Graduate Diploma in Journalism

Graduate Diploma in Journalism

POSTGRADUATE

Fast track your career in journalism with an overseas work placement opportunity. 

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Student type:
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$27,840 (2023 total)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City
Mode of study:
On campus and blended learning
Entry score:

See admissions

Duration:
Full-time 1 year
Fees:

AU$29,760 (2023 total)

Next intake:
February
Location:
Melbourne City

Overview

Are you ready to work as a journalist?

The Graduate Diploma in Journalism is designed to enhance your undergraduate qualification with focused study in journalism. This one-year diploma sets you up for a career as a journalist by allowing you to explore all forms of contemporary journalism and put modern practice into its legal, ethical and social context. 

As part of the curriculum, you will present and produce live radio news for community radio station RRR and our live-to-air television news program, Newsline, as well as create text and data reports for our publication The City Journal.

You will work individually with our work placement coordinator to find at least one internship as part of your study.

Upon completing this diploma, you will have developed the skills and knowledge necessary for an entry-level position in journalism and in doing so follow in the footsteps of many of Australia’s award-winning journalists.

Our teachers had direct and real-life experience in the media and tailored our learning to the skills we would need entering the workforce once we graduated. The most rewarding part of the course was the connections and industry relationships I made during my year at RMIT. I'm so glad to have found a supportive network of wonderful journalists who are now among my closest friends.
Portrait of Caitlin Cassidy, Graduate Diploma in Journalism - Caitlin Cassidy, Graduate Diploma in Journalism

Details

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This diploma is taught by academics who have significant experience of working in journalism. Their combined professional experience covers print, audio, video and data journalism, specialist reporting, and news organisation management.

The face-to-face curriculum uses a variety of learning and teaching approaches, with a particular focus on the practical production of journalism where theory is embedded within the projects. At times students will work with industry professionals producing work that is distributed in the Australian media.

Assessments are directly related to industry-specific needs and may involve contacting industry practitioners regarding contemporary issues.

Most of the assessment is ongoing throughout the semester and is designed to allow formative feedback on strengths and areas for improvement. This approach will enable you to improve on your performance during the subject, as well as to continue to refine capabilities for your future professional practice and learning after graduation

Blended learning options

Courses offered as part of blended learning programs include a meaningful blend of online, on-campus, and workplace based learning tailored to the type of study you undertake. This learning is active, prioritising tasks that involve exploration and development of skills and knowledge through interaction and engagement.

Online aspects provide positive benefits such as flexibility and adaptability using digital activities and materials, while also strengthening the interaction and connection with timetabled and on-campus experiences such as tutorials, practicals, or workshops.

You will have the opportunity to gain experience through our extensive work placement scheme with companies such as News Corp, Nine Media, the ABC, SBS, Channel 7, and rural, regional and interstate newsrooms.

Work placements are undertaken in a range of media outlets, allowing you to be exposed to city or regional journalism environments.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this diploma and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

In your first semester, you will learn to report and write as a journalist, develop an understanding of the global news environment, and learn about new technologies and law for journalists.

In second semester you will build on these skills so you can present and produce live radio news for community radio station RRR and our live-to-air television news program, Newsline, as well as create text and data reports for our publication The City Journal.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Graduate Diploma in Journalism
Program code: GD074
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Graduate Diploma in Journalism
City Campus
1 year full-time
GD074P5
012959A
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year full-time
Plan code
GD074P5
CRICOS
012959A
View plan
Graduate Diploma in Journalism
City Campus
1 year full-time
GD074P5
012959A
Location
City Campus
Duration
1 year full-time
Plan code
GD074P5
CRICOS
012959A
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

This diploma boasts a high graduate employability rate, with many of our students securing roles before graduation.

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.
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The Graduate Diploma in Journalism was initiated by the RMIT Journalism Program Advisory Committee, which is made up of industry leaders from metropolitan, community and regional newspapers, online and broadcast media.

Admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following entry requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed:

  • an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification)
    OR
  • significant work experience or professional practice

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.

*If your qualification was completed more than 10 years ago you will need to provide evidence of ongoing professional work and/or professional development in the same discipline as the program for which you are seeking entry to be granted credit.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

A selection task is not required for entry into this qualification.

You must meet the University's minimum English language requirements to be eligible for a place in this program.

You need to satisfy all of the following requirements to be considered for entry into this degree.

You must have successfully completed an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification).

OR

Significant work experience or professional practice.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Statement: You must include with your application an explanation of your interest in studying Journalism, provide details of any previous work experience in the industry (this may include freelance or voluntary work in print, radio, television or online), and demonstrate your awareness of the role of journalists in contemporary society (no more than 300 words).

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)
  • C1 Advanced: minimum of 185 with no less than 176 in any component.

For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.

Pathways

You can gain entry to this graduate diploma from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs, if you meet the entry requirements.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Upon successful completion of this program, you may be eligible to undertake further studies in related programs at RMIT University, including MC248 Master of Communication and MC188 Master of Media, subject to each program's entrance requirements.

You can gain entry into this degree from a range of RMIT undergraduate programs.

Credit

Credit may reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant study experience.

When you are submitting an application, please indicate that you want to be considered for credit and provide detailed course syllabus (also known as course outline), outlining volume of learning, course content and weekly topics, learning objectives/outcomes, assessment types and their weightings, and reference to the learning resources such as prescribed textbooks and recommended readings.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

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

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2023 indicative fees

  • Full-fee places: AU$27,840.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$326 maximum fee for 2023*.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment*

Amounts quoted are indicative fees per annum, and are based on a standard year of full-time study (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.

Paying your fees and applying for 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.

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 2023 is $326. 

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.

FEE-HELP loans

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.

SA-HELP Loans

You may be eligible to apply to defer payment of the Student services and amenities fee (SSAF) through the SA-HELP loan scheme. If you use SA-HELP, the amount will be added to your accumulated HELP debt.

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.

You may be eligible to apply for income tax deductions for education expenses linked to your employment.

See the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) for more information.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

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The total indicative tuition fee for 2023 commencement is AU$29,760.

In addition to tuition fees you also need to pay for:

You also need to account for your living expenses. Estimate the cost of living in Melbourne.

Find out more details about how fees are calculated and the expected annual increase.

Applying for refunds

Find information on how to apply for a refund as a continuing international student.

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information