Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Hone your creative and technical writing skills to become a professional screenwriter, editor or script developer for digital media, advertising or screen.

Quick facts

Student type:

Local

International

Brochure

Student type:

Quick facts

Entry score
Not applicable
Duration Full-time 2 years, Part-time 4 years
Location Melbourne city campus
Fees
Fee finder
Next intake February, July
Entry score
Not applicable
Duration Not applicable
Location Not applicable
Fees
Not applicable
Next intake Not applicable

Brochure

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.

How you will learn

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.

Industry connections

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.

International opportunities

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.

Electives and program structure

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

Program code: C6160

National curriculum code: 10678NAT

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

Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Location

City Campus

Duration

2 years full-time or part-time equivalent

2 years full-time

Plan code

C6160

CRICOS

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.

There are no minimum academic requirements.

Entry requirements

Prerequisites

None

Selection tasks

You must:

complete and submit the Screenwriting pre-selection kit by the extended deadline of Wednesday 7 February, unless places are filled prior.
- VTAC applicants register and submit the selection kit here.
- RMIT current or recent students you will receive an email prompt to complete the selection kit when you submit your direct application.
attend an interview (some applicants*).

*If you are required to attend an interview you will be contacted.

Some applicants will be selected based on their pre-selection kit and will not be required to attend an interview.

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.

Pathway options

Learn more about pathways or if you are eligible for credit transfer and recognition of prior learning.

Further study

Graduates may apply for exemptions from the following degrees:

Fee summary

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.

2018 government subsidised place: AU$6250* per annum
2018 full-fee place: AU$14250* per annum
Maximum VET Student Loan for program: AU$10000**

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.