Skip to content
There is a more recent version of this academic item available.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Develop advanced knowledge relating to the persuasive, promotional and participative communication dimensions of PR and advertising, as well as advanced knowledge of innovative developments in the field of professional design practice and the ability to apply this knowledge in a range of contexts and industry settings.
  • Scholars
2.
Develop a sound understanding of the scholarly research practices in the fields of public relations and advertising, together with a sound grasp of design research practices - resulting in the ability to engage in independent and reflective learning in academic and industry contexts, and to use creative thinking and practice-based experimentation to devise, evaluate, adapt and implement innovative design ideas.
  • Scholars
  • Leaders
3.
Develop high quality critical thinking and problem solving skills applicable across the fields of public relations, advertising, and design.
  • Scholars
  • Leaders
4.
Communicate complex ideas to a range of audiences, using written, oral and mediated communication; work independently as well as in collaborative teams; apply technical skills and adaptive modes of practice; and be creative, strategic learners and practitioners.
  • Professionals
5.
Develop an understanding of both local and global issues and trends in the fields of public relations, advertising and communication, and actively engage with national and international networks and creative design practices to generate sustainable design solutions that take social, cultural, environmental and economic considerations into account.
  • Global Citizens
  • Leaders

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Available in Program(s)
Single degree program(s) in which this specialisation is available:

Master of Design - MDesMaster of Public Relations and Advertising - MPRA8234 - PR and Advertising/Design

Specialisation Structure
144 Units of Credit:

Students must complete 144 UOC.

Design Core Courses

You must take 48 UOC of the following courses.

SAHT9143
6 UOC
Design History and Theory 1
SDES9203
6 UOC
Entrepreneurship, Innovation and Creativity
SDES9204
6 UOC
Design Studio: Insight, Processes and Communication
SDES9210
6 UOC
Critical Approaches to Design Practice
SDES9211
6 UOC
Integrated Studio: Culture and Identity
SDES9213
6 UOC
Design Studio Project A
SDES9214
6 UOC
Design Studio Project B

PR & Advertising Advanced Disciplinary Core

You must take 6 UOC of the following courses.

MDIA5028
6 UOC
Critical Perspectives in Communication

PR & Advertising Cognate Core Courses

You must take 24 UOC of the following courses.

MDIA5000
6 UOC
Understanding Contemporary Media
MDIA5001
6 UOC
Writing for Media
MDIA5004
6 UOC
Media and Public Relations
MDIA5006
6 UOC
Feature Writing
MDIA5021
6 UOC
Advertising and Creativity
MDIA5022
6 UOC
Corporate and Interpersonal Communication
MDIA5023
6 UOC
Public Relations Strategy
MDIA5024
6 UOC
Advertising Strategy

PR & Advertising - Practice Path

You must complete either the Research Path (18 UOC) or the Practice Path (12 UOC) or you can complete both for a total of 30 UOC. The following 12 UOC make up the Practice Path.

MDIA5030
12 UOC
Brand Cultures

PR & Advertising - Research Path

You must complete either the Research Path (18 UOC) or the Practice Path (12 UOC) or you can complete both for a total of 30 UOC. The following 18 UOC make up the Research Path.
Note: If you withdraw from the Research Path, the course ARTS5100 will be considered a prescribed elective.

ARTS5100
6 UOC
Research Methods
MDIA5008
12 UOC
Media Research Project

PR & Advertising Prescribed Electives

You must take up to a maximum of 30 UOC of the following courses.

If you complete both the Practice and Research Path, you must take only 12 UOC of prescribed PR & Advertising electives.

ARTS5503
6 UOC
Academic Writing for the Humanities
LAWS8014
6 UOC
Defamation and the Media
LAWS8139
6 UOC
Law and the Culture Industries
LAWS8141
6 UOC
Censorship, Contempt and the Media
MARK5820
6 UOC
Events Management and Marketing
MDIA5000
6 UOC
Understanding Contemporary Media
MDIA5001
6 UOC
Writing for Media
MDIA5002
6 UOC
Broadcast Journalism
MDIA5003
6 UOC
Online and Mobile Media
MDIA5004
6 UOC
Media and Public Relations
MDIA5005
6 UOC
Sports, Media and Culture
MDIA5006
6 UOC
Feature Writing
MDIA5007
6 UOC
Media Ethics and Law
MDIA5021
6 UOC
Advertising and Creativity
MDIA5022
6 UOC
Corporate and Interpersonal Communication
MDIA5023
6 UOC
Public Relations Strategy
MDIA5024
6 UOC
Advertising Strategy
MDIA5027
6 UOC
Understanding Digital Cultures
MDIA5100
6 UOC
Industry Internship
SDES9204
6 UOC
Design Studio: Insight, Processes and Communication
MARK5813
6 UOC
New Product and Service Development
MARK5814
6 UOC
Digital Marketing
MARK5828
6 UOC
Advertising Analytics
MDIA5011
6 UOC
Professional Media Practices: Creating, Publishing and Publicising Digital Journalism

Studio Areas of Practice Prescribed Electives

You must take 24 UOC of the following courses.

ADAD0901
6 UOC
Graphics and Contemporary Society
ADAD9211
6 UOC
New Technologies, Traditional Techniques
ADAD9212
6 UOC
Material Thinking
ADAD9311
6 UOC
Designing the Experience: Exhibitions and Beyond
SDES9300
6 UOC
Transforming the Everyday: Domestic Futures
SDES9305
6 UOC
Participatory Design for Commercial Contexts
SDES9311
6 UOC
Interaction Design Foundations
SDES9312
6 UOC
Interaction Design: Human-Centred Design Methods
SDES9315
6 UOC
Tangible Interfaces and Interactive Displays
SDES9316
6 UOC
Wearable and Bio-Sensing Interactions
SDES9320
6 UOC
Exploring 3D Visualisation
SDES9321
6 UOC
3D Digital Aesthetics
SDES9350
6 UOC
Urban Intervention: People Places and Cultural Contexts
SDES9760
6 UOC
Introduction to Graphics Media
SDES9761
6 UOC
Contemporary Typography
SDES9762
6 UOC
Graphic Design for the Web

Research Project Maturity Requirement

MDIA5008 can only be taken in the final semester of enrolment, requires successful completion of at least 24 UOC and a minimum WAM of 75. You must have completed or be concurrently enrolled in ARTS5100 and must obtain permission from the program authority.

MDIA5008
12 UOC
Media Research Project

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)
Pre-2019 Handbook Editions