Graduate Certificate of Writing

Overview

The Graduate Certificate of Writing gives you the skills for success in today’s publishing environment along with opportunities to advance within the industry. Learn specialised technical skills from online mentors and tutors. You’ll build knowledge in the areas of creative and electronic writing, information management, eCommunications and writing for learning technologies.

View Graduate Certificate of Writing course handbook

Get a copy of our course guide

Upgrade your skills

Communication skills
Analytical skills in writing theory and practice
Planning and delivery of writing projects
Generate industry ready text
Responsibility and accountability for writing-related personal outputs

Stretch your career further

Author
Copywriter
Journalist
Editor

Key codes

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

Source

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.

Learn more (Open Universities Australia)

Qualifications

A recognised bachelor degree in any of the fields of: creative arts, society and culture, education, health, and management and commerce.

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:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

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.

Book your Pearson Test of English

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.

Learn more about credit

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.

Learn more about RPL

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.

Graduate Diploma of Writing

Graduate Diploma of Writing

How credit points work

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Writing students must complete 50 credit points.

The course is delivered entirely online and is supported with eTutors, tutorials, print materials, websites and CD-ROMs.

Core units

Graduate Certificate

Nested programs

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

Your 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

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$14,450

Total fee* ($AUD)

$14,450

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

$14,450.00

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.

Find out more about fees

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.

Learn more about paying your fees

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.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

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

Learn more about SSAF

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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.

Learn more about scholarships

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

GC-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.

Course code

GC-WRI

Apply directly

Start dates

Location

Last date to apply

Start dates

Location

Start dates

Overview

Entry requirements

Study structure

Fees & Scholarships

How to apply

Overview

Upgrade your skills

Stretch your career further

Key codes

International student visa

Why Swinburne?

Open Universities Australia

Admission requirements

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

Graduate Diploma of Writing

Master of Writing

Graduate certificate

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Total fee* ($AUD)

2025 fees

Yearly fee* ($AUD)

Fees are estimates only

Fees are estimates only

SSAF fee* ($AUD)

SSAF fee* ($AUD)