Journalism courses

Use the power of words to tell stories of people, places, politics and more

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Introduction to Journalism

Journalists are so much more than people who write articles. They’re the fabric of our society – holding a crucial role that tells stories of the every-man, holds those in power accountable and uncovers the deep dark secrets of society. 

With words as their superpower, journalists investigate the unknown and share their findings with the general population – ensuring that our fathers, brothers, mothers, sisters and friends are informed about the issues taking place in society today.

Study a degree in journalism, and you’ll join a league of individuals committed to communication. 

Emma_Journlism
Emma studied a Bachelor of Communication with Griffith University, through Open Universities Australia

Discover journalism courses

Online journalism degrees

Griffith University

UndergraduateGRF-ART-DEG

Bachelor of Arts

University of the Sunshine Coast

UndergraduateUSC-COM-DEG

Bachelor of Communication

Swinburne University of Technology

PostgraduateSWI-WRI-MAS

Master of Writing

Online journalism subjects and short courses

Griffith University

UndergraduateGRF-LHS157

Research and Writing for Journalism

Curtin University

UndergraduateCUR-CWG320

Travel Writing

La Trobe University

UndergraduateLTU-MAC1WFM

Writing for Media

University of South Australia

UndergraduateUSA-COMM2089

Broadcast Journalism

Discover 38 ways to study journalism with leading Australian universities.

Explore journalism courses

Journalism study FAQs

  • While journalists no longer sit by a typewriter, journalism skills are still needed today. The mediums journalists use to tell stories have changed, but the role of using communication to inspire, inform and entertain remains.

    While print publications have less full-time staff than in previous decades, the rise of online content has created more digital opportunities for professional communicators than ever before. In other words, study a journalism course online, and you’ll have plenty of opportunities.

  • Study a journalism degree and you could find work as a:

    • Journalist: Use skills from your journalism degree to produce stories for websites, magazines, newspapers, TV and radio. Report on recent events, politics, lifestyle news and more.
    • Book editor: A degree in journalism gives you advanced skills in grammar and vocabulary. These are incredibly useful for publishing houses.
    • Public relations professional: Use your knowledge of journalism to represent and control the public image of companies and people.
    • Copywriter: See your writing up in lights in advertisements and on websites. Get creative by crafting billboards, television commercial scripts, radio ads and more.
    • Social media manager: A degree in journalism will hone your knowledge of online platforms. Many organisations need people with these skills to manage and run their company profiles.
  • Unlike when you study through a traditional university, you can enrol you in most of the undergraduate subjects available through our website instantly. Enrol in the subjects you’re interested in, and as soon as your study materials arrive, you can start learning online.

    As you start completing your subjects, you’ll eventually need to apply to your uni to formally enter your degree. Enrolling in subjects is a great way of becoming eligible and applying successfully. Check out the Registering in this degree section on the degree page you're interested in for more information.

    Postgraduate subjects are different. Most of them are restricted, meaning you’ll have to apply for entry and be accepted before you can start studying online. You’ll find information about the application process on the postgraduate degree page that you’re interested in.

    Enrolling is easy. You can enrol online or over the phone with a student advisor.

  • Before starting an enrolment, it’s important to read the entry requirements for your chosen course to ensure that you’re eligible to apply. If you don’t quite meet the requirements, we can help you find a pathway into your course through open-entry subjects, which anyone can study. Chat with us to find out more.

  • There are a lot of reasons to study your course online through us.

    • 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.

What will I learn in a journalism degree?

Study a journalism course online, and you’ll learn:

  • How to identify what’s “newsworthy” and what's not: Gain a sense of what's worth reporting on. You'll develop a nose for news through consuming journalism in preparation for creating your own.
  • How to research and plan news stories: Understand what happens behind the scenes of a story. Learn what it takes to find information and structure your piece.
  • Techniques for interviewing subjects and telling their stories: Getting information from people takes a lot more than asking a question. Discover how to build trust with those you report on.
  • Skills to create stories in print, broadcast and online media: From using online publishing systems, to creating sound files, you'll learn it all.
  • The power, and danger, of social media in journalism: Social media has created a new era of news. Discover how you can harness it for to deliver trusted information.

Student stories and study advice

The main types of journalism you can pursue in your career

Do you have a flair for the written word, a voice perfect for radio, or a knack with data? Let’s explore the different fields of journalism so you can figure out which one is right for you. 

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Are you thinking about becoming an influencer? We asked Instagram personality Ethically Kate what an influencer really does. Plus, we found out how much money you can make in Australia.  

How can you start your own podcast?

With the number of podcasts out there, you may be starting to think you could create your own. But how much work is really involved in being a master of the mic?

Making the change

After beginning a career as a graphic designer, Todd (along with his wife Alex) decided to go his own way and start a business.

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