Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Politics

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Politics at the University of Adelaide is designed for students who want to report on political events, public policy and global issues with accuracy and impact. The program combines practical journalism training with political studies, helping students learn how to investigate stories, analyse political developments and communicate complex issues clearly to the public.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In the first year, students develop the core skills needed for journalism while building an understanding of politics. Subjects such as News Writing, Multimedia Journalism, and Audio Journalism introduce the fundamentals of reporting across different media platforms. Alongside this, politics subjects like Introduction to Politics help students understand political systems, institutions and key debates shaping public life.

Year 2
The second year focuses on strengthening storytelling skills and understanding the responsibilities of journalists. Students study subjects such as Feature Writing, Television Journalism, and Media Law and Ethics, which explore professional standards, legal frameworks and ethical decision-making in journalism. At the same time, politics courses expand knowledge of government, policy processes and political behaviour, giving students deeper insight into the issues they may report on.

Year 3
In the final year, students move into more advanced and specialised journalism work. Courses such as Investigative Journalism and Constructive Journalism allow students to explore in-depth reporting and complex political issues. Politics subjects including Cyber-Politics and Electoral Democracy examine modern political communication and democratic processes, while professional experience opportunities give students the chance to apply their skills in a real media environment.

Focus Areas

Political journalism, multimedia reporting, investigative journalism, media law and ethics, public policy communication, digital political communication

Learning Outcomes

Develop professional journalism and reporting skills, analyse political systems and policy debates, produce multimedia news content, apply ethical and legal principles in media practice, and communicate complex political issues clearly to public audiences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program includes work-integrated learning opportunities that allow students to gain practical experience in professional media environments and apply newsroom practices during their studies.

Reputation (Employability Rankings)

Graduates develop strong reporting, research and analytical skills that are valued in journalism, media organisations, political communication, policy analysis and public affairs roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

In the Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Politics at the University of Adelaide, learning goes far beyond the classroom. Students develop practical reporting skills by working on real journalism projects, producing multimedia stories and analysing political events as they happen. The program is designed to mirror the pace and collaboration of a modern newsroom, giving students the chance to research, write and publish stories while learning how political systems, policies and public debates shape the news.

Students also benefit from the university’s modern learning spaces, digital production tools and strong connections with the media industry. These opportunities help students gain confidence in reporting complex political issues and presenting them clearly across different media platforms:

Professional experience placement, where students work with media organisations or communication teams and apply their journalism skills in a real industry environment.
Hands-on reporting projects throughout the degree, where students create news articles, multimedia stories and investigative pieces on current political and social issues.
Collaborative newsroom-style group projects, allowing students to plan, research and produce stories together, similar to how professional journalists work in editorial teams.
Multimedia storytelling tools and digital publishing platforms used for producing audio reports, video journalism and online news content.
Guest lectures and industry engagement opportunities, where experienced journalists and media professionals share insights into political reporting and the evolving media landscape.
Access to modern study spaces and the University of Adelaide Library, which provides extensive news archives, research databases and resources for political and media analysis.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Journalism majoring in Politics at the University of Adelaide leave with strong reporting skills and a deep understanding of political systems and public policy. This combination prepares them to work in fast-moving media environments where clear communication and critical thinking are essential. Many graduates build careers in areas such as political journalism, broadcast journalism, media analysis, or political campaign and communications roles.

The degree is designed to help students transition smoothly from university into professional careers:

Career and employability support: The University of Adelaide offers dedicated career services, including career planning sessions, résumé and interview workshops, networking opportunities and job search support to help students prepare for the media and communications industry.
Professional experience opportunities: Students gain practical industry exposure through work-integrated learning and professional placements, allowing them to apply their journalism skills in real media or communication environments before graduating.
Industry engagement: Through guest lectures, professional networks and industry connections, students interact with experienced journalists and media professionals who provide insight into current trends in journalism and political communication.
Strong graduate outcomes: University of Adelaide graduates benefit from strong employment prospects, with many moving into roles across news organisations, digital media platforms, government communication teams and policy organisations.
Versatile career pathways: The mix of journalism training and political knowledge gives graduates the flexibility to work in media, government, advocacy organisations, policy research or strategic communications.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, students can continue their studies at postgraduate level to specialise further or expand their career options. Many graduates choose programs such as a Master of Journalism, Master of Media, Master of International Relations, or other postgraduate degrees in politics, communication or public policy, which can lead to advanced roles in journalism, policy research, academia or senior communication positions.