Academic Programmes

• A fully accredited Australian undergraduate university degree
• Unique degree offered only in Singapore
• Enables diploma holders in communication-related fields to further develop skills relevant to industry
• Modular format
• Classes taught by both university faculty and local lecturers 

Graduate Testimonial

"This programme is rigorous in content and provokes students to think out-of-the-box. The combined expertise of the visiting RMIT faculty and local adjunct lecturers allows students to capitalise on the dynamic area of mass media studies and the challenges faced by communications professionals in the digital age. It is a unique opportunity for students to foster their skills in creative, technical, and business communication from practising academics, and I would recommend this to anyone looking for a top-notch communications programme ."

Nagalingam Ravindran
Class of 2004
 

Introduction

Objectives

This programme enables those holding a diploma in communications or related fields to:

• further develop skills relevant to the communication profession
• develop skills to undertake research
• foster imaginative and interpretative skills
• understand technological and cultural changes in the contemporary communication environment.

Programme Structure

There are two entry levels for this programme.

Students who enter the part-time programme at one year advanced standing level will go through sixteen modules of study which commences in the month of September and ends in 2.5 years time in the month of March.

Students who enter the part-time programme at two years advanced standing level will go through eight modules of study which commences in the month of September and ends in 1.5 years time in the month of March.

Entry Level is based on your relevant qualifications.

STAGE 1

Students who meet the admission criteria for Stage 1 will enter the programme with one year advanced standing. Students must successfully complete eight modules in Stage 1 before proceeding to Stage 2 which they will undertake another eight modules.

The modules in Stage 1 are:
- PR Practice and Writing
- Theories of Communication with Persuasion*
- Reading Media Texts*
- Strategic PR Planning*
- Communication Law and Regulation
- Specialist PR Practice and Writing
- Magazine Writing & Production
- Public Relations in Global Practice*

Students who have successfully completed Stage 1 and Stage 2 will be awarded with the Bachelor of Communication (Mass Communication).

STAGE 2

Students who meet the admission criteria for stage 2 will enter the final year part-time programme at two years advanced standing level and go through eight modules of study which can be completed in one and a half year.

The modules in Stage 2 are:
- Approaches to Communication Research*
- Asian Media and Global Communication*
- Media Audiences and Consumer Behaviour
- Integrated Marketing Communications
- News Studies
- Contemporary Popular Culture*
- New Communication Technologies*
- Managing a Communication Business

Students who have successfully completed Stage 2 will be awarded with the Bachelor of Communication (Mass Communication).

* These courses are taught by RMIT lecturers (intensive mode) while the rest are taught by local lecturers (normal mode).

Please click here to get a copy of the brief outlines of modules.

Admission Criteria

Qualification

'A' level PLUS                                                                                               1 year of post secondary study (Diploma / Advanced diploma in any discipline)

'O' level  PLUS  3 years of post secondary study (Diploma in any discipline)

Diploma in Public Relations and Mass Communication   (Institute of Public Relations of Singapore)

All other relevant qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis

 

Qualification

Ngee Ann Polytechnic                                                            Diploma in Mass Communication                                    Diploma in  Film, Sound & Video                                   Diploma in Advertising & Public Relations                 Advanced Diploma in Film Production

Singapore Polytechnic Diploma in Business Administration (PR and Advertising)  Diploma in Media and  Communication Diploma in Creative Writing for TV and New Media

Temasek Polytechnic  Diploma in Communications and Media Management

Nanyang Polytechnic Diploma in Media Studies and Management

Republic Polytechnic Diploma in New Media

Polytechnic diploma in any discipline PLUS           Diploma in Communication related studies OR               Advanced Diploma in Communication related studies (or equivalent)

Diploma in Communication related studies PLUS Advanced Diploma in Communication related studies

English Language Requirement
Applicants who have not obtained a C6 or better for English as a First Language at GCE 'O' level or General Paper at GCE 'AO'/H1 level, or equivalent, must provide evidence of at least ONE of the following:

* IELTS - 6.5 (no band less than 6.0)

 * TOEFL - Paper-Based = 580 (TWE 4.5) 

* TOEFL - Computer-Based = 237 (TWE 4.5)

* TOEFL - internet-Based (iBT) = 92, minimum 20 in all sections 

* Successful completion of a recognised approved Diploma, where the language of instruction was English.

 

Teaching Models

 

By RMIT lecturers (intensive mode):

Week 1

Weekday 1            7 pm – 10 pm

Weekday 2            7 pm – 10 pm

Weekday 3            7 pm – 10 pm

Sat*                        9 am – 5 pm

 

Week 2

Weekday 1            7 pm – 10 pm

Weekday 2            7 pm – 10 pm

Weekday 3            7 pm – 10 pm

Sat*                        9 am – 5 pm

 

Week 3

Weekday 1           7 pm – 10 pm

 

Total contact hours per course = 35 hours

 

*with one hour meal break

 

 

By local lecturers (normal mode):

The courses taught by the local lecturers are normally

comprised of 12 lectures per course and are conducted over a

period of 6 to 8 weeks. Lectures are typically held 2 or 3 times

per week in the evenings from 7pm to 10pm.

 

Total contact hours per course = 36 hours

Attendance Requirements

Good attendance contributes to the successful completion of modules and enhances the quality of the students' learning experience. SIM requires local students to attend all scheduled lessons and activities. Part-time students are encouraged to have 75% attendance.

 

Assessments

Promotion

Students are usually allowed to repeat a module once only. For modules with pre-requisites, students are required to pass the pre-requisites before undertaking the modules.

Graduation

To complete the programme within the candidature period, students are advised to follow the recommended study load and programme structure. Students must pass all the modules prescribed in the programme structure in order to graduate.

Average Teacher-Student Ratio

The average teacher-student ratio is 1:97.

Lecturers & Their Teaching Modules (as at 1 Feb 2010)

Click for pdf

Career Opportunities / Opportunities for Further Study After Graduation

Successful students will have the skills, industry-related knowledge and confidence to work in journalism, public relations, newspaper and magazine editing, corporate communications, marketing, management, specialist writing, communication research, market and audience research and other areas related to the communications industries.

Graduates may further their studies in the Masters programme. 

Requirements for Graduation

Students will be considered as being eligible for the award of Bachelor of Communication (Mass Communication) when they have satisfactorily completed all academic requirements of the programme as detailed in the Programme Structure. To receive their award at a graduation ceremony or in absentia, students will need to submit an application to graduate.