Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting

Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting - 11115NAT

VOCATIONAL

Hone your writing skills to become a professional screenwriter, editor or script developer. 

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

Not applicable

Duration:
Full-time 2 years
Part-time 4 years
Fees:

Fee finder

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Entry score:

Not applicable

Fees:

Not applicable

Overview

Are you ready to enter the screenwriting profession?

The Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting provides specialist training in writing for film, television and digital media across all genres. While encouraging you to develop your creative strengths, it exposes you to the professional screenwriting environment including professional best practice and career management.

RMIT is the place to study for screenwriters wanting to break into the industry. This advanced diploma is revered by industry, and graduates are well-regarded by filmmakers and production companies.

As part of your learning experience, you will complete a professional placement. During your second year, you will undertake at least 35 hours of professional work-integrated learning in an industry context, helping you hone your practical skills and kick-starting your professional network.

All lecturers are industry experienced and are actively involved in screenwriting and media production. Their up-to-date knowledge is supplemented by guest speakers from industry who share their knowledge and experience. 

Graduates can expect to work in diverse roles, including screenwriters or script editors of feature films or series for TV networks or streaming services, or script developers for digital platforms.

Why study screenwriting at RMIT?

Hands-on learning

Gain practical experience with professional placement within industry in your second year.

Industry-informed teaching

Course practitioners have professional backgrounds in writing and production, so your learning reflects industry best practice.

Collaborate and grow

Expand on your ideas with ongoing story development in a highly collaborative environment.

Author Graeme Simsion talking against a black background

Screenwriting at RMIT

Discover how author Graeme Simsion developed his screenplay and award-winning novel, The Rosie Project, through the Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting at RMIT.

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Guaranteed Pathway options available

Didn't get the ATAR you needed? Guaranteed Pathways lets you preference pathway packages so you can secure your place in your goal degree and graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

This training is delivered with Victorian and Commonwealth Government funding.

Please note: this advanced diploma is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you are holding a temporary visa (other than a student visa) and your visa has a full study entitlement, you may be eligible to apply. For more information, see the international students with other temporary (non-student) visas.

Details

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Learning and teaching

Your learning in this course will be highly practical, featuring extensive time spent on writing and story development.  You will learn through workshops, both independent and collaborative work, and will benefit from both providing and receiving class feedback.

Your teachers are also practitioners with extensive careers in the screen industry, ensuring you are immersed in industry best practice from day one.

Assessment methods

In this advanced diploma, you will be assessed on your work produced, which will include scripts for feature films, television series, and other work you may develop with the goal of future production. You may undertake work in comedy, game writing, childrens television, and writing from other genres.

Learning at RMIT

The types of classes you have will depend on the course you’re studying. Classes are offered in various formats designed to provide meaningful engagement with staff, industry and peers and provide for access and use of spaces where learning can be applied and active, including an array of specialised equipment.

Most RMIT courses do not include passive large-scale classes such as lectures, instead the content traditionally provided in lectures is made available online. This may be in the form of readings, videos or other on-demand learning materials. This content will also support the basis of interactive learning that takes place in on-campus classes.

You will be required to complete 35 hours minimum of professional work/integrated learning in your final year.

Past students have completed work placements at the ABC and Matchbox Pictures; gained internships with FremantleMedia, working on TV shows such as Neighbours; and worked with a host of commercial television production companies.

This advanced diploma maintains active links with all areas of the Victorian and Australia-wide film, television and digital media industry, especially through its strong Program Advisory Committee consisting of representatives from VicScreen, SBS, ABC, the Australian Writers Guild and independent production companies.

RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.

You may complete your industry placement in Australia or overseas.

Global work, exchange and study experiences

RMIT offers a range of opportunities for our students to study abroad through global work, exchange and study experiences with over 165 partner universities worldwide.

The knowledge and skills you will acquire throughout this certificate and how they can be applied in your career are described in the learning outcomes.

This diploma immerses you in the Australian and international professional screenwriting environment.

You’ll learn about the makeup of the screen production industry and about the business of professional practice. You will also learn an audience-centred approach to marketing your own projects and a savvy approach to career management.

Our industry links ensure that on completion, you’ll be in a strong position to secure employment as a screenwriter in the film and television industry.

Year 1

Gain a comprehensive grounding in writing for film, television and digital media.

Year 2

Develop your own creative strengths through specialist training across a wide range of genres. You’ll learn about the screen production industries, as well as how to work professionally, market your projects and manage your career.

You will also complete your placement in final year. For a minimum of 35 hours, you will gain practical experience in an industry setting.

Course structure

Choose a plan below to find out more about the subjects you will study and the course structure.

Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
Program code: C6180
National curriculum code: 11115NAT
Title
Location
Duration
Plan code
CRICOS
Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting
City Campus
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
C6180
Location
City Campus
Duration
2 years full-time or part-time equivalent
Plan code
C6180
CRICOS
View plan

Note: International student visa holders can only study full-time.

Career

The need for professional writers has increased since the growth of streaming services, the expansion of the film industry in Australia and the increase in number of independent production companies.

Utilising the skills developed throughout this advanced diploma, you will be able to pursue work as a screenwriter, story editor and developer, either in established production companies or as freelancers.  

Entry requirements and admissions

You need to satisfy all of the following academic (entry) requirements to be considered for entry into this course.

Option 1:

Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting (plan code C6180)

There are no minimum academic entry requirements.

Option 2:

Guaranteed Pathway - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting/Bachelor of Communication (Media) (plan code C6180PATH1)

There are no minimum academic entry requirements.

Option 3:

Guaranteed Pathway - Advanced Diploma of Professional Screenwriting/Bachelor of Arts (Creative Writing) (plan code C6180PATH2)

There are no minimum academic entry requirements.

All applicants:

All applicants must submit the selection task.

Applicants who are seeking admission on the basis of an approved RMIT pathway will be able to indicate this in the selection task and submit.

All other applicants must complete and submit the selection task requirements.

There are no prerequisite subjects required for entry into this qualification.

Semester 1, 2025

Entry into this program is competitive, and applications are assessed in the order that they are received until this date, if places are still available. For your best chance at admission into this program, you are encouraged to apply as early as possible.

Selection task dates

Selection task dates for VTAC applicants
VTAC applicants Register and submit the selection task by
November round (Non-year 12 applicants only) 1 November 2024
December round (Current year 12 applicants only) 13 December 2024
January rounds (All applicants) 1 January 2025
February rounds (All applicants if places are available) 28 January 2025
Selection task dates for direct applicants

If you are applying direct to RMIT, you must complete and submit your direct application. The link to submit your selection task will appear on the applicant dashboard after you have submitted your application. Please see the Apply page for information on eligibility to apply direct.

Applicant type Register and submit the selection task by
Direct applicants 7 February 2025

Selection task requirements

Applicant statement

Applicants are required to answer the following questions (maximum 150 words per question):

  • Question 1: What interests you in screenwriting and writing for performance and what do you hope to gain from studying this program?
  • Question 2: Outline any personal strengths and attributes you will bring to the program. This may include examples from productions, sports, work, committees, hobbies, volunteer groups, achievements, or other relevant activities.
Writing sample
  • A 1000-word sample of original writing. This can be a short script, a screen story outline and related sample dialogue scenes, or a piece of creative writing. This must be uploaded as a PDF file (maximum size 10MB).

Pathways

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Understanding pathways

Undertaking a certificate, diploma, advanced diploma or associate degree can help you meet the entry requirements for your preferred degree. These qualifications often provide credit, reducing the duration of your bachelor degree.

Explore the pathway finder
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This course offers pathway options. If you don’t meet the entry requirements, a formal pathway might be your way in.

Guaranteed Pathways gives you the option to preference pathway packages in VTAC.

If you apply and are successful in gaining a place in a Guaranteed Pathway package, you will progress straight into the Bachelor Degree upon successful completion of the relevant vocational degree (otherwise known as TAFE) first.

With a Guaranteed Pathway package, you can graduate with two internationally-recognised RMIT qualifications.

Credit, recognition of prior learning, professional experience and accreditation from a professional body can reduce the duration of your study by acknowledging your earlier, relevant experience.

Credit and exemptions will be assessed consistent with the principles of the RMIT Credit Policy.

Graduates of this course will be guaranteed entry into the courses below.

For more information, explore our Pathway finder, or contact Study@RMIT.

Fees

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Tuition fees

The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place. To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at How to check if you are eligible.

  • 2025 government subsidised place: AU$9,000* per annum
  • 2025 full-fee place: AU$12,250* per annum

*Fees shown are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment.

Fee finder

Use our fee finder to get an estimate of your fees for this program.

Additional expenses

  • Student services and amenities fee (SSAF): AU$365 maximum fee for 2025.
  • Other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment.

Annual fee adjustment

The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide.

Eligibility Exemption criteria

**The Victorian Government is currently waiving three (3) eligibility criteria around prior qualifications. This means that more people who want to study a vocational education program at RMIT, and who have studied previously, will be able to access a government subsidised place in a program. Find out how to check your eligibility

Defer your payment

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

Payments and refunds

For information on how to pay your fees or how to apply for a refund, please see Paying your fees and applying for refunds.

In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.

The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2025 is $365.

You may also be required to purchase other items related to your course, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from course to course.

VET Student Loans

The Australian Government provides financial assistance via the VET Student Loans scheme, which allows eligible students in eligible programs to defer payment of their tuition fees, up to the maximum loan amount for their program.

How does a VET Student Loan work?

If your VET Student Loan application is successful, the Australian Government will pay RMIT your tuition fees on your behalf, up to the maximum loan amount for your program.

Your VET Student Loan becomes part of your VETSL debt. You will start repaying your accumulated VETSL debt to the Australian Government once you earn above the minimum income threshold for repayment, which is adjusted each year (this also applies if you are still studying).

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) will calculate your compulsory repayment for the year and include this on your income tax notice.

The Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology advises that:

  • VET student loans will not be approved for students who do not meet eligibility requirements; and
  • a VET student loan gives rise to a HELP debt that continues to be a debt due to the Commonwealth until it is repaid.

For more information see VET Student Loans or Study Assist.

VET Student Loan cap

If your program is eligible for the VET Student Loan scheme and has a loan cap that doesn’t cover the total amount of the tuition fees for your program, then you’ll need to pay RMIT the difference by the due date once you exceed the cap.

It’s easy for you to keep track of your VET Student Loan debt, and you can choose to make upfront payments at any time before the census date. 

RMIT awards more than 2000 scholarships every year to recognise academic achievement and assist students from a variety of backgrounds.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Looking for answers or more general information?

Use our Frequently Asked Questions to learn about the application process and its equity access schemes, find out how to accept or defer your offer or request a leave of absence, discover information about your fees, refunds and scholarships, and explore the various student support and advocacy services, as well as how to find out more about your preferred program, and more.

This course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa.

Information for international students

Sorry, this course is not available for international students intending to study on a student visa. If you hold a different visa type, you may be eligible. Please contact Study@RMIT for more information.

 

Information for local students

If you are a local student please select 'switch to local' below to view the full course information.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information