Hone your writing skills to become a professional screenwriter, editor or script developer.
The Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting 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 professional best practice and career management.
RMIT is the place to study for screenwriters wanting to break into the industry. This advanced diploma is revered by industry, and graduates are well-regarded by filmmakers and production companies.
As part of your learning experience, you will complete a professional placement. During your second year, you will undertake at least 35 hours of professional work-integrated learning in an industry context, helping you hone your practical skills and kick-starting your professional network.
All lecturers are industry experienced and are actively involved in screenwriting and media production. Their up-to-date knowledge is supplemented by guest speakers from industry who share their knowledge and experience.
Graduates can expect to work in diverse roles, including screenwriters or script editors of feature films or series for TV networks or streaming services, or script developers for digital platforms.
Gain practical experience with professional placement within industry in your second year.
Course practitioners have professional backgrounds in writing and production, so your learning reflects industry best practice.
Expand on your ideas with ongoing story development in a highly collaborative environment.
Discover how author Graeme Simsion developed his screenplay and award-winning novel, The Rosie Project, through the Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting at RMIT.
Your learning in this course will be highly practical, featuring extensive time spent on writing and story development. You will learn through workshops, both independent and collaborative work, and will benefit from both providing and receiving class feedback.
Your teachers are also practitioners with extensive careers in the screen industry, ensuring you are immersed in industry best practice from day one.
In this advanced diploma, you will be assessed on your work produced, which will include scripts for feature films, television series, and other work you may develop with the goal of future production. You may undertake work in comedy, game writing, childrens television, and writing from other genres.
The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.
Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.
The world is constantly changing, and there are universal skills that can help you adapt to the evolving nature of work and global engagement.
As part of your study experience at RMIT, we provide 6 future-focused RMIT Capabilities:
RMIT Capabilities are built into your course as well as some of our extracurricular experiences. They inform the design and delivery of your learning activities and assessments, so by the time you graduate, you’ll be ready to apply these capabilities in your life and work.
You will be required to complete 35 hours minimum of professional work/integrated learning in your final year.
Past students have completed work placements at the ABC and Matchbox Pictures; gained internships with FremantleMedia, working on TV shows such as Neighbours; and worked with a host of commercial television production companies.
This advanced diploma 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 representatives from VicScreen, SBS, ABC, the Australian Writers Guild and independent production companies.
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.
RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through overseas work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.
This course is competency-based and has been designed to help you develop the practical skills and knowledge necessary to work effectively in your chosen field. You will learn and be assessed by practising and demonstrating your capabilities, all of which can be readily applied in the workplace.
In addition to the specific vocational skills you build throughout this course, you will also develop a set of essential employability skills, including communication, planning, organising, and problem solving, self-management, initiative and teamwork. These foundational skills will enable you to navigate the world of work, collaborate effectively with others, and successfully get the job done.
This advanced diploma immerses you in the Australian and international professional screenwriting environment.
You’ll learn about the makeup of the screen production industry 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.
Our 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.
Gain a comprehensive grounding in writing for film, television and digital media.
Develop your own creative strengths through specialist training across a wide range of genres. You’ll learn about the screen production industries, as well as how to work professionally, market your projects and manage your career.
You will also complete your placement in final year. For a minimum of 35 hours, you will gain practical experience in an industry setting.
Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.
If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.
The need for professional writers has increased since the growth of streaming services, the expansion of the film industry in Australia and the increase in number of independent production companies.
Utilising the skills developed throughout this advanced diploma, you will be able to pursue work as a screenwriter, story editor and developer, either in established production companies or as freelancers.
You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.
There are no minimum academic entry requirements for this course. Applicants must meet the minimum university entry requirements.
Applicants who are seeking admission on the basis of an approved RMIT pathway will be able to indicate this in the selection task and submit.
All other applicants must complete and submit the selection task requirements.
There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.
Applicants who are seeking admission on the basis of an approved RMIT pathway will be able to indicate this in the selection task and submit.
All other applicants must complete and submit the selection task requirements.
Applications are assessed in the order that they are received until the selection task date below, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this course, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application.
| Application type | Register and submit the selection task by |
|---|---|
| All applications | 10 July 2026 |
The selection task has 2 options:
Applicants need to only complete the section most relevant to their qualification(s) and experience.
If you have successfully completed, or are due to complete at the end of the current RMIT semester, one of the following RMIT University courses, you must submit your selection task so that your eligibility and application will be assessed based on the approved RMIT pathway course:
Answer the following questions (maximum 150 words per question):
If you are currently in Australia on an asylum seeker visa, please contact the Domestic Admissions team on +61 3 9925 8795 or study@rmit.edu.au for information on how to apply.
A pathway is an alternative way to get into a course. RMIT's pathways can help you move through different levels of study to reach the qualification you're aiming for, even if you don't meet the requirements for your destination course.
This course has pathways available.
The Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting provides credit and guaranteed entry into further study.
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.
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.
The tuition fees you will pay depends on your eligibility for government subsidies.
Not sure which fee type applies to you? Learn more and check your eligibility.
Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.
You may be eligible for a fee concession if you hold a valid Commonwealth Health Care Card, Pensioner Card, or Veteran's Gold Card, or are enrolled in the Asylum Seeker VET program. Find out more about fee concessions.
| Item | Description | Cost (AUD) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition fee student pays
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
The total tuition fee you will be charged for a full-fee place
|
$18,500.00 |
| Student services and amenities fee (SSAF)
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
Based on 2026 cap of $373 per calendar year
|
$709.80 |
| Material fees
Total cost of material fees associated with this course |
Total cost of material fees associated with this course
|
N/A
|
| Estimated total cost to you
Includes all fees listed above |
$19,209.80 |
The tuition fees shown include the Victorian Government contribution. This amount is reflected in your fees and is paid directly to RMIT by the Government: $ per nominal hour ($ total).
Generated on 25 June 2026 | RMIT University's Registered Training Organisation (RTO) Code is 3046 | Payment and refund information
VET Student Loan cap for Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting (C6180): $19290
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSL|
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$ per nominal hour ($ total).
Choose the specific course plan to see relevant fee information:
VET Student Loan cap for (): $
Any tuition fees above the cap must be paid upfront to RMIT by their due date. Caps are indexed annually by the Commonwealth Government. Eligibility applies.
Learn about eligibility for VSLRMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.
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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