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Key facts
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2021 have closed
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
The Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) will give you the skills to unearth a great news story, engage with your audience and deliver news across a range of media platforms. Hone your skills in fast-paced newsrooms, and gain access to sought-after internships that kickstart your career.
From day one, you'll have the opportunity to work like a professional journalist. With the support of our experienced teachers, you’ll learn how to identify, research and plan compelling news and feature stories.
Then, you’ll enter industry-standard newsrooms and creative labs to write, edit and publish your stories. You’ll also explore news reporting across TV, radio and digital media, building specialised skills across each medium that prepare you for a broad range of careers when you graduate.
Do you want hands-on real-life newsroom experience while you study?
Through industry experience, and guided by media practitioners with extensive experience across print, television, radio and digital media, you’ll learn about:
- community journalism
- feature writing
- interview techniques
- media law and ethics
- multi-platform and broadcast journalism
- news reporting
- researching stories.
While developing your knowledge in communication and media, you'll also get sought-after broadcasting experience during your studies through an internship with a major newspaper, radio station or television network.
This course will prepare you for employment in the communications industries, across all media platforms, whether working for large news organisations, allied media businesses or freelancing.
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) a student must complete 24 credit points including:
- 12 credit points of core units
- 3 course electives from level 1 (List A)
- 3 course electives from level 2/3 (List B)
- 6 credit points of electives (at least two must be 2nd or 3rd level)
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- no fewer than 6 credit points at level 3
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
18
Core units
6
Electives
24
Total units
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Course Electives
Complete three 1 credit point units chosen from the following course electives (List A):
Either
Or
Complete three 1 credit point units chosen from the following course electives (List B):
IND201 - Aboriginal Knowledges and Experiences: Historical Journeys-Contemporary Perspectives [No longer available for enrolment]
Electives
Complete six electives, of which at least two must be 2nd or 3rd level
We suggest students complete at least 4 units in a subject area different to their degree, preferably a linked sequence of study in the same area. This choice can include units from any degree in the University but is best chosen from the subject areas in the Bachelor of Arts. We also recommend students complete at least two more course electives listed.
Key information
2021 course information
1400510181 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400610181 - Cloud (online), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.
The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7.
Campuses by intake
Campus availability varies per trimester. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Read more to learn where this course will be offered throughout the year.
Trimester 1 - March
- Start date: March
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Cloud campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Cloud campus
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud campus
Deakin splits the academic year into three terms, known as trimesters. Most students usually undertake two trimesters each year (March-June, July-November).
Additional course information
Course duration - additional information
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.
Work experience
Work Integrated Learning experiences are embedded within the course’s core units.
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Entry requirements
Current or recent Year 12
If you are currently studying Year 12 in 2020 or completed Year 12 in 2018 or 2019 and have not attempted higher education or VET study since, your selection is based on the following.
Prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL.
ATAR
This course uses the ATAR as part of its selection considerations.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Higher education experience
If you have undertaken at least one unit of higher education after secondary schooling, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Senior secondary prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
STAT Multiple Choice
Applicants who wish to use a general aptitude test for consideration for entry must complete the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
VET education experience
If you have undertaken at least one unit of Vocational Education and Training (VET) study after secondary school, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Senior secondary prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
STAT Multiple Choice
Applicants who wish to use a general aptitude test for consideration for entry must complete the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Work and life experience
If you finished Year 12 more than three years ago or did not finish Year 12, your selection is based on the following.
Education
This course uses your entire academic record as part of its selection considerations.
Senior secondary prerequisite subjects
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or at least 20 in English other than EAL or equivalent, or Certificate IV: or higher, or concurrent Bachelor study.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements. Please read about other ways of satisfying the English language proficiency requirement.
Personal statement
Applicants who wish their work and volunteer/other experience to be considered as part of their application for entry are required to submit a personal statement with details of their work and volunteer/other experience, motivation to study and any other factors relevant to their application for the course. Learn more about the personal statement.
STAT Multiple Choice
Applicants who wish to use a general aptitude test for consideration for entry must complete the STAT (Multiple Choice). Learn more about the STAT Multiple Choice test.
Selection is competitive and meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee selection. Our Admission Criteria and Selection Policy outlines the principles of selection.
Selection adjustments
Subject adjustment
A study score of 30 in any Business, Economics, any English, any Humanities, Media, any Mathematics or any Science equals 4 aggregate points per study. Overall maximum of 12 points.
Access and equity
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enable Deakin to consider disadvantaged circumstances you may have experienced and the impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you’re from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements. Learn more about Deakin’s special entry access schemes.
Admissions information
Learn more about this course and others that Deakin offers by visiting VTAC for more information. You can also discover how Deakin compares to other universities when it comes to the quality of our teaching and learning by visiting the ComparED website.
Special entry access schemes (SEAS) enables Deakin to consider disadvantageous circumstances you may have experienced and their impact upon your studies. SEAS also allows us to identify if you're from under-represented groups when making selection decisions for some courses. SEAS does not exempt you from meeting any of the course entry requirements.
You can also find out about different entry pathways into Deakin courses if you can't get in straight from high school.
Finally, Deakin is committed to admissions transparency. As part of that commitment, you can learn more about our first intake of 2020 students (PDF, 581.6KB) - their average ATARs, whether they had any previous higher education experience and more.
Recognition of prior learning
The University aims to provide students with as much credit as possible for approved prior study or informal learning which exceeds the normal entrance requirements for the course and is within the constraints of the course regulations. Students are required to complete a minimum of one-third of the course at Deakin University, or four credit points, whichever is the greater. In the case of certificates, including graduate certificates, a minimum of two credit points within the course must be completed at Deakin.
You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree and how to apply for credit.
Fees and scholarships
Fee information
Learn more about fees.
The tuition fees you pay will depend on the units you choose to study as each unit has its own costs. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the time it takes to complete your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning you have.
Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together 8 credit points of a typical combination of units for that course. Eight credit points is used as it represents a typical full-time enrolment load for a year.
You can find the credit point value of each unit under the Unit Description by searching for the unit in the Handbook.
Learn more about fees and available payment options.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship could help you pay for your course fees, living costs and study materials. If you've got something special to offer Deakin - or maybe you just need a bit of extra support - we've got a scholarship opportunity for you. Search or browse through our scholarships
Apply now
How to apply
VTAC applications for 2021 have now closed.
Learn more about the application process.Direct applications are now open for:
- recent Year 12 students who completed secondary education in the past two years
- applicants with work and life experience
- applicants with TAFE experience
- applicants with higher education experience.
Please note: If you’re applying for more than one course, you need to apply through VTAC.
Apply to Deakin after reading the course entry requirements, or learn more about the application process.
To learn more about what the Bachelor of Communication at Deakin has to offer, download our course flyer.
Entry pathways
View pathways into the Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) with our pathways finder.
Further studies are available at Honours and Postgraduate level. Many students choose to enter into the Bachelor of Communication (Honours) or the Master of Communication
Contact information
Prospective Student Enquiry Centre
1800 693 888
myfuture@deakin.edu.au
Why choose Deakin
Want a degree that’s more than just a qualification? Our industry connections, world-class facilities and practical approach to learning are just some of the reasons why Deakin students graduate confident and ready to thrive in the jobs of tomorrow.
Career outcomes
Our graduates work in-house or freelance for print, radio, television and multimedia newsrooms. They also work in business, government and the not-for-profit sector, taking up roles as:
- advertising copywriters
- book, magazine or newspaper editors
- copywriters
- digital content managers
- digital marketing specialists
- food writers
- foreign correspondents
- journalists
- magazine writers
- media and communications advisers
- news presenters
- reporters
- social media coordinators
- speechwriters
- travel writers.
For more information go to DeakinTALENT
Course learning outcomes
Deakin's graduate learning outcomes describe the knowledge and capabilities graduates can demonstrate at the completion of their course. These outcomes mean that regardless of the Deakin course you undertake, you can rest assured your degree will teach you the skills and professional attributes that employers value. They'll set you up to learn and work effectively in the future.
| Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes | Course Learning Outcomes |
| Discipline specific knowledge and capabilities | Demonstrate theoretical and practical knowledge of journalism through analysing, applying and communicating the key disciplinary principles and concepts. |
| Communication | Demonstrate communication skills in accordance with journalistic standards to be able to conduct interviews, write, produce and present stories for print, broadcast and online media in a style appropriate for the specific publication and audience. |
| Digital literacy | Conduct research for news and current affairs and analyse, synthesise and disseminate information using a range of technologies, including social media, for a variety of local and global audiences. |
| Critical thinking | Select, critically analyse and evaluate information relating to the construction of news stories and demonstrate a critical awareness of different publication styles and media audiences in Australia and internationally. |
| Problem solving | In the context of newsgathering and production, respond to journalistic challenges including unpredictable and sometimes complex problems and situations and generate pragmatic and creative solutions. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate the ability to reflect on knowledge acquisition and skills development and how these relate to career aspirations and the development of a professional identity which is responsive to change in work environments journalistic practice. |
| Teamwork | Work collaboratively and constructively to achieve team goals and foster effective relationships with the team. |
| Global citizenship | Employ relevant legal, ethical and cultural knowledge when engaging in journalistic practice in a range of diverse cultural, social and political environments domestically and internationally. |
| Approved by Faculty Board January 2017 | |
Did you miss Deakin Virtual Open Day?
Now you can experience Virtual Open Day anytime, online. Explore videos on-demand and learn more about courses and uni life at Deakin.++
Footnotes
*2019 Student Experience Survey, based on undergraduate students
#ARWU Rankings 2019
~According to the Voice Project IT Service Quality Support Benchmark Survey
^Australian Graduate Recruitment Industry Awards, 2017, 2018, 2019 winner
^^Australian Graduate Survey 2010–2015, Graduate Outcomes Survey 2016–2019 (GOS), Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT)
++Produced by Deakin University in August 2020. The information in this video is accurate at the time of filming. Read the course page for the latest information.