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Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing

Postgraduate coursework

Broaden your skills and portfolio to pursue a career as a versatile writer who can move across genres, platforms and audiences with ease.

Key facts

English language requirements

IELTS overall score of 6.5 (with no band score less than 6) or equivalent

Duration

1-year full-time

Current Deakin Students

To access your official course details for the year you started your degree, please visit the handbook

Course overview

Develop the skills and business acumen to pursue a career as an agile and versatile writer through Deakin’s Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing. In your course, you’ll explore the foundations of good writing, discover how to write to a range of different briefs, and learn how to professionally manage your writing work.

Build an impressive portfolio of work and comprehensive skills in editorial management that will help you secure positions across a range of industries.

Are you ready to become a highly sought-after writer, with the ability to move between genres, platforms, and audiences with ease?

In core units, you’ll explore what makes for good writing and master the tools every working writer needs such as the ability to:

  • research
  • blueprint a draft
  • take a concept through various stages of revision.

You’ll then tailor and refine your literary abilities by choosing from a range of different writing specialisations such as feature writing, social content creation, and general publishing. You will also complement your writing knowledge with electives chosen from the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature), Master of Creative Arts and Master of Communication, such as in the foundations of narrative in theory.

The cross-disciplinary knowledge, mentorship from working writers and combination of units offered in this course will ensure you graduate industry-ready, with an impressive set of skills to help you stand out from the crowd.

We also encourage students to get involved with Verandah, an annual student-run publication that showcases the best work of emerging writers and artists, and gives students the chance to develop expertise in selecting, editing and proofreading submissions for publication.

With an impressive body of work and highly developed critical thinking and creative skills, you’ll graduate ready to work as a professional writer in a range of different forums.

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Course information

Award granted
Graduate Diploma of Professional Writing
Year

2023 course information

Deakin code
A661
CRICOS code?
095260E Burwood (Melbourne)
Level
Postgraduate (Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma)
Approval status

This course is approved by the University under the Higher Education Standards Framework.

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition

The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 8.

Course 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 including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship
  • Academic Integrity AAI018
  • Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

4

Core units

4

Elective units

8

Total

Core Unit

  • Foundations in Writing
  • 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 including ACC700 Communication and Creative Arts Internship.

    Course Electives List A

    Complete four of the following units:

  • Creating Your Arts Business
  • Social Media Content Creation
  • Writing the News
  • Editing
  • Publishing
  • Students may choose to include the 5th unit listed above as one of the 3 electives


    Intakes by location

    The availability of a course varies across locations and intakes. This means that a course offered in Trimester 1 may not be offered in the same location for Trimester 2 or 3. Check each intake for up-to-date information on when and where you can commence your studies.

    Trimester 1 - March

    • Start date: March
    • Available at:
      • Online

    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

    Admission Requirements Specific 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)

    IELTS / English language requirements

    Please note that English language requirements exist for entry to this course and you will be required to meet the English language level requirement that is applicable in the year of your commencement of studies.

    It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that she/he has the required IELTS score to register with any external accredited courses. (more details)

    Deakin University offers admission to postgraduate courses through a number of Admission categories. To be eligible for admission to this program, applicants must meet the course requirements.

    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

    Recognition of prior learning

    If you have completed previous studies which you believe may reduce the number of units you have to complete at Deakin, indicate in the appropriate section on your application that you wish to be considered for credit transfer. You will need to provide a certified copy of your previous course details so your credit can be determined. If you are eligible, your offer letter will then contain information about your credit transfer.
    Your credit transfer is formally approved prior to your enrolment at Deakin during the Enrolment and Orientation Program. You must bring original documents relating to your previous study so that this approval can occur.

    You can also refer to the Recognition of Prior Learning System which outlines the credit that may be granted towards a Deakin University degree.

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information

    Estimated tuition fee - full-fee paying place

    The 'Estimated tuition fee' is provided as a guide only based on a typical enrolment of students completing this course in the same year they started. 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 tuition fees.

    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.

    Search or browse through our scholarships

    Postgraduate bursary

    If you’re a Deakin alumnus commencing a postgraduate award course, you may be eligible to receive a 10% reduction per unit on your enrolment fees.

    Learn more about the 10% Deakin alumni discount

    Apply now

    Apply through Deakin

    Applications can be made directly to the University through StudyLink Connect - Deakin University's International Student Application Service. For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply web page.

    Deakin International office or Deakin representative

    Fill out the application form and submit to a Deakin International office or take your application form to a Deakin representative for assistance

    Need more information on how to apply?

    For information on the application process and closing dates, see the How to apply webpage
    If you’re still having problems, please contact Deakin International for assistance.

    Careers

    Career outcomes

    Graduates are able to pursue work in a range of roles that call for writing and editing skills and agility, such as:

    • freelance writer
    • journalist
    • content creator
    • editor.

    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

    Articulate specialist knowledge of a range of writing theories, concepts, and approaches, and apply them to the production of written work.

    Communication

    Communicate through writing that is technically and aesthetically proficient and demonstrates awareness of, or ability to extend, established writing conventions to produce works that communicate complex ideas effectively using suitable written forms and specialised techniques.

    Digital literacy

    Employ a range of technologies and make evaluative judgments in the use of research databases, bibliographic and digital communication technologies to research, produce and present work in writing.

    Critical thinking

    Utilise theory and research to critically analyse and apply 
    appropriate forms and conventions in writing.

    Problem solving

    Analyse and respond creatively and professionally through writing to identify, solve or reframe complex aesthetic, theoretical or real-world challenges and limitations.

    Self-management

    Act with autonomy and initiative while being accountable for working effectively, efficiently and to a high standard in order to achieve goals in writing.

    Teamwork

    Actively contribute to peer feedback activities and make constructive, respectful and informed contributions to creative and critical collaboration in writing.

    Global citizenship

    Identify, select, and critically analyse culturally relevant literary theories, concepts, and approaches to writing and interpreting works of literature.

    Approved by Faculty Board September 2021