Media studies courses

Media studies explores the use and impact of mass media such as news, film, television, social media and streaming services. While closely related to communications and journalism, media studies courses will teach you essential critical thinking skills that will allow you to understand, challenge and shape media products.

When you study media studies online you can expect to learn about:

• the history of media
• the role of media in society
• strategies used in different types of mass media products
• communication theory
• media ethics

Every course is different, so it’s important to find the one that’s right for you. Start by exploring the media studies degrees, single subjects and short courses available to study online through Open Universities Australia.

Studying media studies online might be a good fit for you if you’re interested in pursuing a career in journalism, communications, marketing, or public relations.

Not sure if media studies is right for you? Explore related courses in journalism, communications, public relations, advertising, or film and television.

There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

• You can enrol without entry requirements 
  We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don’t meet the entry requirements for a degree, we’ll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
• You have total control over how you study
  Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We’ll introduce you to flexible study options you didn’t even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.
• You’ll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
  Once you enrol through us, you’ll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you’ll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.
• We’ll help you navigate the university world
  Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.

A wide range of careers await media studies graduates. Your future job title might be:

• copywriter
• journalist
• media strategist
• marketing manager
• social media producer
• PR consultant
• media researcher

You might also already work in a media-related field and be looking to upskill or change roles. Whatever your work or life stage, we have online media studies courses to suit you.

The entry requirements for online media studies courses vary depending on which university you study through. The best place to start is by exploring what courses you’re interested in. You’ll find the entry requirements listed on each course page.

Don’t forget, we can also support you to get started in your studies through single subjects. Check out our guidance on entry pathways, or book a consultation with one of our friendly student advisors to find a study option that suits you. 

Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we may be able to help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study.

Chat with us to find out more.

Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.

When you’ve made your choice, click ‘Apply now’ on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We’ll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.

Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.

Please note that enquiries and applications for some courses are handled directly by the university. If this is the case, it will be indicated on the course listing page.  

For more information about enrolment, read our online self-service enrolling instructions. If you get stuck at any time, contact us and we’ll talk you through it.