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    • Study Journalism at Curtin
    STRU-JOURN

    Journalism

    Undergraduate stream

    In the Journalism stream you will develop the ability to research, prepare and publish news, current affairs and other content across different media platforms, including print, broadcast and online media.

    This offering version is phasing out and no longer taking applications. You may be able to apply for a later version.
    Course outline
    • ATAR

      ATAR

      The Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) is used to determine eligibility for places in university courses.
      Guaranteed ATAR 70
    • Qualification
      Journalism Stream (BA MassComm)
    • Credit

      Credit

      A full-time study load usually consists of 200 credits (approximately eight units) per year, with 100 credits (approximately four units) in each semester.
      125
    Course outline

    Check the application deadline for the parent course

    Course outline

    Overview

    Overview

    This information is relevant for students commencing study in 2019. If you plan to commence study in 2020, please view the planned offering.

    In the Journalism stream you will develop the ability to research, prepare and publish news, current affairs and other content across different media platforms, including print, broadcast and online media. You’ll undertake practical work in excellent facilities such as the on-campus Media Production Studio, the Western Independent online student news platform and our community radio station, Curtin FM.

    The Journalism stream is taken as part of the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication).

    Please refer to the handbook for additional course overview information.

    How to apply

    This course sits within the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication) degree. To apply for this course, you will apply for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication). In step 3 of the application process, you will be asked to confirm the stream you wish to study.

    Applying as an undergraduate student is easy. For information tailored to your situation, visit our easy to follow instructions to get your application started. 

    Ready to apply?

    Apply now

    What jobs can the Journalism course lead to?

    • Journalist
    • Media Presenter

    What you'll learn

    • Stream Learning Outcome 3: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 3 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 4: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 4 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 5: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 5 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 6: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 6 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 7: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 7 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 8: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 8 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 9: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 9 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 1: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 1 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)
    • Stream Learning Outcome 2: Please refer to Course Learning Outcome 2 for the Bachelor of Arts (Mass Communication)

    Admission criteria

    What you need in order to get into this course. There are different pathway options depending on your level of work and education experience.

    Select an option that best suits you:

    You’re considered a high school leaver if you:

    • Completed year 12 in Australia or overseas in the past two years, or
    • Completed TAFE or VET studies in the past two years.

    ATAR pathway

    • Guaranteed ATAR 70

      This course has a guaranteed ATAR of 70

    • Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Essential WACE subjects (prerequisites)

      Subjects you must have studied in high school to be eligible for entry into a course.

      English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR.

    • Desirable WACE subjects

      Desirable WACE subjects

      High school subjects that aren’t essential for entry into the course, but provide a good foundation.

      There are no desirable WACE subjects for this course.

    Please see our correlation comparability for previous TEE subjects, WACE courses and WACE ATAR courses.

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp Entry

    StepUp grants additional ATAR points to help eligible students qualify for admission.

    Successful StepUp Entry and StepUp Equity Adjustment Admission Pathway (StepUp Bonus) applicants will be eligible to be considered for admission into this course.

    Alternative pathways

    • UniReady

      If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

    • Certificate IV + English Competency

      The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency and check that you meet any extra subject prerequisites (where applicable).

    • Indigenous applicant

      If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Written English and either Verbal or Quantitative

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    How others gained admission

    View the ATAR breakdown to see the low, median and high ATAR scores of students who started studying this course recently.

    To see the other pathways students have taken, see the pathway breakdown.

    You’re considered someone with work and life experience if:

    You have left secondary education more than two years ago (i.e. who are not classified as recent secondary education applicants) and have not undertaken vocational education training (VET) or higher education study since then.

    How we define ‘experience’

    ‘Experience’ includes a combination of factors sufficient to demonstrate readiness for higher education such as mature-age entry, professional experience whether completion of the Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is required or not, community involvement or work experience. Applicants may have undertaken non-formal programs that have helped prepare them for tertiary education or are relevant to the proposed higher education field of study.

    Pathways

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Written English and either Verbal or Quantitative

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who studied at TAFE or have done an apprenticeship if:

    Applicants with vocational education and training (VET) study are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a VET course. This includes study at a public TAFE or other VET provider, whether a qualification was completed or not. Applicants with VET study may have other qualifications such as a Year 10 or Year 12 secondary school certificate.

    Pathways

    • TAFE entry

      A TAFE certificate IV and evidence of English competency, or a TAFE diploma.

    • STAT entry

      Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT)

      The Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) is a national test for those who don't meet university admission criteria. STAT can be used to meet entry criteria for some courses, or as a way to satisfy Curtin’s English proficiency requirements.

      Written English and either Verbal or Quantitative

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    You’re considered someone who has recently left university if:

    Applicants with higher education are those whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course, such as a university degree. This may include applicants who are currently studying a higher education course at another education provider and want to transfer to Curtin University, or applicants who are currently studying at Curtin but want to switch to a different course. It may also include applicants who have completed past study with university and non-university higher education providers.

    Curtin course switcher criteria

    Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to Curtin course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

    Higher education course switcher criteria

    Our admission criteria for minimum entry apply to other higher education course switchers. For information on how to meet Curtin's minimum entry requirements, please see our admission criteria web page.

    English requirements

    Curtin requires all applicants to demonstrate proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are outlined in the IELTS table below.

    You may demonstrate English proficiency using the following tests and qualifications.

    IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing System)

    Writing

    6.0

    Speaking

    6.0

    Reading

    6.0

    Listening

    6.0

    Overall band score

    6.5

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Unsure what option suits you?

    We’re here to help you navigate the complexities of university admission. Choose the support you need from the options below.

    FAQs

    You might find your answer in our frequently asked questions.

    Ask a question

    Submit your question via our online form and we’ll get back to you.

    Call us

    1300 222 888
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Visit us

    You’ll find Curtin Connect in building 102 on the Perth campus.
    8:30am to 4:30pm weekdays (Tuesday from 9:30am)

    Find your pathway to Curtin

    Think you don’t have the marks or qualifications to study at Curtin? We have several pathways to help you meet admission. Use our pathway finder to find your best way to studying with us.

    Pathway finder tool

    Other requirements and notes for this course



    In addition to the course-specific admission criteria listed above, please read our general admission criteria. Our general admission criteria apply to all courses at Curtin University.

    Credit for recognised learning (CRL)

    Use your experience to get credit towards your degree

    Finish your course sooner with credit for your previous study or work experience.

    Submit an enquiry CRL search

    Fees and scholarships

    Fee information is not available for this course at this time. Find estimated course fees.

    Looking for more detail on the course structure?

    View course structure

    • The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

      The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

      While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.

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    • Curtin course code: STRU-JOURN
    • Last updated on: 2 May 2025

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