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Discipline info for Australian students
Interested in Journalism and Professional Writing?
A journalism and professional writing qualification from UniSA will prepare you for a career as a journalist and writer in mainstream, community and niche media and communication fields. It also opens doors to a wide variety of allied professions such as technical writing, editing, scriptwriting, and marketing and communication.
Our industry-standard on-campus facilities, which include a TV and radio studio, will ensure you graduate career-ready. They offer you the opportunity to practice recording news broadcasts, producing and filming.
You will also get the chance to practise these skills in a real-world environment when you complete an industry internship or project. This is a great opportunity for you to develop your skills, and build important industry experience.
Key features
- Study South Australia’s only Journalism and Professional Writing degree.
- Focus on ethical journalism and delve into the role and impact of journalism in society.
- Learn in our industry-standard television and radio studios, located on-campus.
- Practise your skills using one of South Australia’s largest green screens.
- Gain real-world experience when you complete an industry internship or project.
- Become a published writer or broadcaster with student publications and outlets Verse, Piping Shrike, and On the Record and online radio station UniCast.
- Study a curriculum informed by world-class research in Creative Arts and Writing, Language, Communication and Culture1.
12018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA)
UniSA is an unstoppable university for unstoppable people. As one of the World’s Top Young Universities1, we’ll ensure you get the experience your future profession demands so it’ll feel like you’re studying one minute and in a career the next.
We’ve invested millions of dollars in new buildings and facilities, so you will have access to the latest technologies and will learn in ultra-modern teaching spaces. We’ve had 100 per cent of our research rated at or above world-class2, and this excellence shines through our teaching. Our people are inspired by challenges and opportunities. We partner with local icons and international industry professionals to focus on real-world projects.
Students will have the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by contributing to the online student publication, On The Record, and our internet radio station, UniCast.
1UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #43, 2024 THE Young University Rankings.
22018 Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA), 4-digit Fields of Research.
UniSA offers the following Journalism and Professional Writing degrees
Choose your level of study
Meet the Unstoppables
Meet some of UniSA's unstoppable graduates and explore how you can unlock your unstoppable career in Journalism with our world-class degrees.
Our journalism and professional writing qualifications prepare you for a career as a journalist and writer working in text, broadcast, other audio and video, online or for multimedia organisations. You may also set up as an entrepreneurial journalist, charting your own international career. Journalism and journalism-related careers to consider:
- journalist: research, write, edit, proofread and file news stories for use on television, radio or for publication in newspapers, magazines or journals, either in a media organisation or as a freelance or entrepreneurial journalist
- reporter: deliver updates on news stories; reporters often cover breaking stories to quickly inform the public
- TV/radio presenter and/or interviewer: the public face or voice of programs broadcast on television, radio and online
- researcher/producer: for broadcast, podcast or vodcast; journalists research stories, find people to interview and put rich and informative audio or video stories together
- scriptwriter: create characters and storylines for movie or television scripts
- communication specialist: create and deliver internal and external communications
- 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
Global networks
We are a globally connected university, and our staff and students come from more than 90 countries. We have more than 2,500 industry and professional relationships that support student internships, research and community engagement. Our students have had placements and internships with organisations like:
- all major TV networks (ABC, NITV/SBS, 7, 9, 10)
- The Messenger
- The Australian
- The Bunyip
- Newstyle Media
- Department of the Premier and Cabinet
- Cancer Council
- Resthaven
- Uniting Communities
- InDaily/Solstice Media
Industry facts
UniSA's leading art museums and galleries
Ask UniSA
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How do I apply?
The way you apply for UniSA will depend on the undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree you're interested in studying.
The majority of applications are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Check out more information on the SATAC website and follow the appropriate process for your degree of interest.
There are a small number of degrees that you need to apply for through direct application processes. The process you need to follow will be listed on the 'How to Apply' section of the degree homepage, but you'll also be taken to where you need to go if you hit the 'apply' button.
If you are interested in studying one of our 100% online degrees you'll need to apply directly to UniSA Online.
You can find more information about the application processes for UniSA on our How to Apply webpage.
If you're more interested in applying for a postgraduate degree by research, check out and follow the information in our step by step guide to applying. -
Is there a closing date for applications?
Applications for all degrees will close ahead of study commencing, but the timelines may vary for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
Undergraduate
The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be guaranteed equal consideration is generally in very late November or early December. While you may be able to apply after this date, you are not guaranteed to be considered equally with other applicants and your application may not be assessed in time for the main round of offers. More competitive degrees may not make any offers after the main offer round. Find more information on the Key Dates section of the SATAC website, but you can also call the Future Student Enquiries team for more information on 08 8302 376.
Postgraduate
Many postgraduate by coursework degrees do not have set closing dates. The exceptions are highly competitive degrees, so it is best to check – either on the degree homepage on the SATAC website or by checking with our Future Student Enquiries team.
As most postgraduate applications are assessed as they are submitted and offers are continuous, there are no set closing dates for applications. Degrees can be filled and closed with little notice so it is best to apply as soon as possible to avoid missing out on a place. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquires team on (08) 8302 2376 or submit an enquiry.
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What credit can I receive for previous studies?
You may be eligible for credit or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area and completed within a certain timeframe. Receiving credit or RPL will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree. You can read more about our pre-existing credit agreements through our online Credit Assessor. If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning (RPL) for this experience. Credit and RPL is assessed by the Program Director once you've received an offer, and you apply through UniSA's current student experts, Campus Central.
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Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?
Future Student Enquiries welcomes the opportunity to meet with you to discuss your study options at UniSA. We can discuss degree information, entry requirements and pathways, applications, general career outcomes and student life, so you have the information to make the best study decision for your future. Head to our Book an Appointment webpage to find a date and time to speak with us, and take your next steps on journey to university study.
What others are saying
I have really enjoyed using the practical facilities at UniSA, the TV and radio studios, and the opportunity to do an industry internship as part of my studies.
Isobel Scott
Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing, Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)
Journalism at UniSA focuses on practical learning – from day one I was able to write articles and contribute to UniSA news and the UniPollWatch website. In my second year, I worked in the UniSA radio station, UniCast, creating live broadcasts and later had the opportunity to show my TV news packages to industry leaders. I loved being able to delve into the field straight away.
Madeline Dunk
Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing
Through the range of skills I developed during my studies, coupled with the hands-on experience that UniSA offer, I got a job in a professional newsroom before I even graduated! This degree has given me the skills to write newspaper articles, host a radio show, anchor a television broadcast and compose a media release. Plus completing a double degree with International Relations, meant I could explore my long-term interests in foreign affairs.
Madeleine Dunne
Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing, Bachelor of Arts (International Relations)
Why study at UniSA?
As one of the most innovative universities in Australia and Asia, there are many reasons to study with us. Here are just three:
Accessible, helpful and flexible
We have six campuses, a 24/7 online learning environment, and we offer flexible study options like online and evening courses.
Graduate success
UniSA is South Australia's number one university for graduate careers.*
*ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 – Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.
A five star university
Five stars for research, employability, teaching, facilities, internationalisation, inclusiveness and innovation*
*2023 QS Stars Ratings
