Warning! There have been changes to the course - please refer to the transition information
Undergraduate CUR-PWP-DEG-2024
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Writers, with both creative and technically proficient skills, will always be in demand
Learn to craft articles, speeches, reports, travel writing, humour, fiction, history, creative non-fiction, media releases and how to write specifically for the internet. Find a career in research, writing, editing and publishing.
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Study method
100% online study with practicum placement
Price
From
$41,405
Total subjects
24
Assessments
100% online
CSP Available
Yes
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- 11 Feb 24
- 12 May 24
- 11 Aug 24
- 10 Nov 24
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Degree structure
Core subjects
Major subjects
Elective subjects
Degree
Degree details
What you'll learn
At the completion of this degree students will be able to:
- identify, explain and apply the key disciplinary concepts and principles in professional writing and publishing
- integrate theory and creative practice in the production and analysis of professional writing texts; conceive, develop and evaluate innovative modes of professional communication
- access and evaluate the sources, authority and relevance of information, and synthesise key facts, themes and ideas in professional writing and publishing
- effectively communicate ideas to a range of audiences, across a variety of media, genres, and purposes
- use and evaluate a range of appropriate technologies to access resources, communicate effectively, and develop writing and research skills
- use and reflect on disciplinary skills and knowledge to develop autonomous learning, and apply these insights to writing in a range of different professional contexts
- acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national and global perspectives and the impact of this on professional writing and publishing
- recognise and value the diversity of cultural knowledge and practices, taking care to represent these, where appropriate, in an ethical and professional manner
- work independently and/or collaboratively to produce innovative, creative and ethical professional writing that is appropriate to a variety of professional and cultural contexts.
Career opportunities
Graduates will have opportunities in research, writing, editing and publishing in government and industry as well as the not-for-profit sector, arts organisations and the magazine and book industries.
Entry requirements
Higher education via OUA
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- Successful completion of Humanities Pathway OR
- Successful completion of four OUA degree level subjects at pass level (this satisfies English language proficiency requirement) OR
- Successful completion of two OUA degree level subjects with separate evidence of English proficiency is required.
Higher education
- Successful completion of one full time semester (four standard subjects) towards an Undergraduate or higher level of study at an Australian University (separate evidence of English proficiency is not required).
Secondary education
- Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR) 70 or equivalent. Students must have English ATAR, Literature ATAR or English as an Additional Language/Dialect ATAR. To determine your eligibility for entry please refer to Interstate Year 12 and IB Students, TISC Tertiary Institutions Service Centre link http://www.tisc.edu.au/static/guide/prerequisites-comparison.tisc
VET studies
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma. You may also be eligible for credit toward your university study.
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Certificate IV and evidence of English proficiency.
Work and Life
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
- Finished secondary education more than two years ago
- Bridging and enabling degree entry
- Curtin Enabling Program: UniReady - https://www.open.edu.au/degrees/uniready-enabling-subjects-curtin-university-cur-unr-deg
- Enabling degrees completed through other Australian Universities which meet minimum entry requirements for that institution will be accepted as minimum entry requirements for this degree.
Additional information
- Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: Centre for Aboriginal Studies - http://karda.curtin.edu.au/
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications - https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/overseas-qualifications/
English Proficiency Requirements
Applicants need to meet Curtin's English Language requirements. You normally need ONE of the following:
- Must have a 50% minimum in English ATAR (or equivalent).
- Completion of at least one full time semester (or equivalent) of Undergraduate level studies at an Australian University
- Completion of an Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Diploma or Advanced Diploma or Associate Diploma
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects via Open Universities Australia (OUA) and English proficiency
- Successful completion of two degree level subjects at an Australian university and English proficiency
- Successful completion of the Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT). (Please note this test is valid for two years.)
Please refer to the 'Minimum English Language Proficiency Requirements' document at https://study.curtin.edu.au/applying/english-language-requirements/.
*** Please Note: If any academic or legal document is not in English, you must provide a colour scan of the non-English documents, including a colour scan of the official English translations of these documents. This is for comparison purposes. ***
Practicum placement
PWP323 Professional Writing Placement is available to students. In order to enrol in this subject, students need to meet these eligibility requirements:
- Complete the PWP311 prerequisite subject
- Be enrolled in the BA Humanities (PWP)
- Be resident in Australia
- Find a suitable work placement, which is approved by email by the subject coordinator.
Students are required to find their own (unpaid) work placement and cannot do the placement at a workplace in which they have done volunteer or paid work already. Placements run for 14 days or 105 hours over the SP3 period. The placement must involve the student in completing research, writing or editing tasks in a workplace where there is supervision and direction from a nominated staff member with expertise in writing, editing or a related field. The workplace can be public sector, community sector or private sector but sole trader businesses are not recommended. Once a work placement is found, the student, workplace supervisor and subject coordinator will all sign a contract specifying the work to be undertaken. Students will also participate in online discussions and write a final report on the placement (assessed items).
Further information and support for this subject is provided during the PWP311 subject in SP1. CRL is not available for this subject.
Credit for previous study or work
Credit for Recognised Learning (CRL) is assessed on individual merit and is awarded for different types of learning, for example, studies you have previously completed or for relevant work experience.
Students must be admitted in an award degree of study before lodging their completed CRL application, along with all required supporting documentation for a formal assessment.
To apply for CRL, please visit the Curtin University website: https://study.curtin.edu.au/credit/
It is important to note accepted documentation includes scans of the original Transcripts and/or Award Certificate; front and back; in colour; and original size. For further information see the scanned documents and certification requirements and guidelines.
More information about the policies and procedures related to CRL assessment and appealing a CRL assessment outcome can be found in the Credit for Recognised Learning Policy (PDF).
Description
The Curtin University Professional Writing and Publishing degree prepares students for writing careers in the private, public and creative sectors through the study and practice of a range of different writing forms, including feature articles, speeches, reports, discussion papers, travel writing, history, personal essays, memoir, website copywriting, social media writing, promotional writing, creative non-fiction, and media releases. Students also study and practice editing and publishing.
Students may choose to study the following combinations of two single majors to obtain the double major award:
- Creative Writing and Professional Writing and Publishing
- Digital and Social Media and Professional Writing and Publishing
- Digital Experience and Interaction Design and Professional Writing and Publishing
- Fine Art and Professional Writing & Publishing
- Professional Writing and Publishing and Visual Culture
- Digital Design and Professional Writing and Publishing
Please refer to the respective degree pages for more details.
Degree structure details
Recommended Study Pattern
If you haven't studied at university level before, we recommend you start with OUA Pathways (please see Option 1 below). OUA Pathways is ideal for students who want a structured start to their studies. Learn more about OUA Pathways
If you have studied at university level before, please follow Option 2.
If you're already enrolled in this degree, please continue with your Level 1 subjects, followed by the Level 2 and Level 3 Major subjects.
Option 1 - Pathways
- Step 1 - Complete 4 subjects from the Humanities Pathway table below.
- Step 2 - If you did not complete COM155 Culture to Cultures as part of the Humanities Pathways subject, you will need to complete this subject now. If you have completed COM155 Culture to Cultures as part of the Humanities Pathways subjects, please proceed to Step 3.
- Step 3 - Complete Level 1 major subjects PWP110 and PWP121
- Step 4 - Complete the Level 2 major subjects PWP210, PWP211, PWP230, and PWP240
- Step 5 - Complete the Level 3 major subjects PWP310, PWP311, PWP323, and PWP330
- Step 6 - Complete the remaining electives
Option 2
- Step 1 – Complete APC100 and COM155 in the Common Level 1 stream
- Step 2 - Complete Level 1 major subjects PWP110 and PWP121
- Step 3 - Complete the Level 2 major subjects PWP210, PWP211, PWP230, and PWP240
- Step 4 - Complete the Level 3 major subjects PWP310, PWP311, PWP323, and PWP330
- Step 5 - Complete 12 elective subjects
NOTE: No more than 10 subjects can be completed from Level 1 subjects.
Award Requirements
To qualify for the award of BA (Professional Writing and Publishing) students must complete a total of 24 subjects:
- 2 Common core subjects
- 10 Professional Writing major subjects
- 12 Electives
Choose your subjects
Majors
Students complete 10 Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects.
Electives
Please Note: For whichever category of Electives subjects, only a maximum of 2 Level 1 subjects are allowed for enrolment.
Students must complete 10 electives from one or more of these streams. Note that these subjects are recommended, not required, & students can study any combination of subjects within OUA to meet their needs. You must do at least 4 Level 2 or 3 electives unless given permission to vary this requirement. You do not have to study all your electives in one stream.
Registering in this degree
We recommend that all students, as soon as they are eligible, should apply for and take a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP). However, if you choose not to be a CSP student, please contact Curtin through the Ask Connect webform https://students.connect.curtin.edu.au/app/ask and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.
Transition arrangements
2024 Changes:
Degree structure changes
From SP1 2024, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) major will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.
The following Subjects will be offered from 2024:
- PWP230 Publishing
- PWP240 Workplace Writing
- PWP330 Publishing Studio
They will replace the following, which will no longer be offered in 2024:
- PWP221 Writing Feature Articles
- PWP220 Tricks of Truth and Authenticity
- PWP322 Advanced Editing and Publishing
- PWP324 Portfolio Development for Writers
Students who have completed the above subjects will have them counted towards the completion of their degrees.
For assistance with Student Services, please phone 1300 222 888 between 8:30 am to 4:30 pm AWST (Tuesday from 9:30 am), Monday to Friday, or contact Curtin Connect via the Ask Connect Webform.
2020 Changes:
Degree structure changes
From SP1 2020, students completing the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing) major will be required to transition to the new degree structure as detailed below.
Level 1:
- Two Common core subjects; APC100 and COM155,
- Two Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP110 and PWP121, and
- Four elective subjects
Level 2:
- Four Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP210, PWP211, PWP221, and PWP220
- Four elective subjects
Level 3:
- Four Professional Writing and Publishing major subjects; PWP310, PWP311, PWP322, and choose from PWP323 OR PWP324
- Four elective subjects
Professional Writing and Publishing Elective Changes
- Electives - Humanities Level 1 subjects MCA100 and MED104 will be offered for the last time in SP1 and SP3, 2020.
- Electives - Humanities Level 1 subjects MCA110 and MCA120 are no longer available as of SP1 2020. Students who have previously completed these will have these subjects credited towards their degree.
- Existing students will need to select from the available subjects to complete the BA (Professional Writing and Publishing) major.
Curtin University is committed to the fundamental principle that, no matter which major structure students choose to stay in or transition into, students will not be disadvantaged in their education. Curtin University is committed to discussion and consultation and would welcome your email or phone contact at any time to ensure you are fully informed and understand the changes.
Easy apply
You can apply direct through Open Universities Australia.
Once you've checked your eligibility, apply and enrol for this degree following the steps. This degree also allows you to get started with Open access.
Select ‘Apply now’
Choose subjects to begin your application. You can choose 1 or 2 subjects to start.
Choose how you want to start
You can apply for the full degree or if you want to start with Open access, enrol into the subjects using the ‘Single subjects’ option.
You can apply for the degree later and the subjects may be credited towards the degree.
Complete your details
Provide your details and select a funding option. You can pay up-front or apply for government funding in your application.
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Open access
This degree offers Open access entry, exclusive to Open Universities Australia.
There’s more than one way to get a degree. Open access allows you to start with single subjects as a way into eligible degrees, regardless of your study history.
Enrol into and complete the required Open access subjects to earn entry in this degree. Most subjects have no entry requirements, are fully government funded (if you’re eligible) and may be credited when you start the degree.
The best part? You can enrol and get started with single subjects now.