masters Program (and meet the entry requirements), you’ll be eligible to progress into your chosen master's degree in Media at UNSW Sydney. UNSW is one of Australia's leading research and teaching universities, ranked in the top 20 worldwide. Boasting a career-focused education, vibrant community and flexibility in study options, UNSW will help you discover the best version of yourself.
On successful completion of the Pre-Masters Program (Media), you may be eligible to receive up to 12 units of credit as Recognition of Prior Learning towards:
- Master of Public Relations and Advertising (8281)
- Master of Journalism and Communication (8232)
- Master of Public Relations and Advertising / Master of Design (8234)
Note: All students entering the Pre-Masters Program (Media) will undertake at least one master’s-equivalent course (Research in Practice) and will receive 6 units of credit towards their chosen master’s degree program.
Students entering Pre-Masters Program with an IELTS greater than or equal to 6.5 (or equivalent) will undertake a second master’s equivalent course (Writing for Media) to receive an additional 6 units of credit towards their chosen master’s degree (i.e. up to 12 units of credit in total).
Top 20
Worldwide
QS World University Rankings, 2025.
Most
Employable Graduates
AFR Top100 Future leaders Award, 2020-2025
Best
Australian university for entrepreneurs
Crunchbase venture capital start-up data, 2021
Program structure
The Pre-Masters Program comprises of three (3) core courses and one (1) elective.
- The following is a guide to the selection of courses for the Term of study.
- Enrolment conditions must be satisfied before selecting any course within the program.
- A core course is one that must be satisfactorily completed to meet the requirements of the program.
-
Course Code Course Title Units of Credit Weekly Contact Hours AELS1401 Academic Research and Information Skills 2
1
BMGT1402 Innovation and Entrepreneurship 4 4 MEDA1401 Research in Practice 6 6 Academic Research and Information Skills
This course is designed to help you develop the skills necessary to conduct effective research on academic literature and improve your overall literacy skills. Through a combination of workshops readings, assignments, and discussions, you will learn how to identify research questions, develop innovative research questions, find and evaluate sources, synthesize information, and communicate their findings effectively through writing and presentation.
Innovation and Entrepreneurship
This course will introduce you to the fundamental principles and philosophy of innovation and entrepreneurship. It will focus on teaching innovative skills, project management, and entrepreneurial concepts to allow you to put your imagination and skills to the test by identifying real world problems and generating innovative solutions to address these.
Research in Practice
Mindful of the crucial place of research in PR, Advertising, Journalism and Communication industries, this course seeks to activate your research skills, including those relevant to campaign planning, strategy and tactics design, and journalistic investigation.
-
Students entering the Pre-Masters Program with an IELTS equal to 6.0 to <6.5 (or equivalent) must undertake the below.
Course Code Course Title Units of Credit Weekly Contact Hours AELS1400 Academic English for Higher Studies 6 10 Students entering the Pre-Masters Program with an IELTS greater than or equal to 6.5 (or equivalent) may choose from the elective option based on the master’s specialisation.
Course Code Course Title Units of Credit Weekly Contact Hours MEDA1402 Writing for Media 6 6 Academic English for Higher Studies
Academic English for Higher Studies is a unit of study within the Pre-Masters Program intended to support students who do not yet meet UNSW’s English Language requirements. The course is designed to provide a staged, language-supported experiential process through the delivery of a structured research project on a discipline-relevant topic.
Writing for Media
In this course you will be introduced to the fundamentals of the media release, copywriting, blogging, posting, journalistic prose, and news story structure. You will learn how to structure and edit content and to develop angles that will engage readers while thinking critically about the social, economic, and political role of your work.
How is the program assessed?
There are a variety of assessment methods including - Quizzes, Exams, Assignments, Portfolios, Presentations, Seminars, Case Studies, Reports and Journals.
Entry requirements
Our Pre-Masters (Media) is designed specifically for students like you, who want to study a master’s degree in media at UNSW Sydney. You must meet the required English language proficiency and academic entry criteria before starting your Pre-Masters program.
Follow the link below to view the entry requirements. Requirements provided should be considered as a guide only and are subject to change.
Academic calendars
The academic calendar consists of important dates throughout your study period such as orientation, census dates, study weeks, exam weeks and breaks for your program or course of study.
Pre-Masters Program fees
2025 tuition fees (international)
A$23,500
For additional information on our fees and other non-tuition fees, please see the Fees page.
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Fees are reviewed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed, so it’s important to remember that indicative tuition fees shown above are not guaranteed. Any update to fees is effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are for tuition only – other fees and charges are not included.
Scholarships
If you're starting your Pre-Masters Program in 2025, you could be eligible for a scholarship.
Ready to apply?
At UNSW College, every application we receive is carefully considered. When you are ready to join us, click the button below – or visit how to apply for a step-by-step guide.
CRICOS Program Code
113490D
Why study with UNSW College?
Your path to a global top 20 university
Successfully complete a Pre-Masters and secure guaranteed entry to UNSW Sydney.
Support as you learn
Our dedicated support teams are here to help you manage life and achieve success at university.
Directly connected to UNSW
The program is accredited by UNSW Sydney and provides full access to UNSW’s world-class libraries, clubs and societies.
I chose to study at UNSW as it has given me a pathway to study at UNSW Sydney. While at UNSW College I have learned to focus on my studies and improve my time management. My classmates are nice, and they all come from different countries UNSW College has made me a more social person.
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Diploma & Foundation Studies
UNSW Global Pty Limited ABN 62 086 418 582 trading as UNSW College™ currently delivers Diplomas and Foundation Studies on behalf of UNSW Sydney - CRICOS Provider Code 00098G; UNSW Sydney TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12055 (Australian University).
From 26 August 2024, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Diplomas under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
From 13 January 2025, UNSW College™ will commence delivery of Foundation Studies under its own CRICOS Provider Code - 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
Pre-Masters Program & Academic English
UNSW College™ delivers the Pre-Masters Program and Academic English programs under CRICOS Provider Code 01020K and TEQSA Provider ID: PRV13020 (Institute of Higher Education).
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