Why Bachelor of Journalism?
Take your creativity to the next level by combining the craft of journalism with creative writing. Develop compelling stories across multiple formats, from poetry and prose to news articles and screenplays.
Maybe you’ll write an award-winning novel, write a script for a blockbuster movie or popular TV series, or be the lead journalist reporting on major global events.
Whether you’re investigating real-world issues or creating imaginative worlds, you could make a lasting impact on readers and audiences worldwide.
Inform, entertain and inspire audiences through your dynamic and powerful storytelling.
Overview
The Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Creative Writing teaches you how to craft compelling narratives across various media platforms.
You’ll develop foundational skills in news writing, multimedia storytelling, audio and visual journalism. Throughout your studies you’ll explore advanced topics in fiction, screenwriting and experimental forms, honing your voice and style.
Ethical considerations are central to your training, with a dedicated course on media law and ethics. Hands-on experience is emphasised through an internship or project, allowing you to apply your skills in real-world contexts.
By the end of your studies, you’ll be ready to tackle significant social issues through investigative journalism and/or enchant readers with imaginative prose and poetry.
Graduate prepared for a range of exciting creative writing roles such as an author, screenwriter, social media content creator, journalist or website copywriter.
Key features
Master essential techniques in news writing, multimedia journalism and audio journalism. - Explore the theory and practice of fiction and screenwriting.
- Learn about the legal and ethical frameworks guiding media.
- Refine your craft in prose, poetry and experimental forms.
- Participate in an internship or project to gain hands-on experience and build professional connections.
- Explore advanced topics in constructive and investigative journalism.
What you'll learn
In the Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Creative Writing at Adelaide University, you'll explore the art of storytelling while honing your creative writing skills for various genres and formats.
Throughout the three years, you’ll gain valuable skills in writing, editing and critical analysis. The skills learned will set you up for a successful career in creative writing and/or journalism.
In your first year, foundational courses will introduce you to key concepts and practices.
You’ll study topics like:
- Journalism foundations
- Audio journalism
- Creative writing essentials including prose, poetry and performance.
As you continue into your second year, you’ll deepen your understanding of narrative techniques and the ethics of journalism.
Your studies will include:
- Media law and ethics
- Feature Writing
- Fiction theory and practice
- Screenwriting theory and practice
- Narrative theories, forms and approaches to practice.
In your final year, you’ll apply your knowledge to real-world projects and develop your own voice.
Courses will feature:
- Constructive journalism
- Investigative journalism
- The writer as a researcher.
You'll also have opportunities for hands-on experience through an internship or project, allowing you to showcase your skills and creativity.
This comprehensive curriculum prepares you to pursue an exciting career, so you thrive as a writer.
Majors
The Bachelor of Journalism is also available with majors in:
This degree is also available without a major.
What courses you'll study
Complete 144 units comprising:
- 90 units for Core courses, and
- Either:
- 48 units for one Major from Majors, or
- 48 units for Electives, and
- 6 units for all Work integrated learning
Complete 90 units comprising:
- 18 units from Common core, and
- 72 units for all Program core
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Course name
An Ethically Rich Life
|
Course code
COREX001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fact or Fiction: Data for Everyone
|
Course code
COREX002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Igniting Change: Ideas to Action
|
Course code
COREX003
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Proppa Ways, Future Practice
|
Course code
COREX004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Responsible AI: Bridging Ethics, Education and Industry
|
Course code
COREX005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Ways of Being, Ways of Seeing
|
Course code
COREX006
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
 |
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 1: Prose, Poetry, Performance
|
Course code
WRIT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Writing Life: From Concept to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 2: Narrative Theories, Forms and Approaches to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Fiction: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Screenwriting: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA2016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 3: The Writer as Researcher
|
Course code
WRIT3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Poetry: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Experimental Forms: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 1: Prose, Poetry, Performance
|
Course code
WRIT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Writing Life: From Concept to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Screenwriting: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA2016
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 2: Narrative Theories, Forms and Approaches to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Fiction: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Experimental Forms: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 3: The Writer as Researcher
|
Course code
WRIT3004
|
Units
6
|
|
|
Course name
Poetry: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3005
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 1: Prose, Poetry, Performance
|
Course code
WRIT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Writing Life: From Concept to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 2: Narrative Theories, Forms and Approaches to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Fiction: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Screenwriting: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA2016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 3: The Writer as Researcher
|
Course code
WRIT3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Poetry: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Experimental Forms: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 6 units for ALL of the following:
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 1: Prose, Poetry, Performance
|
Course code
WRIT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Writing Life: From Concept to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 2: Narrative Theories, Forms and Approaches to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Fiction: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Screenwriting: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA2016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 3: The Writer as Researcher
|
Course code
WRIT3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Poetry: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Experimental Forms: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Complete 48 units comprising:
- 48 units from University-wide electives
| Course name | Course code | Units | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 1: Prose, Poetry, Performance
|
Course code
WRIT1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Introduction to Broadcast
|
Course code
JOUR1005
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Foundations
|
Course code
JOUR1000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
News Writing
|
Course code
JOUR1004
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Audio Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1007
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Multimedia Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR1006
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Writing Life: From Concept to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT1001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
| Year 2 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 2: Narrative Theories, Forms and Approaches to Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Feature Writing
|
Course code
JOUR2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Media Law, Policy and Ethics
|
Course code
MDIA2022
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Fiction: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT2001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Theory and Practice
|
Course code
JOUR2000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Screenwriting: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
MDIA2016
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Television and Video Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR2002
|
Units
6
|
| Year 3 | |||
| Semester 1 | |||
|
Course name
Constructive Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3000
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Creative Writing Essentials 3: The Writer as Researcher
|
Course code
WRIT3004
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Investigative Journalism
|
Course code
JOUR3002
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Poetry: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3005
|
Units
6
|
| Semester 2 | |||
|
Course name
Experimental Forms: Theory and Practice
|
Course code
WRIT3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Production
|
Course code
JOUR3001
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
Journalism Professional Experience
|
Course code
JOUR3900
|
Units
6
|
|
Course name
|
Course code
-
|
Units
6
|
Career outcomes
With a Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Creative Writing, you could become a feature writer for a major magazine like National Geographic, Rolling Stone or Vogue. Perhaps you'll work as a speechwriter for prominent public figures or politicians, crafting powerful messages that resonate with audiences globally. Or you could pursue a role in media production, podcast creation or even game narrative design, helping to bring stories to life in interactive formats.
No matter which path you choose, you'll have the skills to inspire through the power of words.
Industry trends
The role of a creative writer blends both artistry and strategy. As the digital landscape continues to influence the way stories are told, creative writers need to stay adaptable, refining their skills in a constantly shifting industry (Creative Writer Skills, 2024). Our comprehensive degree helps graduates excel in various roles, from authoring novels to creating digital content and storytelling experiences across media platforms.
Ready to apply?
Your study experience and support
Adelaide University sets you up for success in your studies – and your social life. You’ll have access to work placement and internship opportunities, overseas study tours and exchanges, networking events with guest speakers and more. Our campuses are equipped with purpose-built facilities including lecture theatres, libraries, workshops, laboratories, and spaces that simulate real work environments. These are all supported by the latest technologies and a 24/7 online learning platform with personalised study information and resources.
You’ll have everything you need to live well and thrive during your studies, with health services on campus, gymnasiums, technology zones and modern student lounges. Get involved in campus sport or join our student clubs that will connect you to your passions – and the people who share them.
Adelaide also has a variety of accommodation options to suit your individual requirements and budget, with options ranging from dedicated student accommodation to private rentals. One of the world’s most liveable cities, Adelaide has lots of leafy parks, gardens and social hubs – and some of the highest living standards globally. No matter where you are in Adelaide, you’re only a short distance from beaches, vineyards, museums, art galleries, restaurants, bars and parklands. Visit the accommodation web page to find out more.
Student services
We’re here to support you on your student journey. Adelaide University offers a range of support services and facilities, including:
- Career advice and mentoring services
- Personal counselling
- LGBTQIA+ support
- Academic support
- Fees and finance help
- Security services
- Accommodation services
- Common rooms
- Prayer rooms.
You’ll also have unlimited access to our dedicated student support hub. Visit in-person or online, or contact our friendly team by phone. We can assist you with anything study-related including enrolment, identification cards, timetables, fees and more.
Your campus
You'll be studying at one of our renowned campuses, accessing cutting-edge facilities and contemporary study spaces.
Study hours
Your courses will require a combination of different learning formats, including lectures, tutorials, workshops, seminars and practicals. Aside from your classes, you’ll also need to allocate additional time for independent study. This may include assignments, readings, projects and contributing to online discussion forums. As a rough guide, full-time studies may require 12-26 hours of class time and 14-18 hours of independent study per week.
Assessment
During your studies at Adelaide University, you’ll complete a mixture of practical, professional and research-based learning. Your assessment types will vary depending on the degree you’re studying, but may include:
- Case studies
- Essays and assignments
- Examinations
- Group projects
- Internships and placements
- Practicals
- Presentations
- Reports and project documentations
- Research projects
- Workplace and classroom contributions.
