What are the best places to study undergraduate journalism?

Do i need to study history in VCE to get in to a Journalism corse?

• Hi, I'm currently in year ten and I'm starting to think about what subjects I need to study (and pass) in order to get in to university and study Journalism. I have read the Deakin Uni website (as I'm most interested in this uni) and they stated I need a minimal score of 72.5 but I'm aiming for 80+. They only other prerequisite is an English score of 30+. Is this all I really need? Does anybody know what subjects I should do? I'm currently thinking English, Maths, Law/Political studies, Psychology and Literature. But I was told history would be a good choice but i'm not interested in that class. I would love some advice from somebody who has/is studying journalism in Australia especially in Victoria. Many, Many thanks1 :D

• Answer:

  If you are going to be a local "General" journalist or to work on "Police Rounds" then it would be good to have some history background and ability to check historical facts. I have known journalists to say that the "Hilton Bombing" in February 1978 was the first "Terrorist" attack in Australia. That is wrong. There were many terrorist attacks in Australia carried out by the USTASHI (Croatian Fascists) in Melbourne and Sydney as early as the early 1960's and the bombing of the Yugoslav consulate in Melbourne in 1970, bombing several travel agencies, bombing the Yugoslav airline offices several times plus Serbian (Eastern Orthodox) churches and at least one flat in Carlton. I covered several of these incidents in Melbourne between 1969 and 1989. If you are hoping to be a Foreign correspondent then knowing some history, politics, culture and language of the region you wish to work in is extremely helpful. If you are hoping to do State, Local or Federal politics then politics and economics are also needed, and the same can be said if you wish to do "Industrial Rounds". If you hope to do "Court Reporting" then some knowledge of law and history are good assets. Each branch of journalism and each "Round" has its own requirements. Work out what you hope to do and concentrate on the requirements they need along with gathering some wider knowledge, but to a lesser degree in the other areas. English is essential and learn to use words correctly and prudently. Some newspapers have a "Style Guide". These often stress the correct way of using words, the use of the correct word and what words to avoid wherever possible. A Complete Oxford English dictionary (either the large 1-volume or the 2-volume edition) is essential as is a good Thesaurus. Psychology is not an essential. Maths can help if you are going into Politics or Economic journalism.