AE · Bachelor's
Murdoch University Dubai
BA (Hons) Media and Communication
Murdoch University Dubai
Course Overview
Murdoch University Dubai's BA (Hons) Media and Communication is delivered at the Dubai Knowledge Park campus and awards an identical Australian degree to Murdoch's Perth home campus — the parchment makes no distinction between the two locations. The three-year programme covers digital media production, journalism, strategic communication, screen production, and social media — with hands-on studio access, an industry mentoring scheme, and the option to transfer to the Perth campus for one or two semesters mid-degree.
Sri Lankan applicants choose Murdoch Dubai because Dubai is the regional headquarters for OSN, MBC, Vice Arabia, BBC Middle East, CNN Middle East, Bloomberg Middle East, and major agencies like Memac Ogilvy, FP7 McCann, and Leo Burnett MENA. The fee structure (AED 52,000/year, roughly LKR 4.5M) is half what an equivalent degree in Australia would cost, and the UAE Green Visa offers a 5-year post-study residency pathway for graduates. Dubai is also a 4-hour flight from Colombo — comfortably the easiest study-abroad geography for Sri Lankan families to visit.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan GCE A/L: 3 passes (any stream); minimum 3 C grades.
- check_circle Cambridge / Edexcel A Levels: CCC minimum.
- check_circle IB Diploma: 24 points minimum.
- check_circle Murdoch Dubai also accepts Foundation Year completion (the Murdoch Dubai Foundation Year is available for students who don't meet direct entry requirements).
- check_circle Personal statement and submission of a short creative sample (video, written piece, or social media work) is recommended but not mandatory.
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.0 Overall (no band below 6.0).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 70 Overall.
- check_circle PTE Academic: 50 Overall.
- check_circle Waived if your school qualification was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan applicants from Edexcel / Cambridge International streams qualify).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (AED) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | AED 52,000 | Rs. 4,524,000 |
| Living Expenses (per year, Dubai) | AED 36,000 | Rs. 3,132,000 |
| Student Visa, Medical & Emirates ID | AED 5,000 | Rs. 435,000 |
| Total Programme Investment (3 years) | AED 269,000 | Rs. 23,403,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Graduates qualify for the UAE Green Visa (5-year residency without sponsorship) or direct work-permit transfer through a UAE employer. Murdoch Dubai Media graduates place into OSN, MBC Studios, Vice Arabia, Memac Ogilvy, FP7 McCann, Edelman MENA, and into corporate communications at Emirates Airline, du, Etisalat, and Dubai Holding. Sri Lankan returnees route into Maharaja TV (TV1/Sirasa), Capital Maharaja Group, Triad, Phoenix O&M, and the marketing teams of Dialog Axiata, Hutch, and HSBC Colombo. Median starting salary in Dubai: AED 8,500/month (LKR 8.9M/yr).
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