Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, July Entry score
Not applicable
Duration
Not applicable Location
Not applicable
Overview
RMIT is the place to study for screenwriters wanting to break into the industry. It is also the place where filmmakers and production companies look for trained, talented and creative new writers.
This program provides specialist training in writing for film, television and digital media across all genres. While encouraging you to develop your creative strengths, it exposes you to the professional screenwriting environment including the structure of local and international industries, professional practice and career management.
All lecturers are industry experienced and are actively involved in writing, production or media. Guest speakers from industry share their knowledge and experience, and all students have the opportunity to work with mentors from leading media companies and on all types of productions.
Graduates from the program can expect to work in diverse roles, ranging from screenwriters or editors to script developers in digital media or advertising.
Details
Teaching staff members are all industry professionals, actively engaged in the business of screenwriting across the entire production spectrum. You will also have the opportunity to work with mentors in leading media and production companies on a range of projects.
While you can write in any location, at RMIT you will be surrounded by a strong community of writers who immerse themselves in their practice.
All programs are delivered in English. You can access online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
You will be required to complete 35 hours minimum of professional work/integrated learning in your second year. Past students have completed work placements at the ABC; gained internships with FremantleMedia, working on TV shows such as Neighbours; and worked with a host of commercial television production companies.
This program maintains active links with all areas of the Victorian and Australia-wide film, television and digital media industry, especially through its strong Program Advisory Committee consisting of:
- Jenni Tosi – Chief Executive Officer, Film Victoria
- Susan Bower – Writer and Freelance Producer
- Mark Poole – Writer and Director
- Brett Sleigh – Development Manager, ABC Fiction
- Deb Parsons – Freelance Screenwriter
- Shaun Topp – Associate Script Producer, Seven Productions
- Tim Ferguson – Writer and Producer
- Chris Roach – Freelance Screenwriter and Script Editor.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
You may complete your industry placement in Australia or overseas. Many staff members who teach in the program have worked overseas, allowing them to share their global perspective and experience to broaden your knowledge of the screenwriting industry.
RMIT’s Global Experience Office supports students to undertake an exchange or short term mobility activity with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
This program immerses you in the Australian and international professional screenwriting environment. You’ll learn about the makeup of local and international industries and about the business of professional practice. You will also learn an audience-centred approach to marketing your own projects and a savvy approach to career management.
The program’s industry links ensure that on completion, you’ll be in a strong position to secure employment as a screenwriter in the film and television industry.
Year 1
Gain a comprehensive grounding in writing for film, television and digital media.
Year 2
Develop your own creative strengths through specialist training across a wide range of genres. You’ll learn about the local and international film and television industries, as well as how to work professionally, market your projects and manage your career.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting | City Campus |
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
|
2 years full-time
|
C6160 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C6160
National curriculum code: 10678NAT
Career
The need for professional writers has increased since the growth of new TV channels, the expansion of the film industry in Australia and the increase in number of independent production companies. Many of our graduates find employment with established companies but many also undertake freelance work.
This program provides students with the skills and knowledge necessary to work as:
- screenwriter
- editor
- online writer/editor
- research assistant
- story editors
- script editors
- writers/producers
- copywriters/script developers in digital media and advertising
- screenwriting teachers/tutors
- script assessors.
Admissions
Entry requirements
You must:
- complete and submit the Screenwriting pre-selection kit.
- VTAC applicants must register and submit the selection kit.
- All kits must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Early round (Non year 12 only): 27 September 2018
- Main round (All applicants): 30 November 2018
- All subsequent rounds (if places are available): 7 February 2019
- All kits must be submitted by the dates noted below for each VTAC round:
- Direct applicants, including RMIT current or recent students, please click the apply button to submit your direct application. The link to submit your pre-selection kit will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
- All kits must be submitted by 13 February 2019*
- *Kits will be assessed in the order they are received until this date unless places are filled prior.
- attend an interview (some applicants).
- If further information is needed to make a selection decision, you will be invited via email to attend an interview.
- Interviews will be held in October (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 application.
- Some applicants will be selected based on their pre-selection kit and will not be required to attend an interview. These applicants will receive an advisory email by mid December. Advisory letters will be sent in late October (Early round) and late December (Main round).
Pre-selection kit
The pre-selection kit requires:
- a statement outlining your writing background and interest in screenwriting (maximum 500 words)
- a 2000 word sample of original writing. This can be a short script, a screen story outline and related sample dialogue scenes, or a piece of creative writing.
- any other material you think will support your application. This may include a list of published work, CV, written references, a URL to a website or blog etc.
- Interview TBC
Pathways
Graduates may apply for exemptions from the following degrees:
Fees
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’**.
2019 Fees
- 2019 government subsidised place: AU$6,250* per annum
- 2019 full-fee place: AU$14,750* per annum
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
- 2018 full-fee place: AU$13750* per annum
- Maximum VET Student Loan for program: AU$5000**
*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.
**The maximum loan amount for a program is indexed annually on 1 January, and the maximum loan amount denoted above is correct at the time of publication.
Eligibility criteria waver
**The Victorian Government is currently waiving two (2) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and already have a qualification, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility.
VET Student Loans
The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme (VSL), which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.
How does a VET Student Loan work?
If your VSL application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.
Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your Higher Education Loan Program (HELP) debt. You will start repaying your accumulated HELP debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (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 see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.
Vet Student Loan cap
If your program is eligible for the VSL scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.
It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date.
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.