AU · Master's
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Master of Journalism
University of Technology Sydney (UTS)
Course Overview
UTS Master of Journalism is delivered through the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences — UTS sits in the top 10 Australian universities for Communication and Media Studies (QS Subject Rankings 2025) and is the practitioner-led journalism school in Sydney. The school operates the Central News online newsroom and the UTS Journalism Documentary Lab, and faculty includes working journalists from the ABC, SBS, The Sydney Morning Herald, and Reuters. The 1.5-year degree is offered in two pathways: 18 months for graduates of non-journalism Bachelor's (the standard route for Sri Lankan applicants), with a 1-year accelerated track for journalism-degree holders. Curriculum covers digital journalism, multimedia production, investigative reporting, media law and ethics, data journalism, and a major capstone project (long-form feature, podcast series, or documentary).
Sri Lankan applicants from English / Mass Communications / Political Science backgrounds (Colombo, Kelaniya, Sri J'pura, SLIIT, Sabaragamuwa Mass Comm) target UTS for the news-industry pipeline — UTS alumni are dispersed through the ABC, SBS, Reuters, Guardian Australia, Sydney Morning Herald, Crikey, and into international newsroom postings. Journalist (ANZSCO 212412) is on the short-term skilled occupation list — not the MLTSSL — so PR via the journalism stream is harder than for STEM/Health/Education; many graduates take adjacent communications / content / PR roles which support 485 visa stays.
Entry Requirements
Academic
- check_circle Sri Lankan Bachelor's (Hons) in any discipline — journalism background not required for the 18-month track; preferred for the 1-year accelerated route.
- check_circle Sri Lankan local degrees from Colombo, Kelaniya, J'pura (Mass Comm), Sabaragamuwa Mass Communications, SLIIT Business / IT all accepted with GPA 3.0+ / Second Upper.
- check_circle Sri Lankan SLIIT / NSBM / SLINTEC Mass Communications degree-holders eligible for accelerated 1-year track.
- check_circle Personal Statement (500-800 words) on journalism / media background and goals.
- check_circle Portfolio of writing or media work strongly recommended (not mandatory) — clips from Daily FT, Roar Media, Groundviews, university student publications all count.
- check_circle Two references (academic or professional).
English Proficiency
- check_circle IELTS Academic: 6.5 Overall (min 6.0 Writing, 6.0 in each other section).
- check_circle TOEFL iBT: 79-93 Overall (min 21 Writing).
- check_circle PTE Academic: 58 Overall.
- check_circle Cambridge English C1 Advanced: 176.
- check_circle Waived if your Bachelor's was taught and assessed entirely in English (most Sri Lankan applicants from Colombo, Kelaniya, J'pura, SLIIT, NSBM qualify with an MOI letter).
Estimated Cost of Study
| Expense Category | Amount (AUD) | Approx. LKR |
|---|---|---|
| Tuition Fee (per year) | AUD 45,200 | Rs. 9,492,000 |
| Living Expenses in Sydney (per year) | AUD 27,000 | Rs. 5,670,000 |
| Overseas Student Health Cover (18 months) | AUD 1,100 | Rs. 231,000 |
| Student Visa, OSHC & Application Fees | AUD 2,100 | Rs. 441,000 |
| Books, Equipment (camera/audio) & Travel | AUD 2,800 | Rs. 588,000 |
| Total Programme Investment (18 months) | AUD 113,800 | Rs. 23,898,000 |
*LKR conversion based on current bank rates. Subject to change.
Career Outcomes & PR
Eligible for the 485 Temporary Graduate visa — 2 years post-study work for Master's by coursework. UTS Journalism graduates route into the ABC News, ABC Investigations, SBS Dateline, Reuters Sydney bureau, The Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, Guardian Australia, Crikey, Nine News digital, Seven News, ABC Foreign Correspondent, plus media-adjacent communications roles at PwC Australia, Edelman, Ogilvy, and government communications. Median starting salary AUD 60,000-75,000 (LKR 12.6M-15.75M/yr) for cadet/junior reporter posts; senior correspondents AUD 95,000+. Sri Lankan returnees route into senior reporting and editorial positions at The Daily Mirror, Daily FT, Ceylon Today, Sunday Times, Roar Media, Groundviews, Echelon, The Morning, EconomyNext, plus into corporate communications at MAS Holdings, John Keells, Brandix, and into broadcast roles at Sirasa / TV Derana / News First / Hiru TV. Strong route into NGO communications (UN Sri Lanka, World Bank Colombo, Asia Foundation, Centre for Policy Alternatives).
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