Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)
Student type:
Quick facts
-
Duration
Full-time 3 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February
Entry score
ATAR 81.35
Duration
Full-time 3 years Location
Melbourne City Fees
AU$30,720 (2019 annual)
Next intake
February, July
Overview
RMIT’s journalism program is highly regarded by the local and international news media industry, for its blend of theory and practice.
Graduates are employed in all major news organisations in Australia, and in many international news agencies.
As part of your studies, you will take part in both simulated and live productions of radio and TV news and current affairs. You will also learn to write high quality print and digital news and feature stories, which will be published in the well-regarded City Journal.
By the end of your studies you will have the practical and theoretical knowledge to begin a career in journalism, in Australia and abroad, and be able to show employers evidence of your skills and achievements with a professional portfolio of published work.
With the changing dynamic of the industry, our students are also well equipped to pursue roles such as media advisors and corporate communication specialists.
Details
Industry practitioners and journalism academics—with solid local and international experience—will guide your studies in purpose-built, world-class facilities, including fully equipped radio and television studios.
You will engage with broader critical analyses of the industry’s historical, theoretical and cultural contexts.
You will learn in studio environments, in which you will actively develop skills in modern news gathering and production.
Internships and work placements form part of the program experience, and will help you develop connections to the industry while you study.
Lecturers, industry experts and guest speakers will all share their experiences of working and developing strong careers in journalism.
All programs are delivered in English. You will have access online and digital resources through the myRMIT student portal. Additional assistance is available from the RMIT Study and Learning Centre.
In your third year of study you will undertake a professional-based journalism placement at a print, online, radio or television news organization. A number of overseas internships may also be available.
Industry representatives inform the continuous development of the program through our Program Advisory Committee (PAC). Membership includes senior representatives of key international, local and community news organizations, including Reuters, Fairfax Media, ABC, SBS, The Monthly, SYN Media, 3AW, and the Seven Network.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
RMIT offers opportunities to study overseas for 1 or 2 semesters at universities in the UK, US, Canada and Europe. The skills you learn in this program are global in nature, and will equip you to find work in Australia and overseas.
RMIT’s Education Abroad Office (EAO) supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
The Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) combines professional studies with a contextual studies specialisation, and a choice of courses from a wide range of School and University-wide electives. The program is designed so that you will develop critical and analytical skills, theoretical knowledge and research expertise to better understand and evaluate your own and others’ work.
Professional studies
The professional strand courses are where you will specialise in your chosen field.
In the professional strand courses you will learn through the practice of journalism—gathering and producing news—in traditional and digital, online, converged and networked environments. You will also explore the creative and critical application of these skills in a wide range of scenarios relevant to academic study and the journalism industries.
Learning and teaching in the professional strand is focussed on project-driven studios that integrate and progressively develop a theoretical, practical and professional knowledge base.
As you move through the program you will increasingly direct your own learning, and gather and produce news with both an academic and industry focus.
Contextual studies
You will study one of five contextual strands as part of your degree program. The five contextual strands are: Asian Media and Culture; Cinema Studies; Politics Economies Communication; Literary Studies; Approaches to Popular Culture.
Electives
You will also select four courses from a wide range of school and university electives, depending on your particular career and personal interests.
Year 1
In the first year of the program you will learn foundation skills in news gathering, news writing and production. You will be introduced to the intellectual and scholarly aspects of journalism. You will critically engage with its cultural and historical contexts, and its legal and regulatory systems.
Year 2
In the second year you will learn to research, report, write and produce radio and television news. You also learn the fundamentals of online journalism.
Year 3
In the first semester of your final year, you will enrol in an industry-based placement course. In the second semester you will work in a converged, multimedia newsroom. You will produce print, online and broadcast journalism in a deadline-driven environment that mirrors industry practice. You will help to produce the program’s newspaper, City Journal, its online companion City Journal Online, a live television news bulletin, and live radio news. This capstone course will enable you to synthesize and integrate knowledge, connect theory and practice and to demonstrate holistic achievement of program learning outcomes.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) | City Campus |
3 years full-time
6 years part-time
|
3 years full-time
|
BP220 | 048668D |
Choose a program structure
Program code: BP220
Career
When you graduate, you will be ready to begin working locally and internationally and in all areas of journalism, including newspapers, magazines, specialist publications, radio, TV, online and also in related areas in the commercial and public sector.
The news industry values the multi-platform skills that RMIT journalism graduates offer, skills that are essential in the modern newsroom.
The focus of the program is on preparing you for a journalism career, but it will also prepare you for other occupations in media and communications. Technological advancements in the industry have resulted in new forms of journalism, allowing for new employment possibilities.
The program will prepare you for roles such as journalist, media advisor, information officer, crisis communication specialist, corporate social responsibility (CSR) advisor.
Admissions
*ATAR refers to the lowest selection rank to which an offer was made (including consideration of any adjustments) for current and recent year 12 applicants.
RMIT is committed to providing transparency to the admissions process. In line with this commitment, we provide you with information that will help in making informed choices about your undergraduate study options.
RMIT admits students from a range of educational pathways, including Year 12 results, previous higher education or vocational education study, work experience, and for some programs - interviews, auditions or portfolios.
Gain a better understanding of the Admission criteria for this program by viewing RMIT’s Admission information.
The highest level of education you have previously completed will determine which category applies to you.
Entry to this program is competitive. Applicants are ranked and selected in order of merit based on their academic achievement, e.g., ATAR or GPA (including any adjustments).
Applicants with recent secondary education (current or within the past two years)
Successful completion of an Australian Year 12 senior secondary certificate of education or equivalent in 2016, 2017 or 2018. If applicable, this includes equity access schemes and any other adjustment factors.
School Network Access Program (SNAP)
The SNAP access scheme is designed to increase tertiary access and participation of eligible students from SNAP partner schools.
Applicants with Vocational Education and Training study
Satisfactory completion of an Australian Certificate IV or above (or equivalent).
Applicants with Higher Education study
Satisfactory completion of at least two courses (subjects) at an Australian undergraduate level (or overseas equivalent).
Applicants with Work and Life Experience
Successful completion of an Australian senior secondary certificate of education (Year 12) or overseas equivalent.
Prerequisites: VCE Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 30 in any English or achieve an overall score of at least 155 in the STAT multiple choice.
If you are not studying year 12 in 2018 you must:
- submit a personal statement by 27 September 2018 (VTAC Early round) or 23 November 2018 (VTAC Main round) outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- your understanding of changes in contemporary media and the impact on journalism
- details of any relevant work experience (including work published or broadcast).
- attend an interview (some applicants):
- Interviews will be held in November (VTAC Early round) and November/December (VTAC main round). For all subsequent rounds and direct applicants, interviews will be arranged after you have submitted your applicaiton.
- Interstate or overseas applicants may be interviewed via telephone or video call.
- Advisory emails will be sent to interviewed applicants in late December (VTAC Main round).
Applicants studying year 12 in 2018 will be considered on the basis of academic achievement, e.g. ATAR.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples
The Indigenous Access Program will support your application into RMIT programs through an informal interview process with support from the Ngarara Willim Centre. Your relevant life, work, educational and training experience as preparation for study, in addition to any formal qualifications, are all considered.
Elite Athlete Program
The RMIT Elite Athlete Program (REAP) supports elite athlete and emerging athletes to achieve sporting and academic excellence.
You must have successfully completed an Australian Year 12 (or equivalent senior secondary school qualification) with a minimum 65% average.
Equivalent qualifications may also include completion of the RMIT Foundation Studies program or a recognised post-secondary diploma in the relevant discipline with the required grades.
Meeting the minimum academic requirements does not guarantee entry. Your application will still need to be assessed and accepted.
Statement: If you are not currently studying year 12, you must submit a personal statement with your application outlining:
- your reasons for wanting to study this program
- your understanding of changes in contemporary media and the impact on journalism
- details of any relevant work experience (including work published or broadcast).
Interview: You may be interviewed, either in person or via phone/Skype.
To study this program you will need to complete one of the following English proficiency tests:
- IELTS (Academic): minimum overall band of 6.5 (with no individual band below 6.0)
- TOEFL (Paper Based Test): minimum score of 580 (TWE 4.5)
- TOEFL (Internet Based Test - IBT): minimum overall score of 79 (with minimum of 13 in Reading, 12 in Listening, 18 in Speaking and 21 in Writing)
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) (PTE (A)): minimum score of 58 (with no communication band less than 50)
- Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE): minimum of 176 with no less than 169 in any component.
For detailed information on English language requirements and other proficiency tests recognised by RMIT, visit English language requirements and equivalency information.
Don't meet the English language test scores? Complete an Advanced Plus Certificate at RMIT English Worldwide.
Pathways
Fees
In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958*.
* 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.
Additional expenses
Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$303 maximum fee for 2019.
Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
Learn more about fees for undergraduate study.
Defer your payment
You may be eligible to apply for a HECS-HELP loan, which can be used to defer payment of up to the full amount of your student contribution fees. You may also be eligible to apply to defer payment of your SSAF through the SA-HELP loan scheme.
All undergraduate and honours degrees have Commonwealth supported places (CSP) available. In 2019, the annual student contribution amount (tuition fee) you will pay for a standard year of full-time study is between AU$6,566 to AU$10,958.
In a CSP, your tuition fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your share of the fee (student contribution) is set each year by the Australian Government and is determined by the discipline areas (bands) of the courses in which you enrol, not the overall program.
How much can I expect to pay for my Commonwealth supported place?
Courses (subjects) fall into one of three bands. The band determines the student contribution amount for the course.
Amounts listed in the table below are based on a standard, full-time study load (96 credit points per year) with all courses in the same band. A proportionate fee applies for more or less than the full-time study load or for enrolment in courses (subjects) from a combination of bands.
You can learn how to calculate your exact tuition fees for units from different bands at fees for Commonwealth supported students.
Maximum student contribution amount for Commonwealth supported places in 2019
Student contribution band by course (subject) |
Maximum annual student contribution amount in 2019 |
Band 1: humanities, behavioural science, social studies, clinical psychology, foreign languages, visual and performing arts, education, nursing |
$6,566 per standard year |
Band 2: mathematics, statistics, computing, built environment, other health, allied health, science, engineering, surveying, agriculture |
$9,359 per standard year |
|
$10,958 per standard year |
HECS-HELP Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the HECS-HELP loan scheme, which allows eligible students (such as Australian citizens or holders of an Australian permanent humanitarian visa) to defer payment of up to the full amount of their student contribution.
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 HECS-HELP and/or SA-HELP loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT, on your behalf, up to the full amount of your fees. This amount will become part of your accumulated HELP debt.
You will 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 2019 is $303.
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 2019 is AU$30,720.
The total indicative tuition fee for 2019 commencement is AU$95,040.
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.