Overview

The constant need for content in print, digital, film, and broadcast media means that writers are in greater demand than ever before. The Graduate Diploma of Writing builds on your existing skillset, preparing you for creative, professional, and academic publication opportunities at a high-level industry standard.

View Graduate Diploma of Writing course handbook
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Upgrade your skills

  • Learn to write for print, digital, film and broadcast media
  • Theoretical writing
  • Communicating theoretical concepts
  • Generate complex ideas through technical and creative writing skills
  • Industry and creative practices
  • Critically apply knowledge and skills

Stretch your career further

  • Authors
  • Editors
  • Journalists
  • Writers

Strong industry connections and co-creation

  • The Australian
  • The Age
  • Herald Sun
  • Crikey
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Why Swinburne?

The median income for PG graduates one year out is $86.6K

Ranked top 20% in Australia for PG Graduate Salary

Ranked top 20% in Australia for PG full-time employment

  • Focused mixed race woman wearing headphones watching webinar write notes

    Open Universities Australia

    This course is alternatively offered through Open Universities Australia (OUA). OUA lets you study Swinburne courses entirely online. The courses are identical to what is taught to on-campus students plus you can access Swinburne’s campus facilities.

Qualifications

  • A recognised bachelor degree; or
  • Graduate Certificate of Writing or Graduate Certificate of Arts (Writing) or equivalent
  • A recognised bachelor degree; or
  • Graduate Certificate of Writing or Graduate Certificate of Arts (Writing) or equivalent
Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Graduate Diploma of Writing, a student must complete 100 credit points of specified units.

  • eight core units (100 credit points) 

Your units

Graduate Certificate

Completing 4 core units entitles you to the graduate certificate.

4
Core units
=
Graduate certificate
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Critical Friends: The Real and Virtual Support of Writers
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR60001
Journalism
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR60004
Research for Writers
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR60003
Real Life Writing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR60002
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate of Writing

Graduate Diploma

Completing an additional 4 core units entitles you to the graduate diploma.

4
Core units
+
4
Core units
=
Graduate diploma
Units of study Unit code
Core units
Reading and Writing
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR70001
Writing History: People, Places and Times
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR70004
Scriptwriting
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR70005
Writing for Digital Media
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PWR70002

Nested programs

The Graduate Diploma of Writing forms the second stage in a nested suite of programs. Continue studying with the:

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$28,900

Total fee* ($AUD)

$28,900

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$28,900.00

Fees are estimates only

The student tuition fees as published are subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. These fees apply for units studied in 2025 only and may change for units studied in future years. If part-time study is permitted, annual fees will be proportionally lower based on the number of units taken per semester.

Fees are estimates only

The indicative course fees shown apply to international students for the relevant year, based on a standard study load per year. Fees are assessed according to actual study load each semester, with variations to study load resulting in tuition fee adjustments. These fees generally include the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and are subject to annual review. Enrolled students will receive reasonable notice of any fee changes before payment is due.

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Student services and amenities fee

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

The fee shown in the capped amount for 2025.

This funding serves to improve the student experience at Swinburne. You may use many or just some of the services and amenities that the fee provides.

This amenities fee is included within your annual tuition fee listed above. The fee shown is the capped amount for 2025.

Please refer to the Student Services Amenities Fee page for more information.

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

$351.00

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
GD-WRI
Search for agents

Apply directly

Ready to take on a new challenge and reach your academic goals? If you already know which course you want to study and understand the entry requirements, what are you waiting for? Apply online! 

Please note: This online course is not available to on-shore international students holding a student visa.

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