Warning! There have been changes to the course - please refer to the transition information
Warning! This is a restricted degree. Subject enrolment is only available to students admitted into this degree.
Postgraduate SWI-WRI-GCE-2023
Graduate Certificate of Writing
Information is changing. Write that down!
There is a growing need for graduates with traditional and electronic writing skills. Improve your ability to write for a range of genres, connect writing theory with practice plus absorb knowledge of trends in writing, media and new practices.
Available loans
Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
Total subjects
4
Price
From
$13,700
Study method
100% Online
Assessments
100% online
Credit available
Yes
Applications Close
- 14 May 23
- 13 Aug 23
- 12 Nov 23
Swinburne University of Technology leads the way with innovative and new ways of teaching, learning and thinking. It offers a wide range of study options, from pre-apprenticeships, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhDs, including online degrees with Open Universities Australia. Swinburne is known for career-oriented education and encouraging lifelong learning.
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QS Ranking 2023
18
Times Higher Education Ranking 2023
22
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Degree structure
Core subjects
Major subjects
Elective subjects
Degree
Degree details
Graduates of the Graduate Certificate of Writing will be able to:
- Apply cognitive skills to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge of writing theory and practice and identify and provide solutions to complex problems related to the construction and interpretation of writing related texts, and to think critically to generate and evaluate complex ideas about one’s own writing and the writing of others
- Apply specialised technical and creative skills needed to generate industry ready texts and to review and think critically about the writing of self and others
- Use communication skills to demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical concepts related to writing and criticism needed to transfer complex knowledge and ideas to a variety of audiences of creative works
- Demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills to make high level, independent judgements in a range of technical or management functions specific to creative practice in varied specialised contexts related to writing
- Initiate, plan, implement and evaluate how both the broad and specific functions of writing and critique can be executed and maintained within varied specialised technical and/or creative contexts
- Demonstrate responsibility and accountability for writing-related personal outputs and aspects of working with others within broad parameters, including through the development of sustainable and independent writing practices.
Higher education
A recognised bachelor degree in any of the fields of: creative arts, society and culture, education, health, and management and commerce.
Special entry may be available through Recognition of Prior Learning and/or appropriate TAFE programs
VET studies
Applicants may apply based on relevant experience in publishing or writing related industries for at least four years
English Proficiency Requirements
English language requirements: (International students only)
IELTS (Academic Module): Overall 6.5 with no individual band below 6.0; or Swinburne English Language Centre: EAP 5 Advanced level with overall 70% and all skills 65% or above; or TOEFL iBT: minimum score 79 (Reading no less than 18, Writing no less than 20); or equivalent measures available at http://www.swinburne.edu.au/study/international/apply/entry-requirements/
Please note: This course is not available to international students who will be studying in Australia on a student visa (subclass 500).
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process where a student may be granted credit or partial credit towards a qualification in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. For further details for students considering Higher Education degrees visit the RPL website: http://www.future.swinburne.edu.au/pathways/workforce/index.html
Credit Transfer
Applicants with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this degree may be granted ‘credit’ and/or entry into the degree with ‘advanced standing’. University policies apply and applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis. For further information please refer to http://www.swinburne.edu.au/open-universities-australia/advanced-standing-rpl.html
The rapid pace of change in the ways in which information is accessed, utilised and converted into knowledge means that there is a growing need for graduates with both traditional and electronic professional and creative writing skills. The Masters of Writing degree draws together print and performance-based texts, while exploring the local and global opportunities of electronic media. These areas include: creative writing; electronic writing; information management; eCommunications and writing for learning technologies. These programs will give students access to the best materials in print and online as well as to experts in their field. Students will be supported by online mentors and tutors.
The Graduate Certificate of Writing forms the first stage in a three-stage nested suite of programs consisting of:
- Graduate Certificate of Writing
- Graduate Diploma of Writing
- Master of Writing
Recommended Study Pattern
To qualify for a Graduate Certificate of Writing, students must complete all four core subjects. A subject can only be counted once. The program is delivered entirely online and is supported with eTutors, tutorials, print materials, websites and CD-ROMs.
Each subject is worth 12.5 credit points so a total of 50 credit points (4 subjects) must be studied to complete the Graduate Certificate of Writing qualification. In each year, eight subjects normally constitute a full-time load of 100 credit points and four subjects normally constitute a part-time load of 50 credit points.
Students who did not commence their program in the current year are required to follow the program structure available to them at the time of admission.
Taking time off from study (Absent Without Leave and Leave of Absence): How to apply for an approved leave of absence and minimise the risk of having to reapply for degree admission: https://www.swinburne.edu.au/current-students/manage-course/enrolment-timetable/time-off/
Award Requirements
To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Writing students must complete 50 credit points comprising of:
- Four (4) core subjects (50 credit points)
Please note: You cannot re-enrol into Swinburne subjects that you have already passed.
Exit Points
Students who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate of Writing student may articulate to the Graduate Diploma of Writing or Master of Writing.
From Study Period 1 2019, the Master of Arts (Writing) changed to the Master of Writing. The Course Structure will remain the same with some minor changes to subjects.
Master of Writing and nested degrees including the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma
Students may choose to stay in the current Course title or transfer to the new Course title. Students who wish to transfer to the new Course title must complete the online Course Transition Application to change your Course before the close of enrolments for SP1, 2020.
Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma students
If you are enrolled in one of the nested levels of the Course (Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma) and are interested to apply for and enrol in the Masters, you must submit an OUA Course Transition Application online before close of enrolments for SP4, 2019. This is the last date that enrolments will be accepted.
For all students
The following changes to subjects apply from 2019:
PWR70002 Online Writing changing to PWR70002 Writing for Digital Media
PWR70003 Script Adaptation: Stage, Screen and Multimedia replaced by PWR70005 Scriptwriting
PWR80001 Critical and Creative Practices: The Writerly Identity changing to PWR80001 Creativity for Practice
PWR80002 Script Writing will no longer be offered
PWR80004 Writing and New Media replaced by PWR80006 Creative Industry Enterprise
Easy apply
You can apply direct through Open Universities Australia.
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