Bachelor of Arts (Writing and Creative Communication)

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MBWC

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 21,500 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2014

English Language Requirements

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Equivalent English qualifications (PDF)

International Admission by Country
See full entry requirements

CRICOS Code
061153M

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.

To be eligible for selection, applicants are required to have:

Completed the South Australian Certificate of Education (SACE); and

completed 200 credits of subjects;
achieved a grade of C* or better in the Personal Learning Plan, 20 credits of literacy, 10 credits of numeracy and the Research Project at Stage 2;
achieved a grade C- or better in an additional 60 credits at Stage 2;
obtained a competitive ATAR.

* For Stage 2 subjects a grade of C- or better is required

OR:

completed the equivalent secondary education qualifications as required for University entry under SACE and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed the International Baccalaureate Diploma, obtaining a minimum score of 24 points and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed or partly completed a recognised higher education program at a recognised higher education institution and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed at least four Open Universities Australia (OUA) courses at the appropriate level and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed an award from TAFE or from another registered training organisation at AQF Certificate IV level or above and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
qualified for Special Entry and fulfilled any prerequisite requirements;
completed the University Foundation Studies program.

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

None

Assumed Knowledge

None

English language entry requirements

In addition, international students who speak English as a foreign language must have obtained one of the following standards within the last two years prior to admission. Possession of one or more of these qualifications, in addition to the academic entry requirements, does not, in itself, guarantee a place at the University of South Australia. Applications are considered on an individual basis and selection is competitive. Where previous study/work experience was conducted in English, the application must be accompanied by certified documentation from the educational institution/employer certifying that the language of instruction/employment was English.

English language test

IELTS total [6.0]
IELTS reading [6.0]
IELTS writing [6.0]

Please access the following link for a comprehensive list of English language tests accepted by UniSA and other important information in relation to meeting the University’s language requirements: English Language Equivalence Table (PDF)

Admission Requirements by Country

Canada High School (OSSD)	60
Eynesbury FSP	310
Norway GPA	3
Pakistan HSSC	75
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	6
Sweden GPA	13
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	6
USA SAT (2400)	1500
Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
Nepal HSEB	60
HKDSE	16
Bangladesh HSC	3.5
German Abitur	3.3
India (best 4)	60
Kenya KCSE (average)	B
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	32

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

No further intake from 2015 - continuing students only. Prospective students please refer to our new Bachelor of Arts, program code MBAA.

Aim

The Bachelor of Arts (Writing and Creative Communication) aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the theory and practice of professional, technical and creative writing. Through an examination of literary and technical texts, students learn how to construct effective arguments, understand the influence of different cultural contexts, and produce their own creative pieces in a wide range of genres.

Content & Structure

The Bachelor of Arts (Writing and Creative Communication) qualifies individuals to apply a comprehensive and coherent body of knowledge in the theory and practice of professional, technical and creative writing, the construction of texts, rhetoric and communication, and an understanding of the ways cultures and contexts shape all forms of discourse and communication. The degree equips graduates with the communication skills required for the professional context and as a pathway for further learning.

The Bachelor of Arts (Writing and Creative Communication) is equivalent to three years of full time study or 108 units. The degree includes:

a professional major of seven courses (6 x 4.5 unit courses plus 1 x 9 unit course - total 36 units)
four common core courses (4 x 4.5 unit courses - total 18 units)
a six course sub-major (6 x 4.5 units - total 27 units)
one course in Indigenous Australian Studies (4.5 units)
four electives (4 x 4.5 unit courses - total 18 units)
one Free Elective (1 x 4.5 unit course) selected from courses across the University.

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Professional and Creative Communication 1	COMM 2051	4.5
Ideas, Innovation and Communication	COMM 1060	4.5	Note(s): 2
Writing and Text Workshop	COMM 1045	4.5
Sub-major 1		4.5	Note(s): 3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional and Technical Writing: An Introduction	COMM 1051	4.5
or
Language and Context	COMM 2047	4.5	Note(s): 6
Introduction to Communication and Cultural Studies	COMM 1033	4.5	Note(s): 2
Common Core Option selected from the list below		4.5	Note(s): 2
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 7
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Common Core Option selected from the list below		4.5	Note(s): 2
Sub-major 2		4.5	Note(s): 3
Elective 1		4.5	Note(s): 3
or
Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians	COMM 2060	4.5	Note(s): 8
Professional Major Option 1 selected from the list below		4.5	Note(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional and Creative Communication 2	COMM 2052	4.5
Sub-major 3		4.5	Note(s): 3
Sub-major 4		4.5	Note(s): 3
Elective 2		4.5	Note(s): 4
or
Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians	COMM 2060	4.5	Note(s): 8
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Either one of the following:
Creative Writing Practice	COMM 3042	9
Literary Texts and Practice	COMM 3046	9
or both of the following:
Elective 2		4.5	Note(s): 4
Professional Major Option 2 selected from list below		4.5	Note(s): 1
Sub-major 5		4.5	Note(s): 3
Elective 3		4.5	Note(s): 4
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Either one of the following:
Advanced Editing and Publishing	COMM 3047	9
Writing and Professional Practice	COMM 3045	9
or both of the following:
Elective 2		4.5	Note(s): 4
Professional Major Option 2 selected from list below		4.5	Note(s): 1
Sub-major 6		4.5	Note(s): 3
Elective 4		4.5	Note(s): 4
COMMON CORE OPTIONS - Select 2			Note(s): 2
Introduction to Digital Media	INFT 1014	4.5
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5
Effective Communication	PERF 1001	4.5
Global Societies	POLI 1014	4.5
Communication and the Media	COMM 1006	4.5
Migration, Identity and Multiculturalism	SOCU 1005	4.5
PROFESSIONAL MAJOR OPTIONAL COURSES - Select 2
Advanced Technical Writing	COMM 3037	4.5
Children's Literature: Writing for Young People	LANG 3025	4.5
Creative Nonfiction	COMM 2044	4.5	Note(s): 6
Desktop Publishing	INFT 1007	4.5
Digital Storytelling	COMM 2071	4.5
Editing and Publishing	COMM 2009	4.5
Issues in Publication and Design	COMM 1043	4.5
Language and Context	COMM 2047	4.5	Note(s): 6
Professional and Technical Writing: An Introduction	COMM 1051	4.5
Reworking the Canon	COMM 2053	4.5	Note(s): 6
Scriptwriting for Live Performance	COMM 2020	4.5
Scriptwriting for Media	COMM 2021	4.5
The English Language: Past and Future	COMM 2062	4.5
Writing and Reading Poetry	COMM 2057	4.5	Note(s): 6
Writing and Reading Short Fiction	COMM 2058	4.5	Note(s): 6

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

Students may select from any of the Sub-major sequences listed in UniSA's Majors, Sub-majors/Minors webpage.

Majors, sub-majors/minors
Rules & notes

Notes

1. The professional major of 36 units is made up of: 4 x 4.5 unit core courses: COMM 2051 Professional and Creative Communication 1; COMM 1051 Professional and Technical Writing: An Introduction or COMM 2047 Language and Context; COMM 1045 Writing and Text Workshop; COMM 2052 Professional and Creative Communication 2. Students have the option of choosing either 1 x 9 unit course plus 2 x 4.5 unit courses towards their major, or 2 x 9 unit courses. If students choose to complete only one 9 unit course the 2 x 4.5 unit courses may be chosen from the professional major optional courses listed in the program schedule above. The 9 unit course(s) may be selected from the following: COMM 3047 Advanced Editing and Publishing; COMM 3042 Creative Writing Practice; COMM 3046 Literary Texts and Practice; COMM 3045 Writing and Professional Practice.

2. A Common Core course is one available to students enrolled in most undergraduate programs offered within the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages. In addition to the two common core courses on the schedule, students select two of the listed Common Core Options, as above.

3. A sub-major (27 units) can be taken in a wide range of disciplines. Not all sub-majors are available on each campus. Students enrolled in a professional major on one campus may enrol in a sub-major on another campus. Courses making up each sub-major are detailed in the Majors, Sub-majors, Minors home pages - see above link. Students who choose a language or any other discipline requiring sequential enrolment may need to seek enrolment advice from the Program Director.

4. Students take 4 x 4.5 units of electives chosen from any courses offered in the University, including courses from the field of their professional major, sub-major or minor. Electives may be selected from the professional major optional courses listed on the schedule.

5. Students who are taking or have already taken COMM 1045 Writing and Text Workshop towards the sub-major in Literary Practice must take either COMM 1051 Professional and Technical Writing: An Introduction or COMM 2047 Language and Context instead.

6. The following restrictions apply to enrolment in these courses: COMM 2047 Language and Context is not available to students who have completed COMM 2029 The English Language: An Introduction. COMM 3042 Creative Writing Practice is not available to students who have completed COMM 3036 Advanced Writing Workshop. COMM 3045 Writing and Professional Practice is not available to students who have completed COMM 3033 Writing: Community and Professional Contexts and/or COMM 2027 Language and Society: Introduction to Sociolinguistics. COMM 2044 Creative Nonfiction is not available to students who have completed COMM 2031 The Informed Writer. COMM 2045 Writing Place is not available to students who have completed COMM 3038 Writing the City. COMM 2053 Reworking the Canon is not available to students who have completed COMM 2022 Shakespeare Reworked. COMM 2057 Writing and Reading Poetry is not available to students who have completed COMM 3038 Writing and Reading Poetry. COMM 2058 Writing and Reading Short Fiction is not available to students who have completed COMM 2032 Writing and Reading the Short Story.

7. All students complete at least one 4.5 unit Free Elective part of their undergraduate program of study. See undergraduate elective courses home page.

8. International students may, with the approval of the Program Director, take an elective instead of COMM 2060 Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians.