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Key facts
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2019 close 17 February 2019
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) is a three-year specialist degree that gives you the academic and professional capabilities needed for a career in Journalism . You’ll learn how to work across all media platforms, whether your goal is to work for large news organisations, allied media businesses, agile new online media outlets, or as a free-lancer.
Journalism at Deakin is a structured program that emphasises hands-on learning of journalistic skills in print, radio, television, and online platforms. You will start journalism practice in your first year and learn the techniques and conventions of researching stories, interviewing techniques, news writing and reporting multimedia stories. You will build on skills and knowledge in year two so you are ready to complete intensive news production work in your final year and be fully prepared to undertake an industry internship.
The course also serves as a pathway for further learning, including a professionally-oriented one-year communication honours degree.
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the award of Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) a student must complete 24 credit points including:
- 18 credit points of core units
- 6 credit points of electives
- no more than 10 credit points at level 1
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
18
Core units
6
Electives
24
Total units
Level 1
Level 2
Level 2
Level 3
Level 3
Electives
Complete three 1 credit point units chosen from the following course electives:
Complete four 1 credit point units chosen from the following course 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 (https://www.deakin.edu.au/course/bachelor-arts). We also recommend students complete at least two more course electives listed above.
Key information
1400510181 - Burwood (Melbourne), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
1400610181 - Cloud (online), Commonwealth Supported Place (HECS)
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 (online)
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
- Cloud (online)
Trimester 3 - November
- Start date: November
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud (online)
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
Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.
Entry requirements
Entry information
Deakin University offers admission to undergraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. In all categories of admission, selection is based primarily on academic merit as indicated by an applicant's previous academic record.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Entry for applicants with recent secondary education (previous three years) will be based on their performance in a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education, with pre-requisite units 3 and 4; a study score of at least 25 in English EAL (English as an additional language) or 20 in English other than EAL. Applicants will be selected in accordance with the published Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) for that year.
Refer to the VTAC Guide for the latest pre-requisite information www.vtac.edu.au
Entry for applicants with previous Tertiary, VET, life or work experience will be based on their performance in:
- a Certificate IV in a related discipline OR
- a Diploma in any discipline or 50% completion of a Diploma in a related discipline OR
- successful completion of relevant study at an accredited higher education institution equivalent to at least two Deakin University units OR
- other evidence of academic capability judged to be equivalent for example relevant work or life experience
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library.
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 QILT website.
Learn more about Deakin's special entry access scheme (SEAS - a way to help boost your ATAR in some circumstances).
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 2018 students (PDF, 783.5KB) - 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
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Course and Scholarship Applicant Portal.
Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, visit the how to apply page.
Please complete the Register your interest form to receive further information about our direct application opportunities.
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
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Disclaimers:
Through Deakin College and TAFE: Completion of diploma and minimum academic requirements apply to enter Deakin University.
Through Deakin: Transfers within Deakin are subject to availability and meeting minimum academic requirements.
Faculty contact information
Arts and Education Student Services and Enrolment Enquiries
Waurn Ponds (Geelong)
Tel 03 5227 1359
artsed@deakin.edu.au
Burwood (Melbourne)
Tel 03 9246 8100
artsed@deakin.edu.au
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
The structure, content and assessment in the degree enables the development of professional skills, evidenced in a portfolio of news artefacts by which graduates demonstrate their employability. Graduates can create and edit word, sound and vision to craft stories, news, and features for delivery via print, radio, television or multimedia newsrooms.
Journalism graduates typically find employment in small and large news organisations. They are also equipped to work in many other fields where critical thinking, strong communication skills and a talent for understanding the news matter.
The complementary focus in the course on other communication disciplines prepares students for cross-disciplinary careers in fields such as media policy and management, politics, research, and a variety of media business-oriented consulting roles. In addition, the course structure allows students to complete six elective units which students can use to extend professional knowledge and skills to maximise their employment opportunities.
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 | |