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$ 23,500 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2015

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

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
Bangladesh HSC	4
Canada High School (OSSD)	75
Eynesbury FSP	370

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).

Study at the new Adelaide University in 2026

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From 4 August 2025, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia will no longer be accepting applications for new students.

Apply now to study with Adelaide University in 2026.

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): 1
Common Core Option		4.5	Note(s): 1
Journalism: Principles and Practices	COMM 1062	4.5
Sub-major 1		4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Free Elective		4.5	Note(s): 3
Common Core Option		4.5	Note(s): 1
News Reporting	COMM 1064	4.5
Sub-major 2		4.5	Note(s): 2
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Radio Journalism	COMM 2077	4.5
Writing and Editing for Publication	COMM 2009	4.5
Communication, Culture and Indigenous Australians	COMM 2060	4.5	Note(s): 4
Sub-major 3		4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Production for News and Social Media	COMM 1063	4.5
Media Contexts	COMM 1059	4.5
Media Law and Ethics	COMM 2076	4.5	Note(s): 5
Sub-major 4		4.5	Note(s): 2
THIRD YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2 or 3)
Advanced News Writing	COMM 3021	4.5
Journalism Research Capstone	COMM 3059	4.5
Advanced Writing and Editing for Publication	COMM 3058	4.5
Sub-major 5		4.5	Note(s): 2
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Television and Video Journalism	COMM 3060	4.5
Media Law and Ethics	COMM 2076	4.5	Note(s): 5
Or
Professional Writing	COMM 3037	4.5	Note(s): 5
Internship or Project	COMM 3063	4.5
Sub-major 6		4.5	Note(s): 2
COMMON CORE OPTIONS - Select 2
Introduction to Digital Media	INFT 1014	4.5
Intercultural Communication	LANG 1054	4.5
Effective Communication	PERF 1001	4.5
Communication and Media	COMM 1006	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. 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.

2. A sub-major consists of six courses (27 units) with no more than two courses at level 1 and at least two courses at level 2. Sub-majors 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 Majors, sub-majors/minors home pages.

3. All students complete one 4.5 unit Free Elective, unless directed to do English as an Additional Language as their elective area.

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 who have not completed Journalism Ethics COMM 1021 or Media Law COMM 2026 are to enrol into Media Law and Ethics COMM 2076. Students who complete Media Law and Ethics will be required to complete Professional Writing as part of their professional major option in Year 3.