Bachelor of Communication (Journalism)

2021 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

• Course overview
• Career opportunities
• Participation requirements
• Mandatory student checks
• Pathways
• Fees and charges
• Course Learning Outcomes
• Course rules
• Course structure
• Work experience
• Other learning experiences

Course overview

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.

Career opportunities

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

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. Click here for more information.

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.

Pathways

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

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load. To find out about the fees and charges that apply to you, visit the Current students fees website or our handy Fee estimator to help estimate your tuition fees.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

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
• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

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):

Either 

Or

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.

Work experience

Work Integrated Learning experiences are embedded within the course’s core units.

Other course information

Course duration - additional information

Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as accessing or completing work placements.

Further information

Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.

• Contact Student Central

Other learning experiences

Students will have the opportunity to contribute to  D*Scribe, SCCA's online news portal run by third-year students enrolled in the degree's two capstone units: News Production A and News Production B.

There are opportunities to engage in global mobility (domestic and international) programs including overseas internships and study abroad (subject to offer).