Graduate Diploma in Journalism
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$25,920 (2021 total)
Next intake
February, July Entry score
IELTS 7.0
Duration
Full-time 1 year Location
Melbourne City
Overview
Are you ready to work as a journalist? This course is designed to give you strong journalistic skills and what the job requires today. You will have the opportunity to contribute to the journalism course’s online publication, City Journal. You will also be involved in presenting and producing live radio news and our live-to-air television news bulletin, Newsline.
Strong links with industry are maintained through the course’s extensive work placement scheme, which offers you the chance to spend time in a newsroom. There are also limited opportunities to complete overseas work placements.
You will also learn to put modern practice into its legal, ethical and social context.
You will complete this course with the skills and knowledge necessary for an entry level position in journalism.
Details
The course is taught by staff with tertiary qualifications and backgrounds in journalism. Their combined professional experience covers radio, television and online journalism, newspaper and magazine journalism, specialist reporting and news organisation management.
The course uses a variety of face-to-face and online learning and teaching approaches which may include lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars, case studies, problem-based learning, reflective techniques (e.g. blogs, journals), online and face-to-face presentations, group-based learning, online and face-to-face discussions.
Assessment will include a range of activities such as reports, research projects, assignments, portfolio production, essays, presentations, reflective papers and peer or industry review. Research projects, reports and presentations will be directly related to industry specific needs and may involve making contact with industry practitioners regarding contemporary issues.
Most of the assessment you undertake is ongoing throughout the semester and will be designed so that your lecturer can provide you with formative feedback on strengths and areas for improvement. This approach will enable you to improve on your performance during the course and in subsequent courses, as well as continue to refine capabilities for your future professional practice and learning after graduation.
All courses are delivered in English.
You will have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
At their own cost some students take the opportunity to complete work placements and study overseas via our long-standing networks. You are also encouraged to independently follow up with organisations that interest you.
The skills taught in the course are globally relevant to ensure you are employable locally and internationally.
RMIT’s Global Mobility Office supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graduate Diploma in Journalism | City Campus |
1 year (2 semesters) full-time
|
1 year (2 semesters) full-time
|
GD074P5 | 012959A |
Choose a program structure
Program code: GD074
Career
You'll be able to work across all platforms of journalism, including newspapers, magazines, online, radio and television journalism, specialist publishing and corporate communications in Australia and overseas.
Digital technology advancements and the growing social media space are increasing the need for graduates who can adapt to, and cope with, a fast-paced environment and who have an understanding of how journalism will look in the future.
Graduates work in roles such as:
- journalist
- corporate communicator
- media advisor.
Admissions
You must have successfully completed:
- an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification)
OR - significant work experience or professional practice
You must have successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification).
OR
Significant work experience or professional practice
Entry requirements
You must include with your application a statement outlining:
- your interest in studying the program
- your awareness of the role of journalists in contemporary society (no more than 300 words)
- details of any previous work experience in the industry (this may include freelance or voluntary work in print, radio, television or online)
You may be invited to attend an interview.
Interview: If shortlisted, you may be required to attend an interview.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 7.0 (with no individual band below 6.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 94 (with minimum of 19 in Reading, 20 in Listening, 20 in Speaking and 24 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 65 (with no communication band less than 58)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component.
Pathways
When you successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Journalism you may be eligible for entry into the following programs:
Alternatively, you may be eligible for entry into other RMIT postgraduate programs.
Fees
2021 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$25,920.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$313 maximum fee for 2021.
- Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Annual fee adjustment
Amount quoted is the 2021 total program tuition fee, and is based on a total annual load of 96 credit points. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Defer your payment
This program is offered on a full-fee paying basis only. If you are offered a place, you will need to pay the full tuition costs of your program. However, eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
Learn more about fees for postgraduate study.
Payments and refunds
For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.
Eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) may apply to defer payment of some or all of their tuition fees via the Commonwealth Government’s FEE-HELP loan scheme.
How does a HELP loan work?
If your FEE-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to 100% of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You only start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is set each year by the Australian Government (this also applies if you are still studying). The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.
For more information about loan repayment options see Commonwealth assistance (HELP loans) or Study Assist.
This program is approved for income support.
You may be eligible for student income support payments from the Commonwealth Government if you are undertaking a graduate certificate, graduate diploma or an approved professionally oriented masters by coursework program. For more information see Income support for Masters students.
If you are enrolled in an eligible program you will also need to satisfy all other student payment eligibility requirements. You can contact Centrelink or Services Australia for further information about student income support entitlements, your eligibility and how to apply.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student. The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2021 is $313.
You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2021 commencement is AU$26,880.
In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) in each calendar year.
- Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) - Student visa holders must have cover for the total duration of their visa.
- Some programs incur additional expenses.
You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.
Applying for refunds
For information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student, please see Refunds.
Looking for answers or more general infomation?
For frequently asked questions or how to find more information regarding applications and enrolments, fees, student support services, university policies and more, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions.