Bachelor of Arts (Professional Writing and Publishing)

At the completion of this degree students will be able to:

1. identify, explain and apply the key disciplinary concepts and principles in professional writing and publishing
2. integrate theory and creative practice in the production and analysis of professional writing texts; conceive, develop and evaluate innovative modes of professional communication
3. access and evaluate the sources, authority and relevance of information, and synthesise key facts, themes and ideas in professional writing and publishing
4. effectively communicate ideas to a range of audiences, across a variety of media, genres, and purposes
5. use and evaluate a range of appropriate technologies to access resources, communicate effectively, and develop writing and research skills
6. 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
7. acknowledge the interrelationship between local, national and global perspectives and the impact of this on professional writing and publishing
8. recognise and value the diversity of cultural knowledge and practices, taking care to represent these, where appropriate, in an ethical and professional manner
9. 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.

• Common Level 1 Subjects

• Level 1 Major Subjects

• Level 2 Major Subjects

• Level 3 Major Subjects

• Electives in Digital Design

• Electives in Fine Arts or Visual Culture

• Electives in Social Sciences

• Electives in Web Design

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.

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. 

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $32,424

The amounts shown here are 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.

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• 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.

• 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).

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.