Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Undergraduate
CUR-PWP-DEG 2024Writers, 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.
Entry pathways available with no entry requirements
- Study method
- 100% online study with practicum placement
- Assessments
- 100% online
- Applications close
- 17 Nov 2024
- Credit available
- Yes
- Duration
- 3 years full time or part time equivalent
- Total subjects
- 24
- Price from
- $31,140
- Available loans
- Australian Higher Education Loan Program (HELP)
- CSP available
- Yes
Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
About this degree
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.
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.
Recommended study pattern
- Complete APC100 and COM155 in the Common Level 1 stream
- Complete Level 1 major subjects PWP110 and PWP121
- Complete the Level 2 major subjects PWP210, PWP211, PWP230, and PWP240
- Complete the Level 3 major subjects PWP310, PWP311, PWP323, and PWP330
- 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, and 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.
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.
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 and select the Admissions and Credit for Recognised Learning - Entry pathways and eligibility menu option.
Transition arrangements are changes that occur when courses are updated or phased out. This happens regularly as part of continuous improvement. It may affect you if you are currently enrolled in this course, or if you plan to use credit from previous study towards it.
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.
Start your career with Curtin’s globally recognised courses and extensive industry connections. Through OUA, their online courses offer an interactive and collaborative learning experience that gets you the same degree as if you studied on campus. Curtin is a global university with a vibrant culture of innovation and collaboration and is ranked in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
Learn more about Curtin University.
Explore Curtin courses.
- QS Ranking 2024:
- 14
- Times Higher Education Ranking 2024:
- 15
Entry requirements
Start small with no entry requirements
Yes, you can get into this degree!
Start with an undergraduate certificate regardless of your ATAR or study history. Here’s how:
Undergraduate certificate
Start with a certificate
Complete an undergraduate certificate in as little as six months. You'll gain a recognised qualification and credit to bring to the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing).
View certificate detailsContinue to the Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)
Enter the degree with full credit from your certificate. You'll study for the same amount of time as students who go straight into the degree.
- 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).
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- 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.
- Successful study through OUA – either:
- 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 Prerequisites
- 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.
- 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
- 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
- Domestic applicants with overseas qualifications
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 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. ***
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: Credit for Recognised Learning (Advanced Standing)
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).
Study method requirements
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.
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.
Career outlook
- Authors, and Book and Script Editors:
- Data unavailable
- Bloggers, Critics, Sports and Other Writers :
- Data unavailable
- Copywriters:
- Data unavailable
- Journalists and Other Writers:
- $75K to $93K
- Technical Writers:
- Data unavailable
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.
How do I know if I‘m eligible to apply for a course?
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. Contact us to find out more.
When is my cut-off date for enrolment?
Our close of enrolment times vary. You can check the cut-off dates for upcoming study terms by visiting Key dates.
Why should I study online through Open Universities Australia?
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.
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.