Bachelor of Journalism

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Program Code
MBJO

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 22,400 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
024185K

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

Bangladesh HSC	4
Canada High School (OSSD)	75
Eynesbury FSP	370
German Abitur	2.3
India (best 4)	70
Kenya KCSE (average)	B+
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	9
Malaysia UEC	26
Norway GPA	3.9
Pakistan HSSC	85
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	9
Sweden GPA	16
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	9
USA SAT (2400)	1745
Vietnam	8.5
Australia	80
IB (best 6)	29
Nepal HSEB	70
HKDSE	19

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Continuing students only. Prospective students please refer to our new Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing, program code MBJR.

Aim

The Bachelor of Journalism degree qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge locally, nationally and globally to undertake professional work in journalism and related fields and as a pathway for further learning.

Content & Structure

The Bachelor of Journalism is equivalent to three years of full time study or 108 units. The program includes Common Core courses (18 units / 4 courses), an extended professional major (54 units / 11 courses), a sub- major (27 units / 6 courses), an Indigenous Studies course (4.5 units) and a Free Elective (4.5 units).

What courses you'll study

Course name	Area and cat no.	Units	Reference
FIRST YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Ideas, Innovation and Communication	COMM 1060	4.5	Note(s): 9
Common Core Option 1		4.5	Note(s): 10
Principles of Journalism	COMM 1022	4.5
Sub-major 1		4.5	Note(s): 2,7
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
News Writing	COMM 1023	4.5
Common Core Option 2		4.5	Note(s): 10
Sub-major 2		4.5	Note(s): 2,7
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Journalism Techniques	COMM 2074	4.5	Note(s): 5
Media Contexts	COMM 1059	4.5
Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians	COMM 2060	4.5
Sub-major 3		4.5	Note(s): 2,7
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Journalism Production	COMM 2073	4.5
Journalism Ethics	COMM 1021	4.5
Advanced News Writing	COMM 3021	4.5
Sub-major 4		4.5	Note(s): 2,7
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Media Law	COMM 2026	4.5
Journalism Professional Practice	COMM 3053	9
Sub-major 5		4.5	Note(s): 2,7
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Professional Major option		4.5	Note(s): 6
Professional Major option		4.5	Note(s): 6
Sub-major 6		4.5	Note(s): 2,7
Journalism Project	COMM 3040	4.5
COMMON CORE OPTIONS - Select 2			Note(s): 10
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
Migration, Identity and Multiculturalism	SOCU 1005	4.5
PROFESSIONAL MAJOR OPTIONS - Select 2		4.5	Note(s): 6
Notetaking for the Media	COMM 1052	4.5
Advanced Radio News	COMM 2019	4.5
Advanced Television News	COMM 2018	4.5
Sports Journalism	COMM 2039	4.5
Advanced Print Workshop	COMM 3056	4.5
Digital Journalism	COMM 2070	4.5

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

Majors, sub-majors/minors
Rules & notes

Rules

1. Some of the listed common core options may already be available to students within their professional major and or sub-major/minor/professional specialisation. Students will then be required to choose a different core option from the provided list.

Notes

1. The journalism professional major is a sequence of related courses which comprises 54 units or 11 courses, of which two are selected from the professional major options (see Note 7). Students are required to complete Level 1 major courses before progressing to Level 2, and to complete Level 2 courses before progressing to Level 3, except with approval from Program Director. Students are advised to check course prerequisites and co-requisites prior to enrolment.

2. A sub-major is a stream of related courses which comprises 27 units or six courses. Sub-majors can be taken in a wide range of disciplines. Courses making up each sub-major can be found at Majors, sub-majors, minors. Students should note that not all sub-majors are available on each campus; however, students may enrol in a sub-major on any campus.

3. All students complete at least one 4.5 unit Free Elective as part of their undergraduate program of study. The elective course may be chosen from any program offered by the University, including optional courses within the journalism major. See undergraduate elective courses.

4. All students, other than International students and students who have elected to complete either a sub-major or elective in Indigenous Studies, must complete the course COMM 2060 Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians. Students not required to complete COMM 2060 must undertake an additional elective course.

5. Students are not permitted to complete any other broadcast-focused courses without first completing COMM 2074 Journalism Techniques.

6. Students select two 4.5 unit Professional Major options from those listed in the above schedule.

7. Students who, for their sub-major, choose a language or any other discipline requiring sequential enrolment may need to seek enrolment advice from the Program Director.

8. Students who choose to study International Studies for their sub-major have the option of consolidating four of their International Studies courses (18 units) in the POLI 3014 Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience program.

9. A Common Core course is one available to students enrolled in most undergraduate programs offered within the School of Communication, International Studies and Languages.

10. Students select two of the Common Core Option courses listed in the above schedule.