C06041v3 Graduate Diploma in Writing

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Writing is part of an articulated program designed to meet a range of needs for people who want to start a career in writing and for experienced writers wanting to further develop their theoretical knowledge and skills.

Course aims

Students completing the course will develop:

• both general and specific skills in writing across a range of genres, studying one genre in depth or exploring the potential of a range of genres and media
• an ability to develop and critically revise their own work
• an understanding of the relationships of writing practice and publication across a range of contemporary cultural forms
• a critical knowledge of cultural and aesthetic debates, and
• an ability to think creatively and critically about, and contribute to, developments in cultural industries.

Career options

Career options include freelance writing and editing, publishing, journalism, computing, script writing and editing, advertising or media research in community organisations or government departments.

Articulation

Additional admission requirements

Applicants must demonstrate a strong level of education, background and capability. It is expected that applicants will have an undergraduate degree and/or professional or creative experience in the field and that they will have demonstrated their ability in creative writing.

Additional recognition of prior learning

Students who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma and who are admitted to a more advanced-level course in the program are eligible for recognition of prior learning for completed subjects in the more advanced course.

Course duration and attendance

This course is offered on a one-year full-time, or equivalent part-time basis.

Course structure

The course totals 48 credit points, and consists of one core subject, plus either a 16-credit-point Writing stream or Screenwriting stream, and three electives. Students may select subjects beyond the lists of elective subjects with the approval of the Graduate Adviser. Not all subjects are available each semester.

This course is based on foundation subjects – one for the Writing stream and one for the Screenwriting stream – which should be undertaken in the first semester. Many of the subjects have prerequisites. A full-time student undertakes 24 credit points per semester. A part-time student undertakes at least 8 credit points per semester.

Course completion requirements

Course program

Example programs in each of the two possible streams are given below.

Other information

For further information, contact the Faculty Student Centre on: