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Key facts
Duration
2 years part-time or equivalent
Campuses
Key dates
Direct applications to Deakin for Trimester 1 2021 close 21 February 2021
Current Deakin Students
To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook
Course information
The Graduate Diploma in Professional Writing provides students with an understanding of the publishing industry and of the requirements involved in writing and editing for different audiences. It hones students’ ability to write in, and for, a range of contexts including freelance writing.
The Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing offers studies in various forms of professional writing and editing for graduates with major sequences in other disciplines. The emphasis is on the development of skills required to prepare work for publication. In each area of study, from editing to publishing and our cutting edge unit on blogging, students receive practical experience in the process of writing and revision. The program will develop students’ understanding of the requirements of writing and editing for different readerships.
The units in the program will be valuable for those experienced in writing but who may feel the need for further guidance, or those interested in beginning a career in writing. Study at this level can also assist those who are engaged in writing in their employment area and wish to enhance their skills in written communication. The editing unit introduces students to the key skills required for employment in publishing books and magazines. The School adopts the philosophy that writing and editing should be taught by published writers and practitioners. The teaching staff includes well-known writers and editors, and the program draws on the talents of other publishing professionals as guest speakers.
Read MoreCourse structure
To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing, a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising of:
- 5 credit points of core units, 4 of which can be chosen from the Course Elective List A below;
- 3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts
- Academic Integrity AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)
5
Core units
3
Elective units
8
Total
Core Unit
Electives
3 credit points of electives chosen from units within the specialisations of the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature) or the Master of Communication or the core or electives of the Master of Creative Arts.
Course Electives List A
Complete four of the following units:
Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as one of the 3 electives
Key information
2021 course information
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)
- Cloud Campus
Trimester 2 - July
- Start date: July
- Available at:
- Burwood (Melbourne)
- Cloud Campus
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.
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Entry requirements
Entry information
Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories.
All applicants must meet the minimum English language requirements.
Please note that meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee selection, which is based on merit, likelihood of success and availability of places in the course.
For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection (Higher Education Courses) Policy visit the Deakin Policy Library
Entry will be based on performance in:
- a Bachelor Degree in any discipline OR
- a Graduate Certificate in any discipline OR
- at least two years of relevant work experience (or part-time equivalent)
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 and your options for paying.
The available fee places for this course are detailed above. Not all courses at Deakin have Commonwealth supported places available.
The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course within the same year. The cost will vary depending on the units you choose, your study load, the length of your course and any approved Recognition of Prior Learning.
One year full-time study load is typically represented by eight credit points of study. Each unit you enrol in has a credit point value. The 'Estimated tuition fee' is calculated by adding together eight credit points of a typical combination of units for your course.
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.
FEE-HELP calculator
What is FEE-HELP?
FEE-HELP loans cover up to 100% of tuition fees for eligible students. By taking out a FEE-HELP loan, the government pays your tuition fees directly to Deakin, and the balance is repaid from your employment income - but only once you're earning over $45,881.
Please note: fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and based on 2020 rates. Actual fees may vary. We advise confirming fees with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
Estimate your FEE-HELP
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Your estimated FEE-HELP repayments
- $* is the 2020 estimated tuition fee for a Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing (8 credit points) at Deakin
- is the annual FEE-HELP payment, based on your current salary
- of your current salary be spent on FEE-HELP
*Disclaimer
Deakin University (Deakin):
- gives no warranty and accepts no responsibility for the currency, accuracy or the completeness of the information provided;
- advises users that no reliance should be placed upon on the information provided, and;
- instructs users that they should confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
This tool provides indicative information about the fees that will be payable in respect of courses and subjects offered to prospective students domiciled in Australia during the periods indicated.
Please note that the fees shown by the calculator are indicative only and actual fees may vary. Users are advised to confirm the actual course fee with Prospective Student Enquiries prior to enrolment.
The estimated course fee is based on the tuition fee costs applicable to a domestic full time student commencing the course in Trimester 1 and studying full time for the duration of the course but:
- does not include non-tuition costs that may apply, such as Student Services and Amenities Fees (SSAF);
- does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries awarded to the student (including the 15% Deakin Alumni Postgraduate Course Fee Bursary);
- assumes the maximum number of units that need to be successfully completed actual number completed may be reduced if Credit for Prior Learning is granted;
- assumes that no exceptional, or non-typical, circumstances apply to the proposed course of study;
- assumes that the options that the user selects are appropriate for the course of study that they intend to undertake;
- where fees are estimated for future years those fee will be subject to annual increases in accordance with increases in the cost of course delivery.
Scholarship options
A Deakin scholarship might change your life. If you've got something special to offer Deakin – or you just need the financial help to get you here – we may have a scholarship opportunity for you.
Postgraduate bursary
If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 15% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees. Your Immediate Family Members may also be eligible to apply for this bursary.
Apply now
How to apply
Applications can be made directly to the University through the Deakin Application Portal. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the how to apply web page. Please note that closing dates may vary for individual courses.
For more information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage. If you're still having problems, please contact us for assistance.
Contact information
Prospective Student Enquiry Centre
1800 693 888
myfuture@deakin.edu.au
Why choose Deakin
Career outcomes
The program is designed to provide career enhancement for students employed or wishing to be employed in the fields of professional writing or publishing. It enables students currently employed in these fields to upgrade their qualifications in order to apply for specialist positions and enhance their opportunities for promotion. It also provides for those seeking a qualification to enable refocusing of career options.
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 specialised technical and theoretical knowledge of the practice of professional writing and advanced skills in writing for a range of industry contexts and audiences. |
| Communication | Demonstrate advanced communication skills, including the specialized, developed ability to write in a style appropriate for a range of professional contexts and a variety of audiences, including industry, academic and community. |
| Digital literacy | A specialized, developed knowledge of a range of digital technologies for the preparation and publication of written material pertinent to professional writing contexts |
| Critical thinking | Demonstrate advanced understanding of methods for the critical evaluation and application of conventions, styles and techniques of professional writing and skills to create content that meets scholarly and industry standards and requirements. |
| Problem solving | Demonstrate expertise in the use of specialist theoretical, professional and practice-led approaches to writing that is reflected in the design and execution of creative and scholarly solutions to a range of industry, technical, professional, aesthetic, critical and/or ideological problems. |
| Self-management | Demonstrate initiative, autonomy, creativity, responsibility and accountability under time pressure and an ongoing commitment to reflective learning in professional writing practice and scholarship. |
| Teamwork | Demonstrate advanced skills and awareness in working collaboratively with peers, colleagues, other professionals and community members in scholarly and/or professional contexts. |
| Global citizenship | Demonstrate specialist ethical, legal and cultural knowledge when engaging in professional writing practice in a range of diverse cultural, social and political environments. |
| Approved by Faculty Board November 2018 | |
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)