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Children's literature

Discipline

Interested in producing children’s books or see yourself as a librarian? Discover how stories for young people reflect and challenge the values of their time. From picture books to novels and films, you’ll explore a wide variety of literary and popular texts.

Get work-ready

Make a difference to the lives of young people by understanding the impact of literature on their development and awareness of the world around them. Put your learnings to use while completing placements immersed in industry with opportunities to work at galleries, libraries and festivals that promote and foster the minds of tomorrow. Prepare yourself to take the next step in your career with advanced knowledge in children's literature.

Undergraduate

Undergraduate (your first degree)

An undergraduate degree is generally completed between two to four years, depending on the pattern of study and any recognition of prior learning you may have. Associate degrees, bachelor and bachelor with honours are all undergraduate degrees.

Postgraduate

Postgraduate (further study)

A postgraduate qualification can be undertaken by students who have already completed an undergraduate degree or possess significant, demonstrable work experience. Postgraduate courses include graduate certificates, graduate diplomas, masters and PhDs, as well as specialist programs for industry professionals.

Research

Higher Degrees by Research (supervised research)

Research degrees are research based master’s or PhD programs that focus on a single area of expertise. They provide students the opportunity to carry out highly specialised research under expert supervision.

Career opportunities

If you’re a current teacher, librarian, writer or other professional who works with children, advance your knowledge, improve your qualifications and get that job promotion. Possible career outcomes related to children’s literature include:

  • archivist
  • editor
  • library assistant
  • library technician
  • publisher
  • records officer
  • teacher
  • writer

Industry experience while you study

Gain industry experience and develop your professional networks before you graduate through internships and studio projects. Our students have completed internships with organisations including:

  • Children's Book Council of Australia
  • Queenscliff Literary Festival
  • State Library of Victoria
  • Warrnambool Art Gallery.

I love the way literature compels us to think about every aspect of life from politics and gender to the environment and our deepest fears.

Michelle Smith

Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Children's Literature

Authors in Conversation: Writing for Children

Monday 8 May

Join Australian children’s author, Cristy Burne, and author and illustrator, Gabrielle Wang, in conversation about writing for children at Deakin's Waurn Ponds Campus or online.

Find out more

Stellar course reputation

Deakin is internationally recognised as a centre of excellence in children’s literature. We are one of the few universities in Australia to offer a specialist children’s literature major and the only one in Victoria.

Research with us

Got a page turner of an idea for a research paper? Share your big idea with the world through a higher degree by research.

Learn more about researching with us

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