Diploma of Journalism
UndergraduateGRF-JRN-DIP2026
Course information for 2026 intake
Build skills to create impactful stories across platforms
Work on the professional practices journalists need to get started. You’ll explore investigative reporting and media law. Build practical skills for multiple formats. Gain industry insights. Graduate ready for entry-level roles or continue your studies.
- Study method
- 100% online
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 15 Feb 2026,
- 28 June 2026
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 1 year full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 8
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Diploma of Journalism
About this degree
Graduates of the Diploma of Journalism will have:
- Knowledge that provides the foundations of professional practice in journalism fields and the identity of an ethical and responsible journalist
Graduates of the Diploma of Journalism will be able to:
- Communicate professionally and collaborate effectively as required through multiple platforms and across diverse environmental, social and cultural contexts.
- Apply creative and technical skills to generate fit for purpose professional outcomes through multiple media platforms and respond ethically to evolving situations within journalism contexts.
- Produce media content and communication strategies that address social and environmental justice, applying ethical and legal perspectives in a range of journalism scenarios.
- Appropriately engage with knowledge of First Nations peoples and communities in your professional journalism practice, displaying respect for, and awareness of, ways of working that encourage positive outcomes.
The Diploma of Journalism equips aspiring reporters with the foundational skills needed to succeed in a dynamic and rapidly changing media industry. You will combine practical training and theoretical knowledge with an understanding of ethical and legal responsibilities, while learning to produce compelling, impactful news stories across digital, broadcast and print platforms. This includes investigative journalism and exposure to various contemporary media challenges.
Taught by academics with extensive journalistic experience, the diploma also prepares you for further work or study in journalism, communication or media fields, while offering a pathway to the Bachelor of Communication.
Recommended study pattern
It is recommended students complete level 1 and level 2 subjects before enrolling in level 3 subjects to ensure a strong foundation for learning.
Award requirements
The degree will normally be of one year duration for full-time students. Part time students may take up to 4 years to accumulate subjects towards the degree. Upon being accepted into Griffith University, you may apply for credit for prior learning which may reduce the time it will take to complete your degree.
To be eligible for the award of the Diploma of Journalism, you must complete 8 core subjects.
Note: In accordance with the University's Credit Transfer Policy and notwithstanding the amount of credit which may be given towards the Diploma of Journalism, a student undertaking this program is required to complete a minimum of 4 subjects offered through Griffith University which are part of the Diploma of Journalism degree requirements and which have not been credited towards another award.
Exit points
To be eligible to exit with the Undergraduate Certificate in Journalism award, you must successfully complete 40 credit points as specified in this program. To exit, you should contact oua.programsupport@griffith.edu.au
Degrees are usually made up of core subjects and electives. Some degrees include a choice of majors, so you can focus your studies on a specialisation.
This list is a general overview. Download the full Degree Guide for more information.
Students are required to register with Griffith University for this award by completing a Registration form and paying the required fee. The non-refundable $150 registration fee is payable when the form is submitted. While there is no immediate requirement for potential students to register in the degree, students are recommended to register as soon as possible, in order to receive advice on credit and subject selection.
Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.
Indicative total fee $17,400
The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.
Fees may vary depending on:
- the subjects you choose
- credit from previous work experience
- your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.
To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.
With a network of campuses spanning three cities in South East Queensland, Griffith University is committed to progressive multidisciplinary teaching and research and a valuable online provider with Open Universities Australia. Already attracting students from over one hundred countries, Griffith's dedication to academic excellence is available across Australia through OUA.
Learn more about Griffith University.
Explore Griffith courses.
- QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 18
- Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:
- 21
Entry requirements
Completion of at least one undergraduate subject or equivalent (equivalent to 10 Griffith University credit points) with a minimum GPA of 4.0
A Rank of 60.00 or an ATAR Score of 60.00
Students may be able to receive credit for previous studies conducted at other institutions. Please contact the Open Universities Australia Officer, Griffith (OUA) Services at Griffith University.
A prospective student who has previously completed or partially completed a degree, may be eligible for a CSP and may also be eligible for credit transfer. For more information, please visit the following website:
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Degree FAQs
How long does it take to finish an online degree?
That's up to you! Because we let you choose when to study online, you can actually pick up and pause study when it suits you. Many universities have a set time you need to complete your degree within. For some this is up to 10 years, and for others there is no limit.
There are some degrees that are stricter about when you can take breaks, and about how many years you can take to complete your degree. Please always check with your uni what the limits are.
As a general guide, Commonwealth supported place students have 10 years to finish their undergraduate degree through OUA, However, if you're studying with Griffith University, there's a limit of 8 years to complete your studies. If you want to take a break that lasts more than two study terms, you'll need to apply for a leave of absence. You can apply for a leave of absence for up to 12 months, as long as you complete your studies within the maximum time allowed for your degree.
If you're studying with Macquarie University, with the exception of certain degrees, there's no limit to how long you can take. But, please check with Macquarie Student Administration to be sure.
If you're studying with the University of Adelaide, you have up to 9 years to complete your undergraduate degree and graduate.
If you're studying with La Trobe University and want to take a break of minimum 1 study term, you must apply for leave of absence to avoid being inadvertently withdrawn from your degree.
Through OUA, you can study all year round, so it's possible to fast-track and finish up sooner than studying at a traditional uni would allow. That said, you need to spend around 12 hours a week on each undergraduate subject you do, so taking on extra work to finish ahead of time can be challenging.
How can I pay for my studies?
You may be eligible for a HELP loan from the Australian government, depending on your citizenship status and where you'll be living during your studies. You can also pay upfront with your credit card.
Payment options are explained in Fees, and you can contact a student advisor for more information.
How does studying through Open Universities Australia work?
You might find learning through OUA a little different to how you've studied in the past. It can take time to develop the skills you need for independent online study.
We connect you with subjects and degrees that are taught by leading Australian universities. You can complete single subjects, or follow a degree structure to work towards a specific qualification. Subjects are offered in several study terms throughout the year, so you can choose to study part-time or full-time, continuously or with breaks.
We help you find the subjects or degree that's right for you, and we handle your enrolment in uni and some administration. Your uni sends you your study materials and deals with all academic matters. They're also in charge of your assessment and graduation. If you go on to complete a degree, you'll graduate from the uni offering your degree, for example, RMIT University or Griffith University.
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Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
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You can enrol without entry requirements
We have a unique open-door policy that makes it possible for everyone to enrol in university study, no matter their academic history. If you don't meet the entry requirements for a degree, we'll help you get in through single undergraduate subjects and transition into a qualification from there.
You have total control over how you study
Upskill without committing to a whole degree upfront. Or enrol in a full degree, but take it a subject at a time. We'll introduce you to flexible study options you didn't even know about, so you can fit uni around what matters to you.You'll graduate with the same qualification as an on-campus student
Once you enrol through us, you'll study online with the university that provides your degree. This means that when you complete your qualification, you'll graduate with the same degree as on-campus students.We'll help you navigate the university world
Our friendly student advisors will be your guide every step of the enrolment journey. They'll help you compare universities, choose a course, provide documentation and understand your finance options.
How do I enrol?
Here at Open Universities Australia, we make enrolling online as straightforward as possible. To get started, find the course for you by browsing the options on this page. You can also compare different qualifications using our handy comparison tool, or request help from one of our student advisors.
When you've made your choice, click 'Apply now' on the relevant course page and follow the prompts to begin your enrolment. We'll ask you to supply some supporting documentation, including proof of your identity, your tax file number, and a unique student identifier (USI) during this process.
Your university will get in touch with you via email to confirm whether or not your application has been successful.
If you get stuck at any time, reach out to a student advisor and we'll talk you through it.
You can also take a look at our online self-service enrolling instructions.