RMIT’s Professional Writing and Editing program is designed for students who wish to write at a professional level. Once you have completed the core first-year courses you can customise your program by choosing courses that reflect your interests and goals. The program offers both fiction and non-fiction writing courses in which you can write and workshop your material to industry standard. The editing courses prepares you for employment in the publishing industry while Desktop Publishing and Photography for Writers are designed for students who wish to work in the publishing and communication industries.

Potential applicants should note that the majority of students are mature age, many with degrees or higher degrees.

Work Experience

In second year, students can choose to work in their chosen industry area for 68 hours, gaining invaluable experience and industry contacts.

Duration

Diploma: Two years full-time or five years part-time incorporating Certificate IV: One year full-time or two years part-time.

Note: All students are admitted into the Certificate program and are automatically admitted into the Diploma on successful completion of the Certificate.

Pathways

Graduates of the Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing who have been successful in gaining a place in either the Advanced Diploma of Arts in Professional Screenwriting (Film, Television and Digital Media), Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) or Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) will be eligible to apply for exemptions.

Graduates of the Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing may be eligible to apply to the Master of Arts (Creative Writing); or the Graduate Diploma of Editing and Publishing.

Note: In TAFE, RMIT University recognises and accepts any Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) qualifications and Statements of Attainment that are issued by other Registered Training Organisations (RTOs). Credit will therefore be given for modules or units of competency for which an original official certificate or Statement of Attainment is produced.

Gaining credit for previous study or experience
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and credit transfer are ways that RMIT recognises applicants’ skills and knowledge gained through formal and informal education and training, work experience, and/or life experience (including volunteer work; committee responsibilities; family duties, hobbies).

Further information about gaining credit for previous study or experience

Further information about pathways

Career Prospects

Graduates gain employment in many areas including book, magazine, desktop and online publishing. They are also employed in newspaper and magazine journalism, writing CD-ROMs, website development, broadcasting, publicity and public relations, scriptwriting, copywriting, administration and project management. Employers include publishers, advertising agencies, tertiary institutions, government organisations, private consultancies, theatre and community groups. Graduates also work in a freelance capacity, using the industry networks developed during the program.

Entrance Requirements

Current Year 12—there are no prerequisite studies.

Non-Year 12 applicants are encouraged to apply and may be required to have relevant employment or evidence of experience and/or ability to meet the demands of the program.

Equity admissions schemes
RMIT understands that people’s backgrounds and circumstances can affect their access to education and training. RMIT’s equity admissions schemes allow applicants to explain the circumstances that have adversely affected their education, and demonstrate their capacity for future academic success.

Further information is available at equity admissions schemes

Click here for further information .

Application Procedures

Semester one

Full-time applicants—VTAC application
Part-time applicants—RMIT direct application
Note: All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

VTAC application
Applicants must apply through Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC) and are advised to check detailed information on entrance requirements, application procedures and closing dates. Applicants must meet all extra requirements and selection procedures listed through VTAC.

Application closing date: Late September
Further information:
Victorian Tertiary Admissions Centre (VTAC)
40 Park Street, South Melbourne
Tel. 1300 364 133
www.vtac.edu.au
Note: RMIT program codes listed on this page should not be used when applying through VTAC.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 October
Further Information:
Info Corner (formerly Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Extra requirements

Selection mode all applicants: Form, folio, interview.

Selection procedures (Semester 1 2009 VTAC applicants)

Form and folio: All applicants must complete and submit an RMIT University Professional Writing and Editing Supplementary Information Form and folio by 30 September (late applicants by 14 November). Applicants can also request the form by telephone 03 9925 4815 or at Open Day.

Interview (short-listed applicants only): Details will be provided by telephone or email by the end of November. These applicants must attend in October or November.

Advisory letters will be sent to applicants by 5 December.

Semester two (midyear intake)

RMIT University has places available for the midyear intake in many TAFE and degree (bachelor and postgraduate) programs. From 1 May check to see if this program offers a midyear intake
Note: Applicants must confirm availability of program offered at midyear prior to applying. All applicants must comply with any extra requirements listed.

RMIT direct application
Applicants must apply directly to RMIT University using an RMIT direct application form.

Application closing date: 31 May
Further Information:
Info Corner (formerly Office for Prospective Students)
330 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Tel. 03 9925 2260
Email: study@rmit.edu.au
www.rmit.edu.au/programs/enquiries

Click here for further information .

Fees

TAFE

The following fees relate to 2008 and should be used only as a guide.

State Government Subsidised Place (SGSP)
The 2008 tuition fee for TAFE programs was $1.37 per contact hour with the minimum fee of $55 and a maximum fee of $877 per year. Students eligible for concession contributed a maximum of $55.

Fee Paying Place (FPP)
Selected TAFE programs are available on a fee paying basis.

FPP students are required to pay the complete cost of their program. FPP fees vary according to each program. For details on program fees please contact the relevant school.

Further information is available at: www.rmit.edu.au/programs/fees/tafe

Scholarships

Record spend on RMIT scholarships
RMIT University will spend more than $60 million on student scholarships over the next five years. RMIT has many scholarships and funding opportunities to offer students.

Further information is available at RMIT Scholarships

Click here for further information .

Additional Expenses

Other expenses apply for most programs. Prospective students are advised to consult the relevant program contacts for further information.

Program Structure

In their first year students study three compulsory courses: Computer Skills for Writers, Industry Overview and Editing 1. To complete the certificate, students also study three core writing-based competencies and select 315 hours of writing specialisations.

To complete the diploma, students study six core writing-based competencies in their second year and select 340 hours of writing specialisations.

The program has three compulsory courses. Full-time students will complete all three compulsory courses in their first year, while part-time students may take them in their first two years of study. To complete the diploma, all students must select a further three first-year courses and four second-year courses. All courses run over two semesters unless otherwise indicated.

Currently no program structure is available online. Please contact the school listed under "Owning School" below.

Contact Details

Clare Renner
School of Creative Media
Building 94, Level 2, 23–27 Cardigan Street, Carlton
Tel. 03 9925 4047
Fax: 03 9925 4362
Email: clare.renner@rmit.edu.au

Download this information as a pdf brochure (Requires Acrobat Reader)

Owning School

Creative Media

Disclaimer

Although RMIT endeavours to ensure the accuracy of this information, there is no guarantee it will remain accurate all year. Applicants are advised to confirm program details with the appropriate school before making an application.