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Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing

Degree Level Undergraduate

Years

International students

Start date
February
July

Campus
Magill

Duration
3 year(s) full-time

Mode
On-campus

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

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 HSC	3.5
Canada High School (OSSD)	60
Eynesbury FSP	310
German Abitur	3.8
Kenya KCSE (average)	B
Malaysia STPM (best 3)	6
Malaysia UEC	32
Norway GPA	2.8
Pakistan HSSC	75
Sri Lanka A Levels (best 3)	6
Sweden GPA	12.5
UK Board GCE A Levels/HK Board	6
Vietnam	7
Australia	65
IB (best 6)	26
USA SAT (1600)	1050
India (best 4) State Board	70
India (best 4) Central Board	60
HKDSE	15
Nepal NEB	2.41

View full entry requirements Hide full entry requirements

Aim

The Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing qualifies individuals who apply a broad and coherent body of knowledge 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 will have a broad and coherent body of knowledge in journalism theory and practice to critically reflect on the rapidly changing media and mass communication industries, but also to acquire the complex competencies needed in a multimedia environment particularly within the demands of current journalism practice and that of allied areas of professional communication.

Graduates will have integrated practice-based learning using industry standard hardware and software, and will have research skills required to operate effectively within the shifting environment of media technologies.

Graduates will have technical, professional and creative skills required to author and edit written and visual texts within non-news formats and environments, the production skills required by the news media such as filming and editing, problem-solving and decision-making skills in diverse professional contexts.

The students will complete 108 units of study comprising 9 units of core courses, 45 units of major, 18 units of professional concentration, 27 units of sub-major and 9 units of electives.

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

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		4.5	Note(s): 3,7
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		4.5	Note(s): 3,7
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	Note(s): 5
Sub-major		4.5	Note(s): 3,7
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 4,7
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	Note(s): 5
Sub-major		4.5	Note(s): 3,7
Elective		4.5	Note(s): 4,7
OR
Virtual Reality Storytelling	COMM 3081	4.5
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
Advanced Writing and Editing for Publication	COMM 3058	4.5	Note(s): 5
Sub-major		4.5	Note(s): 3,7
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
Advanced Professional Writing	COMM 3057	4.5	Note(s): 5
Sub-major		4.5	Note(s): 3,7

Majors, Sub-majors & Minors

Majors, sub-majors/minors
Rules & notes

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.

4. All students complete two 4.5 unit Electives, unless advised by the Program Director to do English as an Additional Language as their elective area. See undergraduate elective courses.

5. All students complete four Professional Concentration courses. The professional concentration includes four specific courses from outside the Major broadening skills to give a greater exposure to the knowledge required for professional practice.

6. Students undertaking POLI 3014 Hawke Ambassador International Volunteer Experience course must consult with their Program Director to arrange their program structure.

7. With permission of the Program Director, students may elect to substitute their sub-major and two electives (8 courses) with two minors (8 courses). Courses making up each minor are detailed in Majors and Minors home pages. Recommended minors for Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing students are: Global Politics; Digital Media; Film & TV; Communication and Media; Sociology; Legal Studies; Psychology; Applied Economics; Languages.

Professional accreditation and recognition

The Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA) is the only national journalists' professional association in Australia. While journalists are not required to be formally accredited to practise, many Australian journalists are members of the MEAA. The Alliance promotes links between the industry and Journalism students at a state and national level.