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Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing (Pathway to Master of Communication)

Degree Level Undergraduate

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus/Online

Program Code
MBJR

Prerequisites
None

Assumed Knowledge
None

Fees
AUD$ 34,400 per annum (per 1.0 EFTSL) for students enrolled in 2025

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
082449K

  • 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 12-month 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

    Achieve a GPA of 4.0 or above on completion of their second year of study (72 units) to progress onto the postgraduate courses in the third year of the program.

    Prerequisites

    None

    Assumed Knowledge

    None

    English language entry requirements

    In addition to meeting academic entry requirements, international students who speak English as a second or additional language must also meet the University's English language entry requirements. The minimum language requirements for this program are:
    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 HSC3.5
    Canada High School (OSSD)60
    Eynesbury FSP310
    German Abitur3.8
    Kenya KCSE (average)B
    Malaysia STPM (best 3)6
    Malaysia UEC32
    Norway GPA2.8
    Pakistan HSSC75
    Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)6
    Sweden GPA12.5
    UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board6
    Vietnam7
    Australia65
    IB (best 6)26
    USA SAT (1600)1050
    India (best 4) State Board70
    India (best 4) Central Board60
    HKDSE15
    Nepal NEB2.41
    View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Quick links

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Aim

The Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing qualifies individuals to apply both a broad and coherent body of knowledge and highly developed journalism story telling skills across technologies and platforms. They apply this knowledge and these skills locally, nationally and globally to undertake professional work in journalism, writing and other communication-focused fields, and as a pathway for further learning.

Content & Structure

Graduates of the Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing degree have a broad and coherent understanding of the multi-faceted and complex theory, context and practice of journalism. They graduate with the full range of creative, writing, editing, audio and video journalism skills to take their place in the broad and wide-ranging journalism field and in the allied areas of professional communication. The knowledge they gain enables them to critically reflect on and operate effectively within the continually transforming journalism and professional communication industries.

Graduates have integrated practice-based learning experience throughout their degree, using industry standard web-based publication, radio and TV studios, cameras, recorders and software, and they have the research and production capabilities required to operate effectively within the shifting environment of media technologies. During their studies they work individually and in teams, solve problems, manage projects and make decisions. They are also offered industry placements and internships so they graduate with industry experience, networks and contacts and a portfolio of industry standard work.

The students complete 108 units of study comprising 18 units of core courses, 45 units of major, 27 units of sub-major and 18 units of masters courses.


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

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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
Journalism: Principles and Practices COMM 1062 4.5 Note(s): 2
News Reporting COMM 1064 4.5 Note(s): 2
Sub-Major 1 4.5 Note(s): 3
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
Sub-Major 2 4.5 Note(s): 3
SECOND YEAR
First Semester (Study Period 1, 2, or 3)
Radio Journalism and Podcasts COMM 2077 4.5 Note(s): 2
Writing and Editing for Publication COMM 2009 4.5
Sub-Major 3 4.5 Note(s): 3
Sub-Major 4 4.5 Note(s): 3
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Media Law and Ethics COMM 2076 4.5 Note(s): 2
Professional Writing COMM 3037 4.5
Sub-Major 5 4.5 Note(s): 3
Sub-Major 6 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
Feature Writing COMM 3021 4.5 Note(s): 2
Communication and Media: Advanced COMM 4005 4.5
Professional Communication COMM 5081 4.5
Second Semester (Study Period 4, 5 or 6)
Television and Video Journalism COMM 3060 4.5 Note(s): 2
Internship or Project COMM 3063 4.5 Note(s): 2
Managing Digital Design COMM 5068 4.5
Campaigns and Crises COMM 5005 4.5
  • Majors, Sub-majors & Minors minus-thick plus-thick

    Majors, sub-majors/minors

  • Rules & notes minus-thick plus-thick

    Rules

    1. In order to retain enrolment in the Pathway to Master of Communication, students are required to attain a minimum GPA of 4.0 at the end of second year.

    2. Students who have received more than 54 units of credit will not be eligible to undertake the Pathway to Master of Communication.

    Notes

    1. This is one of two core courses that provide a foundation for the program.

    2. An extended major is a stream of related courses which comprises 45 units, normally ten courses, requiring four courses at Level 1 (Introductory), two courses at Level 2 (Intermediate) and four courses at Level 3 (Advanced).

    3. Students in the Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing undertake a sub-major comprising 6 courses: usually two at Level 1 (Introductory), two at Level 2 (Intermediate) and two at Level 3 (Advanced). Not all sub-majors are available on each campus. Students who wish to enrol in a sub-major outside UniSA Creative should consult with their Program Director. 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 and Minors home pages.

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Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing

Contact us

Australian students

Phone: +61 8 8302 2376
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

International students

Phone: +61 8 9627 4854
Enquiry: unisa.edu.au/enquiry

For further information please visit unisa.edu.au/study
Information correct at the time of publication. CRICOS provider number 00121B.
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