Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year, Part-time 2 years -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February Entry score
Not applicable
Duration
Not applicable Location
Not applicable
Overview
The ability to communicate well is vital for success in today’s workforce. In this course you will learn how to use written text and images to help you inform, persuade, instruct and explain.
You will learn how to edit with greater accuracy your own work and that of your colleagues or clients. You will apply those skills to a wide range of business applications, in print and online, so that key messages are heard and understood.
In this hands-on course, you will produce content for the web and social media, conduct research and prepare reports and create compelling presentations. You will craft messages for target audiences using a variety of styles. You will write and edit emails, letters, newsletters, marketing and advertising material, media releases, grant applications, proposals, submissions and technical documents.
The skills you learn will allow you to improve your career prospects, gain employment in the competitive communications sector or set up your own writing and editing business.
Details
RMIT has a longstanding reputation for excellence in training writers. All of our teachers are industry practitioners who are actively involved in professional writing. Specialist guest speakers also share their experience and knowledge with you.
Our modular, flexible course is designed to suit your needs. You may enrol as a part-time or full-time student in single courses or the full program. The timetable has day, evening and weekend offerings, and two competencies are delivered online. Industry relevance is premium: you will be actively encouraged to apply your learning to your current workplace or your future career.
Learning activities include:
- lectures and seminars
- demonstrations
- discussions
- presentations
- group project work
- practical exercises
- field trips.
Content is delivered in a variety of forms including weekly face-to-face classes, seminars, full-day and weekend workshops, laboratory sessions and online. Some classes are held in the evening.
Assessment is ongoing throughout the course and includes:
- written workplace documents
- oral presentations
- practical projects, e.g. designed publications and websites
- group project work, including project development and management, professional communication, collaboration and teamwork, and problem-solving.
- self-assessment and reflection.
All courses are delivered in English. You can access online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
All writing projects have an "industry-ready" focus, designed to produce marketable work at a high standard. Industry speakers regularly address classes and in some cases will contribute to assessment of projects.
The major study areas in this course focus on:
- professional writing
- editing and proofreading
- copywriting
- narrative techniques for business
- producing web content and social media
- using photographic tools, InDesign and PhotoShop to publish content.
Shorter courses cover:
- writing funding proposals and grant applications
- working as a freelancer
- researching and managing projects.
In addition to developing job-focused skills and knowledge, this program helps you to develop broad work skills known as "employability skills". There are eight employability skills:
- teamwork
- communication
- problem solving
- initiative and enterprise
- planning and organising
- self-management
- learning
- technology.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Diploma of Professional Writing and Editing | City Campus |
1 Year F/T
P/T available
|
1 Year F/T
|
C5314 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C5314
National curriculum code: 22091VIC
Career
You will be able to gain communications or editing work within the corporate, education, cultural or government sectors, or in the growing field of social media marketing.
Employment opportunities for trained professional writers and editors remain strong. You'll get to explore what’s needed to set up your own small business. You learn how to write a brief, to quote accurately for work and to negotiate effectively with a client.
Whatever your field of work, writing will be part of your job, whether you are writing reports or just writing emails. Writing well will only make you better at your job and improve your career prospects.
You may secure jobs in a variety of professional settings as:
- writers
- editors
- researchers
- communications officers
- media content managers.
Admissions
Entry requirements
You must:
- complete and submit the Professional Writing and Editing (Diploma) 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 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 online pre-selection kit requires:
- an applicant statement outlining your interests in writing and editing for the workplace (maximum 500 words) and
- a 1000 word sample of writing. Non-fiction or factual writing is preferred.
- any other material to support your application, e.g. a list of any published work, CV, written references, a URL linking to a website or blog, etc. (optional).
Interview TBC
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
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$6,750* per annum
- 2019 full-fee place: AU$11,250* 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.
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.