Faculty of Arts

"Journalism - the fourth estate - is a pillar of our global community. It is going through enormous changes and facing significant challenges as the rise of digital media threatens traditional print and broadcast mediums"

- Winthrop Professor Peter van Onselen, Foundation Professor of Journalism, Contributing Editor at The Australian and the host of Australian Agenda on Sunday mornings on Sky News.

The Master of International Journalism was introduced at The University of Western Australia in 2012 with the primary aim of producing the best student journalists in the country across all media formats - print, broadcast and digital. This master by coursework degree gives students the ability to generate original journalism to a high industry standard while at the same time encouraging them to think critically about journalism in a global context. This focus on the international and domestic contexts, means that graduates will be equipped to work anywhere in the world.

Students study in an environment that simulates industry, produce work for a real audience and on successful completion of the degree will have a portfolio of published pieces that will aid in their transition to professional practice.

Teachers of the course

Prominent political journalist, commentator and Foundation Professor of Journalism, Peter van Onselen, has developed and will coordinate the course. Working with a teaching team consisting of academics and acclaimed industry professionals, Professor van Onselen exposes students to leading journalists and scholars, providing a combination of theory and practical experience.

The industry based teaching team includes Walkley Award winning investigative journalist Anthony Klan (Wall Street Journal, The Australian), Kieran Gilbert (Chief Political Correspondent, Sky News), and Geoff Elliott (Business Editor, The Australian) plus guest lectures from a range of prominent journalists including Paul Kelly (Editor at Large, The Australian) and David Speers (Political Editor at Sky News).

Career opportunities

The course is designed for graduate students wishing to pursue a career in journalism. It will also greatly enhance the career prospects of those already working in the field. In addition it is an excellent grounding for those in professions related to but not directly involved in journalism, including media advisors, and communications and media strategy in government and business.

Course outline

This is a three semester full-time or five years part-time course.

The course can be completed either by coursework only or by coursework and dissertation, to a total of 72 points. All units have a value of 6 points, unless otherwise stated.

There are 8 core units (total 48 points):

• COMM5601 History of Journalism (S1)
• COMM5603 Practicum 1: Print and Digital (S1)
• COMM5604 Media Law and Ethics (S1)
  
• COMM5607 News Gathering: Technique and Timing (S1)
  
• COMM5602 Online Journalism (S2)
• COMM5605 Issues in Contemporary Global Journalism (S2)
  
• COMM5606 Investigative Reporting (S2)
  
• COMM5608 Practicum 2: Broadcast and Digital (S2)
  

You can choose from the following elective units (to add up to 24 points). If you are completing the course by coursework and dissertation, you must include the Dissertation unit as an elective:

• COMM5609 Advanced Writing and Broadcasting
• COMM5610 Management and Editorial
• COMM5611 Politics, Business and the Economy
• COMM5612 The Role of the Correspondent
• COMM5613 Practicum 3: Website Editor
• COMM5614 Work Placement (12 points)
• COMM5620/COMM5621 Dissertation (24 points)

Key information

• 72 credit points
• 3 semesters full time, 5 years part time

The Overview and Rules for this course are availbe in the current UWA Handbooks.

Admission requirements

To be considered for admission to this course a student must have:

• A relevant bachelor's degree with an average mark of at least 65% in Level 3 units of the major, or equivalent as recognised by the Faculty.
• A minimum level of English Language Competence for domestic students will need to be met for all UWA coursework programs.
• A minimum level of English Language Competence for international students will need to be met for all UWA coursework programs.

Course enquiries

For more information please contact the Faculty of Arts Student Office.