Apply
Home Study Undergraduate Journalism Major (BA)
  • Apply now
    • Two students sitting on film set in chairs while another student films.
    MJRU-JOURN

    Journalism

    Undergraduate major

    Use your creative flair and investigative skills to create content for radio, television and online platforms.

    Enquire Apply now
    Course outline
    • Qualification
      Journalism Major (BA)
    • Credit

      Credit

      A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
      200
    Course outline

    Select your preferred degree

    This course belongs to multiple degrees. Select the single degree or double degree below to see the application deadlines.

    Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Advanced Commerce (Honours)
    Course outline
    Journalism

    Overview

    Overview

    Curtin has a reputation for producing highly skilled journalists able to research, investigate and report on topics across mainstream and independent media platforms.

    In this major you will learn to research and prepare news, feature and other content for radio, video and online platforms.* 

    You’ll learn theory and practical skills from staff with strong industry experience and connections, and use industry-standard media facilities and platforms. These include our new media production studio, Curtin FM radio and the student online news site, Western Independent.

    You may also complete a professional placement unit, which provides valuable opportunities to undertake work experience with potential employers.

    Journalism is offered as part of the Bachelor of Arts. You can enhance your studies with a second major or choose from a range of specialisations and elective units that support your career goals.

    *If you’re interested in studying additional communications fields such as web media, marketing or graphic communication, consider the Bachelor of Communications.

    You can also study this major as part of a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Commerce double degree.

    How this course will make you industry ready

    This course includes many practical units that will prepare you to produce your own journalism. You'll have the opportunity to publish work on our news website, Western Independent, and to develop a portfolio of journalism to present to prospective employers.

    Curtin Journalism has formal partnerships with all major media organisations in Western Australia, and many students receive internships during their final year of study. 

    What jobs can the Journalism course lead to?

    Careers

    • Journalist (online, video, radio)
    • Media presenter
    • Communications officer
    • Public relations consultant
    • Media relations consultant
    • Digital media officer.

    Industries

    • Media
    • Business
    • Government

    What you'll learn

    • communicate ideas to a range of audiences and in a variety of media
    • use technologies to communicate effectively and develop journalistic skills
    • engage with new forms of journalism and ensure an ongoing commitment to reflective practice
    • acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national, and global perspectives and the impact of these on journalism and the media
    • demonstrate respect for cultural diversity in professional life
    • work independently and collaboratively within the ethical and legal parameters relevant to journalism in the pursuit of excellence
    • identify, explain and apply key disciplinary concepts in Journalism
    • integrate theory and creative practice; conceive, develop and evaluate news content and media production
    • access and evaluate the sources, authority and relevance of information, and synthesise key facts, themes, and ideas in creating journalism

    Why study Journalism at Curtin?

    Get the Curtin edge

    Access to leadership programs, specialist facilities and industry placements give you a competitive edge in the job market.

    Work experience

    Gain hands-on skills in our media production studio, radio station and online news site.

    Jake Sturmer

    My Curtin degree taught me the skills I need to find and break stories as well as interview people – the fundamentals required to be a good journalist.

    Jake Sturmer
    Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

    Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

    Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

    Submit an enquiry CRL search

    Fees and scholarships

    Please view the Bachelor of Arts degree for indicative fees.

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    How to apply

    Please review information on how to apply for the campus of your choice

    Apply now

    Frequently asked questions

    Search our FAQs

    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

      While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

      View courses information disclaimer.

    • Curtin course code: MJRU-JOURN
    • Last updated on: 21 December 2024

    Got a question? We’re here to help.

    Call 1300 222 888 Send us an email Ask us a question Book an appointment

    Opening hours: Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm, except Tues: 9.30am – 4.30pm (AWST). Closed public holidays.

    Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) Specialisations

    Business specialisations available in the BBA:

    1. Accounting for Business Decisions Specialisation
    2. Business Law and Policy Specialisation
    3. Business Project Management Specialisation
    4. Business Strategy Specialisation
    5. Corporate Governance Specialisation
    6. Social Media and Digital Marketing Specialisation
    7. Supply Chain and Marketing Distribution Specialisation
    8. Event Management Specialisation
    9. Fashion Marketing Specialisation
    10. Information Systems in Business Specialisation
    11. International Management Specialisation
    12. Marketing Foundations Specialisation
    13. Property Investment Specialisation
    14. Public Relations Specialisation
    15. Small Business Start-Up Specialisation
    16. Social Leadership and Ethics Specialisation
    17. Taxation Law Specialisation
    18. The Business of Advertising Specialisation
    19. Tourism and Hospitality Essentials Specialisation
    20. User Experience for Business Optimisation Specialisation
    21. Workforce Management Specialisation

    Specialisations available from Humanities and Science:

    1. Actuarial Financial Mathematics Specialisation
    2. Advertising Design Specialisation
    3. Animation and Game Design Specialisation
    4. Anthropology and Sociology Specialisation
    5. Asian Studies Specialisation
    6. Chinese Language Specialisation
    7. Construction Management Specialisation
    8. Creative Writing Specialisation
    9. Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
    10. Designing Fashion Specialisation
    11. Digital Design Specialisation
    12. Digital and Social Media Specialisation
    13. English and Cultural Studies Specialisation
    14. Environmental Planning Specialisation
    15. Fashion Design Specialisation
    16. Fashion Marketing Specialisation
    17. Fine Art Specialisation
    18. Geography Specialisation
    19. Graphic Design Specialisation
    20. Graphics Specialisation
    21. History Specialisation
    22. Illustration Specialisation
    23. Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
    24. Interior Architecture Specialisation
    25. International Development Specialisation
    26. Journalism Specialisation
    27. Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
    28. Photography Specialisation
    29. Principles of Planning Specialisation
    30. Professional Writing Specialisation
    31. Screen Production Specialisation
    32. Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
    33. Social Justice Specialisation
    34. Surveying and Spatial Sciences Specialisation
    35. Theatre Arts Specialisation
    36. Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
    37. Web Media Specialisation
    38. Web Presence Specialisation

    Bachelor of Commerce Specialisations

    Business specialisations:

    1. Accounting for Business Decisions Specialisation
    2. Applied Finance Specialisation
    3. Banking Specialisation
    4. Business Law and Policy Specialisation
    5. Business Project Management Specialisation
    6. Business Strategy Specialisation
    7. Corporate Governance Specialisation
    8. Social Media and Digital Marketing Specialisation
    9. Employment Relations Specialisation
    10. Event Management Specialisation
    11. Fashion Marketing Specialisation
    12. Information Systems in Business Specialisation
    13. Innovation and Entrepreneurship Specialisation
    14. International Management Specialisation
    15. Marketing Foundations Specialisation
    16. Property Investment Specialisation
    17. Public Relations Specialisation
    18. Small Business Start-Up Specialisation
    19. Social Leadership and Ethics Specialisation
    20. Supply Chain and Marketing Distribution Specialisation
    21. Taxation Law Specialisation
    22. The Business of Advertising Specialisation
    23. Tourism and Hospitality Essentials Specialisation
    24. User Experience for Business Optimisation Specialisation
    25. Workforce Management Specialisation

    Specialisations available from Humanities and Science:

    1. Actuarial Financial Mathematics Specialisation
    2. Advertising Design Specialisation
    3. Animation and Game Design Specialisation
    4. Anthropology and Sociology Specialisation
    5. Asian Studies Specialisation
    6. Chinese Language Specialisation
    7. Construction Management Specialisation
    8. Corporate Screen Production Specialisation
    9. Creative Writing Specialisation
    10. Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
    11. Designing Fashion Specialisation
    12. Digital Design Specialisation
    13. Digital and Social Media Specialisation
    14. English and Cultural Studies Specialisation
    15. Environmental Planning Specialisation
    16. Fashion Design Specialisation
    17. Fine Art Specialisation
    18. Geography Specialisation
    19. Graphic Design Specialisation
    20. Graphics Specialisation
    21. History Specialisation
    22. Illustration Specialisation
    23. Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
    24. Interior Architecture Specialisation
    25. International Development Specialisation
    26. Journalism Specialisation
    27. Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
    28. Photography Specialisation
    29. Principles of Planning Specialisation
    30. Professional Writing Specialisation
    31. Screen Production Specialisation
    32. Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
    33. Social Justice Specialisation
    34. Surveying and Spatial Sciences Specialisation
    35. Theatre Arts Specialisation
    36. Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
    37. Web Media Specialisation
    38. Web Presence Specialisation

    Bachelor of Innovation Specialisations

    Business specialisations:

    1. Accounting for Business Decisions Specialisation
    2. Business Law and Policy Specialisation
    3. Business Project Management Specialisation
    4. Business Strategy Specialisation
    5. Corporate Governance Specialisation
    6. Social Media and Digital Marketing Specialisation
    7. Event Management Specialisation
    8. Fashion Marketing Specialisation
    9. Information Systems in Business Specialisation
    10. International Management Specialisation
    11. Marketing Foundations Specialisation
    12. Property Investment Specialisation
    13. Public Relations Specialisation
    14. Small Business Start-Up Specialisation
    15. Social Leadership and Ethics Specialisation
    16. Supply Chain and Marketing Distribution Specialisation
    17. Taxation Law Specialisation
    18. The Business of Advertising Specialisation
    19. Tourism and Hospitality Essentials Specialisation
    20. User Experience for Business Optimisation Specialisation

    Specialisations available from Humanities, Science and the Centre for Aboriginal Studies:

    1. Advertising Design Specialisation
    2. Animation and Game Design Specialisation
    3. Asian Studies Specialisation
    4. Biological Diversity Minor
    5. Climate Change Science Minor
    6. Construction Management Specialisation
    7. Corporate Screen Production Specialisation
    8. Creative Writing Specialisation
    9. Design Thinking and Visual Communication Specialisation
    10. Designing Fashion Specialisation
    11. Digital and Social Media Specialisation
    12. Environmental Management Minor
    13. Environmental Planning Specialisation
    14. Fashion Design Specialisation
    15. Fine Art Specialisation
    16. Food Science Minor
    17. Forensic Studies Minor
    18. Geophysics Minor
    19. Geospatial Technology Minor
    20. Go Global – Internship Specialisation 1
    21. Go Practice – Internship Specialisation 1
    22. Graphic Design Specialisation
    23. Graphics Specialisation
    24. Illustration Specialisation
    25. Indigenous Australian Cultural Studies Specialisation
    26. Interior Architecture – Applied Interior Design Specialisation
    27. Interior Architecture Specialisation
    28. International Development Specialisation
    29. Landscape Restoration Minor
    30. Landscape and Natural Resource Management Specialisation
    31. Mapping and Land Planning Minor
    32. Metallurgy Minor
    33. Mining Minor
    34. Optimisation Minor
    35. Photography Specialisation
    36. Principles of Planning Specialisation
    37. Screen Production Specialisation
    38. Social Inclusion and Equity Specialisation
    39. Social Justice Specialisation
    40. Strategic Studies Specialisation
    41. Theatre Arts Specialisation
    42. Urban Design and Planning Specialisation
    43. Web Media Specialisation
    44. Web Presence Specialisation
    You are viewing content for:

    Domestic students

    You are considered a domestic student if you are:

    • a citizen of Australia or New Zealand
    • a permanent resident of Australia
    • an Australian Permanent Humanitarian visa holder

    Doesn’t sound like you? Switch to International content.

    Learn more about Commerce

    Apply for Journalism Major (BA)

    Start your application

    Direct to Curtin

    Apply as a high school student

    Get alerts for future intakes

    Global campus options

    I am a Registered Agent, take me to the Agent Portal