Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing, Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing and Literature)
University of South Australia
About
This double degree ensures you have the advanced writing and production skills needed for a career in the news industry, as well as the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed for a career in creative, professional and technical writing.
You will explore historical and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, autobiographies, essays and plays, as well as news and feature writing, broadcast, print and online journalism.
Our on-campus facilities, which include a TV and radio studio, will ensure you graduate career-ready and offer you the opportunity to practise recording news broadcasts, producing, and filming with industry-standard technology.
You will then get the chance to practice these skills in a real-world environment when you complete an internship or industry project during your final year.
This is a great opportunity for you to develop your skills and build important industry networks.
If you finish your degree with a credit or higher grade point average (GPA) you could also be eligible for the one-year Bachelor of Arts (Honours).
Structure
| Course name | Area and cat no | Units | Reference | Rules |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FIRST YEAR | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1 2 or 3) | ||||
| Ideas, Innovation and Communication | COMM 1060 | 4.5 | Note(s): 1 | |
| Journalism: Principles and Practices | COMM 1062 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| News Reporting | COMM 1064 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Creative Writing and Literature: An Introduction | COMM 1061 | 4.5 | ||
| Second Semester (Study Period 4,5 or 6) | ||||
| Intercultural Communication | LANG 1054 | 4.5 | Note(s): 1 | |
| Production for News and Social Media | COMM 1063 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Media Contexts | COMM 1059 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Creative Writing Workshop | COMM 1045 | 4.5 | ||
| SECOND YEAR | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1,2 or 3) | ||||
| Radio Journalism and Podcasts | COMM 2077 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Writing and Reading Fiction and Poetry | COMM 2058 | 4.5 | ||
| Writing and Editing for Publication | COMM 2009 | 4.5 | ||
| Sub Major | 4.5 | Note(s): 3 | ||
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Media Law and Ethics | COMM 2076 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Reworking the Canon | LANG 2042 | 4.5 | ||
| Professional Writing | COMM 3037 | 4.5 | ||
| Sub Major | 4.5 | Note(s): 3 | ||
| THIRD YEAR | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1 2 or 3) | ||||
| Journalism Research Capstone | COMM 3059 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| The Writer's World | LANG 3042 | 4.5 | ||
| World Literatures and English | LANG 3030 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Sub Major | 4.5 | Note(s): 3 | ||
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Television and Video Journalism | COMM 3060 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Advanced Professional Writing | COMM 3057 | 4.5 | ||
| Elective | 4.5 | |||
| Sub Major | 4.5 | Note(s): 3 | ||
| FOURTH YEAR | ||||
| First Semester (Study Period 1 2 or 3) | ||||
| Advanced News Writing | COMM 3021 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Elective | 4.5 | |||
| Advanced Writing and Editing for Publication | COMM 3058 | 4.5 | ||
| Sub Major | 4.5 | Note(s): 3 | ||
| Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6) | ||||
| Internship or Project | COMM 3063 | 4.5 | Note(s): 2 | |
| Sub Major | 4.5 | Note(s): 3 | ||
| Creative Writing Theory and Practice | LANG 3043 | 4.5 | ||
| The Power of Story | LANG 2005 | 4.5 |
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Admission criteria
The admission criteria have been grouped to assist you to easily find the information most relevant to your circumstances. However, you may fit into more than one and the university will consider applicants against each of the relevant criteria.
Certain conditions apply. For more information refer to Appendix 4 of the University's Selection and Entry policy.
Applicants are required to meet one of the following criteria with a competitive result, and demonstrate that they fulfil any prerequisite requirements and essential requirements for admission:
Recent secondary education Meet any prerequisite requirements with a minimum grade of C- or equivalent AND
- Qualify for the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE), and achieved a competitive Selection Rank (ATAR), or
- Complete secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE, or
- Complete the International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum score of 24 points
Applicants who have not achieved the Selection Rank required for automatic selection may be selected for any remaining places based on the grades of their year 12 subjects.
OR Higher education study
- Complete or partly complete a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution, or
- Complete at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at undergraduate level or above
OR Vocational Education and Training (VET)
- Complete an award from a registered training organisation at Certificate IV or above
OR Work and life experience
- Qualify for Special Entry, or
- Complete a UniSA Foundation Studies program or equivalent, or
- Hold completed secondary qualifications equivalent to SACE obtained more than 2 years in the past
Essential requirements for admission
Prerequisites
Assumed Knowledge
Deferment
This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.
Learning outcomes
This degree will provide you with the skills and knowledge needed to work as a journalist and writer in mainstream media and communication fields. The emphasis on professional writing opens doors to a wide variety of allied professions such as technical writing, tender presentations, and marketing and communication.
You will study historical and contemporary fiction, non-fiction, poetry, autobiographies, essays and plays. As you begin to create your own great classics, you will also learn how different oral and written texts have impacted on cultures around the world. A final year industry internship will further extend your knowledge and training. Under the guidance of skilled academics and researchers, you will:
- develop creative writing skills
- explore how different oral and written texts have impacted on the cultures of the world
- learn how to author and edit written and visual texts within news and non-news environments
- develop the production skills required by news and online media, including filming and editing, problem solving and decision-making
- learn how to use industry-standard hardware and software
- develop analytical and research skills
For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects and contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12 – 26 hours of study when at university and 14 – 28 hours of independent study per week.
Your studies at UniSA will incorporate practical, professionally focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:
Many of our lecturers have extensive news industry experience, which means you will be well-informed of major issues facing working writers today. You will benefit from the University’s excellent industry connections – these connections will assist you as you begin to create and build a professional network. In your final year, you will also have the opportunity to complete an industry internship and to present your work to a panel of industry hirers. Many of our past graduates have secured their first job through this opportunity. UniSA offers an extensive range of career-related events and workshops online, on campus and around Adelaide to develop your skills and increase your knowledge.
Your career
This degree prepares you to work as a journalist in print, broadcast, online or for multimedia organisations. You will also be qualified to embark on a career within the creative industries, advertising, and publishing fields as an author, editor or researcher. Careers to consider:
- journalist: research, write, edit, proofread and file news stories for use on television, radio or for publication in newspapers, magazines, journals or online
- copywriter: develop advertising concepts; often work alongside an art director
- editor: prepare, write and edit copy; editors also plan and coordinate the selection of material for publication and may be required to supervise other staff
- TV/radio presenter: the public face or voice of programs broadcast on television, radio and the internet
- publisher: responsible for overseeing the production of a book, magazine or newspaper, ensuring the style and content is to brief
- writer: produce articles, reports, literature and other texts
Applying to study with us:
- go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
- you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application
Our campuses have fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.
Adelaide has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation or private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages for plenty of options. If you need somewhere to live, our new student accommodation by urbanest is on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal perfect location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.
Our student support services will make your life at university easier. We want you to be successful, and if you need help, we're here to assist. We provide a full range of support services, including:
- academic counselling
- personal counselling
- social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with advanced facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, laboratories, and areas that simulate real work environments.
You will have access to:
- industry-standard on-campus television studio and radio studios
- one of South Australia’s largest green screens
- industry-standard editing suites
Institution
