Master of Writing and Publishing
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Entry score
Not applicable
-
Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years, Reduced duration available -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
AU$27,840 (2022 annual)
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
IELTS 7.0
Duration
Full-time 2 yearsLocation
Melbourne City
Overview
Are you ready to excel in writing, editing and publishing?
Develop your specialist knowledge with this industry-focused masters degree. Whether you’re embarking on a career in writing, editing or publishing, or seeking to acquire more specialist knowledge in your career, this industry-focused masters degree is a unique offering.

Details
The core of the degree is the unique Bowen Street Press internship program. The Bowen Street Press operates as a real-world, student-led publishing house, which offers many opportunities for industry engagement and real-world and simulated work practice. The numbers speak for themselves: interns have rated this program with 100% for overall satisfaction, generic skills and graduate qualities over the last 2 years, as well as over 90% ratings for learner engagement, skills development, teaching quality and overall quality of education.
This degree is designed as a series of connected studios in which you take on specific industry challenges through collaborative and interdisciplinary learning and teaching strategies. Publications in both group and individual scenarios from print through to digital are the focus of the Bowen Street Press. A combination of industry-led research and individual projects in the second year of the program will ensure a high level of flexibility for students.
Lecturers and academics all have strong industry relationships and experience, and the learning environment simulates professional practice within the writing, editing and publishing industries. The studios comprise an internship day, weekend intensives, weekly face-to-face seminars and student-directed learning.
Class sizes are small to ensure personal supervision of your activity and progress.
This degree is linked to and supported by industry participation in its Program Advisory Committee, which assists in developing program content to ensure the curriculum reflects existing practice and emerging trends in the publishing industry. The content and structure is vocational, with an emphasis on the acquisition and development of practical, readily applicable professional skills.
The degree is managed by professional book industry practitioners with extensive experience in the trade and educational sectors of the industry.
All staff in the Bowen Street Press and associated subjects are well-respected industry experts with deep industry connections and knowledge. We have partnerships and mentorships with Hardie Grant Books, Emerging Writers Festival, the Australian Publishers Association, The Garrett Podcast, Affirm Press, Scribe, Black Inc. and smaller not-for-profits such as STREAT and the Fitzroy Learning Network.
The degree teaches skills that are globally relevant, which allows students to gain employment both 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.
- 2 years full-time or 4 years part-time (without advanced standing)
- 1 - 1.5 years full-time or part-time equivalent (with advanced standing).
For further information about advanced standing see the Pathways section.
The Graduate Diploma of Writing and Publishing is available as an exit award of this degree. Any advanced standing you receive for the masters program is not transferrable to an exit award. If you wish to exit early with the Graduate Diploma, you must have completed all courses specified in the relevant program structure.
You will study:
- the principles and practices of editing
- the production of print and electronic books
- publicity and marketing for books and authors
- the business and financial considerations of book publishing
- the cultural context in which the book industry operates in Australia and internationally.
Choose a program structure
Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Master of Writing and Publishing | City Campus |
2 years (4 semesters) full time; 4 years (8 semesters) part time
|
2 years (4 semesters) full time
|
MC262 | 088089C |
Choose a program structure
Program code: MC262
Career
You will develop advanced writing, editing and project management skills and high-level industry acumen preparing you to meet the needs of this constantly changing and fast-paced work environment.
Once you've graduated, you can work in many diverse careers including traditional roles in the trade, educational, corporate and digital sectors, and freelance careers in writing and editing across traditional sectors and in the fast-growing and opportunity-rich digital world.
This new program is currently in the process of accreditation with the Australian Publishing Association.
Admissions
You must have:
- successfully completed an Australian Bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (out of 4.0); or
- at least 3 years professional experience in the creative and professional writing, journalism, professional communication, public relations and/or editing and publishing area.
To have your professional experience considered you must submit with your application a CV and a personal statement detailing your experience.
You must have successfully completed:
- an Australian bachelor degree (or equivalent overseas qualification) with a minimum grade point average of 2.5 (out of 4.0)
OR
- at least 3 years' professional experience in creative and professional writing, journalism, professional communication, public relations and/or editing and publishing
Entry requirements
To have your professional experience considered you must include in your application:
- a CV
- a personal statement that details your experience.
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
If you have successfully completed one of the following qualifications majoring in creative writing, journalism, professional communication or public relations, you may be eligible for advanced standing as follows:
Qualification level |
Advanced standing |
Remaining program duration |
---|---|---|
Bachelor degree |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Bachelor honours degree |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Graduate certificate |
48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study) |
144 credit points (equivalent to three semesters full time study) |
Graduate diploma |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
96 credit points (equivalent to two semesters full time study) |
Credit
Applicants with a bachelor honours degree, graduate certificate, graduate diploma or masters degree qualification majoring in a different discipline may also be eligible for credit transfer of up to 48 credit points (equivalent to one semester full time study).
Fees
2022 indicative fees
Full-fee places: AU$27,840.
Additional expenses
- Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$315 maximum fee for 2022.
- 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.
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.
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 2022 is $315.
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 annual tuition fee for 2022 is AU$34,560.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2022 commencement is AU$71,040.
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.