Program Requirements

The Master of Science Communication requires the completion of 96 units, of which:

A minimum of 24 units must come from the completion of 8000 level courses.

A minimum of 48 units must come from the completion of 6000- 8000 level courses from the subject area SCOM- Science Communication

The 96 units of courses must consist of:

6 units from completion of the following compulsory course:

SCOM8014 Communicating Science with the Public (6 units)

And

Either a minimum of 18 units from completion of the following research course:

SCOM8000 Master of Science Communication Research Project (which can be taken as a variable unit course multiple times over consecutive semesters)

Or 24 units from completion of the following placement course:

SCOM8004 Fieldwork Placement (which must be taken twice in two consecutive semesters or sessions 12+12 as part of one placement)

And

 A minimum of 24 units from the completion of further 6000- and 8000-level courses not previously taken from the subject area SCOM Science Communication

POPH6115 Health Promotion and Protection (6 units)

SCOM6003 Science in Popular Fiction   (6 units)

SCOM6004 Science Communication Internship   (6 units)

SCOM6005 Special Topics in Science Communication   (6 units)

SCOM6006 Science and Humour (6 units)

SCOM6007 Science Communication Project Design and Delivery   (6 units)

SCOM6012 Science Communication and the Web   (6 units)

SCOM6015 Speaking of Science   (6 units)

SCOM6016 Science in the Media   (6 units)

SCOM6027 Science Politics   (6 units)

SCOM6029 Cross Cultural Perspectives in Science Communication   (6 units)

SCOM6031 Science, Risk and Ethics   (6 units)

SCOM6032 Making Modern Science   (6 units)

SCOM6501 Strategies in Science Communication   (6 units)

SCOM8000 Master of Science Communication Research Project   (6 units)

SCOM8019 Research Methods in Science Communication (6 units)

SCOM8088 Engagement for Policy Impact   (6 units)

A maximum of 24 units from completion of further courses offered by ANU

Capstone Courses

Study Options

Admission Requirements

Applicants must present a Bachelor degree or international equivalent with a minimum GPA of 5.0/7.0

• with at least 8 courses in a cognate area OR
• with at least 10 years' work experience in a related field

The GPA for a Bachelor program will be calculated from (i) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades and/or (ii) a completed Bachelor degree using all grades other than those from the last semester (or equivalent study period) of the Bachelor degree. The higher of the two calculations will be used as the basis for admission.

Cognate Disciplines: 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, Education, Communication and Media

Ranking and English Proficiency: At a minimum, all applicants must meet program-specific academic/non-academic requirements, and English language requirements. Admission to most ANU programs is on a competitive basis. Therefore, meeting all admission requirements does not automatically guarantee entry. 

In line with the University's admissions policy and strategic plan, an assessment for admission may include competitively ranking applicants on the basis of specific academic achievement, English language proficiency and diversity factors. Applicants will first be ranked on a GPA ('GPA1') that is calculated using all but the last semester (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes. If required, ranking may further be confirmed on the basis of: 

• a GPA ('GPA2') calculated on the penultimate and antepenultimate semesters (or equivalent) of the Bachelor degree used for admission purposes; and/or
• demonstrating higher-level English language proficiency

Prior to enrolment in this ANU program, all students who gain entry will have their Bachelor degree reassessed, to confirm minimum requirements were met.

Further information: English language admission requirements and post-admission support

Diversity factors: As Australia’s national university, ANU is global representative of Australian research and education. ANU endeavours to recruit and maintain a diverse and deliberate student cohort representative not only of Australia, but the world. In order to achieve these outcomes, competitive ranking of applicants may be adjusted to ensure access to ANU is a reality for brilliant students from countries across the globe.

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.

Applications for course credit: Applicants with a Bachelor Degree or Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 24 units (one semester) of credit. 

Applicants with a Graduate Diploma or Bachelor degree with Honours in a cognate discipline may be eligible for up to 48 units (one year) of credit.

Fee Information

All students are required to pay the Services and amenities fee (SA Fee)

The annual indicative fee provides an estimate of the program tuition fees for international students and domestic students (where applicable). The annual indicative fee for a program is based on the standard full-time enrolment load of 48 units per year (unless the program duration is less than 48 units). Fees for courses vary by discipline meaning that the fees for a program can vary depending on the courses selected. Course fees are reviewed on an annual basis and typically will increase from year to year. The tuition fees payable are dependent on the year of commencement and the courses selected and are subject to increase during the period of study.

For further information on Fees and Payment please see: https://www.anu.edu.au/students/program-administration/fees-payments

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.

Employment Opportunities

The program is ideal for people interested in becoming professional science communicators in government, industry and the media, or in gaining skills in communicating their own science.

Many graduates have found careers as communications officers for scientific organisations such as CSIRO, science-oriented government departments, university departments and businesses.

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate mastery of the theoretical knowledge underpinning science communication practice.

2. Identify, apply and evaluate science communication strategies for diverse audiences, using a range of means, media, and technologies.

3. 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.

4. Develop appropriate qualitative and quantitative research tools and strategies to investigate, justify and interpret science communication theories, methods and conclusions.

Inherent Requirements

Students taking this degree may choose to take the course SCOM8004 - Fieldwork Placement, in which students participate in work-integrated learning with external partner organisations such as Questacon, Mulligans Flat, Mt Stromlo Observatory, the Botanic Gardens or other hosts. Students who take this course must be able to meet the SCOM8004 course inherent requirements. Please note that enrollment in SCOM8004 is limited and merit based. Please see the SCOM8004 course page or contact the course convenor for information.

Further Information

Mode of delivery:

The Master of Science Communication can be completed fully in person, fully online or as a combination of online and in person courses (multimodal). International students should note and abide by any conditions of their visa when enrolling. All students wishing to do this Masters degree in online mode only should indicate this when applying for admission and should select courses that are scheduled for online delivery mode.

Vertical Double Degree pathway UGRD-PGRD:

This program is part of the Vertical Double Degree pathway structure offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine. The Vertical Double Degree pathway presents students with the opportunity to complete a 3-year single undergraduate degree offered by the ANU College of Science or the College of Health and Medicine with a cognate 2-year Masters degree in 4 years (full-time) instead of 5 years (full-time). Not all undergraduate and Masters programs are offered as a Vertical Double Degree pathway. For more information on applicable combinations, benefits and how to apply, eligibility and conditions please visit https://science.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees or https://health.anu.edu.au/vertical-double-degrees

Students who are interested in pursuing a Vertical Double Degree pathway with this program, are advised to contact the College of Science Student Services Office at science.enquiries@anu.edu.au and seek academic advice. Students who are already in an undergraduate degree offered by the College of Science or College of Health & Medicine should seek academic advice before completion of the first 72 units of their undergraduate studies.

This pathway is not available to students in an undergraduate Flexible Double Degree.

Exit pathways:

Students who have completed 48 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Diploma of Science.

Students who have completed 24 units and wish to exit the program have the option of transferring to graduate from a Graduate Certificate of Science Communication.

Program advice:

• Please visit the ANU Programs & Courses catalogue to check class scheduling information and mode of delivery (online or in person).
• Applicants should note that courses listed in the program requirements include Summer and Winter Session courses. When applying for admission, please ensure the correct admit term is selected.
• Students wishing to undertake SCOM8004 Fieldwork Placement need to submit additional documentation in the year prior to study - please see the SCOM8004 course page or contact the Convenor for details. Fieldwork placements usually commence in Semester 1 each calendar year and span two consecutive semesters of enrollment.

Courses offered by the College of Science and College of Health and Medicine:

An indicative list of courses offered by the College of Science and the College of Health and Medicine can be found under current students page on the College website via this link.