Writing and Journalism Courses
Develop your professional writing skills.
Writers are employed both by publishers and advertising companies, or they may work freelance. The publishing industry is much more than just writing. It also employs editors, graphics technicians, photographers, artists, salesmen, clerks and managers. Learn about the industry and lay a solid oundation toward developing more specialised skills.
During the course you will undertake four core units (Management, Office Practices, Business Operations and Marketing Foundations) and three stream units covering publishing and writing, plus a workplace project on the publishing industry.
Studying this course will help give you a competitive edge when seeking career advancement.
This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Online
E-Learning
Read more & enrol: Advanced Certificate In Applied Management (Publishing And Journalism)
This is a course for people who already have skills in freelance writing, who have perhaps had some minor work published, but need to improve their overall technique and develop a more "efficient" approach to their work.
Our staff include well established and successful freelance writers; and through this course, you have opportunity to communicate with these professionals and be guided by their decades of experience.
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Advanced Freelance Writing
Nurture your Creativity, and Become a Successful Writer
To be successful as a creative writer, you need to develop not only writing skills; but also a technique and an ability to distil your ideas, focus on a project and follow that project trough to it's conclusion. Creative writing is stimulating, but also challenging, and not always completely what the student expects it to be. Then again... if it was what you expect; you would already know what this course sets out to teach you, and you would already probably be a successful writer.
If you want to be a successful, creative writer; and have the commitment to follow that dream; this course could be the path you have been looking for.
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Online
E-Learning
Read more & enrol: Certificate in Creative Writing
If you want to become a freelance journalist or to work in the field of publishing, this is a good place to start.
This course will provide you with a skills and knowledge base that prepares you to start a career as a freelance writer, an editor or a publisher. Many journalists begin their careers as freelance writers, submitting articles to newspapers and magazines. The broad scope of this course will prepare you to work as a writer in a publishing business, a freelancer, or in other areas of publishing. This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Certificate In Journalism
Communications
100 hours
Statement of Attainment
8 lessons
Become a better Communicator
At Work, At Home, In Business, As a Public Speaker
This course improves your ability to communicate in all situations. You learn to write and speak more fluently. Behaviour, visual communications, language, public speaking, conducting meetings, writing letters and reports, communications technology, and lots more are covered. This course is an accredited Advanced Certificate in Applied Management unit which will earn you credit if you choose to continue studies.
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Online
E-Learning
Read more & enrol: Communications
To be paid to write is a dream shared by many.
Writing can be an exciting profession, but before embarking on a substantial course of study with us or anyone else; be sure you fully understand what is involved. Some people simply don't succeed perhaps because the dream is not the same as the reality; or maybe they are simply not the right personality. This job is not just about writing well; it also requires you to be able to write quickly and work under pressure. You also need to be prepared to write what an employer wants, which is not always the same as what you want. This is the reality of journalism. If you can get past these considerations, and with a bit of luck, you may be able to forge a serious career.
This course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C
Dan Read, a student in our Diploma in Journalism course has recently had an article published. His comments on the course - "I feel that the course has given me the tools and confidence necessary to make this possible."
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Diploma In Journalism
Get a comprehensive, solid basis for a career in journalism
This course is suitable for students considering careers in any aspect of journalism, including photo journalism and publishing. Many university journalism graduates end up never being able to secure a successful career in publishing. There are many reasons for thi. You are better to investigate and understand these issues BEFORE STARTING a course; rather than being surprised after completing a qualification.
The course is internationally accredited through I.A.R.C
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Diploma In Publishing And Journalism
This course provides students with a first step toward a career in editing and proof reading.
Graduates of this course may well start with part time work editing web sites, newsletters or low circulation magazines; but over time (and perhaps with further study) can work up to full time employment as a proof reader, sub editor, book or magazine editor, copy editor, freelance editor, or even publishing assistant or publisher.
Editors work for publications both in house (eg. in a magazine, newspaper or web development office), or outside as contractors (eg. self employed from home).
Good editors are always in demand and with greater access to the internet, todays editors can often work from virtually anywhere in the world.
Alone, this course does not make you a professional editor, but it can lead to valuable career opportunities when combined with other courses that develop your knowledge and skills in publishing and journalism.
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Online
E-Learning
Read more & enrol: Editing I (Editing and Proof Reading)
Enrolments now being accepted.
Gain hands-on experience as an editor in a student publishing team!
In this course, you will develop essential practical knowledge and skills that you will need in your career as editor or publisher. Under the guidance of a mentor (a member of our academic staff), you will plan, design, write, and publish a magazine, journal, or other publication. Think of how good that will look on your resumé! Gain hands-on experience as an editor in a student publishing team!
Prerequisites
- Publishing I and Editing I, or equivalent
- Medium level computer skills
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Editing Practice
This course will develop your knowledge of English grammar and your ability to write in English for business and study. The course is aimed at students who can write and speak basic English and wish to strengthen their English language skills, in particular their writing skills. Students will learn by reading the course notes, completing written and spoken exercises for each lesson, and submitting them for comment and correction.
Comment from one of our ESL students: "Studying with ACS was a wonderful experience. I have learnt a lot and will take a new course soon" M. Khaovong
Freelance Writing
100 hours
Statement of Attainment
10 lessons
Many professional writers start out by freelancing.
Learn how to write, what to write, and how publishers buy from freelance writers.
Ten lessons cover everything from good grammar to planning and writing newspaper and magazine articles, advertisements, books and more. Emphasis is placed on things which are important to publishers who might buy your work. Tutors concentrate on your ability to properly structure an article, and to be both concise and clear in your use of words. Graduates of this course should:
- Have improved communication skills, particularly with respect to clarity, conciseness and correct grammar.
- Be familiar with the "writing industry"; having a clear idea of where opportunities exist for obtaining work as a freelance writer.
- How to go about approaching potential clients to obtain work.
- Have an understanding of the processes involved in publishing books, magazines and newspapers; from generating concepts to seeing the finished publication on sale.
Here's what one of our students has said:
(NB: Comment from student questionnaire, held on file)
"(The course) has helped me focus on writing and increased my confidence. Provided me with valuable information and improved skills so that I can move forward in my ambitions". Justine
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Online
E-Learning
Read more & enrol: Freelance Writing
Gain valuable journalism experience by writing for a student publication. This course takes you through the processes of writing for a specific publication, submitting work for publication, and meeting the requirements of an editor and publisher. Under the guidance of a mentor (a writing/editing tutor), you will learn to write according to specific criteria, deal with a publisher, and communicate effectively with others involved in the publishing process. And, you will come away with at least one published work (maybe more), which will set you on the path to a career as a writer. No matter what you want to write, you will find this a great learning experience.
Prerequisites
- Freelance Writing, Publishing I, and Editing I, or equivalent
- Medium level computer skills, or higher.
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Journalism Practice I
Like Journalism Practice 1, this module gives you valuable experience in writing for a student publication, which will greatly enhance your resumé. Publishers are more likely to employ writers who have already been published! Under the guidance of a mentor (a writing/editing tutor), you will participate in the production of a specific publication. As a feature writer, you will prepare and submit works for the publication and work with other students to produce a polished, professional-looking online publication that you can proudly show to a prospective employer.
Prerequisites
- Freelance Writing, Publishing I, Editing I, and Journalism Practice 1; or equivalent
- Medium level computer skills or higher
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Journalism Practice II
Publishing III
100 hours
Statement of Attainment
Develop your ability to plan and manage a publishing business.
Publisher are continually needing to consider: “What to publish?”
Some establish a limited repertoire of publication activities, focusing on academic books, novels, westerns, romance novels, text and educational books, informative or self-help books or material on specific topics such as health and wellbeing, ostrich farming etc., fashion or gardening magazines, music scores etc. Other publishers will engage in a wider range of activities, publishing books, journals, monographs and newspapers in their different branches. The nature of the publishing enterprise will determine what kinds of texts they will publish, and how they choose which texts to publish.
Whilst it can be taken alone, this course is ideally studied as a follow on from Publishing I and II.
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Read more & enrol: Publishing III
Writing Fiction
100 hours
Statement of Attainment
8 lessons
Learn to write Fiction
One aspect of this course involves factual information geared to helping you to develop an understanding of processes. Another major part of this course involves you undertaking practical tasks of writing pieces of your own fiction, and analyzing the writing of other authors.
Comments from our Writing Fiction students:
I have thoroughly enjoyed this course. Thank you for making it available" S. Cooke
"Having a (tutor available) who is able to critique my work was essential. I needed to know where my strengths and weaknesses lie. An informed and knowledgeable tutor helps a lot". Wendy
Fiction is writing that encompasses imaginary characters, events, and/or settings created by the writer. All of the components of a fictitious story do not necessarily need to be fictitious though:
- Imaginary characters might be set in a real world setting such as a well known city or a particular country.
- Characters might be fictitious, but set in a “real” event. For example, you might write about the experiences of a fictitious character during World War II.
- Real characters may be used for a fictitious story that embraces an imaginary event or setting (eg. a story about William Shakespeare travelling through time; or something more realistic, like a summers holiday at a fictitious beach resort, taken by a famous historical figure such as Mozart!)
Learning methods available:
Correspondence
Online
E-Learning
Read more & enrol: Writing Fiction
