Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature

2023 Deakin University Handbook

Course sub-headings

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

Course overview

Learn how to inspire, engage and persuade your audiences with the Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature. Build on writing skills you’ve developed at the undergraduate level or in your current role and gain a deeper understanding of the theory and history behind great pieces of writing.

Want the advanced writing and analysis skills needed to unlock exciting roles in publishing, marketing and teaching?

The Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature attracts a broad spectrum of students, from aspiring authors looking to add polish to their storytelling, to editors striving for senior positions in the publishing industry. The common thread across our talented group of students is a deep love for reading and writing. Developing skills alongside students and teachers who share your passion is one of the highlights of this course.

Many students use this course as a pathway into the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature). As such, it includes two core units from the masters program.

The foundation units provide an introduction to the craft and conventions of creative writing, professional writing and publishing. Dive into the theory and history stemming from traditional literature and explore conceptual and practical approaches to creativity, craft, form and publication. These units challenge you to add discipline and structure to your creativity and the writing tasks you’ll complete simulate the same work you’ll be doing in your future role.

You’ll then choose your remaining six units from a broad list of writing, literature and elective study areas. This allows you to build specialist skills and design a degree based on your career aspirations.

Importantly, the course provides more than just writing expertise. The projects you work on train you in transferable skills, including critical analysis, communication, problem solving and research – incredibly valuable in every field of work. You’ll also get to debate literature, creativity and modern writing challenges with like-minded people from different corners of business and life. This exposure to new ways of thinking helps you grow as a writer and shows you how literature can be used to make sense of different aspects of culture, place and history.

The course provides lots of exposure to industry work, trends and opportunities, better preparing you for the current and future needs of the field. Many students take advantage of our industry partnerships to secure internships at well-known publications. Verandah Journal, an annual student-run publication, showcases the best work of emerging writers and artists while giving students the chance to develop expertise in selecting, editing and proofreading submissions for publication. Better still, our academics are actively involved with a number of prominent writing festivals, ensuring we’ve got our finger on the pulse of emerging writing trends and industry needs.

Career opportunities

You’ll graduate from this course with more than just advanced writing skills. You’ll also have expertise in communication, problem solving, critical thinking and research – the kind of skills employers across all industries value.

This course puts you in a strong position to explore a range of career pathways, including:

• author
• editor
• literary critic
• publisher
• advertising executive
• communications specialist
• copywriter
• journalist
• public relations practitioner
• English teacher

For those looking to continue their studies, this course is an approved pathway into the Master of Arts (Writing and Literature).

For more information go to DeakinTALENT

Participation requirements

Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.

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.

Alternative exits

Fees and charges

Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year, the units you choose and your study load.

Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.

Use the Fee estimator to see course and unit fees applicable to your course and type of place. Further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods is available on our Current students fees website.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course rules

To qualify for the award of the Graduate Diploma of Writing and Literature a student must successfully complete 8 credit points of study comprising of:

• 2 credit points of core units
• 2 credit points of Writing units 
• 2 credit points of Literature units 
• 2 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
• AAI018 Academic Integrity (0-credit-point compulsory unit)

Course structure

Core Units

Writing & Literature Units

Writing units 

Select 2 credit points not previously studied from:

Literature units 

Select 2 credit points not previously studied from:

Electives

2 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.

Work experience

Elective units may provide the opportunity for Work Integrated Learning experiences.

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

There will be opportunities throughout the course for students to engage with industry professionals. These experiences will be integrated into units where students will have external clients or industry representatives provide content to more closely connect the learning experience with industry practices.