Program Requirements
The Master of Science Communication Outreach requires the completion of 48 units, which must consist of:
48 units from completion of the following compulsory courses:
SCOM8004A Fieldwork Placement (Part A)
SCOM8004B Fieldwork Placement (Part B)
SCOM6007 Science Communication Project Design and Delivery
SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public
SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web
SCOM6016 Science in the Media
Study Options
Year 1 | Semester 1: SCOM8004A Fieldwork Placement (Part A) 12 units | Semester 1: SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public 6 units | Autumn Session: SCOM6016 Science in the Media 6 units | |
Winter Session: SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web 6 units | Semester 2: SCOM8004B Fieldwork Placement (Part B) 12 units | Winter Session: SCOM6007 Science Communication Project Design and Delivery 6 units |
Admission Requirements
A Bachelor Honours degree, Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma or international equivalent
- with an average GPA of at least 5/7, AND
- with at least 8 courses in cognate fields, AND
- with a successful assessment of suitability based on a supplementary form, two referee reports and interview/audition.
Application Information
- Applications can only be submitted directly to the University via the Apply Online portal
- A supplementary form and two referee reports are used in the selection of students and must be submitted by August 31 in the year of application. Click here to access the forms.
- An interview/audition is also used in the selection of students. Quotas apply.
English Language Requirements
All applicants must meet the University’s English Language Admission Requirements for Students.
Assessment of Qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, ANU will accept all Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications or international equivalents that meet or exceed the published admission requirements of our programs, provided all other admission requirements are also met. Where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will base assessment on the qualification that best meets the admission requirements for the program. Find out more about the Australian Qualifications Framework: www.aqf.edu.au
ANU uses a 7-point Grade Point Average (GPA) scale. All qualifications submitted for admission at ANU will be converted to this common scale, which will determine if an applicant meets our published admission requirements. Find out more about how a 7-point GPA is calculated for Australian universities: www.uac.edu.au/future-applicants/admission-criteria/tertiary-qualifications
Unless otherwise indicated, where an applicant has more than one completed tertiary qualification, ANU will calculate the GPA for each qualification separately. ANU will base assessment on the best GPA of all completed tertiary qualifications of the same level or higher.
Cognate Disciplines
Science, Engineering and Technology degrees including Mathematical Sciences, Physics and Astronomy, Chemical Sciences, Earth Sciences, Biological Sciences, Environmental Studies, Other Natural and Physical Sciences, Information Technology, Engineering and Related Technologies, Health and Education
Indicative fees
- Annual indicative fee for domestic students
- $32,259.00
For more information see: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/costs-fees
- Annual indicative fee for international students
- $45,864.00
For further information on International Tuition Fees see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments/international-tuition-fees
Scholarships
ANU offers a wide range of scholarships to students to assist with the cost of their studies.
Eligibility to apply for ANU scholarships varies depending on the specifics of the scholarship and can be categorised by the type of student you are. Specific scholarship application process information is included in the relevant scholarship listing.
For further information see the Scholarships website.
Run away and join the circus with the ANU Master of Science Communication Outreach.
This life-changing program is one-of-a-kind: you’ll gain specialist education in science communication performance and exhibition design, including using science media across platforms, engaging varied audiences with science and managing science centres.
You’ll also spend 14 weeks of the year travelling to remote and regional areas of Australia presenting the Shell Questacon Science Circus to school children and teachers.
Find out more about science communication outreach, the degree structure, the university experience, career opportunities and student stories on our website.
Get the inside story on what it’s like to be an ANU student by visiting our student blog.
Career Options
Graduates from ANU have been rated as Australia's most employable graduates and among the most sought after by employers worldwide.
The latest Global Employability University Ranking, published by the Times Higher Education, rated ANU as Australia's top university for getting a job for the fourth year in a row.
Employment Opportunities
You will have the opportunity to sample diverse careers at the interface of science and the community.
You could go on to join our
graduates in roles such as presenting science-based TV and radio, writing for
science publications; organising and performing in international events like
the Edinburgh International Science Festival; managing social media for peak
bodies, or communicating about health science and research for institutions.
Learning Outcomes
- Identify, apply and evaluate science communication strategies, with a particular focus on show and exhibition development for communicating to diverse, non-specialist audiences.
- Appraise and reflect upon the interaction of interests, contexts and people shaping science, including the social and ethical responsibilities of science and society in the modern world
- Work collaboratively and independently to apply cognitive, technical and creative skills in new and unfamiliar environments
- Develop appropriate qualitative and quantitative research tools and strategies to investigate, justify and interpret science communication theories, methods and conclusions
Further Information
Please note the application closing date for 2021 admission is 30 October, 2020 and a supplementary form is required.
All students in the program who are Australian citizens or permanent residents are financially supported by a scholarship that is paid fortnightly throughout the program. This year the scholarship was valued at $340.00 per week. An additional travel allowance of $25 per day is paid when on mainstream tour and $30 per day when touring in remote regions. This is exempt from income tax. The exact scholarship value for next year is still to be determined.
Domestic students in this program will be granted a Commonwealth Supported Place. Visit the following website for further information: http://www.anu.edu.au/students/scholarships/graduate-commonwealth-supported-places .
Your enrolment is conditional on meeting the requirements of the Working With Vulnerable People Check. On a case by case basis (depending on the destination of tours), students will be required to complete and pass additional checks for further States and Territories as deemed appropriate by the Program Convener.
Academic Advice
The first step to enrolling in your new program is to seek academic advice in order to discuss the courses you will be studying. This is done by making an appointment to meet with Dr Will Grant or Dr Graham Walker, who are the program conveners for the Master of Science Communication (Outreach) program.
The Master of Science Communication Outreach is a highly structured program with a very specific sequence of courses. The Centre for the Public Awareness of Science Student Administration team can assist you with finalising your enrolment.
To book an appointment you can:
Email: Will.Grant@anu.edu.au or g.walker@anu.edu.au
Phone: 02 6125 0241 or 02 6125 9224
Please also bring along your Postgraduate coursework checklist for new students. This document will help you plan your degree and assist you with finalising your enrolment.
Further enrolment information can also be found here.
Please follow each step and read through the additional information in the pdf guides, especially the ISIS enrolment guide in Step 2 and the How to enrol guide for new students in Step 3.
If you have any issues enrolling yourself through ISIS please contact us on 02 6125 2809 or email science.enquiries@anu.edu.au