Bachelor of Communication in Journalism
at University of Technology Sydney, New South Wales.
A three-year journalism-focused communication degree at UTS, taught with strong industry links across Sydney newsrooms. Includes a substantial industry internship, the UTS-run Central News website and access to professional broadcast and digital studios.
ATAR cutoff history
Published cutoff data for the University of Technology Sydney Bachelor of Communication in Journalism. We never invent figures; entries marked "not published" mean the university or admissions centre has not released a verified cutoff for that intake.
| Intake year | ATAR cutoff | Admissions centre |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 78.05 | UAC |
| 2024 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
| 2023 | ATAR cutoff not published | UAC |
Most recent published cutoff is 78.05 for the 2025 intake.
Prerequisite Year 12 subjects
Brush up on each prerequisite with our state-syllabus explainers and dot points.
What you will study
The Bachelor of Communication (Journalism) at UTS pairs journalism craft with a communications-theory core. Year one covers introduction to journalism (news writing, news judgement, interviewing), media law foundations, audience and content analysis, multimedia and digital production basics, and one or two electives across writing, design or politics. Year two layers feature writing, broadcast and video journalism, data journalism (with Excel and basic data analysis), media policy and ethics, and an applied newsroom unit producing real publications. Year three runs investigative journalism, specialist rounds (politics, business, science, arts), an industry-based internship and a capstone project (a long-form feature, documentary, podcast or investigation). The degree is studio-and-newsroom led: students operate the university newsroom and produce live content from second year.
Example first-year subjects
- Introduction to Journalism Practice
- News Writing and Reporting
- Media Law and Ethics
- Digital Multimedia Production
- Audiences and Communication
- Introduction to Public Relations
How you will be assessed
- News and feature writing portfolios with weekly submissions
- Broadcast and video production deliverables
- Multimedia investigative project in upper years
- Written essays on media theory, law and ethics
- Internship reflective journal and supervisor evaluation
- Capstone long-form journalism project
Placement and industry experience
UTS embeds an industry internship in year three (typically 100 to 200 hours), placing students at the ABC, SBS, Nine, Seven, News Corp Australia, Guardian Australia and independent digital newsrooms. Placements are unpaid for credit. Most students complete additional self-organised cadet and internship hours through MEAA-affiliated outlets to build a portfolio.
Career outcomes
- Graduates work as journalists, producers, podcasters and digital content makers in newsrooms including the ABC, SBS, Nine, News Corp and independent media start-ups.
- First-year jobs typically include cadetships at the ABC, Sydney Morning Herald and The Guardian, plus producer roles at podcast networks and digital newsrooms.
- Many alumni progress to senior reporting, foreign correspondence, editing roles or move into media advisory, communications strategy and political communications.
Professional accreditation
- Recognised by the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance (MEAA)
Typical first jobs
- Cadet journalist at ABC, SBS, Nine, Seven and News Corp
- Junior reporter at regional NSW newspapers and online outlets
- Online content producer at digital-first news outlets
- Communications adviser in government and corporates
- Public relations consultant at agencies
- Freelance journalist and content producer
Graduate starting salary
$55,000 - $68,000 per year
Source: https://www.qilt.edu.au/surveys/graduate-outcomes-survey-(gos). Last reviewed 2026-05-21.
After graduation
Top students enter the Honours year (year four, research thesis or major journalism project) leading to research masters and PhD. Common postgraduate pivots include Master of Journalism (specialty in data, investigative or international), Master of Strategic Communications and the Graduate Certificate in Editing and Publishing. The journalism industry is contracting in traditional outlets so many graduates pivot into communications, government media, public-relations and content strategy roles within five years.
Is this the right degree for you?
You probably thrive here if
- Students who already write, interview or report
- Those willing to chase stories under tight deadlines
- People comfortable approaching strangers for interviews
- Students happy to learn audio, video and data-journalism tools
- Those willing to take unpaid internships and freelance work to build a CV
It is probably not for you if
- Students who avoid cold-call interviewing and source chasing
- Those wanting a clear corporate career path with high starting salary
- Anyone unwilling to file copy under daily deadline pressure
Careers this leads to
Australian career pathways that name this Bachelor of Communication in Journalism as an entry route. Each page shows uni, TAFE and apprenticeship alternatives.
Sources
Course details are summarised by ExamExplained, not copied from the university. Confirm course content and ATAR cutoffs on the University of Technology Sydney handbook and on UAC before applying. Page generated at https://examexplained.com.au/uni/uts/bachelor-of-communication-journalism.