Study Bachelor of Journalism and Professional Writing (Pathway to Master of Communication) at the University of South Australia (UniSA). Information for Australian students.

Entry Scores
2024 Guaranteed Entry
Year 12 (ATAR-based): 65.00
Year 12 (Grades-based): B,B,C
TAFE/RTO: DIP
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2023 Cut-Offs
TAFE/RTO: Cert IV
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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.

Recent secondary education ATAR profile

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
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Degree overview

Complete an undergraduate and postgraduate degree in just four years (instead of five) through our fast-track to Masters in Communication program.
Graduate with highly sought after and diverse skills spanning journalism, professional writing, communication, storytelling, production, and publishing.
Set yourself apart with qualifications informed by industry that respond to the fast-changing needs of evolving journalism and communication work environments.
Study SA’s only Journalism and Professional Writing degree combined with a Master of Communication.
Gain real-world experience when you complete an internship or industry project during your third year.
Present to industry partners, including the major television networks, in your third year to expand your network and gain future employment.
Gain practical experience by working on projects with affiliated industry partners.
Become a published writer, producer or broadcaster with leading student publications and outlets Verse, and On the Record, plus online radio station UniCast.
Develop expertise in advanced communication theory, practice and trends through the masters program and study courses in campaigns and crises; digital design; communication, media and creative industries.

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.

¹UNSTOPPABLE® is a Kellogg Company trade mark used under licence. Ranked #52, 2023 THE Young University Rankings.

Snapshot

Fast-track your career and gain a bachelor and master qualification in just four years with this Fast-track to Masters in Communication program. You'll study a three-year bachelor’s degree and a one-year master's qualification (which typically takes two years full-time) by swapping four undergraduate courses or electives for selected postgraduate courses.

This unique offering allows you to elevate your career prospects by graduating with a highly sought after and diverse skill set spanning journalism, professional writing, communication, storytelling, production, and publishing.

As part of this fast-tracked program, you will:

major in Journalism and Professional Writing and then choose a sub-major in Applied Economics, Communication and Media, Digital Media, Film and Television, Global Politics, Languages, Legal Studies, Marketing, Psychology or Sociology
access on-campus facilities, which include a TV studio, radio studio and editing suites, so you can practise recording news broadcasts, producing, and filming with industry-standard technology
complete an internship or industry project during your third year
study courses in areas such as campaigns and crises; digital design; communication, media and creative industries; and professional communication
study industry-informed degrees, which are adaptable and agile changing to the needs and demands of industry.

During your studies you will develop an advanced understanding of communication strategies and theories, and graduate with the capabilities to be a successful leader and decision-maker in any communication setting, across a diverse range of industries.

Want to look at other options available to you? UniSA offer a wide range of other Fast-track to Masters programs.

What you'll learn

Your undergraduate degree will start with core courses in journalism and professional writing where you’ll cover topics such as journalism principles and practices, news writing, production and reporting, and intercultural communication.

You will:

learn how to author and edit written and visual texts within journalism and non-journalism environments
gain greater knowledge and understanding of journalism's role in society
develop the production skills required by news and online media, including filming and editing, problem solving and decision-making
learn how to use industry-standard equipment and software
develop analytical and research skills
complete an industry internship or project that will further extend your knowledge and training.

Through your postgraduate studies, you’ll build your professional skills in social and digital media management, public relations and strategic communication. You’ll also:

develop your knowledge of the social and political aspects of communication underpinned by advanced research methods and planning skills
explore topics including digital design and strategic communication in campaigns and crises.

Graduate with advanced management and writing and other journalism skills, along with knowledge of contemporary practice, social and digital media management, ethical communication, strategic communication plans and practices.

You can gain an extra qualification and broaden your career prospects by completing a Diploma in Languages.

Degree structure

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

Majors, sub-majors/minors
Rules & notes

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.

Study hours

For each course you study, you will need to allocate time for various classes such as lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Plus you will need additional hours to study in your own time to complete assignments, readings and projects, as well as to contribute to online discussion forums (independent study). So as a general rule, if you are studying full-time you would need to allocate 12–26 hours of study when at university and 14–28 hours of independent study per week.

Assessment

Your studies at UniSA will incorporate both practical, professionally-focused and research-based learning, so assessment types will vary. You can expect them to include:

portfolios
reports
essays
projects
online activities

Global opportunities

Enrich your studies and your life – make overseas study part of your qualification. You may have the option to undertake an exchange, short-term program or study tour overseas while you study. We have links with universities worldwide, as well as a range of travel grants available to make going overseas much more accessible.

You can choose short-term or semester-long study from a range of universities and countries depending on your area of study and cultural interests.

Take a look at the global opportunities available.

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

This specialised offering allows you to elevate your career prospects by graduating with highly sought after and diverse skills spanning journalism, professional writing, communication, storytelling, production, and publishing.

This packaged option will see you develop an advanced understanding of communication strategies and theories, and you will graduate with the capabilities to be a successful leader and decision-maker in any communication setting, across a diverse range of industries.

Real-world connections

Benefit from UniSA’s excellent industry connections – these connections will assist you as you begin to create and build a professional network. Practical experience will be an important part of your learning, and during your third year, you’ll have the opportunity to complete an internship at a media organisation..

Our degrees are informed by industry, and we work closely with our partners and collaborators to ensure our content is agile, up to date and industry-relevant, which ensures that you’re learning the skills and tools to walk into your career with confidence.

Online study

Part, or all, of this degree can be studied online. With interactive online course materials and a 24/7 learning environment you can organise your study to suit your lifestyle. You can:

study online, including accessing videos and course resources
participate in an interactive online learning environment
submit your assignments and get feedback online
use discussion forums for team work and communication

Please note that for some degrees, some on-campus attendance (such as to attend seminars, workshops or examinations) and/or placements may apply. Any requirements like this are detailed on individual course pages.

Career outcomes

Your career

As the No.1 university in South Australia for graduate careers¹, our quality teaching and experiences beyond the classroom will ensure you graduate career-ready.

Communication is at the core of everything we do – and skilled communicators are essential in every organisation. Social media is enabling more people to say what they think and share what they see every day, so the role of informed, knowledgeable, well-trained journalists and writers in presenting truthful and accurate information in the public interest is more important than ever.

Some of the roles our unstoppable graduates have landed include:

Journalist
Reporter
TV / radio presenter and/or interviewer
Researcher/producer
Scriptwriter
Copywriter
Editor
Strategic communications manager
Social media manager
Marketing manager
Public relations manager
Media adviser
Content creator

¹ComparED (QILT) Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019-21 –Full-time Employment Indicator (Undergraduate). SA public universities.

How to apply

Applying to study with us:

go to the top of this page and make note of the SATAC code, then click Apply
you will be redirected through to the SATAC website to continue your application

Alternative Pathways

Australian
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

International
There are other pathways you can follow to study this degree, including:

SAIBT Diploma of Arts

Deferment

This degree is available for deferment. This option is made available by responding to your offer during the application process via the SATAC website. Applicants who receive an offer into a midyear degree are eligible to defer for six months.

Credit Transfer

Get a head start on your degree. Find out if you're eligible for credit from previous studies.

Go to credit assessor

Entry pathway

We believe in equal access to further education, so we offer a range of pathways to university.

Find a Pathway

Scholarships

Every year, over 2,500 UniSA students are supported in their studies through scholarships and grants worth millions of dollars. Check out the scholarships below. One of them may be perfect for you. Visit our scholarships page for more.

More scholarships

UniSA Excellence Scholarships

$5,000 scholarship for South Australian students with an ATAR of 99 who enrol to study a UniSA undergraduate degree.

Learn more

UniSA Outstanding Achievement Scholarship

Up to $10,000 per annum (full time) for South Australian students who obtain an ATAR of 99.95 or IB equivalent and enrol to study at UniSA.

Learn more

Your study experience and support

Our campuses are home to fantastic facilities including modern lecture theatres, libraries, workshops and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments. But you’ll also discover that your journey at UniSA is about social experiences, healthy living and getting involved. You’ll find student sports and fitness facilities, community clinics, tech zones and chill-out spaces. There are campus sport activities to keep you active, and if you are keen to explore the social side of university life, there are movies, cooking demonstrations, parties and loads more.

Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit different requirements and budgets. Options include dedicated student accommodation and private rentals. See our long-term accommodation pages, or explore our student accommodation by Scape on Bank Street in Adelaide’s lively cultural precinct, an ideal location for students. It is within easy reach of UniSA’s city and metropolitan campuses, Rundle Mall shopping, the Central Market, Chinatown, and the West End’s vibrant nightlife. It is also across the road from the Adelaide train station, and on bus and tram routes.

Student services

Our student services provide you with all the support you need at university. We want you to succeed, and if you need help, we're here to assist. You can access a full range of support services, including:

academic counselling
personal counselling
social support services, including family support and nearby childcare
common rooms
prayer rooms
security officers
career services and mentoring
Wirringka Student Services, offering Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students a supportive place to study
as well as services offered through our student association, USASA.

When you become a UniSA student, you can also contact Campus Central for help with anything related to your degree. They will help you with your enrolment, ID cards, fees, timetables and more.

24/7 digital environment

Our learnonline facilities include a personal learning environment with virtual classrooms, lecture recordings, emails, learning support, administration, library access and results. The environment is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so you can tailor your learning to your life. We are continually investing in innovative digital technologies for a high-quality student learning experience.

Your campus

We have six campuses in metropolitan and regional areas, each with modern facilities including lecture theatres, libraries and laboratories, as well as spaces that simulate real work environments.

Ask UniSA

How do I apply?

There are a number of ways to apply to study UniSA's undergraduate and postgraduate coursework degrees.

Applications for admission into the University of South Australia’s undergraduate and most postgraduate degrees are made via the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre (SATAC). Visit satac.edu.au and follow the links.

For the MBA degrees please apply through the UniSA MBA Application Portal. Applications for a small number of degrees are submitted direct to UniSA through our Apply Online portal. It will be noted on the degree page if you need to apply via Apply Online.

Postgraduate study by research
For information on applying to do postgraduate study by research, including Master of Research, PhDs or Doctorates, please visit unisa.edu.au/resdegrees.
Is there a closing date for applications?

Undergraduate
Yes. The deadline to apply to study a degree at UniSA for semester one (commencing late February) and be given equal consideration is in 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 (mid January). Some degrees will not make any offers after the main offer round. Please click here find all of the key dates for applications here.

Postgraduate
Most postgraduate degrees do not have a closing date for applications. However, there are exceptions, so it is best to check – either on the SATAC website, Apply Online or the degree homepage. Postgraduate offers are normally ‘rolling’, meaning they may be sent out at any time up until the program starts. This also means that applications may close at any time without warning, if the quota is filled earlier. For this reason, postgraduate applications should be submitted without delay. For more information, please contact our Future Student Enquiries team on (08) 8302 2376 or via the online enquiry form.
What credit can I receive for previous studies?

Credit transfer or advanced standing

You may be eligible to receive a credit transfer or advanced standing for your chosen UniSA degree based on your previous studies, if they are in a related area at an equivalent or higher level. Receiving a credit transfer will reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and may also reduce the overall duration of your degree.

Recognised prior learning

If you have related industry experience, you may also be eligible to receive recognised prior learning for this experience. Receiving recognised prior learning will normally reduce the number of courses you undertake within the degree, and can reduce the duration of the degree.

How do I get credit?

Credit transfer and recognition of prior learning is assessed on a case-by-case basis by the Program Director who will discuss your prior learning and experience with you to ascertain what credit you may be eligible for.

Many of our credit transfer arrangements are listed on our online Credit Assessor.
Can I speak to someone regarding my study options?

UniSA welcomes the opportunity to speak with you regarding your study options. Our staff are able to talk to you about degree information, career outcomes and pathways, entry requirements, applications, and student life, so that you are able to make the best study decision for your future.

Click here to book a 1:1 appointment with one of our enquiries team.

If you are interested in studying an MBA please contact admissions@unisa.edu.au and our Future Student Enquiries team will contact you regarding your enquiry.

Alternatively, you can complete a MyCareerMatch career profile. MyCareerMatch is an online career profiling tool that you can use free-of-charge through UniSA. MyCareerMatch specialises in career profiles and provides you with a personalised career report outlining information about your personality style and a list of career options, which are complementary to your natural strengths and talents.

We have many events throughout the year where you can speak with a lecturer or tutor about your degrees of interest. You can find out what is happening at UniSA by visiting our events page or by signing up to our mailing list, so you're the first to know about careers events, information sessions, degree requirements, scholarships and more!

There are also many career counsellors external to the University that you can discuss your career options with. If you are unsure where to start your search, you can contact the Government's Work Ready team (formally Skills for All). Visit skills.sa.gov.au or call 1800 506 266.

You may also find Job Outlook a helpful resource in your decision-making.
Where can I get further information?

It can be difficult to decide what degree you would like to do and where. You might find information from government organisations will help to weigh up your degree and provider options.

Find a course or a provider

TEQSA is a regulatory body for higher education providers. Use the TEQSA national register of higher education providers to search for a course or a provider. Compare courses and providers for undergraduates and postgraduates using the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT) online comparison tool.

More information on university admission

Visit the SATAC website to find out important news, events and information on applying to university in South Australia. Visit Study with Us to find out everything you need to know about studying at UniSA, admissions and the application process.

Questions about your application

If you have any questions or concerns regarding your application you should contact the Future Students Enquiries team in the first instance.

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

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

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

Essential requirements for admission

Prerequisites

Assumed Knowledge