UTS? UNSW? Digital media or visual communication.. assumed knowledge.. ugh. (1 Viewer)

[Otterr]

Oh jebus. Main round offers come out tonight and I'm still completely unsure about which course I really want to get into :\ my first preference is Design in Visual Communication at UTS which I think I'll get into (atars 90.75 + a shiznit load of bonus points), but just looking at the course structure/subjects.. there's so much content, it almost seems as if you never truly focus on specific skills in depth, but rather learn a little bit about everything.

However, looking at UNSW's combined degree of computer science and digital media, it seems pretty tasty. I really like the look of the course, but assumed knowledge is mathematics extension 1, and I dropped maths in year 10 lmao. Will I struggle without that and without a bridging course?

Sorry, this is mainly venting, I guess I do have a few questions though. I'm looking to go into any creative career - anything - graphic design, creative departments within advertising, any type of media, film, special effects departments. Creating something everyday is the dream :l I did manage to get into art express/band 6 for v.a, so hopefully I have enough skill to get somewhere. but im not counting on it.

What course would you take out of those two between UTS and UNSW? Do you recommend anything? Should I take that first offer, even though I'm not completely sure about it? Is it worth changing my preferences after main offers and hoping for the best?

Transfering between courses is kind of out of the question for me, since I don't get Hecs help, I'll be paying student contribution every year (I only get 7 subsidised years)

Sorry for the wall of text and endless stream of questions. Thanks for your time if you read that entire thing lmao

 

[Deer]

Hey hey, can't offer you anything except for the general assumptions that you probably already know... but yeah I've heard that UTS has the best reputation in anything communications and offers you the best practical experiences, which are more valued than the name of the uni when you're looking for employment. If you don't know specifically what you want (ie you'd be happy in any creative job) I'm sure the 'little bit of everything' you learn at UTS will prepare you to be flexible in your field. Are you sure you can't specialise in your third year or something? I know that the other communications degrees (journalism etc) are very specific and driven towards getting you skills in one specialised area, so I find it strange that vis/comm wouldn't be the same.

Personally I'd go there, but maybe someone else can offer some advice who has actually done the degrees.

As for doing maths, if the assumed knowledge is 3U, not even just 'mathematics' then maybe you should look at doing a bridging course (or is it too late?) You'd probably find it difficult, but nothing's impossible. You might just have to get a tutor or do some extra work for the maths subjects.

Also, what gallery are you in for art express? Congrats for getting in

 

[MrBrightside]

Oh jebus. Main round offers come out tonight and I'm still completely unsure about which course I really want to get into :\ my first preference is Design in Visual Communication at UTS which I think I'll get into (atars 90.75 + a shiznit load of bonus points), but just looking at the course structure/subjects.. there's so much content, it almost seems as if you never truly focus on specific skills in depth, but rather learn a little bit about everything.

However, looking at UNSW's combined degree of computer science and digital media, it seems pretty tasty. I really like the look of the course, but assumed knowledge is mathematics extension 1, and I dropped maths in year 10 lmao. Will I struggle without that and without a bridging course?

Sorry, this is mainly venting, I guess I do have a few questions though. I'm looking to go into any creative career - anything - graphic design, creative departments within advertising, any type of media, film, special effects departments. Creating something everyday is the dream :l I did manage to get into art express/band 6 for v.a, so hopefully I have enough skill to get somewhere. but im not counting on it.

What course would you take out of those two between UTS and UNSW? Do you recommend anything? Should I take that first offer, even though I'm not completely sure about it? Is it worth changing my preferences after main offers and hoping for the best?

Transfering between courses is kind of out of the question for me, since I don't get Hecs help, I'll be paying student contribution every year (I only get 7 subsidised years)

Sorry for the wall of text and endless stream of questions. Thanks for your time if you read that entire thing lmao

computer science is whats going to hog your maths up. If thats not your thing stay away from it. UTS does look pretty sexy I have to admit. Iv'e been in their art and digital rooms and have to say they're sexy as hell.

 

[harrisony]

You will not survive in unsw comp sci if you dropped maths in year 10. I would be very surprised if you didn't fail your first year maths units (MATH1131 and MATH1231)

 

[mitchy_boy]

You will be raped by maths if you don't do the bridging course, even if you do, you're gonna have trouble... Unless you really have a knack for maths that you didn't know about.

 

[harrisony]

If you do want to do comp sci at unsw you will need to do the mathematics skills program, then MATH1011 in first semester, MATH1131 in second semester and then do MATH1231 in summer semester

 

[SmokedDuck]

If it were me, I would prefer UNSW's degree. Not in regards to "prestige" or anything like that. The one overwhelming feature of UNSW's degree is that it is a combined degree, which in my opinion gives you a distinct edge over other graduates with a single degree, not to mention expanded job areas/opportunities and potentially a better salary. If it were just a single degree at UNSW in a similar course to UTS, then I would definitely pick UTS, due to it's better facilities, chances for real world experience and reputation. But since it's not...

This is assuming you get into them though and you can handle the maths at UNSW! If you get into UTS, UNSW or none at all then a lot or all of what I said becomes a moot point doesn't it?!

 

[Bored Of Fail 2]

You will not survive in unsw comp sci if you dropped maths in year 10. I would be very surprised if you didn't fail your first year maths units (MATH1131 and MATH1231)

lol yeh , you could get away with it if you did 2unit maths for your hsc, but you are in really bad shape if u didnt do even 2unit maths for your hsc

 

[Otterr]

Thanks for the replies, I reaally appreciate it. yep the math rape would be brutal, i was always included accelerated math classes but barely escaped fails in like every test :\

looks like it'll be UTS then. it is a pretty sexy place and the 'little bit of everything' is probably a good idea, I think some electives do go into further depth, like advanced web design and even accounting lmao.


thanks again

 

[MrBrightside]

Thanks for the replies, I reaally appreciate it. yep the math rape would be brutal, i was always included accelerated math classes but barely escaped fails in like every test :\

looks like it'll be UTS then. it is a pretty sexy place and the 'little bit of everything' is probably a good idea, I think some electives do go into further depth, like advanced web design and even accounting lmao.


thanks again

yeah from what I heard, they have elective topics that you can choose in other completely different faculties. (this is like in your 2nd-3rd year though).

 

[msh]

I have graduated from Digital Media at UNSW and had also wanted to get into visual communication UTS when I was applying to universities.
Back when I did the HSC, the cut-off for visual communication design at UTS was super high. It was like 95~96 UAI.
I have several friends in visual comm at UTS, so these are my experiences:

Digital media at UNSW is 3 yrs long, ( a year shorter than visual comm at UTS)
You can focus on either digital photography, animation or web/new media in digital media.
You can take free electives of your choice. Some choose subjects from COFA but you can choose anything from all over UNSW.

As for visual comm, the way their electives/sub-major stream works is that... It's almost like a major/focus.
To name a few, most students take either a photography sub major, film and video sub major (for those interested in film and animation), advertising sub major (for those with an interest for communication strategies),
there are a lot to choose from, including the above mentioned Accounting. (If that's your fancy)
UTS vis comm is an integrated honours degree, so you need to all do an additional year of research and a graduation project.

UTS design faculty was recently refurbished again, and their facilities are superb. I guess UTS invests a decent amount to maintain the reputation of their design degrees.
UNSW media labs are ok, in comparison to UTS.

Overall, I am pleased with what digital media at UNSW had offered me, but if I was accepted into visual comm at UTS, I probably would have taken their offer.

Hope this helps.

 

[Otterr]

I have graduated from Digital Media at UNSW and had also wanted to get into visual communication UTS when I was applying to universities.
Back when I did the HSC, the cut-off for visual communication design at UTS was super high. It was like 95~96 UAI.
I have several friends in visual comm at UTS, so these are my experiences:

Digital media at UNSW is 3 yrs long, ( a year shorter than visual comm at UTS)
You can focus on either digital photography, animation or web/new media in digital media.
You can take free electives of your choice. Some choose subjects from COFA but you can choose anything from all over UNSW.

As for visual comm, the way their electives/sub-major stream works is that... It's almost like a major/focus.
To name a few, most students take either a photography sub major, film and video sub major (for those interested in film and animation), advertising sub major (for those with an interest for communication strategies),
there are a lot to choose from, including the above mentioned Accounting. (If that's your fancy)
UTS vis comm is an integrated honours degree, so you need to all do an additional year of research and a graduation project.

UTS design faculty was recently refurbished again, and their facilities are superb. I guess UTS invests a decent amount to maintain the reputation of their design degrees.
UNSW media labs are ok, in comparison to UTS.

Overall, I am pleased with what digital media at UNSW had offered me, but if I was accepted into visual comm at UTS, I probably would have taken their offer.

Hope this helps.

Woah yeah it helped tremendously, thank you so muchh. I just accepted the offer from UTS about an hour ago and you kinda reaffirmed my decision and I'm really confidence in this course now.

Thanks again, you're a legend

 

[Studentleader]

combined degrees arent more work - they are for unis to take more mony off you

 

[Rohanco]

I know I'm 6 years late, but I now find myself in exactly the same siyuation. Any insight or advise you could share would be greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoyed your degree.

 

[georgia7100]

So I find myself also in a similar situation now. Design at UNSW (in graphic & textile design) or Design in Visual Communications at UTS. Can anyone offer any insight into what VisCom at UTS is like??