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    • 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.

    This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.
    Course outline
    • ATAR

      ATAR

      The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is used to determine eligibility for places in university courses.
      Minimum ATAR 70
    • 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 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

    • 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
    • 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

    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.

    Journalist Jake Sturmer reporting from news scene

    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

    Admission criteria

    What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

    Select an option that best suits you:

    You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

    • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
    • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

    ATAR pathway

    • Minimum ATAR 70

      This course has a minimum ATAR of 70

    • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

      There are no essential WACE subjects for this course.

    • Desirable WACE subjects

      Desirable WACE subjects

      High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

      There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

    Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp grants additional ATAR points to help eligible students qualify for admission.

    Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

    Alternative pathways

    • Portfolio entry

      Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

    • UniReady

      If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

    • Certificate IV + English Competency

      The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

    • Indigenous applicant

      If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Written English and either verbal or quantitative

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    How others gained admission

    View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

    To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

    You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

    You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

    How we define ‘experience’

    ‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

    Pathways

    • Portfolio entry

      Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Written English and either verbal or quantitative

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

    Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

    Pathways

    • TAFE entry

      • AQF Certificate IV - Separate evidence of English language proficiency is required; or
      • AQF Diploma; or
      • AQF Advanced Diploma.

    • Portfolio entry

      Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Written English and either verbal or quantitative

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

    Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

    Curtin course switcher criteria

    Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to Curtin course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

    Higher education course switcher criteria

    Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to other higher education course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Unsure what option suits you?

    We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

    FAQs

    You might find your answer in our frequently asked questions.

    Ask a question

    Submit your question via our online form and we’ll get back to you.

    Call us

    1300 222 888
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Visit us

    You’ll find Curtin Connect in building 102 on the Perth campus.
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Other requirements and notes for this course

    If you don’t meet the minimum course requirements, you may submit a portfolio and may need to attend an interview. Find out more about portfolio entry.

    Applicants are required to choose one of the Bachelor of Arts majors when applying. If you with to study a double major, you elect the second major once you have been accepted into the course.

    In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

    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

    • 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: 29 December 2024

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